Turning dancing dreams into reality!
We nurture the individual talents of our pupils to help them achieve their full potential as dancers
About Us
Turning Pointe School of Dance is based in Haywards Heath, Plumpton and Lewes and is run by Lianne Carter (Principal) and Nisa Carter (Vice Principal) who collectively have over 40 years' teaching experience.
We strive to pass our passion for dance onto our students, through high-quality training in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Acro, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre. We welcome children aged 18 months all the way up to 18, including teenage beginners.
The school has over 60-years' history in the area and we pride ourselves on nurturing the individual talents of our students to help them achieve their full potential as dancers.
Lianne and Nisa lead a team of 15 wonderful teachers and administrative staff. See our 'Meet the Team' page to find out what makes each of our staff special....
Please use the sections below to find out more about the classes we offer for the different age groups. If you need help or advise when choosing a class, do not hesitate to reach out via email, message us on social media, or give us a call.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child into our Turning Pointe family!
Pre-School
(18 months-4 years)
Pre-School (18 months-4 years)
Pre-Primary to Grade 2 (Ages 4-9)
Grades 3-8 (Ages 9+)
Grades 3-8
(Ages 9+)
Vocational classes (Ages 11+)
What our parents say....
“Since my daughter started ballet lessons with Turning Pointe her confidence has boomed! Ballet was something she had always showed an interest in, but we never believed it would be possible for her to do this due to her additional needs. Finding somewhere that suited her needs seemed impossible until we found Turning Pointe, they have been nothing but understanding, encouraging and welcoming. It goes to show what a little bit of patience and persistence can achieve as my daughter completed her first ballet exam this summer. We can't thank the lovely staff at Turning Pointe enough for everything they do!”
“Turning Pointe's Tiny Turners dance class has been beneficial for my two-year-old son in so many ways; it is great for encouraging him to be independent, for developing his gross and fine motor skills, and for helping build his confidence by interacting with other children and adults.”
“I can’t tell you how impressed we were with last night’s show. I can’t imagine the work involved. All the Turning Pointe staff did such a wonderful job and it’s amazing for the children to be part of something so special at such a professional standard. They’re really inspired as a result."
“Turning Pointe's Tiny Turners dance class has been beneficial for my two-year-old son in so many ways; it is great for encouraging him to be independent, for developing his gross and fine motor skills, and for helping build his confidence by interacting with other children and adults.”
“I can’t tell you how impressed we were with last night’s show. I can’t imagine the work involved. All the Turning Pointe staff did such a wonderful job and it’s amazing for the children to be part of something so special at such a professional standard. They’re really inspired as a result."
“Just wanted to say a huge congratulations for putting on such a spectacular show! The choreography and the costumes were all amazing & it was such a privilege to see all the talented dancers at the school.
I’d also like to thank M’s teachers for giving her the skills and confidence to perform in five dances this year. She has come so far thanks to your guidance and care.
In what has been a difficult time for M, dancing has always kept her from sinking too low. It’s given her hope and has restored faith in herself and the world around her. It has honestly meant so much for us all."
Student Stories
Felicia Richards, age 14
Felicia started dancing with Turning Pointe age 3. She takes classes in ballet, modern, and tap and is part of our Performance Company.
Felicia recently played the role of the Rose in our production of Beauty and the Beast.
She is also a Senior Associate at Bede's Legat Dance Academy, where she goes every Saturday for extra dance training.
Isla Stammwitz, age 17
Isla started dancing with Turning Pointe aged 4. Over the years, she has taken classes in ballet, modern, tap, contemporary and musical theatre, as well as being a key member of our Performance Company.
Isla was a Legat Associate for many years before she successfully auditioned for the Bede's Performing Arts scholarship and now attends Bede's Legat Dance Academy full time, but still comes back to Turning Pointe every Friday evening to see her long-term dancing friends and manages to fit her ballet, tap and modern classes with us into one evening!
Isla recently played the Enchantress in our production of Beauty and the Beast.
Lizzie Bea (TP Alumni, now a West End star)
Lizzie trained in ballet, tap and modern with Turning Pointe from the age of 2-18. She has since gone on to star in numerous professional productions and West End Musicals, including playing Martha Dunnstock in Heathers, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, and Pat in Kinky Boots. She recently starred as Sister Mary Roberts in Sister Act, which Miss Lianne was lucky enough to get to see.
