Pre-professional Training

We run syllabus and non-syllabus classes in classical ballet for children aged 3+yrs. We regard good ballet training as an essential building block in the creation of a rounded dancer/musical theatre performer, and as such, our classical training is delivered with a strong emphasis on developing the skills that assist a dancer’s development in jazz, tap contemporary and musical theatre as well as providing a learning experience which is both fun and rewarding to those who choose to study ballet as an isolated subject.

We offer the opportunity for pupils to take examinations in either RAD or ISTD ballet from pre-primary to advanced level. Examinations are optional; they can provide a useful way of road-testing skills learnt in class and the idea of taking an examination can be very motivating to some pupils. Equally, pupil progress is not defined by success at examination and as a school, we support the development of all pupils regardless of whether they decide to take external examinations.

We run syllabus classes in tap dance from age 5+ and believe that the rhythmical and stylistic benefits of studying tap are intrinsic to the creation of a rounded dancer/musical theatre performer. Tap dance, as a genre, is born of a fusion of cultures on American soil and draws on a variety of cultural rhythmical dance forms. Its popularity spread in the 1930s when it became recognised as a component of Musical Theatre.

We offer the opportunity for pupils to take examinations in ISTD tap from Grade 1 to advanced level. Examinations are optional; they can provide a useful way of road-testing skills learnt in class and the idea of taking an examination can be very motivating to some pupils. Equally, pupil progress is not defined by success at examination and as a school, we support the development of all pupils regardless of whether they decide to take external examinations.

We run syllabus classes in modern dance from age 5+ and many pupils enjoy this safe, fun and accessible way of learning to dance. Training in Modern dance enables children to develop their basic dance vocabulary, explore moving to different rhythms and with different stylistic influences, and improve their physical strength, motor skills and overall coordination.

We offer the opportunity for pupils to take examinations in ISTD modern from Grade 1 to advanced level. Examinations are optional; they can provide a useful way of road-testing skills learnt in class and the idea of taking an examination can be very motivating to some pupils. Equally, pupil progress is not defined by success at examination and as a school, we support the development of all pupils regardless of whether they decide to take external examinations.

We currently offer training in traditional Broadway jazz (Jazz) and Commercial Dance (Commercial). Both class types are non-syllabus and delivered holistically; they explore a person’s innate desire to move, seek to develop the natural movement qualities that make one dancer intrinsically different to another and build the foundations of artistic, technical, and psychological competency. There are currently five stages of progression in jazz and movement between stages is based on readiness as opposed to age.

We offer Contemporary classes to pupils aged 11+. These are non-syllabus classes which incorporate ballet-influenced leg movements, fall and recovery, floor work and improvisation. Contemporary dance is performed barefoot to allow for more fluidity in movement and connection to the dance surface. Taking classes in Contemporary can assist the development of the ‘whole’ dancer by encouraging pupils to become braver, stronger and more dynamic in their approach to movement. There are currently two stages of progression in Contemporary and movement between these stages is based on readiness as opposed to age.

We offer drama classes for children and young people aged 4+. All classes focus on building confidence in solo and group performance, encouraging collaboration and positive interaction with others, and the development of vocal and physical skills. In the early stages, lessons are ‘fun with a focus’; children learn about drama through group games, mime, music and movement. As pupils move along the pathway, they will begin to focus more specifically on improvisation, script-work, sight-reading and creating characters, as well as developing their contextual understanding of theatre history, theatre practitioners and stagecraft. Senior classes also include preparatory work for university/drama school applications. There are opportunities for all pupils to share their work in a performance setting during the year.

We offer the opportunity for pupils aged 7+ to take LAMDA examinations. Examinations are optional; they can provide a useful way of road-testing skills learnt in class and the idea of taking an examination can be very motivating to some pupils. Equally, pupil progress is not defined by success at examination and as a school, we support the development of all pupils regardless of whether they decide to take external examinations.

We offer one mixed-ability group singing class per week which covers the essential aspects of becoming a confident, self-aware singing student. This class seeks to develop each pupil’s ability to understand their own voice, pick up harmonies, maintain vocal health, prepare for performance, and to deliver a connected, believable performance either as a solo artist or as part of an ensemble in front of an audience. There are regular opportunities for solo performance within this class and there may also be some shared content between this class and musical theatre where more time is required for vocal exploration.

We also offer 1-1 or small group singing classes on a private basis. 

Our Performance classes are all about ‘putting it together’. They are a combination of Musical Theatre, Pop, Rock, Disney and Jazz. They work best for pupils who are already taking lessons in Jazz, drama and singing, and, as such, have gained a basic level of both skill and confidence in all three disciplines. However, this isn’t compulsory but children must be unafraid of being thrown in at the deep end! Performance classes give pupils a chance to practise dancing, singing and acting at the same time; try different genres of music to learn how each separate skill works both independently and in combination with the other disciplines and in doing so, they gain essential contextual knowledge, an appreciation of the musical theatre canon from the legit musical through to emerging works, the history of the genre, and a level of industry awareness.

Start Date: 03/09/24

Half Term: 28/10/24 - 02/11/24

End of Term: 14/12/24

Start Date: 07/01/25

Half Term: 17/02/25 - 22/02/25

End of Term: 05/04/25

Start Date: 22/04/25

No Half Term

End of Term: 19/07/25