Babel continues to evolve

A great deal has changed over the past few years. The pandemic had a huge impact on the school, but it continues to evolve and regrow. When classes returned face to face, there were big changes. We had fewer children and fewer staff, but Sara, with her daughter Charis and teacher Nicola were determined that the school would be rebuilt. Holly was on board as an assistant teacher, working towards her RAD Teacher Status. We came back with Ballet, Tap, Acro, Contemporary and GCSE Dance.

In September 2022, Nisha returned to Babel, not as a student, but as a teacher. She teaches Commercial Freestyle and assists with tap and acro.

Our first show since the pandemic was welcomed by all, particularly by the students who had stuck with us all through the pandemic. We were very proud to return to the stage in July 2023.

Charis has taken over much of the running of the school now. Sara is still very much in evidence, but is proud to watch her daughter grow and evolve with the new Babel.

“Every child who wants to dance, will dance”

When I think of my childhood I think of Babel. I made many good friends and have wonderful memories. After returning home from living in Australia I’m so glad my daughter, Isla is now able to attend. She seems to love it as much as I did, although her first class was slightly larger than mine! Sara not only teaches dance but she encourages and nurtures children to fulfill their dancing dreams. X

30 years in the creating!

It doesn’t seem possible that more than 30 years have passed since Babel began at Cranford Community School. Thanks to Cynthia and John Hawkins, who heard there was an opening at the school and put Sara’s name forward. November 1983 the doors opened for the first time. It is well documented that it was a very slow beginning. The first new student was Suzanne Luff, now married, living in Australia and just given birth to her first child. From January 1984, the trickle gradually developed into a steady flow. We now boast approximately 200 children from the age of 2.5 to young adults. Some students love it so much, they keep on coming into their twenties. Some stay to teach and so many keep in touch, helping out whenever they can. Babel moved in November 2006 to Heston Methodist Church and Heston Community School.

Many students leave Babel with a love and passion for dance that they carry forward into adulthood.

Passing it on to their children. Some are teachers of dance, others work in the performance industry, others have careers in other fields, but the passion remains.

Sara, Sam and Steph all started at The Norwood Green Academy of Dance with Joan Crouch. Joan gave such a good grounding in dance that, as a team, using this knowledge The Babel School of Dance has evolved. Cara and Nicola were both students of the school. Though Cara’s Disco talent came from Paul Streatfield, with whom she trained alongside the traditional Ballet, Tap and Modern that she studied with Babel. Vanessa joined us in 2002 bring her Street talent along with Tap and Modern qualifications.

From small beginnings, only offering RAD Ballet and Free Modern, the school has grown, now offering ISTD Tap, Disco ,Modern and Street, Free Contemporary, GCSE Dance and The Arts Award Scheme.

The ethos of the school has always been, “every child who wants to dance, will dance”. No exceptions are made, all ages and abilities are welcome. And they stay for as long as they want to.