02/09/2026
Finally we introduce ‘T’ for Miss Tabitha.
Our youngest member of Staff, but clearly totally dedicated to her job.
Miss Tabitha continues enthusiastically to increase and expand her knowledge and experience.
Numerous courses taken during the last academic year including. First Aid, mental health awareness, safeguarding, and for the ISTD, refresher courses on the Intermediate Ballet syllabus and a course on improving outcomes in Imperial Ballet grade examinations.
We are so lucky to have you as part of our dance community.
You will see Miss Tabitha at the studios on Mondays and Wednesdays.
istddance Royal Academy of Dance
01/09/2026
Today we focus on ‘L’ is for Lara.
Here is what Lara has to say about her work here at CCDS.
Alongside teaching at CCDS, Lara also teaches Mat Pilates and Barre throughout the week at P.I.Lates in Cheltenham. Over the summer she’s loved welcoming CCDS alumni Mia Kobayashi and Harriet H‑D into her classes.
Outside the studio, Lara has also been training for the Cheltenham Half Marathon which she’ll be running later in September.
Combining her professional dance training (CCDS and Laine Theatre Arts) and Pilates knowledge, Lara’s body conditioning classes will focus on alignment, control and functional strength. She’s excited to support senior students this year, helping them feel stronger and more secure with their dancing.
P.I.LATES - studios
Mia Endicott
hewittdyke
Laine Theatre Arts
30/08/2026
We’ll just take a little break from sharing all our fabulous teaching faculty with you.
We’ve painted, preened, cleaned our lovely studios and now we are ready to reopen our doors to our wonderful students.
It’s going to feel very different as we have said our ‘goodbyes’ to 6 young people who have notched up a huge amount of years as CCDS students.
They now begin their next life chapter. It is the first time in many years that all of our graduates have chosen to continue their academic education.
So, from left to right;
Scarlet, a gap year with travel planned.
Poppy to study midwifery at Oxford Brookes.
Millie off to Sheffield University to study International Law.
Grace off to Oxford Brookes to study Primary School education.
Lucy, a gap year.
Nia, a gap year in which she intends to study for a DDE teaching qualification with the ISTD. You’ll also see her working in the School shop.
Without spilling the beans, we have some VERY bright young ladies whose A level results were PHENOMENAL.
We possibly have a future PM or at least a scientist who will find a cure for a currently incurable illness.
So very, very proud of the smashing dedicated, hardworking young people you have become. Your loyalty to CCDS has been much appreciated (and your parents are pretty cool too!).
Scarlet Olive-Carpenter
poppy
Grace Baynham-Powell
29/08/2026
Today we celebrate ‘K’ for Miss Kat.
Having joined our dance community a year ago, we are so pleased to share the fabulous work Miss Kat has undertaken since joining us.
In the last year Miss Kat has contributed enormously to our wonderful ISTD examination results, attended several valuable CPD courses, including an Inter Tap refresher course through the ‘Dance Mentors’ programme, child safeguarding and first aid courses. Miss Kat also had a fabulous time at the OKR International Tap Festival.
The icing on the cake for Miss Kat is that she has recently been co-opted onto the Tap Faculty Committee of the ISTD.
We are so pleased for, and proud of you!👏
Now get your thinking cap firmly on to create some wonderful competition dances for the next festival season!!
Katherine Elizabeth istddance dance.mentors
28/08/2026
‘A’ is also for Miss Alex who teaches our senior free Jazz and choreographs some of our competition work.
A little bit about Miss Alex;
Alex began her dance training in her hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland, before pursuing full-time training at Morea Performing Arts from the age of 17. During her graduating year, she was honoured to be awarded the Lyn Richardson Scholarship. Alongside her professional training, Alex gained her ISTD teaching qualifications in Ballet, Modern and Tap. As a performer, she has a particular love for a grounded jazz style and contemporary.
Most recently, Alex performed in Snow White in Grantham, where she also took on the role of Dance Captain.
CCDS students benefit from working with someone currently working in ‘the industry.’ Miss Alex has also recently completed a First Aid course.
We love having you as part of our dance community.
C reative
C ommunity
D iverse
S upportive
Morea Performing Arts
Lyn Richardson
27/08/2026
What have your fantastic Teachers been up to over the Summer?
Well ‘A’ is for Miss Andrea who has been a very busy bee 🐝 over the holidays.
A participant in the Old Kent Road Tap Festival which sees Tap enthusiasts from all over the world meet in London for a 3 day Tap Jam.
Miss A got to work alongside such fab teachers/tappers as Avalon Rathgeb Ruben Sanchez Sarah Reich and Josh Hilberman to name but a few!
This Festival refreshes and renews as people share their talents and ideas with each other.
Miss A then traveled further north and changed her hat from ‘student’ to ‘Lecturer’ as she lectured ISTD Tap Teachers on ISTD Tap syllabi.
We are so lucky to have you!🥰
Miss A also waited with baited breath for daughter, G’s GCSE results- well done G a fabulous set of results 👏👏👏👏
Now to get stuck in to being CCDS Head Girl!
C aring
C reative
D edicated
S uccesful!