Some people were made to perform…Others were born to teach
For those who feel most at home in the studio
If you’ve never craved the spotlight, but the studio has always felt like home, you’re exactly who we’re here for. At Roynon Dance Centre, we understand what it’s like to love dance but not want a life on stage, to feel more inspired by shaping others than by performing yourself. We’ve been there. That’s why our training is built entirely around aspiring teachers. Guided by our GROW & RISE values, we’ll help you turn years of passion and practice into the skills, confidence, and nationally recognised qualifications you need to step into the studio as the teacher you’ve always imagined becoming.
Along the way, you’ll gain:
The ability to lead with authority
The freedom to earn an income doing what you love
The satisfaction of knowing your work will inspire the next generation of dancers
History
Founded in 1971 by Mrs Virginia Wilkinson, RDC became one of the first ISTD Approved Dance Centres in the UK in 2004. Since then, we’ve trained hundreds of aspiring dance teachers from across the UK.
Mrs Wilkinson, a highly regarded ISTD examiner both in the UK and internationally, passed away in 2023, leaving a lasting legacy in our dance community.
Jessica King, trained by Mrs Wilkinson from an early age, assisted in her DDE classes for several years before taking over the Tap and Modern courses herself. As Mrs Wilkinson began to retire, Jessica gradually took on more responsibility, eventually taking over the full running of RDC in 2020.
Our Values
G R O W & R I S E
At RDC, we nurture potential and raise standards. We guide every student with care, respect, and purpose helping you grow in confidence, rise with real experience, and qualify as an exceptional dance educator.
This is more than training. It’s transformation.
GROW — The Foundation
Your journey begins with care, support, and clarity.
G – Guidance — We walk with you every step of the way from enquiry to qualification.
R – Respect — For your individuality, your circumstances, and your future.
O – Opportunity — Learn in-person or online, locally or internationally. It’s your path.
W – Wisdom — Our experienced tutors help you truly understand the art of teaching.
RISE — the transformation
Once you’re rooted, you rise as a confident, qualified dance educator.
R – Real Experience — Practical teaching experience from day one.
I – Individual Pathways — Your programme, your pace, tailored to you.
S – Supportive Community — We’re more than a college, we’re a team.
E – Excellence in Education — Nationally recognised qualifications to the highest standard.
“Roynon Dance Centre has brilliant teachers who are very professional and support your individual needs to get you through your DDE.”
Meet the Team
Jessica King
FISTD Tap,
FISTD Modern Theatre
DDE Ballet
Affiliate Teacher of the Royal Ballet School.
Jessica is a dance educator, school principal, and ISTD Tutor dedicated to shaping the next generation of teachers. Her journey began in Hampshire, where she quickly discovered her passion for guiding vocational-age students. In 2015 she became Principal of what is now King’s Academy of Performing Arts, later taking over RDC in 2021 as well as JM School of Dance in 2023.
Relentlessly committed to her own growth, Jessica holds Advanced 2 in Tap, Modern, and Ballet, ISTD Licentiates in Tap and Modern (ballet on the way), and Fellowship status in Tap and Modern too. She is qualified to tutor all five units of the DDE and has trained with some of the ISTD’s most respected syllabus creators, giving her rare, first-hand insight into the art and science of teaching dance.
Her expertise extends beyond the ISTD: she is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, Alixa Flexibility, and the Rosina Andrews Method, and is one of only thirty Affiliate Teachers of the Royal Ballet School worldwide.
Jessica has guided countless students and aspiring teachers to success, maintaining a 100% pass rate for DDE Modern and Tap. She has also prepared candidates for Advanced examinations in all three genres with outstanding results. Her coaching blends live, in-studio training with highly effective online delivery, proving that distance is no barrier to achieving exceptional standards.
Jessica also owns Roynon Dancewear, and works as a pointe shoe specialist with her mum. Outside of the studio she is a wife and a mum to two children and loves spending as much time outdoors as possible. She says: “Teaching the practical DDE classes is the highlight of my week. Collaboration over competition is my mantra! When aspiring teachers feel safe to share ideas and learn together, we all become better educators.”
Dance Teacher Journey
Enquire
Fill in our contact form to receive your prospectus. Book a free call with Jessica to explore the course.
Apply
Submit your application for the ISTD Level 4 DDE. You’ll need to provide any Unit 3 (Intermediate Exam) certificates if you have them.
Study
Complete Units 1, 2, 4, and 5 over 2–5 years part-time. We’ll design a bespoke training and payment plan for you.
Qualify
Pass your three written units and your two-hour practical teaching exam to become a fully qualified ISTD dance teacher in your chosen genre(s).
