The Royal Ballet School bring students from its course in Ballet Education Practise to learn from Hampton Academy

Throughout this term The Royal Ballet School have been sending their students who are currently on the Ballet Education Practise course, out to schools to observe lessons. The Partnership and Access Programme Manager, Ginny Brown emailed Hampton Academy to ask if we could accommodate students observing lessons as “I (Ginny Brown) am keen to guide them (the students) towards high quality practice." There are six students on this course and all six have visited Hampton Academy over the last term.

On Tuesday 29th March Michael Rolnick observed lessons all day. His observations included Year 8, 9 Dance lessons and a Year 10 GCSE Dance class. He thanked the department and wrote in his email:

“The directors of the Royal Opera House/RBS-COURSE IN BALLET EDUCATION PRACTICE suggested Hampton Academy would be a school worth visiting as part of my training program. Staff and students were extremely helpful and welcoming, and it was a real pleasure to observe the excellent work of the dance department."

Throughout the visits of the Royal Ballet School students, our students also got to learn from them and ask them about how they got to where they are now. Layla Oulkadi a Year 9 student who has opted for GCSE Dance next year said:

“It was a great opportunity to talk to some of the student teachers from The Royal Ballet School. Michael explained how he got to where he is now and the courses he had to take and the auditions he went through to get into ballet. He gave us advice on what paths we could take after GCSE dance and how many opportunities there are. He was also very truthful and informative about dance."

Lisa Wasley , Assistant Programme Leader: Dance