Ballet provides the foundation for all dance genres, teaching a classical technique which embodies elegance and strength.
Our Ballet classes
Our youngest students join age three in our Budding Ballet Dancers class and many stay with us until they leave school. Over time we build a wonderful rapport with all our students and nurture relationships grounded in mutual respect and a shared love of dancing.
Our students learn to be committed and conscientious, how to work independently and as part of a team, to take responsibility for their progress and develop a fantastic work ethic.
We also run adult ballet classes which are suitable for those with previous dance experience. Many of our students return to us as adults, a testament to their positive experience at the Weald School of Dance.
Ballet syllabus
The Weald School of Dance follows the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet syllabus. This gives students the chance to gain certificates and medals from age five all the way through to the professional grades.
The RAD is a world leader in dance education and training and an internationally recognised society.
Why Choose an RAD School?
Internationally recognised qualifications
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Continuous Professional Development required to maintain Registered Teacher Status
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Teachers required to adhere to the RAD Code of Professional Practice
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Guaranteed safe dance practice.
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Teachers required to hold an up to date DBS
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Rigorous teacher training
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Inspiring and up to date syllabus work
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Fully orchestrated syllabus music
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UCAS points awarded at the higher grades
Why Ballet?
While some go on to professional careers, most people who take ballet classes aren’t planning to become a professional ballet dancer. The benefits of learning ballet are vast and our students tell us they develop skills that stay with them throughout their lives.
Taught by the right person, Ballet can have an have a positive effect on almost every other aspect of your life, as outlined below.
Fitness & physical health
Good ballet dancers move with a softness and elegance that belies their strength. Taking ballet classes will help you to develop a strong core and correct posture. These two elements have been proven to improve overall health.
When students dance they are executing a huge range of movements that require them to simultaneously stretch and control their muscles in a coordinated manner. This builds long, strong muscles and a heightened awareness of body placement and space.
Here ex-England footballer Rio Ferdinand talks about his training at the Central School School of Ballet and credits it in helping him become a top footballer.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0sJGAHuNo8
Mental strength & focus
When we dance it’s not only our bodies that are getting a workout. Our brains are also working incredibly hard. While learning to coordinate our bodies and tackle new steps, we are constantly building neural pathways which increases neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity has a direct effect on how we learn, comprehend and retain information in all walks of life.
Memory improvement
Learning to dance improves recall and memory from constant and regularly use. This includes remembering specific choreography, corrections, timing and dancing patterns, to name but a few.
Ballet takes commitment and perseverance and builds resilience. If taught in the right way ballet will give you all these things without you even realising! Taught with care, respect and a good deal of humour, a student will walk away with all these qualities as a bonus having had a wonderful experience in class.
Social skills
The social element in class is key at any age. For many of our children their ballet lessons will be one of their first learning experiences before going to school. They learn how to behave as part of the group, to listen, to be considerate of others, to wait their turn, to dance with a partner and build relationships. As the students get older their dancing friends often become a unique friendship group away from their school peers.
This is a valuable element to the class and provides them with a safe environment where they can express themselves. Watching students in class help each other overcome difficulties (be it choreographic or emotional) is amazing to see. They learn to respect each other and value everyone’s individual strengths and are an incredible support network.
Confidence
Every child is different and we could not be more aware and embracing of this at the Weald School of Dance. Some children bounce into class with unending confidence whereas for others, just coming into class can seem incredibly daunting.
Whichever point a child starts at we ensure that they go on their own personal journey, leaving with more confidence than they came with. Dancing for parents, family members or carers at the end of term, taking exams and awards and being part of our fantastic school shows all help build a sense of inner pride.