At Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), our roots are deeply connected to schools and education. Founded by Nadine Senior, a pioneering dance educator who discovered the power of dance while working as a teacher at Harehills Junior School, NSCD has always championed the belief that every young person has the right to experience dance.
Today, through our Schools, Colleges and Groups offer, we continue Nadine’s legacy by working with schools across Leeds and beyond.
We offer a flexible and inclusive range of opportunities from bespoke, one-off workshops to year-long partnerships that embed dance and creativity across the curriculum. Activities can include hands-on practical workshops, studio and rehearsal observations, theatre visits, and talks from professional artists and NSCD students.
We’re committed to widening access to dance and the arts, and to creating experiences that are creative, enriching, and relevant to your learners.
We offer one-off and short-term bespoke workshops for schools at all key stages (EYFS–Post-16). These can take place at your school or onsite at NSCD. Our approach is inclusive, creative, and tailored to the needs and experience of your pupils. Workshops are led by experienced dance artists and can be designed to meet a variety of needs and interests, including:
We love to welcome school groups to NSCD to experience our inspiring building and artistic environment.
You can book:
These visits are designed to broaden understanding of careers in dance and demystify higher education in the arts.
4 times a year, NSCD welcomes school and FE groups (pupils in year 10 and above) to visit our campus in Leeds to watch a rehearsal
Dates vary each year but are usually the same week as the performances on Tuesday or Wednesday, please see What’s On for more information.
Visits can be tailored you the school’s needs but typically will consist of:
11:00 Arrive at NSCD
11:15-11:45 Campus tour
11:45-12:15 Progressions discussion (NSCD courses, application and audition process, and life as an undergraduate student)
12:15-13:15 Practical workshop
13:15-14:00 Lunch break
14:00-16:00 Open Rehearsal
Priority is given to schools who have high numbers of pupils from underrepresented groups, such as:
For more information and to express interest, please contact Philippa Ranger – Access & Participation Manager: philippa.ranger@nscd.ac.uk
VERVE, postgraduate touring company of NSCD, offers unique opportunities for schools to:
These opportunities are especially suited to secondary schools, colleges and sixth forms, and can support GCSE/A-Level Dance, BTEC Performing Arts and vocational pathways.
Find out moreINSPIRE is an opportunity for schools and FE colleges to have a NSCD dance artist work with a group of students in your setting for 6-weeks, to co-choreograph a short dance piece. The group is then invited to perform the piece at NSCD’s Riley Theatre.
Workshops can be in curriculum time or in an after-school space, where the artist could deliver a 90minute session each week.
INSPIRE is ideal for an established dance group who would benefit from finding out more about progressing into dance training at Higher Education, and finding out about current and future training dance training programmes such as NSCD’s Youth Dance Provision, CAT and ELEVATE.
INSPIRE is free of charge and open to schools and FE colleges in the Yorkshire area. Priority is given to schools who have high numbers of pupils from underrepresented groups, such as:
For more information and to express interest, please contact Philippa Ranger – Access & Participation Manager: philippa.ranger@nscd.ac.uk
As part of NSCD’s Access Tour, schools, FE Colleges and youth dance schools/companies receive a one-off 90-mintue dance workshop delivered by a NSCD artist, which gives young dancers a taster of NSCD. These sessions include a short discussion where participants find out more about NSCD courses, the application and audition process, and life as an undergraduate student.
Access Tour workshops are an ideal way to inspire young dancers to start thinking about dance at HE. Pitched at 15-18year olds, NSCD can deliver a variety of dance styles including contemporary, ballet, afro fusion and hip hop.
Access Tour workshops are free of charge and delivered across the UK. Priority is given to venues who have high numbers of dancers from underrepresented groups, such as:
For more information and to express interest, please contact Philippa Ranger – Access & Participation Manager: philippa.ranger@nscd.ac.uk
If you are interested in a range of activities from our offer, get in touch with us to discuss an NSCD+ Partnership
NSCD+ Partnerships offer a range of tailored and impactful partnership packages for primary, secondary schools, colleges and groups, designed to support dance in the curriculum, provide enrichment, and build long-term embedded dance & creative interventions delivered by specialists within schools. Packages run over an academic year and may include:
To discuss a tailored programme for your school, contact:
participation@nscd.ac.uk
0113 219 3005
OR Fill out of Schools Partnership Form below
Schools Partnership FormWhether you’re seeking a year-long partnership, a one-off creative workshop, or a powerful performance experience, NSCD offers exciting, inclusive and high-quality opportunities for students of all backgrounds and abilities.
participation@nscd.ac.uk
0113 219 3005
