Northern School of Contemporary Dance

10/09/2026

We’ve been digging through the archives and found these brilliant graduation snaps from 1991 to 2008

And while a lot has changed over the years, one thing remains the same, that iconic moment of standing on the steps with your classmates and getting the all-important graduation photo!

Can you spot yourself or someone you know? Tag them below

These memories are part of our 40th anniversary Heritage Open Day on Sunday 20 September, made possible by Leeds Civic Trust and Heritage Open Days, with our Kaleidoscope project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Find out more about our Heritage Open Day here > www.nscd.ac.uk/events/nscd-40th-anniversary-heritage-open-day/

08/09/2026

Remembering Sir Richard Alston CBE

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Richard Alston CBE, a trailblazer of contemporary dance and a much valued friend of NSCD. His connection with Yorkshire, Leeds and the School spanned decades, from touring the region with his first company 'Strider' to his long-standing relationship with our founder Nadine Senior MBE

Richard became NSCD’s first external assessor of practical work and remained part of our journey for many years, bringing his company’s work to Riley Theatre and creating and restaging work with our students

We are grateful for his generosity, honesty and belief in our students, and for the lasting contribution he made to our school and the wider dance sector

Read more here > www.nscd.ac.uk/blog/remembering-sir-richard-alston-cbe/

📸 Photo taken by Terry Cryer at the Opening Event for NSCD's new building on 30 September 1997

03/09/2026

"What I admire most about NSCD is their genuine dedication to creating opportunities through partnership... recognising that lasting progress happens when organisations work together.”- Stacey Green, Founder of The TIRED Movement

We’re proud to highlight our work with TIRED Movement (Trying to Improve Racial Equality in Dance), championing representation, inclusion and equity across dance and the wider performing arts

Our relationship has grown over several years, from TIRED leading open and honest conversations with our students to NSCD becoming one of the first colleges to join their brand-new global network TIRED Connect

Together, we’re working towards a more representative and inclusive future for our students and the wider sector

Read the full blog via the link in our bio to discover more about our relationship with TIRED

01/09/2026

Spot anyone you know? 🔍

We’ve been having a brilliant time diving into the NSCD archives and uncovering some golden oldies, including these incredible photos from our very first community classes 💙

Want to discover more of NSCD’s story? Join us for our free Heritage Open Day on Sunday 20 September, where you can explore more of the moments that have shaped our 40-year history

Find out more > www.nscd.ac.uk/events/nscd-40th-anniversary-heritage-open-day

Heritage Open Days is made possible by Leeds Civic Trust. Kaleidoscope project is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

26/08/2026

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25/08/2026

Calling all ballet teachers!

We’re hiring a Lecturer in Dance (Ballet) to join our dynamic teaching team. This is a fantastic opportunity to share your expertise in ballet for contemporary dancers and inspire the next generation of performers ❤️‍🔥

Remuneration: £29,560 - £40,918
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: Friday 25 September, 5pm
Interviews: W/C 5 October

Learn more & apply here > www.nscd.ac.uk/jobs/lecturer-in-dance-ballet-2026/

21/08/2026

Not long now until we welcome everyone back to NSCD!

Joining us in September? Let's us know what course you're studying in the comments 🤙

['FUTURE NOW' choreographed by Gary Clarke Company Glenda Gheller & Akram Khan Company captured by Elly Wel Photography]

19/08/2026

New job alert!

We're looking for a passionate and experienced Learner & Study Skills Support Manager to play a key role in supporting student success, inclusion and wellbeing

Working as part of our Student Support team, you will provide specialist study skills support for students with Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs), neurodivergence and disabilities, helping them develop the confidence, skills and strategies needed to flourish in higher education and beyond

Hours of work: 0.4 FTE, 2 days per week (14.8 hours per week)
Remuneration: £13,378 - £13,707
Contract: 2-year fixed term contract
Closing date: Fri 4 Sep
Interviews: Tue 15 Sep

Find out more & apply here > www.nscd.ac.uk/jobs/learner-study-skills-support-manager/

18/08/2026

As part of Heritage Open Days, we’re inviting audiences to explore the history of NSCD and the communities who have shaped its story 💙

NSCD’s history can be traced back to the pioneering work of our founder, Nadine Senior, at Harehills Middle School. Through her teaching, vision and commitment to dance, Nadine inspired generations of young people and established a creative community whose influence continues to be felt today

Her legacy remains central to NSCD’s identity, alongside the many artists and educators who have shaped the school over the past 40 years

Join us on Sunday 20 September to explore this history for free through:
⚡ Legacy of Nadine Senior exhibition
⚡ Oral history listening stations
⚡ Zine making with the NSCD archive
⚡ Archive film
⚡ Heritage trail for young people & adults
⚡ Sculptures exploring Chapeltown’s Windrush community, Leeds Black Elders & the United Hebrew Congregation

Come and discover the people, places and stories that have shaped NSCD and its place within the wider Leeds community

Find out more here > www.nscd.ac.uk/events/nscd-40th-anniversary-heritage-open-day/

Heritage Open Days is made possible by Leeds Civic Trust, which is part of the Kaleidoscope project, made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

📸 Harehills Middle School graduates captured by Elly Welford with creative direction from Khadijah Ibrahiim:
Angela Cooke
Minton Goodison
Sharon Watson
Pam Johnson
Jenny Fell
Leroy Millar
Abigail Linton
JoJo Richards
Carole Gentle

11/08/2026

We're part of Heritage Open Days!

Every September, thousands of volunteers and organisations across England host events to celebrate the fantastic history and culture across the nation - and this year we're one of them!

Step inside NSCD and discover the people, places and stories that have shaped us into one of the UK's leading contemporary dance institutions, and explore our historic home, once a former synagogue, now the Riley Theatre

Visitors will learn about the building's rich heritage, its significance within Leeds' Jewish community, and the school's journey from Harehills Middle School to an internationally recognised centre for dance education, gathered through NSCD's 40th anniversary project 'Kaleidoscope'

📅 Sun 20 Sep
⏰ 10.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm

'Kaleidoscope' project is made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and supported by Findmypast

Find out more here > www.nscd.ac.uk/events/nscd-40th-anniversary-heritage-open-day/

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Celebrate 40 years of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Explore the history of our iconic dome in Chapeltown. Discover hidden stories, through tour ...