Harmsworth

School of Dance

Introducing pupils to the wonderful world of movement and dance.

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Everyone Welcome

Ballet classes for girls and boys aged 3 years - 18 years.

Timetable

Making things easier with a choice of locations and different days.

Simple Enrollment

Enrollment is so simple, just fill out the short enrollment form.

About Harmsworth School of Dance

Welcome to the Harmsworth School of Dance. We are a local friendly ballet school which has been providing ballet classes in the North London area for over 20 years.

Pupils can join the school from 3 years old. As pupils progress through the school the Cecchetti Method of ballet is introduced and the school offers syllabus classes taught by highly qualified, experienced teachers who are registered with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD).

Pupils have the opportunity to work towards examinations in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet from around 6 years old.

One of the main aims of the school is to develop co-ordination, musicality and flexibility in a fun and enjoyable way as well as developing self confidence in moving and to enhance the physical well being of each individual.

Teachers

Principal
Faye Harmsworth (LISTD)

Faye has been dancing since the age of 4, studying Royal Academy grades at the Balinska Studio of Ballet, as well as attending West Street and the Central School of Ballet. Faye left school with 3 ‘A’ levels and went on to the London College of Dance in Bedford, where she gained her degree in dance and qualified as a ballet teacher in 1998. Following this, she has then gained experience working for various Ballet schools in and around North London teaching pupils from 3 years upwards before taking over The Lucy Harmer School of Dance in 2002 and then the Linda Young School of Dance in 2006. Faye has two daughter's.

Leanne Roberts

Leanne has been dancing since the age of 4, training in ISTD ballet, Modern, Tap and Contemporary Dance. Completing all her professional exams in Ballet and Modern. Leanne has performed at Her Majesty's Theatre, the London Children's ballet touring company, English Youth Ballet and has also performed in numerous pantomimes. Leanne studied and boarded at Tring Park School for the performing Arts specialising in Ballet and Modern. Leanne has a BTEC Diploma in Dance and also studied at the Penny Meekings Dance College.

Mandy Waller

Mandy has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been fortunate enough to dance in many major ballet productions including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia. Mandy attended classes at the Central School of Ballet as part of the Associate programme and then continued her dance training at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary, where she graduated with a BTEC Higher National Certificate in Dance. Since then Mandy has danced professionally in Ballet and Contemporary productions for a number of different companies in various venues including The Linbury Studio Theatre, The Bloomsbury Theatre, The Royal College of Music Theatre, Swindon Dance Theatre, Siobhan Davies Studios (London), Modern Art Gallery (Oxford) and at the Oxford Festival.

Pianists

Maurice Horhut

In 1983 Maurice graduated with a degree in music from The City University, London. Since then he has worked mostly as a soloist playing jazz and popular music in various establishments both in the UK and worldwide. He has also collaborated with a variety of musicians, actors, singers and entertainers including Max Jaffa, Ben Whishaw, Ian McShane, Marc Almond and Sandi Toksvig. His most recent project has been as composer and on-stage performer in a Suffolk touring production 'Pearls From The Grit', about the golden age of fishing in Lowestoft. Maurice has accompanied ballet classes for many years, initially working with Antonia Dugdale.

Joanna Frith

Jo is a Grade 8 pianist and studied at Salford College achieving a Graduate Diploma in music Jo has played for several ballet schools in North London and joined the Harmsworth School of Dance in 2005. Jo also does some accompanying and performing for a charity community centre in Barnet'.

Rina Groueva MMus LNAM TeachDip MISM

Rina is a highly qualifield classical musician (concert pianist, music theorist, accompanist, performer and teacher). She studied Piano at a specialist music school and graduated with a Masters Degree in Piano Performance and Theory of Composing and Conducting at The National Academy of Music, Sofia. Rina has worked with ballet dancers and and ballet schools and has been with the Harmsworth School of Dance since 2002. Rina is also the Principal of her music school 'Do, Ra, Mi, Fa'.

Locations

Click location for map and directions.

