Alexandra School of Dancing is an ISTD accredited traditional ballet school in Rainham, Essex, offering ballet, tap, and modern dance classes for children from 18 months to adults in a friendly atmosphere with year-round classes.
Alexandra School of Dancing is an ISTD-accredited ballet school located in Rainham, South Hornchurch, Essex. The school operates from South Hornchurch Community Centre on Nelson Road. Founded in Romford in 1980 by headteacher Magda Oldchurch, who trained at full-time dance college and performed professionally as a lead dancer with an international touring company, the school teaches ballet, tap, and modern dance. Classes run throughout the summer.
The school accepts students from 18 months to adult, including teenagers beginning ballet for the first time. Classes include First Ballerinas for ages 2-4, Beginners’ Ballet for 16 months to 5 years, and various levels up to Grade 6 Ballet for ages 13 and up. The curriculum uses ballet as its training foundation and follows the ISTD examination system, which is accredited on the National Qualifications Framework. All exams are offered at the teacher’s discretion. The school reports a 100% examination pass rate.
Teaching assistant Jessica de Melo, a former student who trained in ISTD classical ballet and modern, teaches Saturday classes. The school has performed charity shows at various locations and reports that several former students have pursued professional careers as teachers, school owners, and performers.
Alexandra School of Dancing is an ISTD accredited traditional ballet school with a friendly atmosphere that teaches ballet, tap, and modern dance. Founded in Romford in 1980 by headteacher Magda Oldchurch, a former professional lead dancer with an international touring company who holds ISTD teaching qualifications and a Diploma in Dance Education, the school now operates from South Hornchurch Community Centre. The school offers classes throughout the summer and provides exams, private lessons, and ballet workshops. With a teaching team that includes teaching assistant Jessica de Melo and finance manager Martin Oldchurch, the school emphasizes fun for younger children and exam preparation for those who wish to pursue it, maintaining a 100% exam pass rate. Students learn fitness, coordination, musicality, and confidence through ballet training, with tap and modern classes developing additional motor skills. The school offers a two-week trial period and requires uniform once registered.
The school is located at South Hornchurch Community Centre, Nelson Road, Rainham RM13 8AP, Essex, with parking available at the Community Centre.
The school offers ballet classes, tap dance classes, modern dance classes, ISTD exams, private lessons, and ballet workshops. Tap and modern classes help develop musicality, coordination, and motor skills, while ballet helps children gain fitness, coordination, musicality, and confidence.
Children from 18 months to adults can join the school. A two-week trial is available for all children, priced at £18 for ages 5 and over or £12 for ages 4 and under, after which families can book a ten-weekly term.
The school caters for ages from 16 months to adults, including babies, young children, teens, and adults. Classes are available for complete beginners through to Grade 6 level, with teenagers starting ballet for the first time specifically welcomed.
The school has performed several charity shows in various locations around the country. Several students have gone on to professional careers as teachers, opening their own schools, or performing in dance companies and shows around the world or in England.
The school follows the ISTD syllabus and studies ISTD exams, which are accredited on the National Qualifications Framework for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Ballet forms the basis of training, with tap and modern gradually introduced. All exams are at the teacher’s discretion, and some may require extra classes to reach the required standard.
The school has performed several charity shows over the years in various locations around the country.
Contact the school by telephone at 01708 559275, mobile at 07765 836796, or email at moldchurch@hotmail.com.