Ballet · Tap · Jazz · Contemporary · Lewes
Every dancer starts with a first plié.
A family dance school in a Victorian chapel hall, for ages 3 to adult. Small classes, live piano and teachers who still dance.
Pupils, from age 3 to 74
Pass rate in RAD and ISTD exams
Dancers in a class, never more
N° 01 — Find a class
A class for every age, from first steps to grown-ups.
Children are placed by age and ability. Not sure? Book a free trial and the teacher will advise.
N° 02 — St Anne’s Hall
Two sprung floors under the arches of an 1871 chapel.
Clara Hale opened Pointe in 2009 with one studio and eleven pupils. Today St Anne’s Hall has two studios with Harlequin sprung floors, a grand piano in Studio 1 and a waiting room where parents can hear the music through the door.
We keep classes small, we play live piano for every ballet class, and we never push a child into exams or onto pointe before they’re ready.
“I want every child to leave class standing a little taller than when they came in.”
Clara Hale, principal · former English National Ballet
N° 03 — The week
Saturday mornings at Pointe
Our busiest morning: seven classes across both studios. Weekday classes run from 4pm to 8:30pm.
09:00
Tiny Toes
Mia
Tiny Toes
09:00
Junior Ballet
Clara
Juniors
09:45
Primary Ballet
Mia
Juniors
10:15
Senior Ballet
Clara
Seniors
10:45
Musical Theatre
Leah
Juniors
11:45
Tap
Owen
Juniors
12:00
Musical Theatre
Leah
Juniors
Autumn term · 7 September – 12 December
Half term: 26 – 31 October (no classes)
N° 04 — Grades & exams
From Tiny Toes to Intermediate, one step at a time.
We follow the Royal Academy of Dance for ballet and the ISTD for tap and modern. Exams are always optional.
Tiny Toes
Ages 3 – 4. Music, stories and first ballet steps. Optional RAD Dance to Your Own Tune.
Pre-Primary & Primary
Ages 5 – 7. Posture, the five positions and their first RAD exam.
Grades 1 – 3
Ages 7 – 10. Classical barre and centre, character dances, tap and musical theatre.
Grades 4 – 5
Ages 10 – 12. Stronger jumps and turns, pre-pointe strength, jazz.
Grades 6 – 8 & pointe
Ages 12 – 18. Pointe work, UCAS points and our own choreography.
Intermediate & beyond
For dancers thinking about vocational school. Our pupils have gone on to Elmhurst and Central.
N° 05 — Teachers
Seven teachers. Every one has danced professionally.
N° 06 — Next on stage
N° 07 — For parents
The practical bits, all in one place.
Uniform & kit
Each class has its own leotard colour. Buy it at the first fitting evening, not before the trial. Second-hand rail in the hall.
Watching class
Parents watch the last five minutes of Tiny Toes, and a full class in each term’s viewing week.
Safe hands
Every teacher is DBS checked and first aid trained. Clara is our safeguarding lead, and doors are staffed at drop-off and pick-up.
Term dates 2026 – 27
7 September – 12 December
26 – 31 October
5 January – 27 March
15 – 20 February
20 April – 18 July
25 – 30 May
N° 08 — Families
What parents (and dancers) say.
Ivy hid behind my legs for the whole first class. Mia let her watch, and by week three she was the first one in the room.
Sophie T.
Mum of Ivy, 4
Alfie's the only boy in his tap class and he loves it. Owen treats every child like they're in a West End show.
James R.
Dad of Alfie, 8
Clara noticed Asha was ready for pointe before we did. The care they take over feet and strength is real.
Priya N.
Mum of Asha, 12
I last did ballet when I was nine. Now I'm 52 and I go twice a week. No one cares what you look like, only that you enjoy it.
Helen W.
Adult Ballet
Three children, three styles, one school. The sibling discount helps, and the office is brilliant at timetables.
Mark & Jo
Parents of three
I started in Tiny Toes and left at 16 for full-time training. I wouldn't be dancing without Pointe.
Ella M.
Former pupil, now at Elmhurst
N° 09 — Questions
Before your first class
Anything else, call the office on 01273 940 266 between 3:30 and 8:30pm.
N° 10 — Journal
