primarySTEPS
Overview
primarySTEPS is a national junior school programme which aims to provide Year 3 (7-8 yrs) class groups with a positive introduction to ballet; and initial creative ballet training for selected children, who would not otherwise have the opportunity.
primarySTEPS focuses around a cluster of 5 or 6 primary schools in one area.
Each school receives:
- 6 creative dance workshops introducing elements of ballet, for all Year 3 pupils
- INSET and resource materials to support work with the pupils.
- An invitation for Year 3 to watch a demonstration in their area of ballet training by Royal Ballet School students. This demonstration involves Upper School students aged 16 + and Junior Associate students aged 10 – 11 years and is audience interactive.
- The opportunity for selected pupils to join a regular primarySTEPS class
“I wish it could last 100 weeks”
Marsh Green Primary School student
“By the 6th workshop they moved like dancers!”
Year 3 primary school teacher
primarySTEPS Dance Class
Up to 26 Year 3 pupils from participating schools, who have not previously had an opportunity to study ballet, are invited to attend regular introductory creative ballet classes.
For a nominal weekly fee, pupils will receive:
- Weekly introductory classes led by a Dance Partnership & Access teacher
- Dance uniform and shoes
- Opportunities to see Royal Ballet School students in training and professional dancers performing
- Visits to local and regional dance providers and opportunities to perform locally and at The Royal Ballet School
primarySTEPS Blackpool: read more(click to enlarge)
Launched in Blackpool in 2008, The Royal Ballet School works in partnership with Bispham High School and 5 feeder primary schools:
- Anchorsholm Primary School
- Bispham Endowed Primary School
- Devonshire Primary School
- Layton Primary School
- Revoe Primary School
Launched in Blackpool in 2008, The Royal Ballet School works in partnership with Bispham High School and 5 feeder primary schools:- Anchorsholm Primary School
- Bispham Endowed Primary School
- Devonshire Primary School
- Layton Primary School
- Revoe Primary School
primarySTEPS Bury St Edmunds: read more(click to enlarge)
Launched in Bury St Edmunds in 2009, The Royal Ballet School works in partnership with DanceEast, King Edward VI School and 6 feeder primary schools:
- Hardwick Primary School
- Howard Primary School
- Guildhall Feoffment School
- Sextons Manor Primary School
- Westgate Primary School
- Tollgate Primary School
Launched in Bury St Edmunds in 2009, The Royal Ballet School works in partnership with DanceEast, King Edward VI School and 6 feeder primary schools:- Hardwick Primary School
- Howard Primary School
- Guildhall Feoffment School
- Sextons Manor Primary School
- Westgate Primary School
- Tollgate Primary School
primarySTEPS London (Dagenham): read more(click to enlarge)
Launched in Dagenham in 2006, The Royal Ballet School works in partnership with Laban, Dagenham Park Church of England School and 5 feeder primary schools:
- Beam County Primary School
- Godwin Primary School
- John Perry Primary School
- Marsh Green Primary School
- William Ford Junior School
Launched in Dagenham in 2006, The Royal Ballet School works in partnership with Laban, Dagenham Park Church of England School and 5 feeder primary schools:- Beam County Primary School
- Godwin Primary School
- John Perry Primary School
- Marsh Green Primary School
- William Ford Junior School
primarySTEPS Mansfield Woodhouse: read more(click to enlarge)
Launched in Mansfield Woodhouse in 2010, The Royal Ballet School works in partnership with Dance4, The Manor Academy and 5 feeder primary schools:
- St. Edmunds Church of England Primary School
- Leas Park Junior School
- Northfield Primary School
- Peafield Lane Primary School
- Robin Hood Primary School
Launched in Mansfield Woodhouse in 2010, The Royal Ballet School works in partnership with Dance4, The Manor Academy and 5 feeder primary schools:- St. Edmunds Church of England Primary School
- Leas Park Junior School
- Northfield Primary School
- Peafield Lane Primary School
- Robin Hood Primary School
primarySTEPS Swindon: read more(click to enlarge)
Launched in Swindon in 2007, The Royal Ballet School works in partnership with Swindon Dance, Churchfields Academy and 6 feeder primary schools:
- Drove Primary School
- King William Street Primary School
- Lainesmead Primary School
- Lawn Primary School
- Mountford Manor Primary School
- Oak Tree Primary School
Launched in Swindon in 2007, The Royal Ballet School works in partnership with Swindon Dance, Churchfields Academy and 6 feeder primary schools:- Drove Primary School
- King William Street Primary School
- Lainesmead Primary School
- Lawn Primary School
- Mountford Manor Primary School
- Oak Tree Primary School
primarySTEPS Identification Process: read more1. Selection criteria are introduced to school teachers and workshop leaders at an INSET session.
2. Before the beginning of the workshops in schools, the teachers are asked to talk with their class about their understanding of dance and ballet. The teachers identify any children that already attend ballet classes. These pupils are not considered for the primarySTEPS dance class although they will take part in the school workshops.
3. During weeks 1-6 the workshop leader and class teacher assess the development of the children and, together, draw up a shortlist of pupils who might be suitable for the primarySTEPS dance class.
4. The selection criteria are: physicality; approach to working in dance; and artistry. The staff observe the pupils throughout the lessons, noting where and to what extent these skills are apparent and how they develop.
5. The same set of criteria is used by the panel observing those pupils then invited to attend an additional dance class for short listed children.
6. Selection of children from the primarySTEPS dance class aims to include an equal number of male and female pupils. No account is taken of the ethnic background of the children or a child’s basic physical appearance.
2. Before the beginning of the workshops in schools, the teachers are asked to talk with their class about their understanding of dance and ballet. The teachers identify any children that already attend ballet classes. These pupils are not considered for the primarySTEPS dance class although they will take part in the school workshops.
3. During weeks 1-6 the workshop leader and class teacher assess the development of the children and, together, draw up a shortlist of pupils who might be suitable for the primarySTEPS dance class.
4. The selection criteria are: physicality; approach to working in dance; and artistry. The staff observe the pupils throughout the lessons, noting where and to what extent these skills are apparent and how they develop.
5. The same set of criteria is used by the panel observing those pupils then invited to attend an additional dance class for short listed children.
6. Selection of children from the primarySTEPS dance class aims to include an equal number of male and female pupils. No account is taken of the ethnic background of the children or a child’s basic physical appearance.