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100 stories: dame ninette de valois 

100 stories: Dame Ninette de Valois 

School life

100 stories: Dame Ninette de Valois  To kick off our centenary year, we will be featuring the first of 100 stories that make up the Royal Ballet School’s past, present and future, which will be released over the next 12 months. Our story begins with Founder Dame Ninette de Valois.  Dame Ninette was born Edris Stannus on 6 June 1898 in County Wicklow, Ireland. After training at the Lila Field Academy for Children in London, […]

100 stories: Dame Ninette de Valois  Read More »

A group photo featuring the ten student choreographers and three guest panelists

Rhian Robbins on nurturing the next generation of creative artists through the Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer   

Community and outreach

Rhian Robbins on nurturing the next generation of creative artists through the Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer The annual Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer event took place in the second week of December, showcasing our Year 10 and 11 students’ original choreography. The performances were held at White Lodge to admiring audiences of school groups, donors, staff and families.  The event is one of three events in our Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme, which gives students the chance

Rhian Robbins on nurturing the next generation of creative artists through the Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer    Read More »

Affiliate programme intensive participants pose on the bridge of aspiration

Five Chance to Dance teachers discuss how our Affiliate Programme intensive validated and enhanced their teaching practices 

Community and outreach

Five Chance to Dance teachers discuss how our Affiliate Programme intensive validated and enhanced their teaching practices  This August, five of the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Chance to Dance artists participated in the School’s week-long Affiliate Programme intensive course. Chance to Dance is a Royal Ballet and Opera programme geared towards supporting and sharing practice between dance artists and teachers to create more opportunities for aspiring young dancers. For over 30 years, Chance to Dance

Five Chance to Dance teachers discuss how our Affiliate Programme intensive validated and enhanced their teaching practices  Read More »

Rafferty and madeline at white lodge

White Lodge students share how student council helps them feel confident and empowered 

School life

White Lodge students share how student council helps them feel confident and empowered  The School offers many leadership opportunities for students in all years. From student council to head boys and girls, many of our students jump at the chance to make their voices heard and represent their respective years.  Year 7 students Madeline and Rafferty joined student council just a few weeks into moving into White

White Lodge students share how student council helps them feel confident and empowered  Read More »

Ray wheaton sitting on the steps of white lodge surrounded by summer intensive pastoral staff

Celebrating International Volunteer Day with Ray Wheaton 

School life

Celebrating International Volunteer Day with Ray Wheaton  To celebrate International Volunteer Day, we are shining the spotlight on Ray Wheaton, one of our beloved volunteers who has worked with the School for over 23 years. Our volunteers play an integral role in supporting our various events, off-campus trips and operational needs, and their kind support is incredibly valuable across all departments.  Get to know Ray in this heartfelt interview. 

Celebrating International Volunteer Day with Ray Wheaton  Read More »

Principal francesca hayward with student ariella in like water for chocolate on stage

Like Water for Chocolate: student performance perspectives 

Performances and events, School life

Like Water for Chocolate: student performance perspectives  Several of our Pre-professional and Year 8 students performed in Christopher Wheeldon’s Like Water for Chocolate with The Royal Ballet this autumn. These professional performance opportunities offer our students invaluable exposure to the realities of company life while they pursue their studies.   Students and alumni played an integral part in the creation of this work in 2022. Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon attended both White Lodge and Upper School before joining The Royal Ballet,

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Kele roberson in a group photo with pre-professional students

Alum Kele Roberson returns to the School to share how contemporary dance feeds his creative curiosity 

Alumni news, School life

Alum Kele Roberson returns to the School to share how contemporary dance feeds his creative curiosity  Alum Kele Roberson recently returned to the School on 7 November 2026 to host a contemporary workshop with our Pre-professional students. Kele, who performed in Figures in Extinction with Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) at Sadler’s Wells earlier this month, taught the students a solo he performs in part three

Alum Kele Roberson returns to the School to share how contemporary dance feeds his creative curiosity  Read More »

From left: dr. Manuela angioi, karen sheriff, dr rosie davis and erica gethen smith

Physical Health Lead Erica Gethen Smith represents the School at the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) conference 

Healthcare, School life

Physical Health Lead Erica Gethen Smith represents the School at the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) conference We recently marked RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) awareness week at the School from 10-14 November with a series of events. At Upper School, we hosted a seminar with former Head of Healthcare Karen

Physical Health Lead Erica Gethen Smith represents the School at the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) conference  Read More »

Lewis and anzu stretch their limbs on stage

‘It felt like there was a subtitle in my heart.’ The School embraces radical accessibility for World Ballet Day 2025 

Performances and events, School life

‘It felt like there was a subtitle in my heart.’ The School embraces radical accessibility for World Ballet Day 2025  Our 1st Year students took to the Royal Opera House Linbury stage on 12 December 2025 to participate in the World Ballet Day livestream. Curated and conceived by choreographer Robert Binet, the global celebration featured

‘It felt like there was a subtitle in my heart.’ The School embraces radical accessibility for World Ballet Day 2025  Read More »

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