Tiny Dancers: 3 - 7 years

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HOP

HOP

2.5 - 4 years

This class introduces pre-school children to dance using music, props and stories.

The emphasis is on moving and capturing the imagination. Each exercise builds essential motor skills, co-ordination and rhythm. Children work in groups to discover their first Tap, Modern and Ballet steps. This nurtures their social and emotional development.

Class times:
Saturday mornings + Wednesday afternoons. Please note we expect children to learn independently in these classes. They are not parent + child sessions.
SKIP

SKIP

4 - 6 years

Children are now able to remember the names of the steps they learn and begin putting them into short sequences. Following the Pre-Primary ISTD syllabus in Tap and Modern provides an appreciation of the contrasting styles and accompanying music, for example; rhythmic tap and jazzy modern.

Class times:
Saturday mornings + Wednesday afternoons.
Pre Primary Ballet

Pre Primary Ballet

4 - 6 years

Pre Primary is one of the introductory levels of the’s graded examination syllabi and our students work towards taking their Pre Primary Class Award.

The classes develop physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression, and musicality using a range of sounds and musical styles. This prepares students for the transition to Ballet and other dance genres at higher levels.

Class times:
Monday afternoons
Primary Ballet

Primary Ballet

6 - 7 years

Primary is one of the introductory levels of the ISTD’s graded examination syllabi and our students work towards taking their Primary Class Award.

The classes develop physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression, and musicality using a range of sounds and musical styles. This prepares students for the transition to Ballet and other dance genres at higher levels.

Class times:
Monday afternoons
JUMP

JUMP

6 - 7 years

Having learnt to ‘Hop’ and ‘Skip’, pupils now jump into dance with longer sequences demonstrating more precise technique. Improvisation is encouraged, drawn from the range of steps they have developed in their classes so far. There is an option of taking a class exam (where the teacher is present) in the Primary ISTD Tap and Modern syllabi they have learned.

Class times:
Fridays afternoons + Saturday mornings

Junior Dancers: 7 - 11 years

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Grade 1 + 2 Modern

Grade 1 + 2 Modern

7 years +

Modern is now taken on it's own in a dedicated 45 minute class. We continue to follow the ISTD syllabus + graded examinations are offered. This highly energetic style is most frequently seen in musical productions and the process of learning, memorising + performing dances contributes to increasing self-confidence.

Class times:
Friday afternoons/evenings
Grade 1 + 2 Tap

Grade 1 + 2 Tap

7 years +

Tap is now taken on it's own in a dedicated 45 minute class. We continue to follow the ISTD syllabus + graded examinations are offered. Rhythm is a strong focus of these classes, along with the precise movement of the feet + ankles. The theatrical side of this dance form is also developed.

Class times:
Friday afternoons/evenings
Grade 1 + 2 Ballet

Grade 1 + 2 Ballet

7 years +

By taking classes and working towards graded examinations, pupils develop core stability, weight placement, turn out + line.

Awareness of artistry and dynamics is also recognised and rewarded. Exercises encourage the development of sound technique, relevant for the Ballet world of today.

Class times:
Monday afternoons
Junior Performance

Junior Performance

Grades 1 + 2/7 years +

A 45 minute session incorporating limbering (for strength + flexibility) as well as new steps and routines not covered by exam classes. A variety of music and dance styles are covered as pupils learn how the steps they have mastered translate to the stage; as well as how to perform in a group. Guest teachers are invited in each term and any performance opportunities sought out by teachers are offered to pupils of this class first.

Class times:
Saturday mornings

Intermediate Dancers: 11 - 13 years

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Grade 3 + 4 Modern

Grade 3 + 4 Modern

10 years +

Modern continues to be taken in a dedicated 45 minute class, following the ISTD syllabus. Graded examinations + jazz awards are offered. This highly energetic style is most frequently seen in musical productions and the process of learning, memorising + performing dances contributes to increasing self-confidence.

Class times:
Thursday afternoons/evenings
Grade 3 + 4 Tap

Grade 3 + 4 Tap

10 years +

Tap continues to be taken in a dedicated 45 minute class, following the ISTD syllabus. Graded examinations are offered. Rhythm is a strong focus of these classes, along with the precise movement of the feet + ankles. The theatrical side of this dance form is also developed.


Class times:
Wednesday afternoons/evenings
Grade 3 + 4 Ballet

Grade 3 + 4 Ballet

10 years +

By continuing to take classes and work towards graded examinations, pupils develop increased core stability, turn out + line. Awareness of artistry and dynamics is also recognised and rewarded.