Hargrave Hall

Hargrave Road
London
N19 5SP

Our Lady Help of Christians Church Hall

4 Lady Margaret Road
Kentish Town
London
N5 2XT

Highgate Road Chapel

Chetwynd Road
London
NW5 1BU

Harry Rice Hall

72 - 74 Hargrave Park
Highgate
London
N19 5JN

Cecchetti Method

Born in Italy in 1850, Enrico Cecchetti was a brilliant virtuoso dancer who went on to become the leading teacher of his generation. As guest artist with the Imperial Russian Ballet, he created the role of The Bluebird in 'The Sleeping Beauty'; as a teacher in Russia his many famous students included Pavlova and Nijinsky. Then, with Diaghilev's Company, he worked with Rambert and de Valois, the founders of British Ballet, and with Alicia Markova. The studio Cecchetti opened in London was later taken over by Margaret Craske who passed on the Cecchetti Method to numerous British dancers and teachers, including Nora Roche, who taught at the Royal Ballet School for many years. The method was recorded and published by Cyril Beaumont and is now taught world-wide.

The Cecchetti method was vital in the development of Classical Ballet in the United Kingdom and contributed heavily to modern day British teaching methods. Enrico Cecchetti and his wife opened a ballet school in London in 1918, and his pupils included some of the most influential names in British Ballet, many also influencing ballet throughout the world.

Dame Marie Rambert was a former pupil and colleague of Cecchetti and she also established a professional ballet school teaching his methods. This led to the formation of the UK's first ballet company, which survives today as the country's oldest established dance company, although it is now known as Rambert Dance Company and specialises in contemporary dance. The school also remains and is known as the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Dame Ninette de Valois was a colleague of Cecchetti during her professional career with the Ballets Russes. She established The Royal Ballet in London, with many of the companies early dancers being pupils of Cecchetti. The Cecchetti method was also favoured by de Valois when she formed the Royal Ballet School. Phyllis Bedells, another Cecchetti pupil, would also play an important role in the teaching of ballet in Britain, as a founder member of the Royal Academy of Dance, which today is the worlds largest Classical Ballet teaching organisation.

The British writer and dance historian Cyril W. Beaumont was a close friend of Cecchetti and, in 1922 he collaborated with Cecchetti to codify the technique into a printed syllabus, The Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet, which has become the foremost reference for Cecchetti method teachers worldwide. Cecchetti also gave Beaumont permission to established the Cecchetti Society to maintain the method and ensure that it would be passed on to future ballet teachers in its original form. Branches of the Cecchetti Society were subsequently established around the world, most notably in Australia, South Africa, Canada and the USA. The original Cecchetti Society still exists in Britain, although it was absorbed into the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, which continues to maintain the Cecchetti method as a separate entity from its own Imperial Classical Ballet syllabus.

Today, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing promotes the Cecchetti method as a syllabus-based series of dance examinations, which are taught by registered teachers around the world in both pre-vocational and vocational dance schools. The syllabus is a progressive series of graded and vocational graded examinations, which are accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the government appointed regulator of qualifications in England and Wales.

Summer Term 2024

(Subject to change)

1st Half Term

Term Starts Monday 15th Apr
(No Class Bank Holiday Monday 6th May
Extra Classes Monday 8th July To Make Up For The Bank Holiday)

Half Term

Monday 27th May - Friday 31st May
(No Classes)

2nd Half Term

Term Ends Friday 5th July

Timetable

Hargrave Hall

WednesdayUpstairs Hall
5:00pm - 6:00pmSenior Certificate
WednesdayDownstairs Hall
6:00pm - 7:00pmStandard 5 Ballet

Our Lady's Church Hall

Monday
3:45pm - 4:10pmNursery/Pre-School Ballet
4:10pm - 4:55pmStandard 2 Ballet
4:55pm - 5:55pm2nd Ballet Class (12 Years+)
5:55pm - 6:40pmStandard 3 Ballet
Tuesday
3:45pm - 4:15pmNursery/Pre-School Ballet
4:15pm - 4:45pmPre-Primary (Reception Age) Ballet
4:45pm - 5:30pmNew Primary Ballet
5:30pm - 6:15pmStandard I Ballet Class
6:20pm - 7:20pmAdult Ballet Class

