Dance
(School)
The Hammond’s Lower School Dance curriculum offers between 16 and 21 hours of vocational training per week integrated into the school day alongside our academic timetable.
Dance (11 - 16)
Our training is designed to create dancers that are versatile and adaptable all-round performers who are successful in auditions for further training and carry their training with them when they enter the industry.
Our pupils train in ballet, jazz, commercial, tap, modern, contemporary, creative and Pilates as well as vocal training and drama. RAD ballet classes and tap are both streamed sessions so pupils work at a pace and level that is right for them and are able to make the best progress possible. Students in Years 10 & 11 choose specialist routes for their training to take. We also have regular workshops with industry professionals which include contemporary, musical theatre, jazz, commercial and ballet to name a few.
Further Course Information
As pupils progress into the higher years of lower school training, there is the opportunity to chose a focus of either classical and contemporary or jazz and commercial while still studying all genres of dance within the core timetable. Our Year 10 and 11 pupils receive guidance with how to chose which colleges to audition for while Year 11 participate workshops in audition technique, song and monologue preparation, and weekly audition preparation sessions. RAD ballet vocational syllabus is used alongside our own ballet curriculum training as well as the ISTD tap and modern syllabus, and examinations are offered up to Advanced 2.
An example of a typical day for a Year 9 pupil might be: Form time, RAD ballet, break, academics, lunch, academics, commercial, Pilates.
Auditions are held January to March each year with a recall audition for those eligible for MDS funding. Candidates can audition to join The Hammond at Year 7 – 10. Please see the course guidance on this page for further information on auditions. We are a caring and nurturing community at The Hammond and offer great support both in training and pastoral care. We are an extended family community and promote well-being as part of a holistic approach to the development our of pupils.
Post-16 destinations include further training on The Hammond’s Professional Diploma courses, Rambert, Laine, Urdang, Royal Ballet School, and Elmhurst to name a few. We offer a strong classical ballet training as grounding for other dance genres and an opportunity to be able to pursue specialised ballet training at Post-16 level.