At Heatherlea we offer classes in Modern Theatre, Classical Ballet, Tap, Pre-school Dance & Mini Movers sessions for toddlers.

We provide a very friendly & fun environment to enable all our students to learn & thrive through the enjoyment of dance.

We are taking a break over ​the summer !

Last classes will take place on

Saturday 20 July 2024

Week beg : 22nd July ......Varying Workshops ​including Commercial; Moana; Minions & Taylor Swift

Week beg 29th July ......Summer Camp

Save the date

Our Next

show

has been booked for

"As a former student myself and now having my own daughter attend classes since being 18 months old, I can honestly say that being a part of Heatherlea is like joining one huge family. It really is the bedrock of our local community. The lessons are fun and engaging and Jo and Jade share not only their passion for dancing and all the joys it can bring; but instil discipline and develop many skills beyond the dance curriculum: confidence and resilience to name but a few. Student and parents feel a sense of belonging and are proud to be part of HDL! The opportunities to perform on huge stages and take examinations, allow many students to develop and progress in lots of different ways. Lots of students go on to be professional dancers and teach future generations of dancers themselves. Memories are made at Heatherlea and it is much more than a dance school - it’s a family!"



what age group ?

Dance School Principal

Jo Craven

BA Hons Professional Practise

in Dance Teaching,

AISTD Modern Theatre & Tap, AIDTA,

RAD Classical Ballet Teaching Certificate

I began my dancing career at the age of seven, which in comparison to some of my pupils is quite old ! I spent my years leading up to this attending gymnastic classes, however when the opportunity to go dancing was offered there was no holding me back !! I regularly attended dance classes each week even to the point that my teacher used to collect me from school on her way to the studio, and my Mum swears to this day that our car went on automatic pilot when I went dancing as I was there so much !

At the age of sixteen I left school and followed my enjoyment of dance and went on to attend Theatre school where I successfully achieved all my higher level examinations and graduated with Teacher Status with the Royal Academy of Dancing for Classical Ballet and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing for Modern Theatre and Tap. In 2015 I added a degree to my qualifications !

Whilst attending college I worked at various part-time schools within the Manchester area teaching all dance genres to all ages and abilities. In 1992 I decided to venture out on my own and opened my own dance school............the rest is history !

Dance Teacher

Jade Curtis

BA Hons Professional Dance Practise

DDE Modern Theatre, Tap, National

DDI Ballet

Where to begin… I’ve spent most of my fabulous 32 years with Jo at ​HDL. From shaking my “shimmy” on stage as a 5yr old in Carnival de ​Paris to strutting my stuff to Cell Block Tango as a teenager ! ​Amazing memories made, friends for life.

At 17yrs old, I attended Preston Dance College where I took part in ​shows, choreography competitions and numerous exams, ​graduating after 3yrs as a fully qualified ISTD Dance teacher and ​obtaining a degree in Dance Performance and Teaching.

The passion, drive and motivation for all of this has been passed ​onto me from my time as a student at HDL. It’s funny but both Jo & ​myself will speak on occasion at the same time with the same words ​& thoughts ! HDL is in the veins ……..

All this has lead me to where I am today, a full time dance teacher ​striving to pass on my passion and love for dance wherever I go.

Term Dates 2024/2025

Term Dates 2024/2025

Summer Term 2025

Close for Summer

after camps/dance days

Special Moments to note

RAD Ballet Syllabus

We offer a wide range of exams and assessments to motivate and reward students of all ages and abilities. Our focus is on creativity and musicality, with graded systems providing opportunities to progress and achieve. All candidates who successfully pass an examination receive a certificate of achievement along with a breakdown of their results. Some grades and awards also offer medals.

We begin at Pre-Primary and Primary levels before moving on to Graded and Vocational Graded levels.

• Graded syllabus: Grade 1 to Grade 8 incorporates ballet, free movement, and character, and is suitable for candidates from seven years (Grades 1–5) and eleven years (Grades 6–8).
  
