The Stapleton School of Dancing was founded in 1942 by Miss Pat Short. Under Miss Short’s direction many successful students and teachers were produced, including William Tuckett (a Royal Ballet Company dancer and choreographer). Upon retiring in 1990, ex-pupil Miranda Beard took over the school from Miss Short and introduced Modern and Jazz to the existing line up of Ballet and Tap. This increased the number of students within the school and allowed them to study new forms of dance.

By employing new staff, Miss Miranda was later able to introduce Irish dancing. Recently separate girls and boys classes in Hip Hop have been also introduced.  This has created energetic new, non-syllabus options for the children who wish to study other forms of dance.

The school offers children’s and vocational examinations in both ISTD and RAD twice a year, with one session at Christmas and the other at Easter. These examinations are open to all students who are assessed by the Principal before being entered to ensure they are ready. In the lead up to the examination the school holds six compulsory ‘coaching classes’. These classes help prepare the students to the required examination level, of which the school boasts a 100% pass rate.

The school appreciates the benefits of external training and encourages those with certain flair and ability to apply for the Imperial and Royal Societies outreach programs (JA/MA/PVP etc). These children are also given the opportunity to compete in local and regional Eisteddfod festivals. This helps these children develop their technical abilities, but arguably, more importantly, helps them develop their performance skills. It also gives them the opportunity to dance alongside other talented children from local schools, giving them a wider awareness of of what is out there, especially as students are reaching Regional and National finals.

Stapleton School of Dance has done well in many festivals in the region, including Kingswood, Longwell Green, Exeter, Bristol, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Weston Super Mare.  We have entered four groups and are looking at possible new groups for the future.  We have also entered numerous solos, duets and trios.

The summer term is a very exciting one for Stapleton School of Dancing. We take part in various demonstrations at local schools, fairs and community events, offering the students fantastic and varied performance opportunities. Dancers are also provided by the school for a local orchestral society who put on an annual Summer Proms event.

Also taking place in the summer term is our new venture, The Choreographic Competition. Open to all students within the school, this is an opportunity for the pupils to enter work they themselves have produced and rehearsed, while developing their own choreographic skills.

There are four branches to the Stapleton School of Dancing. The main branch is now based in Yate, and runs classes five nights a week in two studios, at Ridgewood Community Centre. One studio is named after the school founder Pat Short and the other after ex pupil William Tuckett. The studios have fixed barres, mirrors and pianos.  We will be able to hold our examinations in these new facilities as well as coaching classes, festival rehearsals and the Senior Summer Schools.  In addition we have the Stapleton Dance Wear Shop to offer all the dance uniform needs. Begbrook Primary School houses an ‘Arts Suite’, which is a purpose built dance studio with a sprung floor, where we hold classes four nights a week.  Nearby is our Downend branch that focuses on the lower ballet grades.  Our Gloucestershire part of the school is based in the beautiful village of Minchinhampton and currently offers classes two nights a week.