Established by Sheila Cross in 1967, the Portslade School of Dancing is the longest established dance school in the area. We are dedicated to providing high-quality dance education in a supportive and inclusive environment. We are passionate about nurturing a love of dance in our students, helping them build confidence, skills, and lasting friendships.

Founder, Dance Teacher: Sheila Cross, M.B.B.O, T C., A.I.S.T.D. Dip., Senior Examiner B.B.O.
Dance Teacher: Trudy Roberts (formerly Nash), A.B.B.O., B.Ed (Hons).

Syllabus

The Portslade School of Dancing follows syllabi devised by the British Ballet Organization (BBO), an international dance organisation.

Examinations

Students can be entered for graded examinations in all dance genres, from Primary to Advanced levels. Exams are accredited by the BBO and are held at the end of term.

Teaching Qualifications

All of our teachers are qualified with the BBO, which offers teaching qualifications recognised by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

Scholarship Scheme

Students can benefit from the Scholarship Scheme offered by the BBO. Auditions are held annually and successful students attend classes at the BBO headquarters. 

Dance Shows

The Portslade School of Dancing also presents school shows and demonstrations to raise money for local charities.

Our Teachers

Sheila Cross

Sheila is a senior examiner for the British Ballet Organisation (BBO), has an Associate Diploma in Modern Theatre Dance with the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers (ISTD), and an RSA Certificate in Applied Anatomy for Dancers and Teachers of Dance.

Her dance training was at the Doris Isaacs School of Dancing in Brighton, where she took all grades of ballet and tap dance through to Full Advanced, as well as national dance and classical Greek dance. After gaining her teaching qualifications and teaching for Doris Isaacs, several years of professional dancing followed. In 1967, she founded the Portslade School of Dancing.

“It gives me great pleasure to see the development of young pupils as they progress through the various dance grades. The regime of dance training gives physical fitness, co-ordination, and good posture. It requires discipline and dedication. All of these equip well-trained dancers with skills for life, whether they follow a career in dance or take another avenue altogether. This sometimes demanding training gives us a love of music, dance, and theatre that will stay with us forever. I firmly believe that it shapes our appreciation of all the arts.”

Trudy Roberts

Trudy has been a member of the Portslade School of Dancing since the age of 3. Under the direction of the Sheila Cross, she has achieved Advanced Tap, Intermediate Ballet, and a diploma in ballet and tap. She gained teacher status in both disciplines with the British Ballet Organisation. She has recently trained to teach the BBO Jazz and Musical Theatre Dance syllabi.

Trudy has worked extensively with local theatre companies, including Gemini Players, Brighton and Hove Operatic Society, The Wick, and Southwick Players, as both a dancer and choreographer.

She is also the deputy head teacher and safeguarding lead at a local primary school. As a qualified primary school teacher with specialisms in dance and drama, Trudy has directed and choreographed many productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Bugsy Malone, Grease, Stepping Out, and We Will Rock You. She teaches dance in school and prepares students for examinations and performances such as Let's Dance at Brighton Dome.