Italia Conti Associates, run by Sarah, is a well-known dance school in Tunbridge Wells, UK. As an affiliate of the esteemed Italia Conti academy in Woking, Surrey, which has been teaching performing arts since 1911, Sarah ensures the school follows a trusted curriculum that has shaped many successful performers.
Classes kick off every Saturday from 9am to 6pm at Skinners School on St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells, following a ten-week term system that aligns with regular school terms, including half-terms and holidays. Sarah's school offers a mix of Modern, Tap, and Ballet based on the ISTD exam syllabus, alongside Musical Theatre, Jazz, Hip Hop, and LAMDA acting classes.
In Ballet, Sarah and her team teach fundamental techniques, offering the ISTD syllabus from pre-primary to Grade 2 and Level 3 to Inter-foundation. They’ve got a 100% pass rate, showing their commitment to their students. Those at Grade 2 and above are encouraged to take two ballet classes weekly, with an optional pointe class for Level 5 and higher.
It’s not just about dance here; singing and acting skills are also honed. Singing classes are conducted in groups, focusing on musical theatre, pop, and contemporary styles, with the occasional 'open mic' session. Drama classes offer LAMDA exams for UCAS points or free-work acting classes that cover improvisation, script work, and character analysis.
Students are grouped into five categories: pre-primaries, primaries, lower juniors, upper juniors, and seniors. Most classes last an hour, except for the pre-primary ones, which are half an hour. With up to 70 classes a week, Sarah welcomes children aged three to eighteen, focusing on fun, confidence, and self-discipline. Teachers keep an eye on progress to ensure students are in the right classes for their level.
Sarah invites anyone interested to visit the Italia Conti Associates at Skinners School, with the Conti reception in The Dining Hall in the middle yard. Feel free to drop by or get in touch via email or phone. The address is Italia Conti Associates, 1 Longmeads Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 0AT. They’re open all day on Saturdays during term-time from 9am to 6pm.
