History
Irene Hammond founded the Hammond School of Dancing in 1917, when she took over an established dance school in Chester. She expanded the school to include a full programme of performing arts studies. Betty Hassall became the principal of the school in 1946 and was responsible for much of the school's development, most notably the introduction of academic studies in 1965. This enabled the school to become a boarding school offering a full academic curriculum alongside vocational studies, with pupils attending from across the United Kingdom.
Overview
Today, The Hammond comprises a secondary school, sixth form and university for pupils aged 11years+, which offers specialist vocational training in Dance, Drama and Music. It also has a three-year professional course leading to the National Diploma in Professional Dance or the National Diploma in Musical Theatre, validated by Trinity College, London. Sixth form also offers a BTEC in Performing Arts (acting) combined with 2 A levels. The school is accredited to the Council for Dance Education and Training and is a member of the Independent Schools Association. The Hammond is a MADE (Music and Dance Excellence) School, one of 8 schools in England funded by the Music and Dance Scheme, offering full bursaries to talented young people.
The school's patron is Irek Mukhamedov – famed ballet dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet and Royal Ballet – who teaches students with a dancing Master Class at The Hammond every two years.[1][2][3][4]
In 2018 The Hammond was listed by The Stage as one of 'Seven drama schools where academic achievement is also top class'.[5]
