Since 2010
Internationally Accredited Instructor Training
Pole Camps & Retreats
Pilates & Stretch
Our History
Ecole de Pole first opened in London in January 2010 with 3 standard sized poles in a one bedroom flat in Earls Court, mirrors down one side. It was one of the first stand-alone studios in the UK founded by champion pole pioneer, Justine McLucas. The studio soon expanded to a second location in London Bridge with 6 poles in a railway arch, and by 2011 the Earls Court venue moved to the fantastic spacious warehouse site in Fulham that EDP became well known for, with 12 poles. In mid 2012, the studio moved both locations into one mews building in Camden where the business ran until owner Justine returned to Australia in 2019 and closed its London doors for a little while!
EDP has become a sought after pole studio brand globally, with a reputation for providing high standards of training, amazing instructors and a renowned instructor training programme. EDP has built licensed studios in Singapore, Poland and the USA, with two studios currently operating in Ohio and provided the syllabus and instructor training for studios as far as Sweden and Queensland, Australia. Ecole de Pole and its Instructor Training Program was a CEC Provider of The Year finalist in the 2022 AUSactive National Awards Program. EDP London has also been nominated for Studio of The Year numerous times at IPC.
EDP London has produced a number of home grown pole athletes, elite circus and pole performers, Miss Pole Dance UK and other comp title winners including Aleksandra Karolina, Anna de Carvalho, Josh Taylor, Rachel Tolzman, Emy Dawn and of course owners Justine McLucas and Trevor Schoonraad. Many of the polers, instructors and studio owners you see around London today, started their journey with EDP.
We are so happy and proud to have been part of pole history, laying foundations that have helped grow pole into the diverse and popularly widespread activity it is around London today! Thank you to all the amazing people and instructors that have at one stage or other, visited one of our studios, taken a class, supported us, taught for us, and gone on to create their own dream studios or embark on pole careers far and wide teaching and performing!
Ecole de Pole has now reopened in London in an exciting new venture having acquired Pole Fit London, August 2023 under the joint ownership of Justine McLucas and Trevor Schoonraad – bringing you the largest, most experienced studio in London!
The Studios
Our new London studios are spread over two locations in Stockwell just a few minutes walk from each other and are right next to the station.
Evolve Building houses our main two studios. Studio 1 with 7x 3.7m X Poles (stainless including 1x 40mm and 6x 45mm). Hoops and flying poles are also available (for pole or hoop hire/ studio rental). Studio 2 is our small exclusive comp training space, with 3x 4.5m comp poles (1x 40mm & 2x 45mm X Lock poles). Need to do some comp training? Take down one pole and use the comp distanced 2 poles that are designated for your particular comp! We have loads of pole hire space day and night in this room so come check it out! Studio 2 is also used for some very small special limited classes with a max of 6 people.
Ibex Venue hosts our show venue and some of our Mon and Wed night aerial and pole classes. This studio is situated at the back of Lucy’s 1st restaurant, with gorgeous high ceilings, trussing and show lighting! Our pole and aerial hoop classes in this venue benefit from a huge amount of space and of course, extreme height – with a 5m ceiling (yep that’s right – 6x 5m poles and 6x 5m high hoops!!)
Founded By Justine McLucas
Justine McLucas has spent over 30 years of her life in the dance world as a ballerina, cabaret performer, competitive pole dancer and aerialist, world renowned instructor, studio owner, pole wear designer and judge.
Awarded Miss Pole Dance QLD Industry Person of the year in 2017, Justine now focuses on training up and coming students and instructors on their own pole journey, and aims to share her wealth of knowledge through Instructor Training as well as Pole Camps and Retreats.
OurInstructors
Sam King
Sam started poling in 2010 at his university pole society and went straight into being a full time pole instructor on graduating. He has taught workshops all over the world, but prides himself most on being head instructor at Pole Fit London. He has performed in front of such names as Kate Moss and Simon Cowell, appeared in music videos, on MTV, BBC’s Bad Education, Channel 4’s 8 out of 10 Cats and co-starred in a BBC3 online video which garnered 11 million views.
Sam has won a number of titles: Male European Champion 2015, International Pole & Aerial Elite Champion 2015; Mr Pole UK 2016 & 2020; and UKPPC Elite Champion 2018.
James
James has been teaching and coaching for over 10 years, starting with yoga and then moving into pole and aerial. His main focuses in pole classes are tricks, flexibility and flow, linking them together to make interesting and challenging combos for all levels.
His stretch classes bring together elements of ballet, contortion and yoga to create active and safe flexibility training suitable for aerial arts.
With a background in personal training and experience across various fields he brings an informed, effective and fun training style.
