The School Curriculum

As in these examples, most Georgian schools included dance in their programme of learning

From nearly fifty years earlier, in 1772

The dancing master referred to in the last advert was Francis Fleming. In 1746, he was a prominent local musician who had married Ann Roland, who had had a successful career as a dancer on the London stage.

From the time of her marriage to Fleming, Ann Roland had been developing a career as a dance teacher at some of the many private schools in the area. It appears that her husband supported her in this, probably by providing music. Together, they initiated annual benefit concerts and balls at the assembly rooms.

After his wife's death, Fleming continued to provide dancing tuition, periodically organising balls at Wiltshire's rooms to give his young scholars a chance to show off their paces before their admiring parents and friends. His daughters Anna and Kitty supported him in this.