Miss Lianne asked Lizzie was she gained from her time at Turning Pointe that helped her to prepare for a career in performing arts:
"I loved my time at Turning Pointe because I was encouraged to be disciplined and gain great technique. I was always pushed to my greatest potential and also learned how to perform whilst I was dancing."
Callan Eade (TP Alumni, now at Ballet Theatre UK)
Callan joined Turning Pointe when he was 16, having moved to Plumpton from the Isle of Wight to study Blacksmithing at Plumpton College. Callan took classes in ballet, modern and tap, took several exams with us and had a tap solo in our 2023 show, Razzmatazz.
Callan successfully auditioned for a place at the school of Ballet Theatre UK and is currently in his second year of their three-year degree programme.
Miss Lianne asked Callan was he gained from his time at Turning Pointe that helped him to prepare for a career in performing arts:
"Turning Pointe helped me realise that dance was my true love and that it could be my vocation as before joining Turning Pointe I had always seen dance as a hobby rather than a career option. Turning Pointe has a very nurturing environment and gave me the confidence to realise my potential. I cannot thank the staff enough for all their support and encouragement whilst living away from home."
News/Events
Valentines Workshop Bookings Are Open!
Valentines Workshop Bookings
Are Open!
Turning Pointe Minis Show 2026!
More details, coming soon, watch this space!
Turning Pointe Minis
Show 2026!
More details, coming soon,
watch this space!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child join if they’ve never danced before?
Absolutely! We welcome beginners at every age and place them in classes that match their comfort level and confidence.
What should we wear to class?
For their trial class, your child should wear anything they can comfortably move in, with bare feet (ballet, modern, contemporary, acro) or trainers/school shoes (tap, musical theatre) if they do not already own dancewear/shoes. Uniform details are shared at enrolment.
Can parents watch trial classes?
Our Tiny Turners class is for parents and toddlers to enjoy together, so parents are welcome to stay in the studio for this class. However, once our students move into Introductory Ballet, we find it is much better for their concentration and engagement with the class for parents to not be in the studio. We do allow parents to watch their child’s trial class if they would like to, and if your child is particularly shy or nervous, you can have a conversation with the teacher about how best to gradually transition to them going in by themselves over a few weeks.
We have parent watching weeks at the end of each term so that parents can enjoy seeing what their children have been learning over the course of each term.
Term Dates
Spring term 2026:
Monday 5th January-Saturday 28th March
Half term 16th-22nd February
Summer term 2026:
Monday 20th April-Saturday 11th July
Half term 25th May-31st May
*Extra Monday on 13th July for classes at All Saints Centre, Lewes
Full Timetable
For details of classes at each age bracket, please click on the relevant link to each age range.
For details of classes at each age bracket, please click on the relevant link to each age range.
Our Locations
Haywards Heath venues:
Ashenground Community Centre
Southdown Cl, Haywards Heath RH16 4JR
Oathall Community College's Dance and Drama Studios
Appledore Gardens, Haywards Heath RH16 2AQ
Plumpton venue:
Plumpton Village Hall
Westgate, Plumpton Green, BN7 3BQ
Barcombe venue:
Barcombe Village Hall
Barcombe Mills Road, Barcombe, BN8 5BH
Lewes venues:
Beechwood Hall, Cooksbridge
Beechwood Ln, Cooksbridge BN7 3QG
Christ Church
Prince Edward Road, Lewes, BN7 1BL
All Saints Centre
Friar's Walk, Lewes, BN7 2LE
Trinity Church, St John Sub Castro
Abinger Place, Lewes, BN7 2QA
Lewes venues:
Beechwood Hall, Cooksbridge
Beechwood Ln, Cooksbridge BN7 3QG
Christ Church
Prince Edward Road, Lewes, BN7 1BL
All Saints Centre
Friar's Walk, Lewes, BN7 2LE
Trinity Church, St John Sub Castro
Abinger Place, Lewes, BN7 2QA
Get In Touch
Please complete the enquiry form below if you’re interested in booking a class and we will get back to you as soon as possible! If you would prefer to chat to someone over the phone, you can call us on 07947 803105 or email [email protected] and arrange for someone to call you back.
Please complete the enquiry form below if you’re interested in booking a class and we will get back to you as soon as possible! If you would prefer to chat to someone over the phone, you can call us on 07947 803105 or email [email protected] and arrange for someone to call you back.
Copyright @ Turning Pointe School of Dance
Website By Dance Business Solutions
Copyright @ Turning Pointe School of Dance
Website By Dance Business Solutions