Hannah Rose Kaynes
Hannah is a pole dance instructor and circus artist based in London. She has been training in pole & circus since 2009 and has extensive coaching experience of almost a decade. She has won multiple UK titles, including being crowned the UKPPC Elite champion twice and winner of the Best Tricks award 3 years in a row. Hannah has also won international awards including 3rd place at the prestigious competition Pole Art France 2018. She is known for her dynamic and flowy style on the pole, and also performs as an aerialist – her pre-pandemic performing highlights included being part of the opening act at the BRIT awards. Hannah believes that with hard work and persistence the impossible is achievable and loves sharing her passion for pole art with her students.
Cat Lee
Cat has been a teacher with Ecole de Pole since 2015 and has completed all levels of her EDP instructor certification.
She performs regularly in London through Necrodancers and loves bringing a bit of rock n roll spirit to her performances!
Cat is a queer poler who likes to support students of all backgrounds and actively promotes SWer rights and voices.
Cat loves floaty spinning pole and dynamic strength combos. Her favourite move is a shoulder mount so make sure you show up to her conditioning classes she will help you achieve this amazing trick!
Doug
Doug is an aerialist and neuroscientist. Hailing from the deep South of Brazil, Doug trained as a hoop aerialist at the National Centre for Circus Arts London, and is now a pole and aerials instructor and performer. Pole Art UK 2019 (male runner up), Pole Theatre UK 2022 & 23 Pro Finalist), Elite Pole Championships 2023 pro) and is the current reigning Heir to The Chrome (2021 – Instructor Category).
Doug likes to combine strength flexibility & unusual transitions. Having not come from a dance or gymnastic background, Doug believes pole is for everyone and everyone can do this!
Mel Lee
Miss Pole Dance Scotland 2018; Mel has a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, and even applied to be an astronaut! Mel now teaches and performs across London, showcasing her signature showgirl style as resident pole artist at Proud Cabaret and guest artist at The Box Soho (flying pole), Soho House and House of Koko.
With over 8 years of teaching experience, she loves to empower her students by showing them the potential of the human body – especially in sky high heels!
Her technical eye has led her to qualify as an IPSF judge.
Lekisha Fox
LeLekisha is a UK instructor and performer from London, specialising in teaching flexibility and pole tricks. She enjoys exploring and creating unusual shapes on the pole. She regularly travels to discover new skills and has trained in destinations such as: Thailand, Dubai, France and the Caribbean
She has been in love with pole for over 9 years and accumulated a number of titles including: Pole theatre – Semi Pro runner up 2022, London pole champs – Semi Pro Winner 2019, Bristol pole champs – Advanced – Best tricks & 2nd place 2018 and British Pole Superstar Championships – Runner up & Best Tricks 2018.
Jojo
Jojo started pole at her university pole society which she has since been teaching at. In her day times Jojo looks after pets, her flat is often quite the menagerie (the best people love animals right?)
Jojo loves flow and choreo, her class will break down transitions and link moves together in a fluid way so you can really explore and find joy in the dance!
Sarah
Sarah was a student at Ecole de Pole since 2016, and has gone on to become a sought after instructor across London! She started pole as she was intrigued by the versatility of this sport from acro to dance to mixing both. Sarah specialises in dynamic heels and exo flow, splitty pole tricks and dynamic pole combos.
For her, pole is a way to unwind and have fun after work, and it’s important for her to keep this energy going during her classes!
Zara
Zara started pole dancing at uni, with a background in dance and gymnastics, she ran the university pole society for two years. Zara believes that pole dancing is more than just a sport, having built up her own confidence and strength through living through pole.
She has performed at Shenanigans Cabaret in London and has started competing internationally, most recently at Exotic Generation Bali.
Zara started teaching privately from 2020, and after gaining her pole teaching qualifications commenced teaching group classes at Polefit London in 2022.
Siska
Siska’s love for pole dancing has developed from overcoming new challenges and finding purpose through dancing. This has given her the chance to grow her self-esteem, personal and professional life as she says “every dance move gets me closer to new goals!”
Siska believes by connecting creativity, sensuality and passion, she can better express herself and positively impact people’s lives by sharing her knowledge. Her teaching style creative and playful with a strong emphasis on details and technique, valuing connection with her students, celebrating the uniqueness of every individual to bring out their best, progressing towards their desired pole goals!
Charity & Community
Ecole de Pole is committed to giving back to our community and helping to make small positive differences to the world we live in!
Proceeds from our pole jams, showcases and community events in the past have gone toward MacMillan Cancer Research, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, UNICEF and the Starfish DREAM Children’s Home on the Thai/Burmese border.
Between 2018-2023, Justine worked as a compliance manager for a fundraising agency in Australia & New Zealand supporting MSF (Doctors without Borders), Royal Flying Doctors, Barnardo’s, Mission Australia, St John and Save The Children.
Most recently, our studio has the opportunity to contribute to the work of Evolve Housing + Support in south west London, assisting people with experience of homelessness to improve their mental health and well-being. If you would like to support or donate to Evolve, find out more HERE and keep an eye on our socials for any upcoming charity and community events we run.
