OUR YEAR

Annual Report 2013/14 OUR MISSION

To train and educate outstanding classical ballet dancers for The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and other top international dance companies. PRESIDENT HRH The Prince of Wales

VICE PRESIDENT The Lady Sarah Chatto

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Christopher Powney

FOUNDER Dame Ninette de Valois OM CH DBE

GOVERNORS Chairman The Duchess of Wellington OBE Vice Chair Ricki Gail Conway Suneel Bakhshi Jonathan Chenevix-Trench Jonathan Cope CBE Sarah Dorfman Clarissa Farr David Fletcher Candida Hurst-Brown Janet Lambert Professor Margaret Maden Menna McGregor Kevin O’Hare Madeleine Plaut Dr Stephen Spurr Kenneth Steele Robert Wallace Edmund Wallis

GOVERNOR EMERITUS The Lady Sainsbury CBE

SENIOR STAFF Chief Operating Officer Alan Winter CONTENTS

Academic & Pastoral Principal Our Review 2 Karen Davies Chairman’s Review 4 Artistic Director’s Report 6 Assistant Principal Pastoral & Welfare Our Highlights 8 Jill Tait-Harris Outreach & Access Head of Outreach & Access Our Search for Talent 10 Mark Annear Broadening Access to Ballet 14 Our Achievements 16 Head of Development Academic Report 18 Sarah Eliot-Cohen Examination Results 21 Our Finances 22 Head of Finance & Administration Chief Operating Officer’s Report 24 Katherine Gardiner Statement of Financial Activities 25 Balance Sheet 26 Listed as at March 2015. Our Sponsors 28 For a full staff list please visit: royalballetschool.org.uk/staff Sponsors 30 Photo: Johan Persson (student Barnaby Rook Bishop). Cover photo: Johan Persson (Gina Storm-Jensen) (Gina Storm-Jensen) Persson Johan photo: Cover Bishop). Rook (student Barnaby Persson Johan Photo: Photo: JohanJohan Persson Persson OUR REVIEW of The Royal BalletSchoolaswereflect of Excellence remains thehallmark on theyear inreview. 4 5

CHAIRMAN’S REVIEW

More than usually this year I want to congratulate the staff and ‘ It is rewarding in the extreme students of the School for never to be able to report that yet again missing a beat while dealing with 100% of our graduates have some very important changes. gone on to dance with fine ballet companies throughout the world.’ It was with great sadness that we held a service The Duchess of Wellington OBE of thanksgiving in the summer for Gailene Stock Photo: Johan Persson Johan Photo: CBE AM, Director of the School for 15 years. Slater Brian Photo: The Duchess of Wellington OBE The tragedy of her illness and death touched The Royal Ballet Director Kevin O’Hare and graduand Grace Horler us all profoundly.

The staff, however, ably led by Jay Jolley as 27 students have secured contracts with 14 companies around the world Acting Director since summer 2013, took on extra this year: responsibilities and found new ways to deliver Reece Clarke The Royal Ballet the highest standards of artistic and academic 100%GRADUATING STUDENTS Calvin Richardson The Royal Ballet teaching. And all this while we were gearing up OFFERED PROFESSIONAL Gina Storm-Jensen The Royal Ballet CONRACTS to some significant restructuring. In the last year several new appointments have been made, the Grace Blundell The Royal Ballet (Aud Jebsen Young Dancer Programme) most important, of course, being our Artistic Grace Horler The Royal Ballet Director, Christopher Powney. (Aud Jebsen Young Dancer Programme) Alexander Bird Birmingham Royal Ballet A selection committee of Governors, the Edivaldo Souza da Silva Birmingham Directors of The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet Royal Ballet and the Chairman of The Royal Ballet Maud-Hélène Treille Bavarian State Governors unanimously chose Mr Powney, who Ballet, Munich started as Artistic Director at the beginning of Adam Russell-Jones Stuttgart Ballet this academic year. He comes with much relevant Drew Nelson Royal Danish Ballet experience. He taught at the Upper School for six Samuel Rees Royal Danish Ballet Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: Former Royal Ballet Soloist Kenta Kura, years and most recently was Artistic Director of Mica Bradbury Royal Ballet of Flanders now Artistic Teacher at the School the Dutch National Ballet Academy. Fiona McGee Royal Ballet of Flanders Minoru Kaneko Ballet du Capitole de Previous page: Young British Dancer Under first Jay and then Christopher’s direction we Toulouse of the Year 2014, Erik Woolhouse are moving towards integrating the work of White Madeleine Dowdney Zurich Ballet Right: A Year 7 ballet class at White Lodge Lodge and the Upper School, taking advantage of Kieran Brooks Zurich Ballet new communication technology and the timely Giordana Gallo National Romanian need to reconsider old practices. This has been Ballet warmly welcomed by the staff and students. Alessandro Audisio National Romanian Ballet We continue to manage standstill funding from Ross McCaw National Romanian Ballet the government which in real terms leaves us Barnaby Rook Bishop National Romanian Ballet with an ever-increasing reduction in the grant.

Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: Giorgio Garrett National Ballet of To this end we have redoubled our efforts to raise Canada money from generous supporters. With their help Dorfman, Ricki Gail Conway, The Sackler Trust, with fine ballet companies throughout the world, Hannah Bettes (2nd Year) Boston Ballet we acquired a new building in Pimlico to house the Garfield Weston Foundation and Stephen and five gaining places with The Royal Ballet and two with Samuel Zaldivar Boston Ballet the Upper School students which will make savings Caroline Butt for their munificent gifts to make Birmingham Royal Ballet. Lily Howes Sarasota Ballet in the long term and provide a much needed this possible. higher standard of accommodation. This work is My personal thanks go to the School Governors who Barny Sharratt Sarasota Ballet underway and should be ready in January 2016. It is rewarding in the extreme to be able to give unstintingly of their time and professionalism The Duchess of Wellington OBE Erin Holloway National Ballet of Uruguay We are particularly indebted to Aud Jebsen, report that yet again 100% of our 2014 and the extraordinary staff who brought the school Chairman Dianyu Wu Singapore Dance Theatre The Linbury Trust, The Monument Trust, Sarah graduating students have gone on to dance through another inspiringly creative year. 6 7

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S REPORT

As I reflect on the School’s as the dance community were treated to an achievements over the past illustrious line-up of guests each representing the training programmes of Europe’s major year I too would like to ballet schools. recognise the extraordinary accomplishments of my The year also saw some landmark celebrations. As part of the fifth anniversary of the opening predecessor, the late Gailene of the White Lodge Museum & Ballet Resource Stock CBE AM, whose Centre, a special exhibition was mounted Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: transformational effect on the charting the life of Darcey Bussell as the nation’s Christopher Powney School helped make it a centre favourite ballerina: Darcey Bussell: from Student Year 11 students at White Lodge to Star of The Royal Ballet. We also celebrated of excellence recognised the the 10th birthday of our innovative Dance world over. Partnership & Access programme with a special event in May bringing together all the different She would have been proud of the dedication strands of the initiative. 100%A-LEVEL PASS RATE and exceptional standards maintained by the students during the year, culminating in the Looking to the future, a key part of my vision is YEARS SINCE WHITE LODGE 5MUSEUM OPENED spectacular run of performances at the Royal to review our training to ensure our dancers are

Opera House in July. In addition to the enduring equipped to meet the evolving demands and appeal of the closing Défilé, highlights included diversity of company repertoire. As part of this Classical Symphony, a new creation by alumnus I am forging ever stronger links with the Royal Liam Scarlett, and Nureyev’s lavish staging of Companies to ensure we remain informed and the third act of Raymonda. up-to-date. I also believe we need to work harder at developing our students as creative artists and There was an impressive display of artistic thinking performers, able to communicate a story and creative talent by the students at other or emotion effectively on stage beyond a focus

Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: events during the year. Erik Woolhouse was on the purely technical. Django’s Waltz by Lukas Bjørneboe named the Young British Dancer of the Year

Brændsrød, joint winner of the 2014 in the 15th year of the award generously I am honoured to have the opportunity to direct Slater Brian Photo: Ursula Moreton Choreographic Award supported by Ricki Gail Conway. Choreographic one of the world’s most prestigious ballet schools. Darcey Bussell CBE at the opening of honours went to Lukas Bjørneboe Brændsrød This is a School full of exceptionally talented her exhibition at White Lodge Museum TRAINING TECHNIQUES OF and Kenji Wilkie as joint winners of the Ursula and motivated young dancers and it will be my Moreton Choreographic Award and, at White pleasure to help them to realise their dreams. Lodge, Claudia Nicholson and Gene Goodman I look forward to working with the dedicated received first prize in the Kenneth MacMillan Board and team of The Royal Ballet School to Choreographic Award and Ninette de Valois ensure that the School remains at the forefront Junior Choreographic Award respectively. of dance education. Congratulations to all concerned. EUROPEAN BALLET3 SCHOOLS EXPLORED We continue to see great value in introducing THROUGH OUR FOCUS ON TRAINING SEMINARS students to their international counterparts and different styles of training. In March we Right: Chisato Katsura dancing hosted a visit from American Ballet Theatre Raymonda Studio Company as part of an ongoing exchange programme and in June students of the Royal Christopher Powney Danish Ballet School visited the School. Artistic Director

The variety of international ballet training techniques were also explored as part of A Focus on Training, a series of seminars and masterclasses. Members of the public as well Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: OUR HIGHLIGHTS

Our 2013/14 numbers add up to a year of great successes as well as some notable statistics.

STUDENTS GAINED7 CONTRACTS WITH OF FULL-TIME51% STUDENTS WERE MALE THE ROYAL BALLET COMPANIES

CHILDREN2,199 AND YOUNG PEOPLE BENEFITTED 1,690RECORD NUMBER OF APPLICANTS FOR FROM THE WORK OF THE DANCE PARTNERSHIP OUR INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL & ACCESS PROGRAMME

95%GCSE PASSES AT A* TO C 100%OF GRADUATING STUDENTS GAINED PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTS Photo: Johan Persson Johan Photo: 10 11

OUR SEARCH FOR TALENT

We have yet again been surprised and delighted by the incredible talent and determination of the students we have encountered through our work.

AUDITIONS Gaining a place on one of The Royal Ballet Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: School’s training programmes continues to attract Slater Brian Photo: A boys’ ballet workshop in Covent Garden Students at our Summer School a high level of interest with 1,993 students auditioning in 2014. There were 784 candidates who undertook the preliminary auditions for our full-time training and the Mid and Senior Associate programme throughout England, and 492 928 for the Junior Associate programme at our ASSOCIATE STUDENTS Associate centres. An additional 281 candidates 6STUDENT TEACHERS TRAINED THROUGHOUT auditioned in Livorno Italy, at Summer School, GRADUATED FROM OUR THE YEAR by DVD or private audition. DANCE TEACHERS’ COURSE

