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- 12th Feb 2025
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From Royal Ballet success to A* dance grades – Dame Allan’s Schools is raising the bar
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Dance at Dame Allan’s Schools is thriving thanks to three passionate teachers: Mrs Turnbull, Mrs Waters and Miss Rowe, who guide pupils from Nursery through to A Level.
Their dedication has fuelled incredible successes, from A* grades to places at prestigious dance schools.
Dance has long been a proud tradition at Dame Allan’s for both girls and boys in the Junior and Senior Schools. It’s seen as a way to celebrate individuality, creativity and self-expression, making it an essential part of school life both in and out of the classroom.
But it’s not just for pupils. Dame Allan’s has recently launched fun and accessible community dance classes for adults – a perfect way to stay fit and meet new people…
DANCE IN THE CURRICULUM AT DAME ALLAN’S SCHOOLS
In Junior School, pupils enjoy weekly 30-minute lessons and take part in exciting workshops with professional artists like Ballet Lorent, Scottish Ballet and Bad Taste Cru. Every pupil performs in at least one combined arts showcase annually, while Year 6 pupils even perform at Dance City. Dance clubs are available both at lunchtime and after school.
In 2024, a dedicated Junior Dance Company was formed at the Junior School, allowing keen dancers to hone their skills and performances.
In Years 7 to 9, dance is taught as part of the physical education curriculum and becomes a GCSE and A Level option for older students, ensuring plenty of opportunities to dance both during and after school.
HLN TOP TIP: You can learn more about dance and all of the other opportunities at Dame Allan’s Junior School at their upcoming Open Morning on Saturday 15th March.
DANCE CLUBS, COMPETITIONS AND PERFORMANCES
Dame Allan’s has four audition-only dance companies for gifted and talented dancers, offering weekly sessions and collaboration with professional choreographers. These companies frequently compete at both regional and national levels, earning impressive results over the years.
House competitions often feature dance alongside music and drama, while holiday camps and residential trips to places like London and the Netherlands provide additional experiences.
MEET SOME OF DAME ALLAN’S SUCCESSFUL DANCERS
Many of Dame Allan’s dancers have gone on to train at top institutions, including the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts and Northern School of Contemporary Dance, proving that passion and dedication to dance here can lead to extraordinary futures.
Two A* A-level dance students secured a place at a prestigious dance school
Dancers Olivia Stanger-Crosby and Sophia Blair have earned places at the prestigious Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Both achieved A*s in Dance at Dame Allan’s Schools. They trained up to 18 hours weekly and are now studying for their BA degrees.
100% of GCSE pupils achieved top grade 9 (A*) scores
All Year 11 dance pupils at Dame Allan’s Girls’ School including Tamzin Charlton, Emily Clements, Amelia McCormack and Mabel Turnbull recently achieved top grade 9s in their GCSE dance examinations.
Year 8 pupil secured a place in the Royal Ballet School’s Mid-Associate programme
In 2023, 12-year-old Eleanor Welsh earned a spot in the Royal Ballet School’s prestigious Mid-Associate programme. Passionate about dance since age three, the Ponteland-based dancer now balances specialised ballet training with schoolwork, regular classes and performing with Dame Allan’s Jeune dance company at competitions and events.
GET INVOLVED WITH COMMUNITY ADULT DANCE CLASSES
Love dancing? Join in the fun with Dame Allan’s adult dance classes for over 18s, which are open to the public and are a great way for all abilities to get fit, have fun and meet new people.
Held in the dedicated dance studio at Dame Allan’s Senior School in Fenham, classes run during term time only. Plus, there are different classes offered each term – perfect if you’re always up for trying something new.
Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery, Hunter’s Road, Spital Tongues, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4NG
Dame Allan’s Boys’, Girls’ and Sixth Form Schools, Fowberry Crescent, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 9YJ
Rachael Ellis
Creative Solutions Manager
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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