Exercises encourage the development of sound technique, relevant for the Ballet world of today.

Class times:
Wednesday afternoons
Strength + Conditioning (Intermediate)

Strength + Conditioning (Intermediate)

Modern students

These 15 minute sessions continue to enhance the students' stamina, strength + flexibility as their syllabus work becomes more demanding.

Class times:
Various
Intermediate Progressing Ballet Technique

Intermediate Progressing Ballet Technique

Grade 3 + students

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is an innovative body-conditioning and strengthening program that has been designed to enhance students' technique by focussing on training the muscle memory required in each exercise in all forms of dance.

The program helps with injury prevention and rehabilitation and enhances the ability of athletes to perform at their best. It can be difficult for students to feel which muscles initiate the correct alignment in training. However, with the use of an exercise ball, the students gain a great sense of posture and weight-placement whilst feeling each correct muscle group working throughout each exercise, which then stays with them when whilst performing in dance or their chosen field of sport.

PBT focuses on core strength, weight placement and alignment of the body with a gradual approach of carefully designed exercises and repetitions of these exercises that trigger their muscle memory.

Class times:
Wednesday evenings
Intermediate Performance

Intermediate Performance

Grade 3 + 4/10 years +

Developing the skills learned in the Junior class, this class is faster paced and challenges pupils with longer sequences and new steps each week. Stamina and strength are encouraged with tougher exercises for the more mature body.

Any performance opportunities sought out by teachers are offered to pupils of this class first.

Class times:
Saturday mornings

Senior Dancers: 13 years +

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Grade 5 - Intermediate Modern

Grade 5 - Intermediate Modern

13 years +

Modern continues to be taken in a dedicated 45 minute class, following the ISTD syllabus. Graded examinations + jazz awards are offered.

This highly energetic style is most frequently seen in musical productions and the process of learning, memorising + performing dances contributes to increasing self-confidence.

Class times:
Thursday afternoons/evenings
Grade 5 - Intermediate Tap

Grade 5 - Intermediate Tap

13 years +

Tap continues to be taken in a dedicated 45 minute class, following the ISTD syllabus. Graded examinations are offered.

Rhythm is a strong focus of these classes, along with the precise movement of the feet + ankles. The theatrical side of this dance form is also developed.

Class times:
Wednesday afternoon/evenings
Grade 5 + Ballet

Grade 5 + Ballet

13 years +

By continuing to take classes and work towards graded examinations, pupils develop increased core stability, turn out + line. Awareness of artistry and dynamics is also recognised and rewarded.

Exercises encourage the development of sound technique, relevant for the Ballet world of today.


Class times:
Wednesday afternoon/evenings
Intermediate Ballet

Intermediate Ballet

Grade 5/6 upwards

Intermediate is the first vocational Ballet exam offered by the ISTD.

Vocational classes provide an in-depth study of Ballet; developing the technique, music and performance skills of the student. Pointe work is also part of the exam.

UCAS points are available for completion these exams.

Class times:
Monday evenings
Strength + Conditioning (Senior)

Strength + Conditioning (Senior)

Modern students

These 15 minute sessions continue to enhance the students' stamina, strength + flexibility as their syllabus work becomes more demanding.

Class times:
Various
Senior Progressing Ballet Technique

Senior Progressing Ballet Technique

Intermediate (graded) students

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is an innovative body-conditioning and strengthening program that has been designed to enhance students' technique by focussing on training the muscle memory required in each exercise in all forms of dance.

The program helps with injury prevention and rehabilitation and enhances the ability of athletes to perform at their best. It can be difficult for students to feel which muscles initiate the correct alignment in training. However, with the use of an exercise ball, the students gain a great sense of posture and weight-placement whilst feeling each correct muscle group working throughout each exercise, which then stays with them when whilst performing in dance or their chosen field of sport.

PBT focuses on core strength, weight placement and alignment of the body with a gradual approach of carefully designed exercises and repetitions of these exercises that trigger their muscle memory.

Class times:
Monday evenings
Senior Performance

Senior Performance

Grade 5/13 years +

Developing the skills learned in the Intermediate class, this class emphasises the fitness required for dance at a high level as well as challenges pupils with longer sequences and new steps each week.

Students are pushed in this class with guest teachers expecting them to pick up routines quickly and perform with the appropriate style. Any performance opportunities sought out by teachers are offered to pupils of this class first.

Class times:
Saturday lunchtimes
Progression through the school