Grace Dance

Confused by dance classes?

We had a good question from a parent this week: ‘Why is my child in a ‘pre-primary' class, when they are already at primary school?!’
We get it - dance class names can be confusing! 🤪

Dance schools use 'Primary' to refer to a particular standard, rather than it meaning Primary school age. We name our classes by STAGE rather than AGE age groups, beyond preschool classes, as we very much believe it should be about the stage they are at for their capability rather than their age.

Some children are moved along to the next class, beyond their age group, to be challenged more. Some are best staying with a class slightly younger, to gain full confidence).

So, those starting in Reception will mostly be in a Pre-Primary A class, with some in Pre-Primary B. Primary classes are usually a mix of Yr1-Yr3 children, as some Yr1’s are being moved ahead and some Yr3’s maybe started later and need to catch up.

Sometimes you have to eye roll at the dance world 🙄😁 but we will do our best to be clearer to avoid confusion!

We are already starting to plan our big dance show for Spring 2027! Would you like your child to join us and make magical memories? If they are in Yr1-Yr5 in Worthing, they can join now to be fully settled in ready for when we start setting choreography in the Autumn. Our parents are always blown away by our shows and the experience it gives their child, especially those who had thought their child would be too shy or nervous to take part - they always do!
Just a few spaces remain in Ballet, Tap & Modern classes. Comment 'Enquire' or tag a friend below and we will message you 🙂

Today I shared some of what we do in our preschool dance classes here in Worthing, with Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and a group of teachers in Thailand on zoom, helping them to create magical preschool dance classes 😀✨

Dance parents and grown ups: We see you!
As we head back into term, I know the life admin is alooooot 📆
Scheduling various children's activities around each other, drop off and pick up arrangements, organising bags, getting hair up, uniform orders, juggling dinner times… we KNOW you do a lot in order to give your kids wonderful experiences 💫
We know that your children's classes are reliant on your support, encouragement, time, patience and organisation 🥰
So to all of our dance grown ups, THANK YOU! We appreciate you!
Miss Fiona and the Grace Dance Team

This week has been about keeping Daisy (oh yes and the humans) happy in the heat. Lots of garden sitting, rolling on the grass (the dog, not me!) and using my laptop shade to work in the sun where possible! I do hope your dancers have been having a good rest from the school routine. Looking forward to getting back to dance classes next week!

We are doing something new! There will be a Preschool class for a few weeks over the summer, for new 3 yr old students only. These students will get priority places in either our Saturday or Thursday mornings in September! 😉
Comment ENQUIRE or visit our website to get on the list. We expect this to fill up quickly!

We are 13 yrs old this weekend! 🥳 Incredibly, it's 13 yrs since we started with 3 classes on a Saturday morning, I think with about 15 students. Now we have 40 classes each week, 6 teachers, and 215 students (many of these taking 2 or more classes each week). So yes, you could say it's worked out well! I'm so glad I took a punt on the need for another type of dance school in Worthing. It's been quite a ride so far, and I'm excited to see where the next 13 yrs take us 🙂
Celebrating with a new bit of merchandise dropping this week! (Thanks to Miss Erin for modelling!)

Alongside a fun dance, our Thursday Primary class are working on some technical exercises. This is 'lifted ankles not lazy ankles', creating a shape which is used in lots of ballet steps. We all have different bodies, different ankles and feet.. but we work to the best of our individual ability and create the best shape we can, learning what it feels like to stretch ourselves. This class are all determined to do their best in everything they do, so are a delight to teach!

Grade 2 Ballet have been working hard to learn their new dance this term, and it is so pretty! 🩰 This group are all keen for a challenge 😃