Inspiring young dancers through our Primary Steps programme
At The Royal Ballet School, we believe every child should have access to the arts. That’s why we created our Primary Steps programme. With support from the Department for Education, we offer a joyful introduction to dance to students across the UK who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Each year, we stage demonstrations and workshops at our partner primary schools, inviting students to participate and discover the magic of ballet.
Combining performances by our Pre-professional Year students and Junior Associates with hands-on activities, these workshops bring ballet directly into schools and communities. They encourage students to explore their creativity, build confidence, and perhaps even uncover a new passion.
A national programme with local impact
Primary Steps operates across the UK in Blackpool, Bury St Edmunds, Dagenham, Mansfield, and Swindon. We’re dedicated to reaching communities where access to arts education may be limited, ensuring that children from all backgrounds can experience the benefits of dance.
Funded by the Department for Education, Primary Steps makes a meaningful contribution to dance education. For many students, it’s their first introduction to ballet and the arts, potentially opening doors to further dance training through initiatives like our Junior Associate programme.
By bringing ballet to life for young audiences, Primary Steps fosters a love of the arts that can last a lifetime.
An enriching experience
Over 2,000 Year 3 students from our partner primary schools participate in Primary Steps every year. During the demonstrations, they witness the grace and athleticism of ballet up close—many for the very first time. Alongside watching our talented students perform, they’re invited to step on stage and try ballet themselves, creating an exciting and interactive learning experience.
Victoria Collinson, Head of Associates and Primary Steps Programmes, said of the demos:
Our Primary Steps Demonstration classes are an important element of the Primary Steps programme. In Swindon and Blackpool, we are lucky to be able to perform in theatres. For many of the children it is the first time they have been to a theatre, so the trip opens a whole new world to them.
Whether our demonstration classes are in theatres or school halls, for most children it is the first time that they have seen ballet being ‘performed’. Having our Junior Associates dance alongside the Pre-professional students is invaluable as the Associates are relatable to the Year 3 children, and the Pre-professionals are superbly inspirational.
Watching the demonstration classes contextualizes for the Year 3 pupils what they have been learning in their workshops. You can see they are thrilled to recognise movements like pliés and sautés, then amazed by grand allegro and the pas de deux elements of the demonstration class (there are always audible gasps of amazement and vocal appreciation for the dancers!).
The demonstration classes show the Year 3 pupils, who have just started their ballet journey, what is possible to achieve with hard work and a passion for ballet.
Over the next five weeks, these pupils work closely with Royal Ballet School teachers, discovering ballet through a carefully designed series of creative dance workshops.
At the end of the initial course, 28 students from each area are selected to continue their dance training through weekly Primary Steps classes, which can extend for up to four years. These classes offer high-quality, structured ballet training and serve as an important stepping stone for those looking to further develop their dance skills.
By bringing the joy of ballet to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity, Primary Steps is making a lasting impact on communities across the UK. We’re proud to inspire the next generation of dancers and to nurture a lifelong appreciation for the arts.