About
Lesley Hadland established Hadland School of Dance & Drama in Stratford-upon-Avon back in 1978. The school offers ballet, modern theatre dance, tap, and drama classes for children and adults, held after school from Monday to Thursday and all day Saturday.
Kids as young as 3 can join creative ballet classes, packed with fun exercises, stories, songs, and improvisation, laying the groundwork for ballet in an enjoyable way. Adults can dive into popular tap classes, a great mental and physical challenge.
Each dance class features experienced pianists, freeing up Lesley to give full attention to students without having to worry about the music. The goal is to cultivate a love for both music and dance.
The dedicated Drama Department, led by Miss Francesca Giles-Sweet, offers drama classes for kids aged 8 and up. Drama sessions help students explore their creativity, build self-confidence, and develop performance skills in a safe setting.
Ballet at Hadland School is tailored, focusing on readiness and ability rather than strict age-related levels. Lesley Hadland, an accomplished dancer with teaching credentials in ballet, modern theatre, tap, and national dancing, ensures every student reaches their potential.
Many past students have gone on to professional dance careers and notable performances, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Youth Theatre.
Hadland School aims to provide top-notch dance and drama education in a supportive environment for all ages and levels.
