The Royal Ballet School

The Royal Ballet School has its Upper School on Floral Street in Covent Garden, joined to the Royal Opera House opposite by the Bridge of Aspiration, the twisting glass walkway that has become one of the street's landmarks. Founded by Dame Ninette de Valois in 1926, the School describes itself as the world's leading centre for classical ballet training and marks its centenary in 2026 with a programme of performances and events.

It is a registered charity that admits students purely on talent and potential, regardless of academic ability or personal circumstances, and around 90 per cent of students rely on financial support to attend. Former students include Margot Fonteyn, Kenneth MacMillan, Antoinette Sibley, Anthony Dowell and Darcey Bussell, with a newer generation such as Francesca Hayward, Steven McRae, Marianela Nunez and Marcelino Sambe now dancing on the world stage. Graduates go on to professional careers with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and other leading UK and international companies.

Ballet school in Covent Garden

Full-time classical ballet training combines studio work with academic education and boarding, and the School also runs an Associate Programme, intensive courses, online classes and UK and International Scholars programmes for dancers who train elsewhere. For teachers there is a Diploma of Classical Ballet Teaching, an Affiliate Programme, Inspire seminars, Enlighten webinars and a Teacher Observation Programme, so its teacher training reaches well beyond its own studios. Primary school partnerships and insight classes open the door to children and the general public.

What to expect on a visit

The Floral Street building is a working school rather than a public venue, so there is no casual access, but its studios can be booked for venue and studio hire and the School stages Summer Performances at the Royal Opera House and Opera Holland Park. A shop sells dancewear, including a centenary collection produced with Freed of London. It is the most celebrated of the schools and training institutions in Covent Garden, with International House London nearby on Stukeley Street for language study.