Dance

Beginner to advanced dancers

Dance is a thriving element of Downe House life with over 200 students participating in classes on a weekly basis. Included in the PE lesson rotations in the Lower School, every girl gets a taste of the dance genres on offer as well as the chance to produce their own choreography. Dance then becomes an optional part of lessons right through to Upper Sixth.

An extensive dance programme

Students taking RAD and ISTD Ballet lessons may work towards graded examinations or alternatively, they can take free work lessons which focus on maintaining technique whilst working towards live performances. The Extra-Curricular Contemporary dance students have the opportunity to take graded exams which are accredited by the Rambert School of Contemporary.

Throughout the year, students taking Extra-Curricular Dance lessons will have opportunities to perform in the annual school dance show as well as at competitions.

Dance Showcase 2025

Our most recent Dance Show during Lent term 2025 was an interpretation of Avatar. The show told the story of the popular film whilst an audience were seated around a traverse stage.

House Dance

As part of our inter-House competitions, we have an annual House Dance competition. This is the perfect opportunity for girls, not only those who take regular dance classes, to represent their Upper School House and compete on stage either as a solo or in a group. Each year we invite an external guest adjudicator to watch, judge and give feedback in the performances. For the 2025 competition in April, we were delighted to welcome Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer, Antonello Sangirardi, formerly with Rambert Dance Company.