About Us

About Our School

Mission Statement

At AIM our wish is to help every student:
ACHIEVE their dreams and strive to be the best they can be, INSPIRE a lifelong passion for dance and MAKE a positive difference to every child in our school.

Welcome to our dance family- we are passionate about nurturing students, building confidence, teaching skills for life that will thrive in whatever they do – creating artists not just dancers!

First-class dance education for children ages 18 months – 18 years in ballet, tap, modern, musical theatre, singing, street dance, lyrical, jazz, Acro, body conditioning/stretch and Progressing Ballet Technique.

As a leading children’s dance school near Canterbury, AIM offers ballet, street dance, musical theatre and acro classes that build confidence, friendships and skills for life.

What Are the Five Basic Dance Moves?

Growth

We believe dance has something to offer all children. Dance provides many health benefits helping children to grow both physically and cognitively. It improves concentration and develops creative, social and music skills. But most importantly when their imaginations flourish their self-confidence blossoms creating artists not just dancers.

Excellence

We are passionate about dance and pride ourselves on providing first-class training. At AIM children receive a quality of teaching of the highest standard taught by experienced, qualified and dedicated teachers who inspire the next generation to unlock their full potential, fulfil their dreams and strive to be the best they can be.

Determination

“The difference between the impossible and possible lies in a persons passion and determination.” Through the joy of dance, we foster self-discipline, self-respect, resilience, perseverance and determination. Providing children with skills and values that stay with them forever ensuring they excel in whatever they do.

Compassion

We wish to make a positive difference to every child’s life. You child’s wellbeing is our top priority - providing a safe, caring and supportive environment for all our dancers. With us your child will not only be nurtured to learn and thrive but also encouraged to always show kindness and compassion towards others.

Friendship

“Friends that dance together, stay together.” At AIM children not only form friendships for life but you are warmly welcomed into a dance family and community who will support you on your dance journey, creating beautiful memories together that will last forever.

Commitment

We are deeply committed to showing determination, perseverance, and a strong work ethic in all we do. Commitment means turning up with focus, trying your best, and not giving up—especially when things get challenging. We believe that by staying determined and prepared, each dancer can grow in confidence, skill, and self-belief. With commitment, every student learns the value of hard work and the pride that comes from progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay and watch my child in class?
At AIM we like to work closely with every family to meet the individual and specific needs of your child. Where possible we recommend children trying out our classes without a parent present; we understand not all children feel confident enough to do this, and ensuring your child feels comfortable and welcomed in class is paramount to us. We have some lovely onboarding processes, one of which is to find a ‘buddy’ for new children in the class who they will partner up with for the first 3 or 4 weeks until they are feeling more confident and independent. For our very young preschool children that require some parental support, arrangements can be made for you to attend classes or be close by until your child is ready to attend without you. Parents are often keen to know how their children are doing in the class which is why we hold twice-yearly student evaluations and feedback to parents and parents’ observation weeks where you are invited into class to watch (government guidelines permitting).
What should my child wear to their Trial?
We recommend children wear comfortable clothing such as leggings/joggers and a top with some soft indoor shoes such as plimsolls or trainers.
Why does my child’s hair need to be up for class?
Hair neatly pinned up not only looks classy and professional, it also honours dance history and tradition. In ballet class, a beautiful bun is special to the art form. Having loose, messy hair makes you look untidy. Having your hair in a neat secure bun shows respect to your teacher and the rest of your class. In our experience, if students LOOK the part they FEEL the part! When children come to class with beautiful neat hair and in the correct uniform feeling like a dancer, we guarantee they will engage and perform better in class and their confidence will soar. All Ballet students should attend class with their hair in a classical bun and for all other classes hair should be pinned up in crossed plaits. Need help or a demonstration – please just ask! We also have some hair tutorial videos on our Parent Portal and on the AIM Facebook page!
How do I purchase the uniform?
At AIM we supply all your uniform needs, available to order via our online shopping store. Ordering the correct uniform is very easy — select the applicable dance style and then click on the class you attend. Online payments can be made by debit/credit card or PayPal. You should receive your items within approximately 7 working days of placing your order. Your uniform items will be hand-delivered to you by your teacher in class or delivered directly to your home address free of charge.
How do I pay for classes?
Classes are paid for via a monthly direct debit with one month in hand.

Payment overview
  • 4 Week Trial
  • Equal Monthly Payments
  • 39 Weeks a Year
  • One-Time £20 Enrolment Fee
  • FREE AIM Starter Kit
How soon do I need to purchase uniform for my child?
Uniform is an important part of belonging to Artists in Motion. It creates an identity and sense of belonging in classes and when performing in public. All classes at AIM have a set uniform; wearing a uniform encourages discipline in class, is a reminder that there are rules to follow, and ensures everyone in class receives a high standard of teaching. For new students, we don’t expect parents to purchase the uniform straight away — we understand it’s important to ensure children are settled in class and wish to continue long term before you invest. Therefore we ask that you purchase uniform no later than one term (6 weeks) from starting classes with us.
Why don’t you offer free trials?
At AIM, we are deeply committed to providing an exceptional experience for all our students. As part of this commitment, we offer a 4-week paid trial period to all new starters and returning students. We believe this extended trial is crucial for individuals to fully immerse themselves in our classes and assess whether our offerings align with their needs and expectations.

We do not offer free trials. This is rooted in our dedication to maintaining the integrity of our service and ensuring that students have the opportunity to experience our classes in their entirety. One-week trials often fall short in providing a meaningful introduction to our school.

Forming connections with teachers and classmates takes time. A one-week trial simply doesn’t allow for the depth of experience needed to understand the structure of our classes and the benefits of our approach. With a 4-week trial, students engage with our curriculum, bond with peers, and develop relationships with our team — helping families make an informed decision about joining our community.

We understand the importance of choosing the right Dance School for your child. Please explore our website, read testimonials, and connect with us on social media to learn more about what sets AIM apart. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We have some wonderful onboarding processes that your child will get to experience and enjoy during this time which we can’t just do in one lesson.
“Not only has my daughter’s dancing ability developed but her confidence and concentration have improved immensely. I cannot thank or praise Miss Lisa and her team enough.”
Artists In Motion School of Dance Logo
Charlotte
AIM Parent

Where You Can Find Us

Studio Address

AIM Studios, Intex House, Cooting Road, Aylesham, CT3 3EP

By Car

  • 15 minutes from Canterbury via the A2.
  • 20 minutes from Dover via the A2.

By Bus

  • From Canterbury: 89 bus from Canterbury Bus Station to Aylesham; runs about hourly; journey ~18–24 minutes.
  • From Dover: 982 / 983 buses towards Aylesham; weekdays only; journey ~50 minutes (check timetable).

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About Artists In Motion School Of Dance