Following its successful launch in September 2007, The Royal Ballet School’s primarySTEPS initiative continues in Swindon during the month of November. 250 local school pupils will take part in a series of creative dance workshops, designed to introduce them to the magic of ballet.

A special collaboration with Churchfields School & Swindon Dance, the project will feature teachers from The Royal Ballet School leading classes and workshops as well as seeking out exceptional local dance talent. primarySTEPS has already touched the lives of some 1000 young people in other parts of the UK and now the young people of Swindon will have the opportunity of working with one of the world’s great ballet schools.

Six primary schools in the Swindon area will work closely with teachers and students from The Royal Ballet School’s Dance Partnership & Access Programme. The teachers will introduce the year 3 pupils (7-8 year olds) to the amazing world of ballet through creative movement workshops. The six schools involved are Drove, King William Street, Lainesmead, Lawn, Mountford Manor and Oak Tree Primary Schools.

Pupils will be put through their paces learning the basic elements of ballet, including how to stretch, turn and jump like a dancer. They will also watch a demonstration at Swindon Dance by some of The Royal Ballet School’s full-time students and children from the School’s Junior Associate Programme. The 7-8 year olds will receive a rare glimpse of what it takes to become a ballet dancer and some will even have the extraordinary opportunity of joining The Royal Ballet School students on stage to “give ballet a go” themselves.

At the end of the six week course, 25 of the most talented pupils will be selected to further their new found knowledge and skills by joining free weekly primarySTEPS classes, hosted by Churchfields School, for three years. The children taking part will receive their training from teachers specially approved by The Royal Ballet School. After the three years, the aspiring young dancers will be advised on how best to continue their dance training and some may be invited to audition for The Royal Ballet School’s highly regarded Junior Associate programme.

The Royal Ballet School is working in collaboration with Churchfields School and is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families in its aim to make a significant contribution to dance opportunities in Swindon. The project aims to bring ballet into the consciousness of local children, giving them a unique opportunity to learn about ballet from one of the world’s great ballet schools.

For more information, interviews please contact:

Jim Fletcher
Development Manager
The Royal Ballet School
020 7845 7074; Mobile: 07768 455667
Email: jimf@royalballetschool.co.uk