Established in 1958, Dance Foundation has been running for over 60 years, formerly known as the 'Ivy Baker School of Dancing' for its first 26 years. Dance Foundation was the first dance school in the Tendring area to become a recognised dance school with the Council for Dance, Drama & Musical Theatre. CDMT provides quality assurance for the professional dance, drama and musical theatre industries. It is the first point of contact for those seeking information on education, training and assessment in the UK. CDMT negotiates with government bodies, as well as national and international agencies on behalf of our member organisations.Please visit www.cdmt.org.uk for more information on recognised schools. 

If you are looking for a friendly, happy, professional environment for your child to nurture their desire to dance, then we are the school for you. Our president is an examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance and we adhere to the policies set by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre. 

All of our dance teachers have a Council, RQF, or a Government recognised dance teaching qualification and are highly skilled in the genre they teach.

All the pictures on this site are of Dance Foundation students, taken by our own 
photographers in our own studios, at the RAD Headquarters in London or in the 
Princes Theatre, where we hold our bi-annual show.


The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is an awarding organisation recognised in England by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), in Wales by Qualifications Wales, in Northern Ireland by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and in Scotland by SQA Accreditation, part of the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
The RAD offers examinations in dance for young children starting out in dance classes through to older students aspiring to become professional dancers. On an average year, approximately 250,000 candidates worldwide take our examinations, class awards and solo performance awards, as well as non-assessed demonstration classes.
Achievement in dance contributes to the learner’s all-round development, as it helps to develop competencies such as motor control, health and safety awareness, self-expression, physical fitness and stamina, discipline, mental ability, confidence and self-esteem.
The RAD is recognised by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA to operate on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The RAD’s graded examinations, vocational graded examinations, solo performance awards, and Discovering Repertoire Levels 2-4 are qualifications regulated on the RQF. The RQF includes qualifications of many types and in all fields of study, including GCSEs, A levels, and NVQs, placing dance examinations in a wider context of learning and achievement, and recognising equivalence in levels of knowledge, skills and understanding.
We are registered with the following Dance Awarding Bodies:
  • Royal Academy of Dance
  • Imperial Society of Teachers and Dancing
  • Tap
  • Jazz
    • Age 3 – 4 years
    Age 4 years upwards
    • Royal Academy of Dance In Dance syllabi - the perfect syllabi for all Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre, Tap & Contemporary dancers
    Age 5 years upwards
    • Classical Ballet
    • Tap
    • Modern Theatre
    Grade 1 upwards
    • Character 

    Grade 4 upwards
    • Jazz
    • Progressing Ballet Technique
    We offer extracurricular opportunities for all students in:
    • Pointe Work 
    • Flexibility
    • Stage work
    • Pilates
    • Summer schools
    • GCSE / A level enrichment
    • BTECH enrichment
    • QCA approved examinations
    • Mat based pilates
    Adult Classes

    Customer testimonials

    • CLACTON'S FINEST DANCE SCHOOL

      CLACTON'S FINEST DANCE SCHOOL Dance Foundation is the highest quality dance school in the area, with expertly qualified teachers who care deeply about their students' progress and wellbeing.  I attended Dance Foundation from 11-18 and received not just incredible training that focuses equally on technique, preparing for exams and on passion and performance for their extremely professional shows, but a second family. I would recommend them in a heartbeat.

      Claire Fitzgerald - ex-student of Dance Foundation

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    • Our Dance Foundation journey

      Our Dance Foundation journey began over 30 years ago when our eldest daughter joined as a very young pupil. It is with thanks and appreciation of the expert teaching, guidance and encouragement that she received at Dance Foundation that she fulfilled her ambition and is now the owner of her own dance school in South London. We highly recommend the excellent standard of teaching coupled with attention to the safety and well-being of the pupils. There is also a strong sense of “family” which makes learning to dance in all its formats enjoyable for all ages and abilities. In retirement we now benefit from Pilates classes at Dance Foundation which continues our long and happy journey.

      Penny Faithfull - ex-parent of Dance Foundation and current member of Pilates Foundation


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    • CHOOSE DANCE FOUNDATION!

       I couldn't recommend Dance Foundation, enough. The amazing people I had the pleasure of knowing, shaped me into the woman I am today. From the age of 3 to 16, I was fortunate enough to be part of a family of strong, passionate, determined and truly inspiring people. The teaching I received for many years, was life changing for me and has helped me navigate the long grass of life. If you are searching for a loving, supportive, engaging and strengthening place to learn and grow, choose Dance Foundation. There is no contest

      Alice Blackman - ex-student of Dance Foundation


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    Free introductory lessons offered to all
    New dance students
    Email us today to reserve a place for when we return to the studio!
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