The School Curriculum

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

And 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 teacher of dance at some of the many private schools in the area and 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 of showing off their paces before their admiring parents and friends. He was supported in this by his daughters Anna and Kitty.