ASSOCIATE PROGRAMME Established 66 years ago, the programme nurtures young talented students from ages eight to 15 who show an aptitude and desire to follow a career in classical ballet. It aims to complement the Associate students’ current private dance training by introducing them to the unique system Slater Brian Photo: of training of The Royal Ballet School. The Sleeping Beauty, and A Winter’s Tale, as Experience days were conducted in England and TEACHER TRAINING well as The Nutcracker with Birmingham Royal Scotland, and the Audition Insight Day in London Six participants graduated from The Professional Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: Throughout 2013/14 the programme flourished, Ballet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the helped to demystify the audition process for young Dancers Teachers Course in July. As ever we are Darcey Bussell teaching at our 2014 with 492 students training at our eight Associate Mariinsky Ballet. These performance opportunities students and their parents and reassured them that very grateful to Royal Ballet physiotherapist Moira Participants on our teachers’ course Summer School Centres across England. Rebecca Howell was are invaluable in developing the students’ the School’s audition procedure is open, positive McCormack, psychologist Brian Thomas and the newest member to join the teaching staff, understanding of the balletic art form. and inclusive. It provided the message to any ballet teacher Denise Winmill for their excellent responsible for the older Mid Associate girls young dancer with talent and aptitude that they contribution to the delivery of the course. in London. As well as their regular lessons, all SUMMER SCHOOL can audition for The Royal Ballet School, regardless Associate students were given the opportunity The 2014 International Summer School was an of their socio-economic circumstances. Regional seminars, in conjunction with student to attend a specialised workshop for their age unqualified success for The Royal Ballet School. masterclasses, were conducted in York and 1,690RECORD NUMBER OF 1,993STUDENTS AUDITIONED APPLICANTS FOR OUR group which covered a diverse range of dance The 1,690 applications we received from students Building on the success of A Focus on Style, a Bournemouth, reaching new teachers and IN 2014 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER styles including classical ballet, contemporary, in 67 countries set a new record for our Summer second series of seminars and masterclasses, students. Internationally the School returned to SCHOOL Previous page: Calvin Richardson street and historical dance. School. In total, 343 students aged 10 to 18 from A Focus on Training, continued the exploration of Japan with a three-day teacher’s seminar in Osaka dancing his own choreography The Dying Swan 36 countries participated in the intensive training the influences on Dame Ninette de Valois when and expanded into the United States with a three- Above left: An audition at our base in Twelve of our Year 8 and 9 Mid Associate programmes offered at White Lodge and Covent developing The Royal Ballet School’s training day seminar in Richmond, Virginia. These seminars Covent Garden students collaborated with students from Garden. Students had the opportunity to work programme. A Focus on Training explored the provide a great opportunity for the School to Swindon Dance Centre for Advanced Training with the School’s staff, including Artistic Director training programmes of the Paris Opera Ballet work with teachers on developing excellence in on Fast Forward, a creative dance project led by Christopher Powney, as well as international School, The Royal Danish Ballet School and The ballet training. Bim Malcomson. The students participated in a guest teachers such as Darcey Bussell, Monique Royal Ballet School. Each school presented a one- number of workshops which culminated with Loudières and Federico Bonelli. day seminar that highlighted the unique aspects Thanks to all the staff, Associate teachers, pianists, performances of a new work Inside Out at Trinity of their training programmes. It was a great centre coordinators, chaperones and volunteers Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and EVENTS pleasure to welcome back to the School Elizabeth for their outstanding work and commitment Swindon Dance Centre. Junior Associate students The School reaches thousands of dance students, Platel, Director of the Paris Opera Ballet School, to the programme. Our sincere thanks to had the exciting opportunity of performing with their parents and teachers, and the general and Thomas Lund, Director of the Royal Danish the Leverhulme Trust and the Clore Duffield The Royal Ballet in Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, public each year. Throughout 2013/14 Associate Ballet School, to participate in these seminars. Foundation for their continued support. London Centre Junior AssociateAuditions 43 Livorno Birmingham Overseas for & UpperSchool White Lodge Bristol Total Eastleigh DVD Leeds Richmond Manchester Private Newcastle Mid &Senior Associates, White Lodge &UpperSchool AUDITION NUMBERSBY VENUE Summer School Totnes Total Senior Associates Manchester Total

Senior Mid Associates Bristol (White Lodge, & Upper School Associates) Total number ofauditioncandidates SUMMARY Junior Junior Associates Birmingham 2014 Summer School Upper School White Lodge London Total White Lodge, & UpperSchool Associates for entryinSeptember2014 FORM ANALYSISAPPLICATION

For entrySeptember2014 12 AUDITION ANALYSIS2013/14 Candidates AcceptedApplied No. of 1,690 343 1090 216 Girls 747 928 339 179 600 127 106 376 71 87 96 87 10 99 20 32 45 34 21 73

Girls 817 294 150 67 80 81 87 28 30 Boys Girls Girls 265 1,012 121 339 817 265 344 14 110 26 99 120 15 121 85 461 9 19 8 28 9 82

Intake Candidates 100 Girl 28 18 11 10 11 12

3 7

No. of Boys Boys Total Girls 212 136 111 10 71 14 76 61 89 71 415 Boys

111 49 45 15 29 15 12 4 4 2 7 3 6 4 4 2 4 Intake 1,993 2,232 Total Boys 100 131 Boy 135 400 928 354 53 11 12 51 80 12 45 % 2 3 7 8

Junior Associates Mid Associates Total Italian 11 Totnes French 5 Newcastle Chinese 1 Brazilian Belgian Australian American Manchester Manchester European andInternational Total 3rd Year 2nd Year 1st Year Leeds Upper School Senior Associates Total Eastleigh Total Year 11 Year 10 Year 9 Year 8 Newcastle Bristol/Bath Year 7 Manchester Manchester Bristol/Bath Birmingham White Lodge Total Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham London London London London London Centre Centre Centre STUDENT NUMBERS2013/14 Sessions Sessions Sessions

