[1] The school was founded in 1985 by Nadine Senior MBE and in 1987 it moved into its current premises, located on Chapeltown Road.

[3] Between 1987 and 1997, a series of phased developments were carried out which extended the site to include the adjacent Brandsby Lodge,[4] also a grade II listed building.

In 2012, Janet Smith MBE was appointed principal, having previously been the Artistic Director of Scottish Dance Theatre.

[7] In 2020, Smith stepped down from her role, and was replaced with Sharon Watson MBE, formerly the longest-standing Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre in Leeds.

[citation needed] NSCD offers full-time vocational training in contemporary dance at Certificate, Bachelors and Masters levels.