Dom Bosco

Tuesday
4:30pm - 5:15pmPrimary
5:15pm - 6:15pmStandard 6

Highgate Road Chapel

Thursday
4:00pm - 4:45pmStandard I Level Ballet
4:45pm - 5:30pmStandard 3 Ballet
5:30pm - 6:15pmStandard 3 Ballet
6:15pm - 7:15pmStandard 5 Ballet

Harry Rice Hall

Thursday
3:45pm - 4:15pmPre-School Ballet Class
4:15pm - 4:45pmPre-Primary Ballet Class
4:45pm - 5:30pmPrimary Ballet Class
5:30pm - 6:15pmStandard 2 Ballet Class
6:15pm - 7:00pmStandard 4 Ballet Class
7:00pm - 8:00pmStandard 5 Ballet Class

Term Fees 2023

Term fees from £110.00 per term.

Enrolment Form

Enrolment

Please tick if you are happy for photos to be used on our website, leaflets and facebook page.

I consent to the conditions of entry detailed below.

Conditions of Entry

  1. NOTICE PERIOD

    Fees are paid by the 1/2 term and unfortunately, no reduction can be made for absences, whether due to illness/holidays/exams, unforeseen circumstances or weather conditions.
    Fees must be paid in advance. I.e. Fees are due on or before the start date of each School term. All fees must be paid in full within 3 weeks of term commencing. Fees unpaid after 3 weeks will incur a 10% surcharge
    Half a term’s notice, either in writing or by email (6 weeks) must be given before the withdrawal of a pupil from a dance class, without which half a term’s fees will be charged to the parent(s) / Guardian(s).

  2. USE OF PHYSICAL CONTACT
    By enrolling my son/daughter in the Harmsworth School of Dance - I accept that the teachers may use
    physical contact when helping to improve my child's/children's posture or assist in movements.
  3. PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEOGRAPHY
    By enrolling my son/daughter in the Harmsworth School of Dance - I accept that parents/guardians, friends and relatives of pupils may wish to take photos and or recordings of their child/children in the dance classes. I accept that as the children are in a group situation - my child may be part of one of these photographs or recordings. These are for personal use only and must not be put on any internet/social media sites.
  4. DOOR PROCEDURE
    I accept that the dance teachers are responsible for pupils from the time their allocated dance class starts to the time their class ends. With regard to younger pupils – I understand that the teacher(s) will keep them in the studio until their parents arrive.
  5. DATA CONSENT GDPR
    I/We agree that the information supplied on this form will be used for communication regarding all dance school business either by email, text or telephone call. For more details please read our full Privacy Policy.
  6. DIGITAL SIGNATURE
    I/We agree that on accepting the conditions of entry, this will be accepted as my/our digital signature.

Terms & Policies

Terms & Conditions
Once pupils are enrolled in the Harmsworth School of Dance they will automatically be reserved a place and do not need to re-enrol each term.

Please give notice by the end of term if you no longer require your place.

  • All fees must be paid in full within 3 weeks of term commencing. Fees unpaid after 3 weeks will incur a 10% surcharge.
  • Fees are paid by the term and unfortunately no reduction can be made for absences, whether due to illness/holidays/exams, unforeseen circumstances or weather conditions. Should there be any further enforced lockdowns that result in face to face classes being cancelled, then no refund will be issued for the term but all classes will be transferred to the online platform Zoom for the remainder of the term. Class times may vary but we will do our best to keep them as close to the original scheduled time as possible.
  • Half a terms written notice before the beginning of the new term is required before the withdrawal of a pupil from a dance class, without which half a terms notice will be charged to the Parent/Guardian.
  • By accepting enrolment in the school, Parents/Guardians acknowledge and accept that ballet instruction often involves physical placement by the teacher.
  • Pupils are required to wear the regulation uniform (from reception class upwards).
  • Items left in the changing areas are left at your own risk. The school accepts no responsibility for the security of valuables.
  • Please collect pupils on time. Teachers will endeavour to make sure pupils are collected by Parents/Guardians. Parents/Guardians should be aware that the schools insurance policy only covers pupils during their class times.
  • Parents/Guardians are invited to watch the last class of term. Exceptions may be made throughout the term by prior arrangement only.

