LOWER SCHOOL - White Lodge, Richmond Park, Surrey
Located in the heart of Richmond Park, White Lodge is ‘the home’ of our Lower School, predominantly for boarding students, where dancers begin their full-time vocational training.
A five-year course is offered for students between the ages of 11 - 16, incorporating comprehensive classical ballet training together with an excellent academic provision up to GCSE Level.
In addition to classical ballet, students also take classes in character, contemporary, gymnastics, Irish, Morris and Scottish dancing. At senior levels, classes in repertoire, solos, pas de deux and upper body conditioning for male students are incorporated into the curriculum.
From time to time students of the Lower School also have the opportunity to perform in productions by The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Auditions for the Lower School take place during the spring term. Successful applicants are offered a place beginning in September. Students are assessed each year to monitor their progress.
UPPER SCHOOL - Covent Garden, London
A three-year comprehensive course in classical ballet training is offered at the Upper School for students between the ages of 16 - 18, in conjunction with an excellent academic provision.
In their first two years, Upper School students study classical ballet as well as pas de deux, solos, repertoire, character, contemporary, stagecraft, make-up, body conditioning and gym work for male students.
The third and final year is tailored to students gaining performance experience, with an emphasis on performing with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and as a touring group.
In academic areas most students will complete the Trinity College National Diploma in Professional Dance and National Certificate in Professional Dance, one A-level (current choice is from Art, English, Maths and French) and two BTEC National Awards in Performing Arts (Dance in the first year and Arts Management in the second). For overseas students there is an excellent provision for English as a foreign language.
Auditions for the Upper School take place during the spring term. Successful applicants are offered a place beginning in September. Students are assessed regularly throughout the course to monitor their progress.
Please click here for details on: Audition Dates, Application Forms and Fees and Financial Assistance.
For further information please contact auditions@royalballetschool.co.uk
or call +44 (0)20 7845 7068/62.
The Associate Programme nurtures young talented students between the ages of 8 -15 in pursuit of excellence in pre-vocational classical ballet training.
The course is designed to augment an individual's current training while introducing them to The Royal Ballet School's System of Training, alongside other gifted children who aspire to a career in dance. Pupils continue to study with their regular dance teacher in addition to their Associate classes.
Associates sometimes have the opportunity to perform with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and other ballet companies and many have progressed through the Lower and Upper School and into the Royal Ballet Companies.
Junior Associates: 8-10 years
Centres: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Eastleigh (Southampton), Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Totnes
Classes: Saturdays - except Manchester (a combination of Friday and Sunday sessions)
Mid Associates: 11-13 years
Centres: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle and Manchester
Classes: Saturdays
Senior Associates: 14-15 years
Centres: London and Birmingham
Classes: Saturdays - intended for dancers who are considering auditioning for vocational training at 16 years.
Mid and Senior Associate boys are encouraged to attend our London Centre where specialist boys’ classes are held.
Successful applicants for Mid and Senior Associates are offered an initial year’s course beginning in September and are appraised annually as to their suitability for further training.
Associate classes run throughout the UK academic year, usually from September to July.
Session Times: 2 hours 15 mins
Classes include:
- Classical ballet based on The Royal Ballet School's System of Training
- National dance, historical dance, natural movement and pointe work as appropriate to the students' age and development
- Exercise programmes devised and developed by the School's physiotherapist
For details on audition dates, applications and Associate Programme fees, please click on the links in the column opposite.
For further information please contact associates@royalballetschool.co.uk
or call +44 (0)20 7845 7065/68.
| Birmingham JA | 24 or 32 Sessions MA Girls | 28 Sessions SA Girls | 28 Sessions Bristol JA | 20 Sessions MA Girls | 20 Sessions Eastleigh (Southampton) JA | 30 Sessions Leeds JA | 32 Sessions London JA | 24 or 32 Sessions MA Girls | 32 Sessions MA Boys | 30 Sessions SA | 30 Sessions Manchester JA | 28 Sessions MA Girls | 28 Sessions Newcastle JA | 28 Sessions MA Girls | 28 sessions MA Boys | 28 sessions Totnes JA | 28 Sessions |
JA Junior Associates
MA Mid Associates
SA Senior Associates
Please click below for information about:
Audition Dates
Application Forms
Fees and Financial Assistance
Course Dates 2013
White Lodge Week 1: 21 - 27 July / Week 2: 28 July - 3 August
Covent Garden 22 July - 3 August
Please click here to download an application form (pdf)
The Royal Ballet School‘s International Summer Schools are held at the end of each academic year for young dancers from across the UK and overseas: a two-week course in Covent Garden (for students 15 - 18 years) and two one-week courses at White Lodge, Richmond, Surrey (for students 10 - 14 years).
Guest teachers from The Royal Ballet and other leading ballet companies and organisations join staff from The Royal Ballet School to make up a distinguished teaching faculty, providing classes in a variety of dance styles, under the guidance of our Director, Gailene Stock AM.
Students on both courses may be given the opportunity to attend a ballet performance or a dress rehearsal and will participate in an end-of-course demonstration attended by parents/guardians and invited guests.
There are NO AUDITIONS for the International Summer Schools. Candidates are selected by The Royal Ballet School's Director through PHOTO APPLICATION ONLY.
Click here for further details about:
Covent Garden Summer School 
White Lodge Summer School
| Fees for 2013 Covent Garden (Non Residential) White Lodge (Non Residential) White Lodge (Residential) White Lodge (Residential) | 2 week senior course 1 week junior course 1 week junior course 2 week junior course | £600 £380 £550 £1,150 |
For further information, please contact summerschool@royalballetschool.co.uk
or call +44 (0)20 7845 7063.
Dance Teachers’ Observation Programme 2013
Dance teachers are welcome to observe selected classes at both the Covent Garden and White Lodge Summer schools. Further details on how to apply will be available in 2013.
