Royal Ballet School

The Royal Ballet School is a specialist co-educational school in London, England. It combines a mainstream academic education with an intensive dance training. The Royal Ballet School's mission is to train ballet dancers to the standard necessary for entrance to the Royal Ballet in London, and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Graduates also enter other ballet companies or modern dance companies, or pursue careers outside of dance.

Related Topics:
London - England - Royal Ballet - Birmingham Royal Ballet

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The school was founded in 1931 by Dame Ninette de Valois. She had first established a dance school for girls called the Academy of Choreographic Art in 1926, and later developed a relationship with Lilian Baylis's theatre, the Old Vic. When Baylis acquired the Sadler's Wells Theatre a studio was built there to train de Valois's dancers. A proper school was created in Talgarth Road in 1947. In 1948 the school became co-educational and it acquired a Royal Charter and became the Royal Ballet School.

Related Topics:
Dame Ninette de Valois - Lilian Baylis - Old Vic - Sadler's Wells

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The Royal Ballet School is divided into two sections. The Lower School caters for students aged from 11-16 and is located at White Lodge in Richmond Park in south west London. The students are taught a wide range of modern and traditional dance styles in addition to ballet, and also take GCSEs. The Lower School is primarily a boarding school but also takes day pupils.

Related Topics:
White Lodge - Richmond Park - GCSE

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In January 2003, the Upper School moved to new premises in Floral Street, very close to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in Central London. The Upper School provides a three year course for 16-19 year olds (that is, one year beyond normal school leaving age in the United Kingdom). A significant number of overseas students enter the school at Upper School level. Upper School students do not board, but accommodation for students whose families so not live in London is arranged by the School.

Related Topics:
2003 - Royal Opera House - Covent Garden - United Kingdom

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Fees assistance is provided by the government for United Kingdom students, and also European Union students on a more restricted basis. Students from families with very low incomes pay no fees. In 2004/05 parents with an income of £90,000 (approximately $170,000) after certain deductions are required to make a contribution of £13,455 (approximately $26,000).

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In the film Billy Elliott, Billy visits the Royal Ballet School, but Wardour Castle in Wiltshire was used for the location shoot.

Related Topics:
Billy Elliott - Wardour Castle - Wiltshire

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