About Us
“It’s what I always wanted to do, to show the laughter, the fun and the joy of dance.” Martha Graham.
We are proud to be the only specialist contemporary dance school in our area and to be the first school in Hastings and East Sussex to offer Rambert Grades! At HSCD our aim is to encourage and inspire a new generation of dancer. Dancers who are not a clone of their class mates, but creative independent thinkers, ready to expand boundaries.
Students who enrol with us train in a safe and friendly environment, with teachers who go above and beyond to ensure students are nurtured and achieve their fullest potential. Our school has always been based three main pillars.
Encouragement
Positivity
Mental wellbeing & Support
Academic structure & additional fees
Our school is divided into two halves. Senior School: Students aged 12-19 | Junior school: Students aged 4-11
Training at HSCD, means that students will spend half the academic year working on technique/exams and the other half working on annual show performances. Both the Senior and Junior school have their own separate performances.
Performances every year
Senior School: Every February Half term | Junior school show: June/July
During show term, a small show fee will be applied for students to take part in our shows. This fee is not for school profit. The fee helps contribute to costume hire.
Exam fees
If students wish to take exams in contemporary dance, then a one off entry free is required per grade. This amount is set by Rambert Grades (our chosen syllabus) and goes directly to the organisation to enter the exam.
Competitions
We are a non-competitive school!
We are proud not to enter local dance competitions. We believe that you don’t need to compete against others to become a great dancer. Instead, we focus on developing confident, creative and technically strong dancers as individuals.
Our students regularly go on to gain places at some of the UK’s leading universities and conservatoires for dance, without ever needing to compete in local dance competitions.
We Teach Rambert Grades
Outstanding Contemporary Dance training for students aged 4-19
Rambert Grades: Training that empowers
The Rambert Grades syllabus has three pillars:
Performance, including original solo material from leading choreographers
Creativity, to encourage self-development and a sense of self enterprise
Technique, to support students’ dancing
Developed by a leading team of experts from Rambert and Rambert School with some of the most dynamic and relevant voices of contemporary dance in the UK – including material devised for the syllabus by Hofesh Shechter, Alesandra Seutin and Benoit Swan Pouffer. Rambert Grades is a new benchmark in contemporary dance training and education where examination is just part of a journey that enables and develops talent.
What are classes like?
• Our Rambert Grades Contemporary Dance classes offer a balanced blend of Technical exercises, including centre work, floor work, and traveling sequences; learning a Performance Strand solo with opportunities to interpret it personally; and Creative work where students collaborate to choreograph their own pieces.
• Music is not fixed, similar to the professional dance industry. This allows the teacher and students to adapt the class’s soundtrack to suit our mood, and to celebrate different cultures and styles.
• All syllabus material is non-gendered, ensuring that every dancer learns every exercise and solo without limitations.
• Rambert Grades Trained Teachers are equipped to support each student holistically, helping them discover their individuality and unlock their creative potential. Students are encouraged to succeed in their own unique way.
• Safe practice is at the core of every class, creating a joyful and nurturing environment for growth and training.
Benefits to Students/ What will your child learn?
Dance at highest technical skills. As students move through the Grades, they build strong technical dance skills that improve their physical ability, artistic expression, musicality, and confidence on stage. As they continue to refine these skills, they gain a solid foundation for future careers in dance or other creative fields, while also developing discipline, teamwork, and a better understanding of their bodies.
Spark creativity. Rambert Grades Contemporary Dance training encourages independent thinking, self-expression, and personal interpretation. With a structured yet flexible approach, students are free to explore and develop their creativity. This supportive environment helps them build confidence, take risks, push boundaries, and express themselves in an authentic way.
Boost communication and teamwork skills. The Creative Strand encourages teamwork and communication between students as they learn to share ideas, communicate and collaborate effectively. By supporting both individuality and cooperation, Rambert Grades ensures students excel not only as dancers but also as creative, confident individuals.
Develop confidence and individuality. In a supportive environment where students are encouraged to express their ideas and celebrate their individuality, they build confidence in their unique contributions. This not only helps them recognise the value of what they have to offer but also develop an appreciation for the strengths and perspectives of others in the room, fostering a deep sense of self-worth and mutual respect
Support a healthy life of movement. This syllabus lays a strong foundation for movement exploration – dance, sport and healthy living. It helps students develop key skills like body awareness, coordination, and flexibility, which are essential for both dance and other physical activities. By fostering anMember Resource: Promotional Material understanding of how movement supports overall health and well-being, the program encourages lifelong habits for physical fitness, mental clarity, and emotional balance.