The School uses several venues. There are times when pupils need to move up to a higher level in their dancing, especially after ballet exams etc. At these times it is sometimes necessary to move pupils to a different dance venue, day and/or time of class. Wherever possible the School tries not to move the pupils around too much – but you will be notified as soon as possible if any changes need to take place.

COVID-19 Precautions

The pandemic has changed our way of life in many ways, not least for ballet classes. Our venues have put in place several restrictions we need to adhere to.

The situation and guidelines are inevitably subject to change, and we will follow government guidelines on any subsequent changes to ensure our safety

Currently no adults will be permitted to enter our venues (with the exception of those accompanying our youngest pupils in our nursery class on their first day).

  • Please make sure we have everyone’s updated contact details.
  • Be on time for the start of class and class pick up. Staff will be needed to clean and prepare for the next class.
  • Please do not enter the building or attend classes if a member of your household is showing symptoms / receives a positive test result.
  • Please have students come dressed and ready for class as much as possible.
  • Hand sanitising on entry and exit.
  • Social Distancing in class.
  • Restricted class numbers.

 

Child Protection Policy

We believe that no child or young person should be the subject of neglectful or abusive behaviour.

We will promote and maintain the welfare of every child in our care and seek to protect them from harm regardless of race, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief or any other form of identity or creed. We will create a safe and welcoming environment for all.

This policy applies to all our staff/volunteers and covers children under the age of 18 and/or vulnerable adults under the age of 24.

To protect children and young people in our care, we will:

  • Value and respect children and listen to what they have to say
  • Work with children, parents and relevant organisations
  • Share our policy with all staff, parents and students
  • Ensure all required checks are made when hiring staff and that those in regular contact with children hold a current DBS check
  • Provide appropriate training and support to all staff
  • Take responsibility for children and young people’s safety when in our care
  • Seek permission from parents before taking images (photographs or film) of students and inform them how and where the images will be used
  • Report suspected neglect or abuse to the nominated member of staff, relevant organisation, or police
  • Ensure that this policy is regularly updated

Additional guidance can be found in the following documents at the end of this policy:

  • Reporting Suspected Neglect or Abuse
  • Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance
  • Chaperoning Students to and from Dance Events
  • Use of Photographs and Film of Children

Additional Guidance A: Reporting Suspected Neglect or Abuse

Concerns regarding a child’s welfare can be reported by:

  • Parents
  • Teachers
  • Friends
  • The child or young person

All allegations of neglect or abuse will be taken seriously. If a concern is reported directly by the child or young person we will not seek to disagree, ask probing or leading questions, or do anything else which may discourage them.

We will make clear that reported concerns cannot be kept confidential but will need to be shared with a nominated member of staff or external organisation. Parents or guardians will also be involved if appropriate.

We recognise that early action is vital. Any concerns will be reported immediately.

If the child or young person is in immediate danger of harm, we will contact the police on 999

In all other cases, we will report concerns to the local Protection Team

www.camden.gov.uk/childrensafeguarding

LBCMASHadmin@camden.gov.uk

0207 974 3317

Out of hours 0207 974 4444

Islington Safeguarding Children Board

Alan Caton

alan.caton@islington.gov.uk

Wynand McDonald

wynand.mcdonald@islington.gov.uk

0207 527 4209

Maria Gilby

maria.gilby@islington.gov.uk

0207 527 4234

Haringey Council

Mon - Thurs 8.45am – 5pm

Friday 8.45am – 4.45pm

0208 489 4470

Out of Hours 020 8489 0000

Additional Guidance B: Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance

Teaching dance is a physical activity and a teacher will sometimes need to make physical contact with a student to show an idea or to correct the student’s position. This can include:

  • Lifting
  • Adjusting arms, legs, rib cage, hips, feet, hands
  • Moving one student in relation to another

Where contact is needed, we will remain sensitive to the student’s wishes and put their welfare first. In all cases, we will say why and how we will be correcting the student’s position before making any contact.

We encourage students to report any concerns.

Additional Guidance C: Chaperoning Children to and from Dance Events

When chaperoning students to an event, we will:

  • Provide parents and students with information about what the event is for
  • Provide parents and students with the full address of the event
  • In cases where the event is taking place in a large building, we will also give the room or studio number where possible
  • Have a planned journey route that is shared with parents, students and chaperones
  • Make sure that students are aware of what they should do if they get lost
  • Ask parents and students for their contact details in case of emergency
  • Have a clear idea of how students will be cared for while at the event
    We will ensure that chaperones hold all required checks and licences and are aware of our Child Protection Policy.

