Classical Ballet Classes for Children & Teens in Elstree & Borehamwood
Classical Ballet, Repertoire & Character Copyright HADAPA
Classical Ballet, Repertoire & Character Copyright HADAPA
Classical Ballet, Repertoire & Character Copyright HADAPA
Classical Ballet, Repertoire & Character Copyright HADAPA
Hertsmere Academy of Dance & Performing Arts offers high-quality child and teen ballet classes in Borehamwood & Elstree, providing structured classical ballet training for all abilities. Our ballet programme develops strong technique, posture, coordination, musicality, and confidence in a supportive and nurturing environment. Classes are suitable for beginners through to advanced students, with opportunities for examinations, performances, and progression into vocational training.
Benefits of Ballet Training for Children & Teens:
Classical Ballet (including Repertoire, Character Dance & Pointe work) mixes fun with a technical discipline that awards students with huge benefits & life skills, such as:
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Ballet is the Foundation to all other dance forms & is not just studied by Ballet dancers but all professionals for its benefits. These students will often attain higher levels & better exam grading in other styles.
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Good physical fitness (importance of body conditioning), maintaining strength & good posture.
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Basic Principals include understanding muscle movement, proprioception, co-ordination, balance, & weight transference.
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Different dynamics to movements & aesthetics
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Learning life skills such as discipline, perseverance, teamwork, confidence, attention to detail, self-expression, patience.
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Acting & Story telling
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Learn Character dance to experience repertoire from the Ballets & experience cultural awareness of traditional dances from different countries.
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Musicality, Rhythm, Timing
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Safe Dance practice & Body care (such as warm-up/cool-down)
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Examinations under NQF qualifications
Ballet Grades, Levels & Progression
Children can start classical ballet at Hertsmere Academy of Dance & Performing Arts in Elstree & Borehamwood from the age of 3, following a structured progression that allows students to develop at a pace appropriate to their age, experience, and technical ability. Placement within classes is carefully guided by our teaching team to ensure confidence, enjoyment, and safe physical development at every stage.
Students may be selected to begin examinations and assessments from Pre-Primary level, usually around the ages of 5–6. A child does not need to aspire to become a professional ballerina to gain the many benefits ballet has to offer, including improved posture, coordination, discipline, and self-confidence.
At Hertsmere Academy, students study the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus, alongside ISTD Imperial ballet taught during free classes. Students who take examinations work towards Government-recognised qualifications, with opportunities to earn UCAS points as they progress.
For further details, please view our Examinations page.
Preparation Stage – Foundation Stage - Pre-Primary
For these levels the Royal Academy of Dance have conducted scientific researched with top leading universities in their field to understand what the achievements are both physically & mentally for a child of these ages. So work has been specifically designed to improve creativity, musicality / rhythm, co-ordination and balance in a fun and creative way. It nurtures and inspires students to learn simple Ballet skills and movements, gain spatial awareness through make believe, song and mime. At this age, a class is structured to be UNISEX and is an excellent introduction to dance.
Primary and Standard/Assessment Examinations
We now start to teach set syllabus work but still retaining a certain amount of free movement to ensure a good balance of skills. These classes are an essential foundation for development in creativity, musicality, performance/acting skills, strength & flexibility. A basic vocabulary of the ballet terminology is now required enabling pupils to progress into the grades with ease. Assessments can be taken at any level for a student who may need more time to accomplish skills or only attends one class per week.
Grades 1 - 5
Grades are structured and technically demanding. Regular absences at this level lead to students not attaining the standards required to pass examinations. Character work will be introduced at Grade 1 with Grade 5 being the level to attain if a student wishes to be assessed for Pointe work. By following a sound curriculum the students will methodically progress and be guided through the demanding classical discipline. Students are aiming to develop strength, flexibility, correct body alignment and grace. A commitment of two ballet classes per week will be needed on the lead up to exams.
Grades 6 - 8 & Vocational Grades for Professional Levels
A Commitment of at least two classes is necessary. Some students find Classical Ballet at this level too demanding, so it is advised for students to study other dance styles to help. This level is essential for the entry preparation for full time training & audition techniques will be taught using a mixture of Imperial ballet & RAD free work to help develop knowledge, musical appreciation and the freedom of interpretation.
(Vocational Grade are Professional Levels made up of Intermediate and Advanced to name a few and are for those looking at full time training).
Pointe Work
This is almost a 'right of passage' for most students. Students are invited to a pointe work class once the teacher has accessed each individual student. The scientifically & anatomically a childs growth pattern means that students must not begin pointe work until they are at least 13 years of age when the bones have hardened. However, students must also have a solid technique, strong ankles & exceptional knowledge of posture & how steps are performed correctly. They must constantly work on developing & maintaining these core fundamentals to progress.
Students will be guided through the process of buying, preparing and using their pointe shoes.
What is Character Dance?
Most Ballets explore traditional dances from different countries. Students get to dance with Character skirts & shoes to explore & celebrate these traditional steps. This builds cultural awareness & historic information, gives an extra dimension to the classical ballet, explores partner work, confidence, coordination & rhythm, strength & style, storytelling & versatility.
Ballet Classes in Borehamwood & Elstree – How to Join
Children and teenagers can join our ballet classes at various points throughout the year, subject to availability and assessment where appropriate. We welcome new students and are happy to advise on the most suitable class based on age and experience.
