In 2004 The Royal Ballet School established a new Dance Partnership and Access Programme, with the aim of ensuring that the expertise and resources of The Royal Ballet School are used to inspire young people in a systematic way.

The Dance Partnership and Access Programme aims to:

• Broaden access to the unique resources of The Royal Ballet School by establishing a strategic programme of imaginative partnerships with schools in the state sector.

• Explore and develop skills and knowledge in dance and ballet, with pupils and teachers, through a programme of training, creativity, cultural and artistic exchange.

• Utilise the expertise and resources of The Royal Ballet School to support the development of dance in schools and through national and regional dance initiatives.

• Provide access to positive role models for young people and work to raise expectations of what young people can achieve.

• Provide interested parties with access to the unique body of knowledge held by The Royal Ballet School and to the School’s physical resources.

The Dance Partnership and Access Programme runs 3 main schemes funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

1. aDvANCE

Specialist School Partnership Scheme

Specialist School Partnership Scheme aims to widen access to the unique resources of The Royal Ballet School by establishing partnership with Specialist Schools. Through this scheme the School hopes to develop dialogue between groups of young people with differing skills and experiences; explore creativity through the medium of ballet and dance; and provide a forum through which to share the resources and skills of partner schools with pupils from both establishments.

Participating schools will be invited to select from a menu of activities designed to introduce pupils to ballet and The Royal Ballet School:

• Demonstration of ballet training by pupils of The Royal Ballet School
• Creative dance workshop at their school exploring aspects of the ballet genre
• Introductory ballet workshop at their school
• Visit to see The Royal Ballet School students and local Specialist School pupils in performance

This programme is designed for GCSE or A Level dance pupils (or equivalent) or gifted and talented dance groups.

Choreographic Projects
Schools may also apply for a longer choreographic project. This will include a series of visits by a Royal Ballet School dance leader who will work creatively to develop a dance piece, culminating in a performance alongside students of The Royal Ballet School.

2. Primary Steps

Primary Steps is a junior school programme which aims to provide Year 3 class groups with a positive introduction to ballet; and initial ballet training for selected children, who would not otherwise have the opportunity.

Primary Steps will focus around a cluster of up to 5 primary schools in one area and will run for a 2 year period. Schools will receive:
• 6 creative dance workshops introducing elements of ballet, for all Year 3 pupils
• INSET and resource materials to support work with the pupils
• An invitation for Year 3 to watch a demonstration of ballet training by Royal Ballet School students
• The opportunity for selected pupils to join a regular Primary Steps class.

Primary Steps Dance Class
Up to 25 Year 3 pupils from participating schools, who have not previously had an opportunity to study ballet, will be invited to attend regular introductory ballet classes. For a nominal weekly fee, pupils will receive:
• Weekly introductory ballet class led by a Royal Ballet School teacher
• Dance uniform and shoes
• Opportunities to see Royal Ballet School students in performance
These classes will run weekly during Year 3, 4 and 5. At the end of the programme The Royal Ballet School will endeavour to advise pupils of suitable local opportunities to continue dance training. Once established, the Primary Steps dance class will continue as long as funding allows.

3. Access Events

The Partnership & Access Programme organises a number of activities throughout the year which provide access to both the Upper and Lower Schools. Enabling visitors to view the buildings and offering opportunities to experience the world renowned training of The Royal Ballet School. Please see above for our forthcoming Access events.

Additionally we host events for the Richmond Arts Office as part of their Leap into Dance Festival.