2 1 7 5 32 28 28 32 32 28 20 28 20 24 28 32 30 30 24 30 32 32

Girls Girls Girls Girls Girls 209 101 50 19 10 18 23 29 12 19 17 23 20 14 22 16 15 34 35 34 43 66 67 13 17 13 14 13 15 12 12 0 Total Turkish Swedish Swiss Spanish Slovenian Norwegian Zealander New

Boys Total Boys Total Boys Total Boys Total Boys Total 96 305 47 90 20 121 16 66 14 16 29 16 33 15 28 16 30 12 25 13 28 13 25 10 13 10 12 17 16 16 17 3 1 9 4 0 0 0 23 3 0 0

133 22 11 32 32 33 12 29 17 30 17 34 16 17 31 50 35 51 42 25 1 1 1 2 1 3 1

Photo: Brian Slater ‘ desire tofollowacareer inclassicalballet.’ talented studentswhoshowanaptitudeand Our Associateprogramme nurtures young 14 15

BROADENING ACCESS TO BALLET

In May 2014 we celebrated 10 Dagenham, Mansfield and Swindon are then comprising 17 current and past primarySTEPS course equips teachers with the skills needed to years of the Dance Partnership invited to join after-school dance classes until students. We are also delighted that four introduce ballet to new audiences. the end of primary school. This year, for the first primarySTEPS children were offered places on & Access Programme with time, we celebrated the graduation of children The Royal Ballet School Junior and Mid Associate We are extremely grateful for generous funding a special performance at the from all five primarySTEPS centres. Reflecting programmes and three joined Centres for from a number of grant giving trusts and School in Covent Garden. the creative ethos of the classes, all the Advanced Training in their local areas. foundations – most notably the Andrew Lloyd graduating children created dances to perform Webber Foundation – which enables this wide The programme, which broadens access to in the Linden Studio Theatre before receiving As an example of our aDvANCE programme we range of work to flourish. The Royal Ballet School, has grown from small certificates from The Royal Ballet School’s presented a film of our Firebird project. A unique Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: beginnings into a national programme which Acting Director, Jay Jolley. feature of this secondary school programme WHITE LODGE MUSEUM & BALLET Slater Brian Photo: A performance of Firebird as part of engages more than 2,000 young people each is direct collaboration with Royal Ballet School RESOURCE CENTRE Jay Jolley, former Acting Director, with a our aDvANCE programme student at the primarySTEPS graduation year in long term, sustained activities. This special ‘Graduating at The Royal Ballet School students of the same age. The Firebird project The fifth anniversary of White Lodge Museum performance encapsulated our commitment to is something I will always remember’ extended this collaboration by working with was celebrated with a high profile exhibition, ensuring ballet is accessible and available for Mansfield primarySTEPS graduate the Philharmonia Orchestra, Richmond Music Darcey Bussell: from Student to Star of The young people. Service and Hounslow Music Trust. Our Year 10 Royal Ballet. We work closely with our regional partners to students worked with GCSE dance students from primarySTEPS provides an introduction to ballet ensure these children can continue dancing once Feltham Community College and Sheen Park Our new relationship with the Archives Hub 10 for 1,500 Year 3 students (7 to 8 years old) each they graduate from primarySTEPS. This was in Academy, and the music organisations formed (archiveshub.ac.uk) is a development that gives YEARS SINCE THE START 48% a youth orchestra. us an important online presence alongside many OF PARTICIPANTS IN OUR OF THE DANCE PARTNERSHIP autumn. Approximately 300 children across evidence at a guest performance by Steps2 – EVENTS WERE MALE AND ACCESS PROGRAMME our five centres in Blackpool, Bury St. Edmunds, a progression dance class run by Swindon Dance, of the country’s major collections. We have had The project culminated in an original a presence on the Archives Hub since March 2014, choreography for all 50 young dancers, and continue to upload our catalogue data to accompanied by an orchestra of 60 young the network, making this information freely musicians. The process and final product were available to the public. recorded to create two inspiring short films which were screened at the Royal Festival Hall. As an We continue to develop our partnerships with illustration of the longevity of our work, it was Historic Houses and other local organisations, particularly poignant that Sam Lee (one of the such as Orleans House Gallery and artsrichmond. first ever primarySTEPS graduates) once again This year, we offered a series of events as part of participated in a Dance Partnership & Access the Georgian Richmond Festival, all of which were Programme – this time as a Royal Ballet School fully booked. Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: Year 10 pupil. The team celebrate 10 years A pair of signed Darcey Bussell pointe We have continued our association with The shoes on display at the Museum ‘I’ve learnt that everybody has their Holly Lodge Centre, and repeated the highly own style, and everyone is different, successful Victorian Tea Party in July (it is planned biennially, next in July 2016). We have established and when you put a group of talented a new partnership with the Hearsum Collection, people together they can create based at Pembroke Lodge, allowing us to use the 2,199CHILDREN AND YOUNG amazing work.’ historic images of White Lodge and Richmond 100% PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN OF TEACHERS THOUGHT Sheen Park Academy pupil Park held in the Collections of the Hearsum Trust. THE WORK OF THE DANCE THE STANDARDS OF PARTNERSHIP & ACCESS PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR PROGRAMME Other projects for secondary-age students included The Museum is now offering guided tours AND COMPETENCE a collaboration between The BRIT School and our (£10 per person) of White Lodge, and the DEMONSTRATED BY THE Right: The primarySTEPS graduation 1st Year students; and a national project for five opportunity to pay for an illustrated curator’s talk ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL performance 6th Form Colleges working alongside our 2nd Year in the Salon. All visits to the Museum remain free WERE EXCELLENT Previous page: Junior Associates in class students and the Young Creatives residential course, of charge. This work is supported by run in partnership with Youth Dance England.

