What Age can my child start to learn to dance at Pointe Works?

We start teaching children at Pointe Works at three years of age but it is worth contacting to put your child's name down from 2.5 years onwards. The 'Dance to your Own Tune' Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus is designed to be taught over two school years for children from 3 to 4.5 years. (all ages are approximate)

What benefits are there in sending my child to ballet classes?

Ballet classes will develop their musicality, control and co-ordination. Attending weekly classes will improve their cardio vascular fitness and enhance their creativity. You may find they are more expressive physically and definitely more self confident. Correct posture, core stability and balance are important focus areas which may result in less falls and bumps.     

What should my child wear to attend classes at Pointe Works?

Pre-school students can wear comfortable clothes of Parent choice with either bare feet or ballet shoes available to purchase from Pointe Works at competitive prices.

Uniform is available for children from Pre-School upwards and can be bought from Pointe Works:

Girls : Pink capped sleeve cotton leotard, pink shiffon georgette skirt, pink 3/4 sleeve cross over cardigan, pink ankle socks and pink leather ballet shoes.

Boys : Pale Blue T-shirts, navy shorts, white ankle socks and white ballet shoes.

Grade One: Lavender sleeveless cotton lycra leotard, Lavender waistband, RAD approved Character skirt, black with pastel 3-ribbon trim, Black Canvas low heel character shoes with pink elastic popper strap.

Long hair should be tied back, preferably in a bun.

Can I stay and watch the class?

Parents are more than welcome to stay and watch any class but may find that children benefit from some independent time. Special 'watching' weeks are available at the end of term where the children will be given the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned and give a special performance for parents and families.

If you do decide to stay and watch, please be careful not to distract the children by talking to other parents during the class.

What will my child be learning at a pre-school ballet class?

Pre-school lessons are themed lessons that provide the framework for introducing fundamental travelling and stability movements, sensitivity to music and expression of feelings through movement.

The emphasis is on capturing and nurturing young children's instinctive joy of movement and freedom of expression. The goals are to enhance their physical fitness, aid them becoming physically and spatially aware, stimulate their listening skills, build their confidence and encourage them to become co-operative and sociable.

Example themes are : The Jungle, Outer Space and The Toy Kingdom. Through the movements in each of the stories they are able to master some fundamental movements which will form the basis of their future dance training.

At what age do they start learning more formal ballet?

From Age 5 upwards, children will begin to attempt some more formal ballet vocabulary appropriate to their development and individual ability. During the 'specialised movement phase' the fundamental moves learned in pre-school classes will be elaborated and technically refined to produce movements that demand more control and accuracy.