Pre-Vocational Training
Nicola Tarry offers a holistic classical dance-tuition programme in after-school hours, covering various dance genres to maximise dance potential.
It is aimed that dancers attend the full programme.
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Juniors: ages 7 and 8 years
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Mids: ages 9 to 13 inclusive, and
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Seniors: age 12 or 13 years plus.
The entry process is via trial class at Nicola Tarry, and Nicola will assess which class would best work for the individual.
Places are limited (generally capped at 15 dancers per class).
Pre-Vocational Training
Pre-Vocational Training offers after-school training designed to develop a classical dancer as a whole.
It focuses on classical ballet technique and body-conditioning, and incorporates creative, performance, contemporary and/or modern.
Classes are split between Juniors (ages 7 and 8 years), Mids (ages 9 to 13 inclusive) and Seniors (12 or 13 years and above).
It is intended that dancers attend as much of the programme as possible in order to get the most out of it, but dancers can currently opt for one class per week on an ongoing basis.
Classes are generally capped at 15 dancers
The Nicola Tarry curriculum incorporates various dance genres in order to maximise classical dance potential.
Classical ballet is taught under the guidance of Nicola Tarry.
Contemporary dance (for Seniors) is taught by Emily Adams. Contemporary is increasingly important in the dance world and for vocational school auditions.
Modern dance is taught by Karen King and Jess North. Modern dance tuition is aimed at maximising power, strength and stamina.
All are highly experienced teachers with a passion for teaching.
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Pre-Vocational Programme Results
Nicola has an excellent record of Year 7 Royal Ballet School offers: 12 such offers in total over six years of applications.
This is testament to the level of training provided
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Pre-vocational Programme Results for 2025 entry:
The 2025 results were as follow:
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Year 7 Offers (only 5 auditioning in total)
3 x Royal Ballet School
2 x Elmhurst Ballet School
4 x funded Tring Park
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Year 9 offer (only 1 auditioning)
Tring Park with the prestigious Eve Pettinger award.
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Year 10 offer (only 1 auditioning)
Tring Park
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Year 12 Offers (only 2 auditioning)
1 x Elmhurst Ballet School
2 x funded Tring Park
2 x Acosta Dance
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Some dancers choose not to audition and/or to continue on the Nicola Tarry Pre-Vocational programme or to enter the Nicola Tarry Vocational programme.
It is always about what is right for the individual dancer.
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Audition Support
On the Pre-Vocational programme, the school supports vocational dance-school auditions, helping the students through the process.
End-of-Year Show
Nicola offers an end-of-year show on alternate years.
The 2025 show was held at the Lilian Baylis studio, Sadlers Wells.
The intention behind a show is that the students learn how to be a part of a show, to work on rehearsing, learning and developing choreography, putting their technique into practice, to work on artistry, performance, teamwork and work on spatial awareness.
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Ethos
Nicola is determined to do the best possible for her dancers, and believes always in providing a positive environment to work in, and encourages dancers to champion and support one another.
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Juniors
Ages 7 and 8 years
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Wednesdays 5pm til 8pm during term-time.
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Also, Mondays 5pm at 8pm at Nicola's discretion (when is best suits the individual's training)
They will be encouraged to attend Nicola Tarry Sunday Workshops
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Mids
Ages 9 to 13 inclusive
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Mondays and Wednesdays 5pm til 8pm during term-time.
One or other class may be taken in isolation but both are recommended, as are Sunday Workshops.​
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For Juniors and Mids, Nicola has developed a holistic programme based on the fundamentals of ballet, with a focus on posture, turn-out, correct alignment, articulation of feet, and strength in the abdominals, glutes and back.
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The classes are key to ensuring that students are prepared ultimately to enter vocational schools, and there is an emphasis on nurturing young talent.
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Strengthening and conditioning the correct muscles allows classical training to begin. All aspects of class are taught developing adage, pirouettes and allegro. Pointe-work is introduced slowly and carefully.
Discipline is key but is developed in a nurturing and lively way. There are also elements of creativity and acting: with classes designed to inspire and nurture a real love of dance and performance.​
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Seniors
Age 12 or 13 Years plus
A move from Mids to Seniors, or entry into Mids or Seniors, will be at Nicola's discretion.
Nicola will always have best training for the individual dancer in mind, and the decisions will be made on that basis. ​
Tuesdays (ballet) and Thursdays (contemporary) 5pm til 8pm during term-time.
One or other class may be taken in isolation but both are recommended, as are Sunday Workshops.
In Seniors, contemporary dance is introduced into the dance-tuition program.
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The world of ballet has changed dramatically, and students need to discover different ways of moving.
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The Seniors classes have more focus on extensions and on picking up choreography quickly; all while continuing to use correct alignment and to progress the students' technique. The classes are much more intense: so that students develop stamina.
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The students learn a vast vocabulary of steps, and are expected to be highly disciplined and self-motivated in order to achieve a place at a vocational dance school either in year 10 or year 12.
Pre-Vocational
Term-Dates
Term-Dates are as follow but are subject to change at the discretion of the Principal:
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2025-2026
Provisional dates for 2025=2026
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Winter Term 2025
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Monday 8 September 2025: Term starts
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Monday 20 October to Sunday 2 November: half-term
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Friday 5 December 2025: last day of term.
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Spring Term 2026
Monday 5 January 2026: Term starts
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Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February 2026: Half-Term
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Friday 27 March 2026: last day of term
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Summer Term 2026
Monday 20 April 2026: term starts
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Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May 2026: half-term
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Friday 10 July 2026: last day of term​​
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Pre-Vocational Notice
Half-A-Term’s Notice Required
Half-a-term’s notice must be given and paid for if lessons are to be discontinued.
Lessons missed by dancers will not be deducted from the bill.
Pre-Vocational Registration Fee
£240
​A non-refundable registration fee of £240 is required to secure a place. This will be used as credit against the first fees payment(s).
Pre-Vocational Uniform
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Juniors
Girls
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top from Planet Dance.
Wear Moi Galate leotard in Sky.
Convertible tights.
Boys
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top from Planet Dance
White leotard
Navy blue ballet shorts
White ballet socks
White ballet shoes
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Mids
Girls
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top from Planet Dance.
Wear Moi Galate leotard in Sky.
Convertible tights.
Boys
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top from Planet Dance
White leotard
Navy blue ballet shorts
White ballet socks
White ballet shoes
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Seniors
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top or hoodie available from
Nicola, please email the office.
Wear Moi Galate leotard in Navy
Convertible tights.
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These are available from the Planet Dance website with a discount for Nicola Tarry students (please ask the office for the discount code).​​
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