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Strictly School Dancing |
About SSDWith an upsurge in enthusiasm for dancing that spans all age groups as a result of television shows including “Strictly Come Dancing”, we are able to bring directly into the School environment the opportunity for children to become involved in a truly fantastic sport that will become their passion. Strictly School Dancing has pioneered change away from the traditional concept and route to dance coaching by offering children from a young age the chance to learn to dance along with their classmates in a safe, secure and entirely familiar environment. This idea was created through the early part of 2007 and implemented in April 2008 after the successful launch of our business. SSD are proud to have created in December 2010, the SSDAC (Strictly School Dancing Amateur Club) which is the home of our Amateur Dance Team. This club is affiliated with EADA and welcomes new members who can join once they have completed their appropriate training in the level 3 classes. For more information - Click HERE for the SSDAC. |
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OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
We offer parents, guardians and schools an entirely managed service with the opportunity for children to progress and participate in many lessons per week with the ultimate aim for those that wish to, to then become a part of our Amateur Dance Club – The SSDAC. Dancing is part of the National Schools Physical Education Curriculum and we provide dance as a part of the Physical Education program for children at various schools. TODAY SSD has experienced significant growth in its business since launching in April 2008 and now operates in many schools in and around the Hampshire and Surrey areas. We operate 6 days per week throughout term time offering tuition slots from 08:00 right through to 20:30. SSD also provide lessons for all level 2,3 & 4 members (Non-School Lessons) also during school holiday periods, these lessons take place in dance studios and hired school halls where we have an association locally. SSD are able to deliver, directly into the school environment, workshops that provide all children with an opportunity to experience and appreciate Ballroom & Latin American dancing and many schools request our services every year particularly to provide choreography for special school shows. SSD recently introduced Street Dance and Freestyle classes, which are taught by Keely Catt who is an experienced and qualified instructor and choreographer. These classes are also proving to be very popular with schools and children. Keely now provides tuition at 4 schools locally, with more to follow. SSD also provide adult tuition at its classes in Basingstoke and the Camberley area. SSD now offer its students the chance to become involved in competitions at a National level and through the creation of our Amateur Dance Club, the SSDAC, we now also affiliated with EADA (The English Amateur Dancesport Association. This provides the children with a real outlet maintaining high levels of motivation, achievement and reward for their efforts and dedication to improving their own personal skills. Through SSDAC the children have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a competitive environment. By providing this service, students will begin to understand the extent of dedication required to excel at a competitive level, whilst working together to achieve common goals. PROFILES
Added to this, Sarka has taught dancing to both children and adults for a number of years. Sarka has been dancing for 21 years, 12 of which have been associated with competition at the highest National and International levels. Dancing at the highest international levels requires extensive training, having twice been crowned as the Czech National Champion, and rated as an international ‘M’ class Ballroom and Latin American dancer, we had long felt the desire to use Sarka’s extensive skills, knowledge and experience to teach dance and choreography to children here in the UK and specifically within schools.  Previously, Neil’s professional career had spanned 20 years of which the last 15 years were exclusively in the Services Sector within IT. Neil has a strong commercial background and ran his own business in the UK. Neil has also worked for established major corporations including: NCR, Storage-tek, Sun Microsystems and IBM United Kingdom Limited. Neil's involvement in dancing started in 2005 when he met his wife Sarka and his passion for the sport has grown ever since. |
WHAT HEAD TEACHERS SAY ABOUT SSD
"We have found 'Strictly School Dancing' to be professional, hardworking, enthusiastic and energetic colleagues. They have introduced the children to numerous dance styles and techniques. The children are positive, active and enjoy the variety of curriculum that having skilled dance teachers can provide. Neil and Sarka are very popular both with children and staff. They are always prepared to go the extra mile and play an important part as team members who genuinely wish to get the very best out of all children. As a relatively new venture they have always been approachable and are willing to listen to feedback. Our Student Senate have very positive observations and last years sell-out summer dance show was a real highlight for the school, the after school club is also very popular and we hope will run for many years." John D. F. Martin, Headteacher, Castle Hill Junior School "I have worked with SSD since they started and I have to say they are a well-run company, which enables all the children to thrive and develop their confidence. As a school we have always found them flexible, hard working and very dedicated. Neil and Sarka have a superb rapport with the children and I would recommend SSD to every school. It enriches the children's learning journey and enables them to excel in a form of dancing they may not experience anywhere else. If you want your child to experience something different I would recommend SSD - this is a well-run company with children at its heart… (and it is great value for money!!!)" David Harris, Head Teacher, Ravenscote Junior School "The children thoroughly enjoy the dance sessions led by SSD. Extremely professional and very approachable. Highly recommended." Jeff Maidment, Head Teacher, North Waltham Primary School
WHAT PARENTS SAY ABOUT SSD "My daughter has been dancing with SSD since April 2008, & thoroughly enjoys her lessons twice a week, & can't wait to do more! Having attended 2 other dance schools previously, I can really appreciate the quality of Sarka & Neil's teaching methods from a parent's point of view - the children have LOTS of fun, but are learning a great deal at the same time, & no matter what their own personal level, every child can go home with a sense of achievement. If they want to dance for fun, then they can, without any pressure, but if they want to take their dancing further, then they can do that too, in the extra 'intermediate level' lesson, (you could 'hear a pin drop' while they were perfecting their postures for the waltz recently, because they were all so intensely focused, which was lovely to see!). Sarka & Neil's passion & enthusiasm is so infectious, they really motivate every child to do their best. We can't wait to see what they come up with for the children next!" Collette "Both our daughters started the breakfast dance class at school as a fun taster activity, they loved it so much they are now doing a second class on the Saturday and cannot get enough of it, both their confidence and rhythm has grown with every lesson. We have been so impressed that we decided to have a go on the adult dance lessons, it's really great fun and a great way to spend the evening together, as well as learning something new. Neil and Sarka's style of teaching puts you at ease no matter what your skill level is , in our case "one legged elephants" thanks again N&S, the Weldon's, see ya soon." Weldons "My daughter loves to dance and joined an after school SSD class when she was in year 5. She loved it and was thrilled when the following year, the SSD team were asked to take the year 6 Physical Education lessons during school time!" "They worked with 60 children teaching them group routines to music, such as Pokerface and Thriller. Even the boys who said they hated dancing ended up loving it, especially when they were asked to perform for parents in an after school 'show'. The proof came at the end of term, my daughter and her friend had a party, and invited all of the year 6 students. When Pokerface and Thriller were played, every child got up and danced the routines - unprompted! - It was fabulous to watch. The DJ said he'd never seen so many 10/11 year old boys dancing at one time!" Debbie |
