About Our Company

Hiedi Stoakes

Hiedi was a member of Leeds Girls Choir for 3 Years and began her

vocational dance training at the age of 14 on a full scholarship at the

Legat School of Russian Ballet in Tunbridge Wells.

She completed her training with a three year scholarship at

the Northern Ballet School, where she earned 4 teaching qualifications,

History and Anatomy of Dance and the NBS Teaching Diploma.

Hiedi was also awarded the NBS choreographic award for 1992.

Throughout her career, Hiedi has appeared in numerous television programmes,commercials and pop videos. She was a backing dancer for artist Selina in addition to performing professionally.

With over 32 years of teaching experience, Hiedi has taught dance extensively across thenorth and served as a guest teacher at full-time colleges. She founded Footsteps in 1992

and has dedicated the past 32 years to developing and growing the school.

Claire began her dance training at a young age when she attended Cynthia Carr's School of Dance and later progressed to becoming a member of the Leeds Junior Dance collage. At 16 Claire continued her studies for a further 3 years at SLP College, where she became a qualified dance teacher and obtained her ISTD Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education (QCF). Since leaving college she has appeared in many short films, radio adverts, TV shows and danced professional internationally. Over the years Claire has gained extensive knowledge and experience of teaching students of all ages and abilities in all types of dance styles in both nationwide dance schools and educational schools. Claire has worked at Footsteps for the past 27 years and now is Vice Principal and also the founder of the under 3's "DanceTots" programme which introduce toddles to dance while having fun with their parents. Claire has also developed a unique programme which is delivered to children and adults from Down Syndrome Training & Support Service Ltd, both have been a huge success. 

Debra Hughes

Debra has over 22 years of experience in childcare and is a qualified Level 5 early years educator. She works as the Regional Manager for nine large nurseries, all graded 'Good' by Ofsted, across North and West Yorkshire. Debra holds a wide range of qualifications, including advanced safeguarding, mental health first aid, Paediatric first aid, workplace first aid, and EpiPen training, among others. She is also SENDco Level 3 qualified and is continuing her studies to become a qualified NPQEYL.

Debra's daughter, Poppy-Lois, has been attending Footsteps since she was 18 months old. Debra began chaperoning at Footsteps 10 years ago, becoming an integral part of the Footsteps family. She now supports Hiedii and Claire with administration and reception duties, as well as prop-making and ensuring all new students are registered. You can find Debra working at Reception on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.