About Centre Stage

A warm welcome!

Centre Stage School of Dance and Performing Arts was founded in 2011 by Principal Zoe Mather and is today a centre of excellence across all genres of dance and performing arts, providing an inclusive, nurturing, environment for almost 400 students of all backgrounds, aged 2- 19.

The school has been an International finalist for ‘Dance School of the Year’ in both 2016 and 2017 and has a clear vision to provide high quality training in a rewarding learning environment, underpinned by sound technical and artistic expression.

Standards are incredibly high, as reflected in Centre Stage’s Ofsted registered status, Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) recognition and outstanding exam results but – more importantly – its students show extraordinary passion and commitment, which only comes from a deep love for the school.

Our Ofsted registration also means Centre Stage can accept Childcare Vouchers, which can be used to pay for school fees.

Centre Stage has been awarded THE BEST BALLET SCHOOL in Poole for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024 by the Quality Business Awards. The school received an overall quality score exceeding 95%, making us the top ranked in Poole for Satisfaction, Service, Reputation and Quality. We are delighted and very proud to be recognised in this way.

In addition, Centre Stage has also been awarded PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL OF THE YEAR – DORSET by the South England Prestige Awards. The school received the 2023/24 and 2024/25 awards in recognition of its outstanding expertise, professionalism and excellence in Performing Arts provision.

This transformational school employs a highly qualified and experienced creative team committed not only to delivering the very best standard of teaching, but to empowering all students to flourish and reach their full potential.

Centre Stage offers a vibrant array of classes for both boys and girls in a number of disciplines including RAD Ballet, Pointe work, ISTD Modern Theatre, Acrobatic Arts, Performing Arts (singing, dance and acting), and one-to-one vocal tuition. Classes at the school follow both syllabus and non-syllabus settings, with professional examinations should students wish to obtain a qualification as an accreditation of their work. Centre Stage is both a certified Acrobatic Arts UK Studio and an AcroPAD Centre.

Students are offered exciting performance opportunities and often travel to London to perform in theatres including Sadlers Wells, Her Majesty’s Theatre and the O2 Arena.

Industry professionals (which have so far included ‘Diversity’, Brittny Sugarman, Thomas Simon, Ash Knight and Benjamin Mundy) frequently visit for workshops and to teach at Summer School and the incredibly ambitious bi-annual show, performed at Poole Lighthouse, features all students, draws an audience of over 2000 and is always an unforgettable experience for all involved.

Visit our show page to see more of our latest production Sleeping Beauty: 100 years of enchantment and find out what everyone had to say about this spectacular show.

The school fundraises tirelessly for our chosen charities with a programme of events across the year and has raised a staggering £18,000 to date.

Students with exceptional talent are offered a platform to audition for the Royal Ballet Associate programme, The Dang and Wilkes associate programmes. Those students pursuing a professional career are offered guidance and audition preparation and numerous students have secured places at the Royal Ballet, Tring Park, Trinity Laban, Emil Dale, MTM, Laine Theatre Arts, Bird College, Arts Ed, Millennium, London Studio Centre, Brighton Academy, Wilkes Academy, LMA, Italia Conti and Urdang to pursue dance and performance careers.

Take a tour of the school via the website and watch our ‘behind the scenes’ footage, which will give you a true picture of the school, and hear testimonials from both students and parents. You can also find out more about the school’s achievements and student successes.

The students tell it best and you will see first-hand the sheer enjoyment they experience whilst naturally shining and growing as performers.

We look forward to meeting you.