Chance to get a GCSE in dance

A YATE dance school is set to be one of the first in the Bristol area to offer an academic qualification.

Stapleton School of Dance will offer a GCSE course at its Yate base after the October half term. It is the first time in the school's 70-year history that it has offered an academic course alongside classes in ballet, modern, jazz and tap.

Sarah Locke, 13, front left, and Ella Pratten, 14, front right, with principals Miranda Beard, centre left, and Samantha Axford, centre right, at Stapleton School of Dance. Also pictured, from left, students: Asha Martineau-Brown, 14; Billie Watkins, 15; Amy McNeill, 14; Faye Young, 18; Charlotte Hinder, 18, and Emily Gatehouse 15. Picture: Chas Breton BRCB20110927G-002_C

The school, which moved into refurbished studios at Ridgewood Community Centre a year ago, decided to offer GCSE dance because the high schools in South Gloucestershire do not currently offer the course.

It will be run by Kat Dale who currently teaches GCSE dance at London Contemporary, Italia Conti and Cremona School of Dance. She has also worked for AQA as an examiner and course instructor for other teachers and examiners. The course involves performance, choreography and a written exam, which students will take at Winterbourne International Academy. Initially GCSE dance will be available privately on Wednesday evenings but some pupils are being part-subsidised through their schools. For more, visit www.stapletonschoolofdancing.co.uk.