We completed our celebration by marking the graduation of a fifth group of student teachers from the Course in Ballet Education Practice. Run jointly with Royal Opera House Education, this Photo: Brian Slater Brian Photo: OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

Students yet again outperformed national statistics in their academic achievements. Photo: Schuhlelewis.com Photo: ACADEMIC EXCELLENCEACADEMIC 18 OVERALL A LEVELPASS RATE 100% DISTINCTION DOUBLE STARRED STUDENTS AWARDEDFIVE D*D* rehearsalA choir at White Lodge Previous page: Studentsat White Lodge Right: Studentsinclassat White Lodge A French classinprogress

Photo: Schuhlelewis.com Photo: Schuhlelewis.com improvement onlastyear. who achieved grades A* toC atGCSE, alsoan B grade at A Level andthe95%ofstudents Btec diplomas, theimprovement inthe A* to the highnumber ofDistinction*grades inthe Some ofthehighlightsfor thisyear include resultssuch tobepossible. proud oftheirhighly effective work inenabling Likewise, theacademicandhousestaff canbe key regards outperform thenationalstatistics. be especially congratulated onresults thatin inacademicterms,school thestudents are to the School. Given thatwe are atruly ‘all-ability’ students andthehighstandards at ofteaching are atestamentbothtothehard work ofthe very positive external examination results. They Encouragingly, thishasbeenanotheryear of Night’s Dream. gender politicsinShakespeare’s AMidsummer Strike inBilly Elliot, orElizabethanattitudesto the politicalandeconomicrealities oftheMiners’ of thecreative context ofperformance, as such ethical understanding through theexploration and research projects; enhancingamoral and communication skillsthrough marketing, planning literacyand businessplanning; supporting and nutrition; developing numeracy through financial covering anatomy, physiology andthescienceof education takes onamore vocational focus As studentsmove totheUpperSchool, their brings intellectaswell a thinkingperformerwho is anessentialpartofcreating cream ismade, butallofthis rivers are created orhowice during theBlitz;learnhow museum exhibitionsaboutlife Chaplin andChopin;devise study Diwali, Banksy, Charlie learn toconjugateFrench verbs; Pythagoras and Wilfred Owen; that studentsat White Lodgedo People are oftentakenaback to theirdancing. technical andartisticability

artistic demandson thestudents’artistic time. a remarkable achievement given theadditional ability’ nationally maintained schools thisyear: This figure placesusin thetop15%of ‘all- approximately ¾ofagrade betterthan predicted. Last year, ourstudentsonaverage achieved their abilityatage 11would have suggested. a studentperforms atGCSEcompared towhat is referred toas Value Added. This measures how measure ofsuccessis,important therefore, what to achieve thebestgrades thatthey can. Another high grades. Itisalsoaboutenablingevery child Academic success, however, isnot only about engaging positively withtheworld around them. well-rounded, thoughtfulandcaring young people dedicated, talentedandhard-working, butalso a result ofdomesticviolence. Our studentsare to commemorate afriend who diedtragically as the openmicnightandeven devise anew ballet Operation Christmas Child; singandperform at competition; collectover 60boxes ofgifts for Park oftheirHouseShield in Richmond aspart £1,500 for MacmillanCancerCare; buildwigwams find timetotake inabake-off part raising over and Jill very dulldancers andsostudents also Of course, allwork andnoplay would make Jack employers when astudentleaves. is appealingtootherschools, universities and determination neededtosucceed indance, that as well astheself-evident work-ethic, focus and of creative, theoretical andappliedknowledge, world beyond dance. Itisthevery combination ensure thatitsstudentsare well-prepared for the trainingartistic inclassicalballetbutmust also The Royal provides BalletSchool exceptional

Photo: Schuhlelewis.com Following page: A studentat White Lodge Students inclassCovent Garden A studentoftheUpperSchool SCHOOLS MAINTAINEDOF ALL-ABILITY IN TOP RANKED PASSES ATGCSE C A*TO 95% 15% 19

Photo: Schuhlelewis.com Photo: Schuhlelewis.com

Photo: Schuhlelewis.com 21

EXAMINATION RESULTS 2014 PASS RATES

A-LEVEL A* A B C D E U Entries Passes Pass A-LEVEL 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 A - E rate% Entries 11 12 9 12 18 Art - - - 3 - - - 3 3 100 Passes 11 12 9 12 18 English - 1 3 - - - - 4 4 100 Pass Rate % 100 100 100 100 100 French - 1 - 1 1 - - 3 3 100 %A*+B Grades 55 41 33 33 44 Maths - - 1 - - - - 1 1 100 Total - 2 4 4 1 - - 11 11 100 AS-LEVEL 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 % - 18 36 36 9 Pass Rate % Cum.% - 18 55 91 100 Entries 15 27 38 41 21 Passes 15 26 38 37 21 AS-LEVEL A B C D E U Entries Passes Pass Pass Rate % 100 96 100 90 100 A - E rate% Art - - 2 - 1 - 3 3 100 ESOL Distinction Merit Pass Grade A Grade B Grade C English - 1 - 5 1 - 7 7 100 KET 4 N/A N/A N/A French 3 - - - - - 3 3 100 PET 1 5 History - - - - 1 - 1 1 100 FCE 2 2 1 Maths - - - 1 - - 1 1 100 Total 3 1 2 6 3 - 15 15 100 % 20 7 13 40 20 - Cum. % 20 27 40 80 100 -

