Here at Townsend Dance, we are a school who believes everyone should have a chance to dance. We are passionate about nurturing every student to grow in which ever way they choose, as a dancer.
Whether your child is joining us for fun, exercise, friendships or dreams of a career in dance, we are here to support them every step of the way.
We have a wide range of classes available from aerial and acrobatic, to core subjects, to the fun subjects for both children and adults.
Our core subjects are all examined by our London based Examination board, The NATD.
We offer full graded to Associate training and qualifications in Tap, Ballet, Modern, Musical theatre, Contemporary, Street dance, Freestyle
Level 3 teaching assistant, Level 4 Dance teaching qualifications.
We also offer the chance to take part in awards and medal tests where students dance in costume and make up in front of an examiner and they are then awarded with medals and trophies, which is available for all our classes.
Beyond the educational side, we also offer:
“The NATD aims to promote the enjoyment and knowledge of a variety of dance genres through our teachers’ passion and commitment to the art form.
It offers an extensive range of dance forms with a comprehensive range of carefully developed graded syllabi for the amateur and professional. The aim of all our examinations is to encourage a positive approach to achievement and strive for the development of each individual to their maximum potential.
At the NATD, we offer an extensive range of medals, trophies, and accolades to celebrate and recognise your progress and achievements in dance. From the One Dance Test and the prestigious President’s Award to graded examinations and professional qualifications, each milestone marks a significant step in your dance journey.
For those aspiring to the highest levels, our professional examinations culminate in the esteemed Fellowship—a testament to dedication, skill, and mastery in both dancing and teaching, representing the pinnacle of achievement.”
NATD Examinations – Ofqual Graded examinations in dance, their Regulated Qualifications Framework level and broad equivalences are listed below.
Grade 1-3 = level 1 broadly equivalent to GCSEs graded 3-1
Grade 4-5 and Intermediate Foundation = level 2 broadly equivalent to GCSEs graded 4-9
Grade 6-8 = level 3 broadly equivalent to A level – UCAS tariff points awarded.
Intermediate = level 3 broadly equivalent to A Level – UCAS tariff points awarded.
Advanced 1 and 2 = level 4 – broadly equivalent to first year undergraduate degree.
Acrobatic Arts are internationally recognised as the high standard training curriculum for acrobatics – developed with over 100 experts in related fields, it is the most well-researched programme in the industry.
By taking exams with Acrobatic Arts, your child will have evidenced their training against a world-wide standard, and will be given personalised feedback from an expert that is objective and universal.
Dancers are required to master all 5 areas of Acro Dance: Flexibility, Strength, Balance, Limbering and Tumbling, in order to move to the next level. This creates well balanced bodies that can execute skills on both the right and the left, promoting healthy development in dancers who are less prone to injury.
Acrobatic Arts Exams provide motivation and accountability while promoting the highest standards of excellence in acrobatic technique!
