Frequently asked questions

Yes! If your child enjoys their trial and would like to continue, we'll invite you to join the class for the rest of the term.

After the trial, we'll send you an email with the next steps. If we have any concerns, or feel another class or level might be a better fit, we'll let you know.

Anything comfortable that they can move freely in, such as a T-shirt or vest top with shorts, leggings or similar.

If they have a leotard from another activity, they're very welcome to wear that too. There's no need to buy dancewear before your child has tried the class.

Absolutely! We have a selection of trial Tap and Ballet shoes available to borrow and will always do our best to find the right size.

If possible, please bring socks of different thicknesses with you, just in case we need to use a slightly larger pair. If lots of children of the same age are trialling at the same time, we may not have the perfect size for everyone.

If we can't find a suitable pair, don't worry. Children can dance in bare feet for Ballet and Modern, and trainers are absolutely fine for Tap.

Uniform is an important part of dance training, but it's not just about looking the part!

Dancewear allows children to move comfortably and enables teachers to clearly see the lines of their bodies. This is important when teaching technique and helping children develop good habits from the beginning of their training.

Putting on their uniform and doing their hair also helps children get into the right mindset for class and marks dance out as something special and different from everyday activities.

Hair is particularly important for dance as children need to be able to see clearly, and it allows teachers to properly teach skills such as turns.

You can find our full uniform requirements here.

We hold all our classes at Redcatch Community Church on Broad Walk, opposite the entrance to Redcatch Park.

With the exception of Parent + Child classes, RSD classes are drop-off classes, where children learn independently.

We feel this is an important part of their development. It helps children build confidence, independence and a relationship with their teachers as trusted adults.

Every child is different. After more than 40 years of combined teaching experience, we know that some children take to a new class straight away, while others need a little more reassurance.

It can really help to set clear expectations beforehand. For example: "I'll drop you off, wait in the hallway and then I can't wait to hear all about your class afterwards!"

If your child is nervous about coming in, you're welcome to walk them inside and sit briefly at the side while they settle. We do ask that parents don't dance with their child or remain in the room for the whole session, as this can make it harder for them to settle independently and can be confusing for the other children.

If your child is genuinely not ready to join without you, that's absolutely fine. We would much rather their first experience of dance is a positive one, so you're welcome to sit and watch together for a short while before deciding whether they're ready to join independently.

Equally, if your child is confident and happy to come in on their own, we encourage you to wait in the lobby. This helps reassure the other children that being dropped off is safe and completely normal.

And don't worry, you'll get plenty of opportunities to see what they've been learning at our Watching Weeks!

We know it can feel strange to leave a three or four year old at their first dance class, but we've found that children generally get much more from their lessons when they are able to learn independently.

Having a parent in the room can be confusing for young children. They can be unsure who they should be listening to and where their attention should be. It can also make them behave very differently from how they normally would.

You'll often see this during Watching Week! Children who are usually confident and chatty can suddenly become very shy, while others decide they'd rather sit with their parents than dance.

Our aim is to create a warm, safe environment where children feel confident with their teachers and enjoy becoming more independent.

Of course, every child is different, and we'll always work with you to make sure they are ready.

At the end of each term, we have a Watching Week, when parents are invited into classes to see what the children have been learning.

Depending on the timetable and pick-up arrangements, you can watch the whole class or part of the lesson.

We also love giving our students opportunities to perform outside the studio, including events such as the Big Picnic in Redcatch Park.

You're very welcome to come along during our Watching Week.

Outside of this, we don't usually offer class observations during the normal term, as having visitors in the room can be distracting for the children.

If you're unsure whether a particular class is right for your child, please get in touch. We're very happy to chat through the options with you.

This depends on the child, their age and the type of class.

Some styles and levels are easier to join part-way through than others. For example, Tap can be more difficult to join at a higher level because there are specific skills and terminology to catch up on.

However, older children will often pick up the basics very quickly, and we'll always consider the individual child rather than simply their previous experience.

Where appropriate, we may suggest that a child attends their age-appropriate class as well as a lower-level class for a short period to help them catch up. We're happy to discuss this with you and find the best option.

The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is the examining organisation whose syllabus we follow.

The ISTD is a highly respected international dance organisation, and our classes combine its structured syllabus with our own focus on making dance fun, energetic and accessible.

You can find out more about the ISTD here.

No! Exams are completely optional.

Our classes follow the ISTD syllabus, but children do not have to take exams. Choosing not to take an exam will not prevent your child from progressing to the next level.

No. Performances are optional too.

We love giving children the opportunity to perform, but we understand that it's not for everyone. Children who choose not to take part will still learn the routines during their normal classes.

Please see our Fees section for our latest prices.

We require 4 lessons' notice if you wish to stop a class. Depending on when notice is given, this may be around four weeks.

Notice must be given in writing by email.

Yes. Our classes run during term time and fees are based on the term rather than individual attendance, so the usual fees still apply if your child misses a lesson due to a holiday or other commitment.

If you know your child will be away for a period of time, you can give notice to stop their classes, but this must be the usual 4 lessons' notice. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee their place will still be available when you wish to return.

No! Our camps are open to everyone, whether or not they attend our regular dance classes.

Not at all! No previous dance experience is required.

Our camps are designed to be fun, active and welcoming, so children can come along and enjoy themselves whether they're already dancing every week or have never taken a dance class before.