GCSE A* A B C D E F Entries % Pass A */A rate% A *- C Art 2 5 3 2 - - - 12 58 100 Dance St 2 13 10 4 - - - 29 52 100 English Lang. 2 7 11 7 2 - - 29 31 93 English Lit. - 6 17 5 1 - - 29 21 97 Exp.Arts 8 16 3 1 1 - - 29 83 97 French 11 2 - - - - - 13 100 100 Geog. 3 4 1 1 1 1 - 11 64 82 History 2 1 4 1 - - - 8 38 100 Maths 4 11 9 5 - - - 29 52 100 Music 2 6 5 - - - - 13 62 100 Science 1 9 7 9 2 1 - 29 34 90 Add. Science 0 5 11 6 4 - - 26 19 85 Total 37 85 81 41 11 2 - 257 47 95 % 14 33 32 16 4 1 - Cum. % 14 47 79 95 99 100 100

BTEC D*D*D* D*D*D D*DD DDD DDM DMM MMM Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance) 2 3 1 - 2 1 3 % 17 25 8 0 17 8 25 Total 12

Diploma in D*D* D*D DD DM MM Performing Arts (Dance) 5 7 4 2 2 % 25 35 20 10 10 Total 20 The Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A-Levels; the Diploma to two A-Levels. BTECs are awarded as Pass, Merit (M), or Distinction (D) Photo: Schuhlelewis.com Photo: people thrivedespitethecontinuedrestraints OUR FINANCES We have worked hard toensure ouryoung of agovernment funding freeze.

Photo:Photo: JohanJohan PerssonPersson 24 25

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) NURTURING SUSTAINABILITY For the year ended 31 August 2014

We are pleased to report that the especially in the classrooms. New laptops were INCOMING RESOURCES Unrestricted Funds School finished the fourth year also purchased for students to use in their General Designated Restricted Total Total academic lessons. Fund Funds Funds 2014 2013 of the government funding freeze £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 in solid financial shape with a A major summer works refurbishment Incoming resources from charitable activities modest surplus showing on its programme at White Lodge saw the Ashton Full time students 7,079 - - 7,079 7,196 Outreach activities 737 - - 737 721 income and expenditure account. Studio upgraded, dance floor repairs made in the Pavlova Studio, reconfigured and improved Partnership programme - - 514 514 527 student social facilities created in the new Performances and tours 199 - - 199 231 The School continued to control its operating Incoming resources from generated funds Photo: Schuhlelewis.com Photo: boarding blocks and the redecoration of the costs during this period but also steered its way Donations: Current boarding accommodation in Year 7 and 8 boarding areas. Covent Garden through a second phase of major management Trading subsidiary 1 - - 1 36 changes with a total of 18 posts becoming Other 358 - 2,696 3,054 1,849 The School also launched a major capital appeal New Wi-Fi networks redundant during the academic year. The School Activities for generating funds for new, larger and better designed boarding and faster broadband was very disappointed to lose so many loyal Investment income 27 - - 27 31 installed across the accommodation for our Upper School students. and dedicated staff and extends its thanks to Other income 32 - - 32 50 School The new property is based in Pimlico and the all of them for carrying out their duties and TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 8,433 - 3,210 11,643 10,641 School now owns the freehold thanks to the responsibilities so professionally to the end amazing generosity of a small group of donors. of their contracts. The excellent artistic and RESOURCES EXPENDED £1.25million We are also very appreciative of the support academic achievements of our students referred Cost of generating funds 151 - - 151 231 TOTAL CUTS MANAGED UP and cooperation given by Westminster City to elsewhere in this Annual Report is testament 151 - - 151 231 TO AUGUST 2015 Council’s Planning Committee who granted to everyone’s commitment. us planning permission for the change of use Charitable activities of the premises and allowed us to build to our Full time students 6,632 635 579 7,846 7,774 We now enter the final year of the Department Major refurbishment full requirements on the site. The construction Outreach activities 1,019 75 - 1,094 1,041 for Education’s (DfE) funding restraints in the works completed at project will be well underway by the time Partnership programme - - 611 611 578 White Lodge correct shape to operate within our financial this report is published, with an anticipated Performances and tours 322 37 - 359 406 means. By the end of August 2015, the School occupation date of January 2016. 7,973 747 1,190 9,910 9,799 will have managed a reduction in DfE funding of around £1.25 million. At the time of writing this Finally, the School welcomed many new faces to Governance costs 27 - - 27 25 report, we have been told the Department will its staff team in September, and their enthusiasm TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 8,151 747 1,190 10,088 10,055 allow a 2% increase in fees in 2015/16, the first IMPROVED COMMUNICATION and energy provided a welcome lift for the for five years. Further discussions will take place WITH A NEW WEBSITE AND colleagues who have lived through some testing NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA on longer term funding plans once the outcome BEFORE TRANSFERS 282 (747) 2,020 1,555 586 times over the past year. of the General Election in May is known. Gross transfers between funds 161 (73) (88) - - Previous page: Students performing Nevertheless, we are taking a positive view and a section of Concordance by alumna A common goal continues to drive and motivate the Board and Senior Management Team are NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES Kristen McNally us all: to make sure our extraordinary students making plans to ensure the School continues to BEFORE OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES 443 (820) 1,932 1,555 586 receive the very best possible educational and improve in all aspects to maintain its position dance training experiences. as one of the world’s leading centres of classical OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES dance training. Actuarial Losses on Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (524) - - (524) (64) NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (81) (820) 1,932 1,031 522 To reinforce this message, the School was able TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD 2,107 28,326 2,892 33,325 32,803

to invest in some new initiatives during the year. TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 2,026 27,506 4,824 34,356 33,325 A new website launched in 2014 with many new features enabling quick and easy access Net incoming resources for the year arise from the charity’s continuing operations. to our information and improving channels of communication via Twitter and Facebook. An upgrade of the School’s Microsoft Office platform to Windows 8 was implemented as well as the installation of new Wi-Fi networks and faster broadband links at Floral Street and White Lodge enabling improvements in access to IT facilities, 26 27

