Young children love to move, be it at play or when listening to music.  By channelling these energies through structured dance and movement classes it can help to develop cognitive, motor and social skills.  It also helps to instil exercise as a way of life.

As children grow older dance can continue to be a hobby for some or a future career choice for others.  Whatever a child's goal, dance frequently produces confident, well-co-ordinated young people with good posture, self esteem and respect for others.  It is also a fun activity which gives young people the chance to experience the thrill of performance and the satisfaction of progressing and gaining qualifications with an international body - the I.S.T.D.

Children are accepted from the age of three at The Quay School of Dance.  At this age they attend a ballet-based class for half an hour a week.  The lessons are designed to be imaginative, fun and to provide a solid grounding for the dance syllabi that is taught to all children from full-time school age.

From age four and a half pupils can attend classes in Ballet, Tap and/or Modern.  Children follow a syllabus and work towards I.S.T.D. examinations.  The I.S.T.D. exams have been devised to provide a worthwhile sense of achievement both for children and young adults who dance for recreation, and also for those hoping to pursue a career in dance.

Uniform

At The Quay School of Theatre Dance we do insist that all pupils attend their classes wearing the correct uniform.  There are several reasons for this.  The first is that it ensures pupils are suitably dressed for class and that the clothing and footwear worn are safe and appropriate for the type of dance they are studying.  It also gives students a sense of belonging, and puts the emphasis in class on dance rather than fashion.  It enables the child’s teacher to clearly see posture, and it is therefore much easier to make corrections rather than if the child was wearing baggy clothing.  The I.S.T.D. has strict rules for clothing that should be worn for exams

After your child has attended lessons for a few weeks it is then expected that they should wear the uniform.  Uniform can be purchased from a specialist dance shop, or by filling out an order form at one of the studios.

A copy of the order form can also be downloaded here.

Examinations

Pupils are entered for I.S.T.D. exams when it is felt they are ready.  The I.S.T.D. examinations have been devised to provide a worthwhile sense of achievement both for children and young adults who dance for recreation and for children hoping to pursue a career in dance.