• Vocational Graded Syllabus: This develops the technique, music and performance skills of the older ballet student to an advanced level, preparing them for a dance or dance-related career.
  

These higher levels are accepted as a measure of achievement by the

vocational schools attended by most young people aiming to enter

the dance profession. They are also highly valued by universities and other

HE institutions offering degree courses and programmes in the performing arts.

Graded and Vocational Graded exams lead to recognised achievement at a

high level in dance. This therefore means that candidates who have achieved a

pass or higher in Grades 6, 7, 8 and Intermediate , can use their RAD exam result

towards their points tariff when applying to university or higher education in the UK.

ISTD Modern & Tap Syllabus

The examination structure of the ISTD is designed to cater equally for those who wish to progress to making dance their profession, either as a performer or dance teacher, and for those pursuing dance purely as a leisure activity.

The teaching qualifications are structured to give the new teacher the best possible foundation from which to work, with a particular emphasis on safe dance practice and the needs of the growing child.

Grades

Grade Examinations may be taken in Modern Theatre & Tap. Grades 1-6 are accredited by Ofqual,

but some Faculties have additional Grades prior to Grade 1, that is, Pre-Primary and Primary.

Class Examinations

Class Examinations may be taken in Classical Ballet (Cecchetti and Imperial methods), Classical Greek and

Modern Theatre.

Vocational Grades

The Vocational Grades are accredited by Ofqual and include Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate,

Advanced 1 and Advanced 2. These examinations form a cohesive bridge between the work covered in the

Grades and the work of the professional examinations.

It’s helpful to know that ISTD students can now receive UCAS points for ISTD Level 3 Graded and Vocational Graded

qualifications. If any ISTD student has taken their Grade 6 and/or Intermediate at the times specified above, they can

receive the following UCAS points. The number of points they can get depends on how well they did in their examination

(i.e. Distinction, Merit or Pass).

3-4yrs (Pre-school) TINIES : Saturday at 9-10am

@ 11.30-12.30.

The lesson is made up of Tap, and ballet incorporating lots of ​props and imagination !

Cost : £5.50 per class.

Older children progress to learn from a mix of classical ​ballet, modern theatre and tap.

RECEPTION : Saturday @ 8.45-10.15am

Year 1 : Tuesday @ 4-5pm - Ballet

Saturday @ 10.30-12pm

Year 2 : Wednesday @ 4-5pm - Classical Ballet

Saturday @ 12.30-2pm Modern & Tap

Cost : 1.5hr class £8.25, 1hr additional class £5.00

Older children are offered the opportunity to learn from a mix of classical ballet, modern theatre and tap.

These lesson are split into a 1hr class for ballet & an additional 1.5hr class for modern theatre & tap.

Year 3 : Monday @4-5pm & Wednesday @ 4-5.30pm

Year 4 : Monday @ 4-5.30pm & Wednesday @ 4-5pm

Year 5 : Tuesday @ 5-6pm & Thursday @ 4-5.30pm

Year 6 : Tuesday @ 6-7pm & Friday @ 4-5.30pm

Cost : 1.5hr class £8.25 with 1hr additional class £5.00

Total £ 13.25 per week

Tuesdays

Tuesdays

Commercial with liv

Commercial with liv

£5.50 : 1 hour class

£8 : 1.5hr class

£5.50 : 1 hour class

£8 : 1.5hr class

Mondays @ 7-7.45pm

Zumba Class

2 hr Party for a max of 20 children

Food & Refreshments provided

Chroreographed Dance

Hairstyle & Glitz Make Over

£150 which is only £7.50 per child

PopupDance

PopupDance

FRIDAY : Studio 1

4.00-5.30pm Grade 3 Modern & Grade 2 Tap (Y6)

5.30-7.00pm Grade 4 Modern & Grade 4 Tap (Y10)

SATURDAY - Studio 1

8.45-10.15am Primary Modern & Tap (Y1)