BALANCE SHEET For the year ended 31 August 2014 31% 2014 2013 DONATIONS £000 £000 FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 38,262 29,513 17.4% CURRENT ASSETS PARENT CONTRIBUTION Debtors 1,256 1,516 TO FEES Cash at bank and in hand 4,922 5,724 DEPARTMENT49.4% FOR EDUCATION 6,178 7,240

CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year Deferred income (625) (2,181) HOW WE ARE Trade and other creditors (1,309) (672) FUNDED 1.7% NET CURRENT ASSETS 4,244 4,387 PERFORMANCES TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 42,506 33,900 AND TOURS

CREDITORS Amounts falling due after one year (7,587) (500) Defined benefit pension scheme (liability)/surplus (563) (75) NET ASSETS 34,356 33,325 0.5% OTHER CAPITAL AND RESERVES Unrestricted funds General fund 2,026 2,107 0.3% Designated funds 27,506 28,326 1.5% GOVERNANCE Total Unrestricted Funds 29,532 30,433 COST OF GENERATING Total Restricted Funds 4,824 2,892 FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS 34,356 33,325

Report by the trustees on the Summarised Financial Statements 3.6% PERFORMANCES The above summarised financial statements are extracted from the full statutory Governors’ annual report and financial AND TOURS WHERE OUR statements which were approved by the Governors and signed on their behalf on 25 February 2015. The full financial statements, on which the auditors Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP gave an unqualified audit report on 25 February 2015, will be submitted to the MONEY GOES Charity Commission and to the Registrar of Companies by 31 March 2015.

The auditors have confirmed to the Governors that, in their opinion, the summarised financial statements are consistent with the full financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2014. These summarised financial statements may not contain sufficient information to gain a complete understanding of the financial 6.1% affairs of the charity. The full statutory Governors’ report, financial statements and auditors’ report may be obtained from PARTNERSHIP AND [email protected]. ACCESS PROGRAMME Signed on behalf of the Governors 77.7%FULL TIME STUDENTS 10.8% OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

The Duchess of Wellington OBE Chairman We are extremely grateful toourgenerous supporters, without whomourmany achievements thisyear OUR SPONSORS would nothave beenpossible.

Photo:Photo: Schuhlelewis.com Schuhlelewis.com 30

OUR SPONSORS

STUDENT SPONSORS The Philip Loubser Foundation Jenny Borgerhoff Mulder Timothy and Madeleine Plaut (Nadia Nerina Scholarship) Spindrift al Swaidi Zia Boycott The Rothschild Foundation Susan Lyall The Amar-Franses & Foster-Jenkins David and Patricia Chapman The Sackler Trust Trust John Lyon’s Charity Sir Trevor and Lady Chinn The Duke and Duchess of Wellington Artemis Investment Management Richard MacDonald Sophie Colthurst LLP The Garfield Weston Foundation Sir Kenneth MacMillan Fund for Karen Crisford Ian Askew Charitable Trust Young Dancers Claire Fisher SHORTFALL APPEAL The Askew Scholarship Fund Nancy Marks Miel de Botton Edward and Celia Atkin The Atlantic Foundation The Mayflower Trust Fiona Ferguson Steven and Kumari Blakey The Ballet Association Lorraine McGrogan Michael Foreman John and Susan Burns Mirella Banham Isabelle McDermott Stuart Gordon and Wayne Daniel Stephen and Caroline Butt Lynda Beresford Jones The Mercers’ Company Jonathan Ivinson Ricki Gail and Robert Conway The Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation Elizabeth Florence May Mills The Derrill Allatt Foundation Scholarship Fund Anna Kim Peter and Fiona Cruddas The Estate of John Dorick Brooks Garth and Halina Milne Janet Lambert Patrick Dalby John and Susan Burns Estate of Noreen Pamela Joy Leni Miller Peter and Genevieve Davies Mummery (Sopwith Bursaries) The Calleva Foundation Andrew Morison Sir Evelyn and Lady de Rothschild The Nureyev Foundation Andrea Collins Pel Mountain Lloyd and Sarah Dorfman Aviva Ofer Ricki Gail Conway Catherine Nix Charles and Celia Dunstone The Gwynne Parry Memorial Fund Richard and Jennie Cunis Philip Noel Victor Fedotov and Julia Obukhova Stanley Picker Charitable Trust Sir Evelyn de Rothschild (Eranda Anne Peach Mark Getty Prix de Lausanne Foundation) Fiona Philipps Christopher Gorman Evans Russell Race Giampiero Dotti David and Diana Pilling Shauna Gosling Rotary Club of Pontllanfraith Dame Margot Fonteyn Scholarship Annabel Portsmouth Kenneth and Susan Green Fund David Rymer Charitable Trust Rupert and Serena Prest Richard and Janeen Haythornthwaite Mark and Wanda Goodey Andre Rzym Catherine Rees Elena Heinz Christopher Gorman-Evans Brian Shaw Memorial Scholarship Kerry and Dimity Rubie Marina Hobson Analida Graham Fund Miki Steele The Hobson Charity Marguerite Griffith-Jones Lady Henrietta St George Alison Titchmarsh Patrick and Gaby Hungerford Harbour Trustees Limited Malcolm Stewart Philip Woodhouse Nigel and Candida Hurst-Brown Ethel Rose Hart Will Trust The Sutton Scholarship Fund Philip and Joyce Kan The Estate of Ronald Hawkridge The Tait Memorial Trust CAPITAL APPEAL Nathan and Frances Kirsh Charlotte Heber-Percy Shirley Tilley Alta Advisors Timur and Alfiya Kuanyshev Hines Fund Carolyn Usherwood Bequest The Calleva Foundation Jonathan and Beth Lauffer Itaú Unibanco Bonnie Ward The Clore Duffield Foundation Susan Lyall Aud Jebsen Nellie Florence Watson Estate Ricki Gail and Robert Conway Richard MacDonald Grant Jones Waynflete Charitable Trust Sarah Dorfman Richard O’Connell Dr Cathy Johnson Helen Webb Mark Getty Harold and Nicola Pasha Antony Johnston S D Whitehead Charitable Trust Kenneth and Susan Green Tony and Sarah Pidgley The Estate of Joan Kay Olive Margaret Worth Fund Marina Hobson Timothy and Madeleine Plaut The Morris Kemp Fund Royalties from Anna Pavlova, 20th Century Ballerina The Hobson Charity Gail and Gerald Ronson Kochran Trust Aud Jebsen David Ross Barry Lee ESPRIT DE CORPS The Linbury Trust Lord Rothschild Sarah Lewis Keith and Meri Benham Monument Trust Stephen and Angela Rubin Sir Joseph Lockwood Scholarship Fund Edward and Victoria Bonham Carter The PF Charitable Trust Dame Theresa Sackler Photo: Schuhlelewis.com Photo: 32

