About the school
Our story
Having trained at the Royal Academy of Dance, Katherine Richardson BA (Hons) LRAD, ARAD set up The Village School of Dance in 2008 in the heart of Wimbledon Village.
Since 2008
A warm dance family in Wimbledon Village
The school has grown to encompass the needs of all the dancers who attend, running Christmas productions and summer schools, while offering a full range of ballet, modern, tap, pointe work and body conditioning for children and adults, as well as Darcey Bussell's DDMIX dance fitness.
We pride ourselves on the atmosphere we have at the school. It has been great to see so many progress over the years, whether children are enjoying a hobby or working towards becoming a professional dancer or teacher, or adults looking to keep fit and have a giggle. We welcome everyone to our family-friendly community.
It is our mission to spread the magic of dance far and wide. We have grown from just a couple of classes a week to a school with classes running six days a week, a competition pathway, and weekly sessions in local primary schools and nurseries.
“It is always a pleasure to work with Katherine. She's a real professional and is wonderfully enthusiastic with her students”
Our syllabus
Training you can trust
Ballet lessons follow the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. Most jazz and tap classes follow the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing; some also involve free work where the school has set up its own format.
Throughout classes, students are given the chance to improvise and choreograph. Examinations in modern, tap and ballet are taken every three to four terms, and the school has a strong record of exam success.
Registered & approved
The team
Meet your teachers
Led by Principal Katherine Richardson, our Wimbledon team brings RAD and ISTD expertise with a warm, family-friendly approach.
What families say
Words from our dance family
Parents and adult dancers on classes, exams, camps and the atmosphere at the school.
“I can't praise The Village School of Dance highly enough. My daughter has been attending classes for 8 years and absolutely loves them. She's reached high standards in ballet, tap and modern, has pointe shoes and can dance in them and has had excellent results in ISTD and RAD exams whilst still having fun. Now at the top end of the school and the end of the graded syllabi we look back at her time in the school and say thank you to Katherine and all the other teachers - it's been special!”
Jane Wilson
Parent
“All 3 of my children love The Village School of Dance. The teachers are very skilled at getting the best out of their pupils and all the children make remarkable progress. Katherine is an inspirational dancer and principal; her gentle but disciplined manner and sense of fun permeate everything that goes on at the school, from the weekly lessons, to the adult lessons, to the holiday 'extravaganzas' and specialist workshops. Highly recommend.”
C.W.
Parent
“My daughter started ballet at 3 years old and has now progressed to Pre-Primary Ballet. She adores Miss Chloe and Katherine runs a lovely, friendly, welcoming school. The choice of music in lessons is excellent - teaching the children musicality, discipline and above all to have fun!”
Kirsty Broere
Parent
“I have been taking DDMIX classes for ages!!! I absolutely LOVE it! Katherine is a wonderful teacher, very engaging and enthusiastic. The exercises are amazing... not only do they keep me fit but the different dance genres keeps my brain on its toes too! It is a really friendly and embracing class and I always look forward to it. Would highly recommend... it's a lot of fun!!!”
Carys Jones
DDMIX attendee
“I attend the DDMIX classes and thoroughly enjoy them. Katherine is a wonderful teacher - she is very clear when showing us all the moves and very patient as well! Most of all though, she makes it fun and class is one of the highlights of my week!”
Josie Gale
DDMIX attendee · Google review
“Katherine is a brilliant teacher and DDMIX is my weekly go-to 'me time'. It's great fun, very sociable and a good aerobic work out too. She caters for every level - you really don't have to be an experienced dancer at all, everyone is welcomed in!”
Carolyn Reed
DDMIX attendee · Google review
“I started dancing with DDMIX 6 years ago and still love it as much as I did then! The teaching is brilliant and inspiring. It is the perfect way to exercise both physically and mentally - and have fun at the same time!”
Selina Master
DDMIX attendee · Google review
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Dance, nurture and inspire!
Ready to join our dance family?
Find a class that fits your week, or get in touch and we will help you choose the right starting point.