10.30-12.00pm Pre-Primary Ballet, Primary Modern

& Tap (REC)

12.30-2pm Grade 1 Modern & Primary Tap (Y2)

2.00-3.00pm Private Lesson

SATURDAY - Studio 2

9.00-10.00am Tinies

10.15-11.15am Mini Movers

11.30-12.30pm Tinies 2

12.00-1.00pm Private Lesson

1.00-2.00pm Private Lesson

My three children all go to Heatherlea. Two girls and a boy, and have all been from around three years old- they all absolutely love going. They have a great relationship with the teachers and although my eldest was quite shy at a young age (still can be at times!) she has no problem dancing her heart out! Dancing has given her so much confidence. They all particularly love being involved in the shows and it’s great to see how much they have improved over the year when we get to watch an amazing show- without a doubt it always is fabulous.

Spriggs

My eldest has been a part of the Heatherlea family from being 5 years old & she's now in her last year of Primary school. In that time I've seen her thrive, not only has she been part of the annual shows, which she loves she has also made friends outside of school. My youngest was 18 months old when she first started at mini movers and has loved it all, she's now 6 years old and has been apart of the HDL family ! The time and effort Jade and Jo give to Heatherlea is unbelievable and they treat each 1 of the children like they are their own. My girls love coming to HDL and we love them going!

Jo and Jade are 1 of kind!!! Xxx

taylor

We love Heatherlea and the joy it brings to my daughters face. The dance routines, shows and the work HDL put into the children, really makes it feel like a family ❤️

pate

Darcy LOVED her mini movers classes with Jo. They have given her so much confidence and definitely started her with the dancing bug. So much so that before her 4th birthday she was dancing on a Manchester stage. I would highly recommend these dance classes for all little ones.

bunting

We LOVE HDL!!

It has been a part of our life for years now. We have 3 girls who have all been at HDL since 3 years old. They have gained so much from attending, taking exams and dancing their way through annual shows! The discipline is excellent and it's such a fun positive dance school to be a part of. Jo, Jade and all the other staff work SO SO hard to provide the absolute best for all the pupils, I'm really proud that my girls get to be a part of the HDL family x

parker

Heatherlea offers the right amount of structure routine and discipline in a very happy dance way!

With a few life lessons thrown it! Work hard play hard!

MostanbeT

Both my girls attend Heatherlea and look forward to coming to their lessons every week. Jo, Jade & all the girls are really friendly and kind and nothing is ever to much trouble. 100% recommend.

jones

Heatherlea is a staple backbone activity in my girls lives from mini movers through to ballet, tap and modern lessons. I've seen the girls grow in confidence and dance ability thanks to the excellent teaching... and patience... of Jo and Jade.

The yearly show is amazing and the graded exams give the girls focus. All that aside the lessons are fun relaxed and they have made friendships to last a lifetime xx

mills

“It’s really fun, I get to meet new friends and learn new things. The shows are really exciting. Jo and Jade are the best dance teachers I’ve ever had.

student

HeatherLea is engaging, passionate, encourages you to show up and be present which spurs the kids on to do their best! The shows will have you in tears, they are outstanding. Thank you Heatherlea for being a memorable part of my daughters life”

jackson

Since being at Heatherlea my little girls confidence has grown considerably.

I couldn’t believe it watching her performing in front of so many people at the recent dance show, it's helped her so much as she was very shy.

She loves every week and comes home with a huge smile, she has met some lovely friends there too. X

minshull

My daughter has gained so much more confidence in herself & comes out of class with the biggest smile and will even show us her moves now !

kirwan

My 11-year old started with Mini Movers at 18 months and hasn't stopped dancing since! She particularly loves the big, annual shows 💖"

mCcarron

I love doing dance because I can make lots of new friends. I have been going to Heatherlea since I was 3 years old and I still love doing it now. I love to dance and perform in front of an audience, and learning new dance moves each week. Joanne and Jade has helped me develop into a good dancer.

morgan