Additional Guidance 4: Use of Photographs and Film of Children

We recognise that taking images of students in our care may not always be appropriate and that some children and parents may not want images taken at any time. Therefore, before taking images of a child or young person, we will:

  • Make clear to the child and parent where and when the image will be taken
  • Clearly identify the person who will be taking the image
  • Explain how the image will be used, e.g. whether it will be posted on social media or printed to be displayed at the school
  • Seek written agreement from parents that images can be taken of their child
  • Where we have publically displayed images at our school or on social media, parents and students may withdraw their permission at any time. In such cases, the images will be removed as soon as is reasonable and without question.We ask that any parent wanting to take photographs or film at our events only do so with our prior permission. Permission will only be granted on the agreement of all present.

We ask that any parent wanting to take photographs or film at our events only do so with our prior permission. Permission will only be granted on the agreement of all present.

Health & Safety Policy

This is a statement of general policy and arrangements for Harmsworth School of Dance

We will actively maintain and promote good health and safety procedures and will:

  • Maintain safe and healthy work conditions
  • Provide adequate control of the health and safety risks at our school
  • Be open to comments and suggestions from our employees, students and their parents on matters relating to health and safety
  • Provide information, instruction and supervision for employees and students and make them aware of this policy
  • Ensure all employees are capable of doing their tasks, hold any required qualifications, and that they receive adequate training
  • Record any harm or injuries that occur in an Accident Book and make changes where required to avoid similar incidents in the future
  • Regularly review and update this policy

A First Aid box is located at each venue

An Accident Book is located in our Dance School box

In the case of an emergency or serious injury, please contact the emergency services on 999

Privacy Policy

Harmsworth School of Dance is committed to protecting your privacy and we appreciate that you want the personal information you provide to us to be kept private. Here we explain how we collect information, what we do with it and what controls you have.

What data do we collect?

So that we can provide you with services and respond to your email/enquiries, we ask you to submit information such as your name and contact details. You are under no obligation to provide such information. However, if you should choose to withhold requested information, we may not be able to contact you.

How is the information used?

We will use the information you provide to us to communicate with you regarding dance classes, send dance school newsletters, Dance Summer School information, ballet examinations and for invoicing. If you have e-mailed us we will use your e-mail address to respond, this may also include mobile text messaging or a telephone call. We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information.

With whom else is the information shared?

Dance associations for examinations

For performance BOPA licences

(These recipients use secure file transfer systems and have their own policies and procedures in place in relation to GDPR.)

We may disclose personal information if required to do so by law or if we believe that such action is necessary to protect and defend the rights, property or personal safety of Harmsworth School of Dance, Harmsworth School of Dance’s website or its visitors.

Our website may contain links to other websites. Harmsworth of Dance is not responsible for the privacy policies or the content of such web sites.

Security

Harmsworth School of Dance places a great importance on the security of all personally identifiable information associated with our contacts and consequently we take reasonable precautions to protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of contact data under our control.

Use of cookies

This web site may use cookies or other devices to automatically collect personal information about visitors to the site. This information is limited to the IP address of the computer you are using to access the site. This information is used solely for admin purposes to monitor levels of usage of the web site.

Where is the information stored?

All paper copies of enrolment forms/registers are kept securely. All information which you submit via this website is stored on the dance school Dancebiz database by Thinksmartsoftwear.com

You have the right to request deletion of your data where there is no compelling reason for its continued use.

If a pupil leaves the school your data will be deleted.

Your acceptance of these terms
By using the Harmsworth School of Dance website and completing our enrolment form, you consent to the collection and use of your information by Harmsworth School of Dance as set out in this privacy policy. If we change our privacy policy in any way, we will post these changes on this page.

Your rights

You have a legal right to a copy of all the personal information about you held by us. You also have a right to correct any errors in that information.

Please contact us with any questions, concerns or comments you have about our Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

Faye Harmsworth (LISTD)

07951 790822

info@harmsworthschoolofdance.co.uk

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