INSET 2024 

Before welcoming our students back for the start of the academic year, our staff engaged in diverse training sessions during our annual INSET week. Last Thursday, the entire team gathered at White Lodge for a full day of professional development and collaboration. 

Introducing the new year 

The day commenced with an introduction from our Academic & Pastoral Principal, David Gajadharsingh. He warmly welcomed our new CEO, Patrick Harrison, and our new Artistic Director, Iain MacKay. Staff also received important updates from Chief Operating Officer Pippa Adamson and Chief Commercial Officer Carol Dray. Each leader reflected on the past year’s successes and outlined our vision and goals for the year ahead. Additionally, Jason Hughes, our Compliance Officer, shared key updates on payroll, IT, and site services aimed at enhancing operational efficiency. 

Towards the end of the morning, we celebrated everything the School has collectively achieved in the past academic year. Watch the video below to find out more.

Fostering well–being 

In the afternoon, Pippa Woolven, the founder of Project RED-S, visited us. REDs, or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, is a condition characterised by insufficient energy intake to meet the body’s demands during exercise and essential daily functions like growth, respiration, and digestion. Pippa shared her personal journey with REDs and engaged us in a vital discussion about ballet’s impact on this condition. We explored strategies for prevention, emphasising the importance of proactive measures to support the well-being of our dancers. 

The afternoon also included Safeguarding Level 2 training, led by Carla Thomas from the Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children’s Partnership. This session deepened our understanding of safeguarding practices and reinforced our commitment to fostering a culture of safety within our School. 

Refreshments  

The day concluded with a delightful selection of food and drinks in the garden, courtesy of our wonderful caterers from Ch&Co, who manage our White Lodge kitchen. Staff enjoyed an array of delicious offerings, including bao buns, pizza, charcuterie, and more, accompanied by a refreshing assortment of wines and soft drinks. Seeing our team unwind and connect in the beautiful White Lodge grounds after a stimulating and productive day was a pleasure. With such a large staff, these moments of togetherness are rare, making our annual INSET day a cherished occasion.