Swindon is set to host a ballet extravaganza as The Royal Ballet School arrives in town on Tuesday, 26th September. This special visit marks the launch of the School’s Primary Steps programme, an initiative aimed at broadening access to the world of ballet and creative education.
The stage for this enchanting event will be the Wyvern Theatre, where over 200 Year 3 students from five Swindon primary schools will gather. They are in for a treat as The Royal Ballet School students will showcase their exceptional talent and artistry through mesmerising ballet demonstrations.
The young attendees will also have the opportunity to step onto the stage themselves and participate in the world of dance.
Accompanying The Royal Ballet School students are a dedicated group of teachers and musicians. Among them are Pre-professional Year Royal Ballet School students and younger participants from the School’s nationwide Junior Associate programme.
The success of this initiative is made possible through a collaborative effort involving The Royal Ballet School, Swindon Dance, and five local primary schools. These primary schools are Lainesmead Primary, Lawn Primary, Lethbridge Primary, Mountford Manor Primary, and Tregoze Primary.
The Year 3 students from these partner schools will embark on a journey of creativity through five ballet workshops during the Autumn term. These workshops will be led by specialist Royal Ballet School teachers, helping the students explore the enchanting world of ballet and cultivate their creative knowledge and skills through foundational ballet techniques.
Upon completing the five-week programme, selected Year 3 pupils will receive invitations to continue their ballet education. They will attend regular Primary Steps ballet classes at their host secondary school for up to four years. This aligns perfectly with The Royal Ballet School’s mission to make ballet more accessible. Primary Steps students will be encouraged to pursue further dance opportunities locally and nationally, including participation in The Royal Ballet School’s Associate and full-time training programmes.
The Primary Steps programme is a nationwide junior school initiative generously funded by The Department for Education and other supporters. Each year, it introduces over 2,000 young people in England and Wales to the world of ballet and creative ballet training, providing opportunities they might not have otherwise had. This initiative specifically targets areas of social, economic and cultural diversity, with Swindon being one of its locations, along with Blackpool, Bury St Edmunds, Cardiff, Dagenham, and Mansfield.
Primary Steps goes beyond the dance floor; it seeks to enhance health, well-being, social and academic skills, and foster a passion for the arts. Through dance creation and performance, it connects participants and their families to the local dance community and other opportunities.
Swindon’s young talents are in for a transformative experience, thanks to The Royal Ballet School’s Primary Steps programme. This initiative not only brings ballet to the forefront of their lives but also opens doors to a world of creativity and artistic exploration.
Photos ©2022 The Royal Ballet School. Photographed by Rachel Cherry
