The School host free Associate insight classes for primary school students in Edinburgh and Dagenham
As part of our 100th anniversary celebrations, we were thrilled to host free Associate Insight classes for local primary school students in Edinburgh and Dagenham this month.
On Thursday 5 February, over 70 Year 3 and 4 students from Abbeyhill Primary School and Royal Mile Primary School participated in workshops taught by Royal Ballet School alum and former Principal of Scottish Ballet, Bethany Kingsley-Garner, and assisted by the School’s Associates and Primary Steps Legacy Lead, Emily Gibbs.
The workshops were held in Dance Base’s award-winning studios in central Edinburgh. Dance Base have been a regional training hub for our Junior and Mid Associate programmes since January 2024 and also celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2026.
On Saturday 14 February, we headed to Dagenham in East London to host free workshops for Year 3, 4 and 5 students taught by the School’s Head of Associates and Primary Steps Legacy Programmes, Victoria Collinson.
Over 160 students registered to attend John Perry Primary School, a partner school of our Primary Steps legacy programme, for the two one-hour workshops. Parents were also invited to watch.
All with live musical accompaniment, these free workshops give local primary school students access to high-quality creative ballet training and a unique opportunity to discover what a typical Associate class with The Royal Ballet School is like.
Building on the legacy of the School’s twenty-year Primary Steps programme and Primary Steps Legacy programme currently active in Blackpool, Dagenham and Mansfield, these free classes are an example of how the School works with partners and dance networks in communities to facilitate and signpost pathways for young students to discover dance and continue dancing.
Associates and Primary Steps Legacy Lead at The Royal Ballet School, Emily Gibbs, said of the events:
‘The Royal Ballet School is committed to creating opportunities for children and young people across the UK to engage with dance. As part of this year’s centenary celebrations, our insight days offer pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 the chance to experience what it feels like to take a ballet class with The Royal Ballet School. These sessions not only encourage creativity but also help pupils build confidence, develop musicality, and gain a deeper understanding of this inspiring art form.’
This outreach initiative is generously supported by The Mercers’ Company and The Eranda Rothschild Foundation, alongside the Associate and UK Scholars Programmes, which together deliver on our mission to increase national access to high-quality training and talent support across the UK.
The Mercers’ Company
The Mercers’ Company is a livery company focused on being a philanthropic force for good, with a long and rich heritage in supporting the education of young people. The Royal Ballet School is one of the Mercers’ Company’s 16 associated schools and colleges, which sees the Mercers’ Company support the education of over 18,000 students across England.
In recent years, Mercers’ Philanthropy funding through its Young People & Education Programme has significantly underwritten the School’s Healthcare Programme and career development initiatives and continues to do so in 2026. Alongside these existing commitments, in November 2025 we were thrilled to be awarded an incredible, five-year grant from Mercers’ Charitable Foundation for our Associate, UK Scholars and other outreach programmes. This ongoing commitment will play a key role in supporting our five-year plan, ensuring we can continue to provide world-leading training for young dancers across the UK and sustain the work of the School into the next century.
‘Our support reflects the Mercers’ long-term commitment to The Royal Ballet School’s mission to nurture exceptional talent, sustaining the future of classical ballet for generations to come. The delivery of these programmes around the UK is an important evolution in the School’s approach. By prioritising wellbeing and widening access, the School is providing an accessible pathway for young dancers. We firmly believe this approach will build a stronger, more inclusive talent dance pipeline not only for The Royal Ballet School but also for dance schools across the UK and internationally. We are proud to support The Royal Ballet School and through it the young dancers in this venture.’ – Serena Hedley-Dent, The Mercers’ Company’s Deputy Clerk/ Director of Philanthropy
The Eranda Rothschild Foundation
The Eranda Rothschild Foundation has been a staunch supporter of student tuition and boarding at The Royal Ballet School for well over a decade. In December 2025, the Foundation awarded a one-year grant to support the School’s Associate, UK Scholars and other outreach programmes.
‘It is a privilege to support The Royal Ballet School, whose rigorous training and deep care for each student sets the gold standard for ballet education worldwide. We are proud to champion an institution that shapes not only outstanding dancers, but thoughtful, resilient young people, ensuring that talent is nurtured for generations to come.’ – Jessica de Rothschild, Trustee
The Royal Ballet School is always looking for generous supporters to enable programmes such as this to thrive so please contact Georgina Nash (Development Manager) if you would like to know more.