Rosalyn and Nicholas Springer Arts and Sports Trust Estate of Jill Marion Pelosi The Swire Charitable Trust The Band Trust The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust Georg and Emily von Opel Bloomsbury Flowers The Estate of Gwendoline Anne Byng Reid Rob and Kathleen Wallace The Boscawen Bequest The Royal Ballet School PTA The Duke and Duchess of Wellington Rosemary Burr and Vernon Kemp The Royal Opera House Covent Peter and Sally Cadbury Garden Foundation PERFORMANCE SPONSORS The Cadogan Charity Estate of Stanley J Seeger Anna Birkett William and Jane Carr Estate of Jacqueline Shane Christopher Gorman-Evans CHK Charities Limited Gail Sinclair Imagination Thomas Clementi Pamela Self International Dance Supplies Ltd Covent Garden Academy of Flowers Geoffrey Spackman Olga and Kevin Senior J Edward Conway Fund Helen Spiro Vacheron Constantin Richard and Jennie Cunis Ian Strachan Lieve Vandenhoeck-Turtelboom George and Kelly Davis The Sfumato Trust Patrick and Lavinia de Pelet Lucinda Stafford-Deitsch TOUR SPONSORS C H Dixon Trust Teale Charitable Trust Ricki Gail and Robert Conway D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Dulcie Pamela Tilley Trust Steven and Cheryl Crowe The Clore Duffield Foundation Vacheron Constantin Flavia Gale Rozi Dwerryhouse The Estate of Caroline Mary Watham Susan Lyall Edelsohn Family Trust Harold and Olga Wienand The Worshipful Company of DEVELOPMENT AND FUNDING G B L Wilson Bequest AWARD SPONSORS Environmental Cleaners Charitable COMMITTEE Trust Claire Wilson-Laws Valerie Adams Madeleine Plaut (Chair) Sarah Evans Ben and Christine Wrey The Ballet Association Anna Birkett Cyril Beaumont Peter and Judith Foy Kate Bolsover CORPS DONORS Nina Finburgh FranklinCovey Felicity Clark Robert Kimber Freed of London Limited Tanya Andrews Sarah Dorfman Cecil King Memorial Foundation Friends of The Royal Ballet School Julian and Nicola Blake Candy Hurst-Brown The London Ballet Circle Peter and Edna Goldstein Alison Brindle The Duchess of Wellington Lady MacMillan The Grocers’ Charity Kate Bolsover John Mitchell The Estate of Betty Haward Frances Christie YOUNG COMMITTEE Gail Monahan The Headley Trust Jonathan Davis Julian Blake (Chair) NJL Foundation Nigel and Candy Hurst-Brown Diana Hiddleston Nicola Blake April Olrich Isabella Flowers Francis and Lynn Howard Sacha Bonsor Pamela Self David and Anne Jacobs Audrey Lyons Tom Clementi Frances Travers Ronald and Jo Carole Lauder Felicity Marsh Phanella Fine VisasForDancers PLLC The Estate of Anna Lendrum Andrew Morison Sophie Lauffer Peter Wilson The Lennox and Wyfold Foundation Vanessa Neill Izzy Leslie The Worshipful Company of Gold The Leverhulme Trust Charles and Victoria Parker Claire Livingstone and Silver Wyre Drawers The Linbury Trust Rory Penn Fanelie Phillips Sir James Knott Trust Roman Ryczkowycz Timmy Pleydell-Bouverie ESSENTIAL SUPPORT ALSO Nancy Marks Christopher Stockwell Victoria Pattinson PROVIDED BY: Jean Macnab Anthony Vernon and Edward Emilie Salama-Caro The Amaryllis Fleming Foundation Heyward Karen Nissen Anabella Ward The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Estate of Dennis Marcel Pavillard Susanna Warren DESIGN BY ANNABEL CLEMENTS DESIGN DESIGN BY 46 Floral Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DA Telephone: +44 (0)20 7836 8899 Facsimile: +44 (0)20 7845 7080 www.royalballetschool.org.uk

A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England (547018) Registered Charity No: 214364 Registered Office: 46 Floral Street, London WC2E 9DA