Effective from September 2026, The Royal Ballet School's Upper School 2nd Year students will no longer audition to enter the Pre-professional Year and will instead take part in an assessment process.
Senior school
The Royal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School is a world-leading centre for classical ballet training, offering education and training for students aged 12 to 19.
Day fees
£35,179
Entry
AuditionSelective
Next deadline
Wed 14 Oct 202616+ registration closes
Updated 4 months ago
At a glance
Key facts
Head
Christopher Powney
Principal
Gender
Co-ed
Pupils
227
107 girls, 105 boys
Location
Richmond upon Thames
Day or boarding
Day and boarding
Age range
12 to 19
Founded
1926
Entry points
16+
Nearest station
Covent Garden
Bursaries
Up to 100% of fees
Scholarships
Other
Show 2 more factsShow fewer facts
A-level A*–A
10%
2024
GCSE 9–7
45%
2024
Overview
About The Royal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School provides specialist ballet training alongside academic education for students aged 12 to 19; it stopped taking Year 7 students for full-time training from September 2026. The school offers day and boarding options and prepares students for professional careers in ballet and dance. It is located at White Lodge in Richmond Park, London, and is renowned internationally for its excellence in dance education.
Houseroom EditorialOur take
Houseroom Editorial
Our take
Independent co-ed senior school in Richmond upon Thames for ages 12–19, day or boarding. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
Best for
- Families seeking a senior school for ages 12–19; full-time places are no longer offered at Year 7 (from 2026) or Year 8 (from 2027).
- Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
- Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered.
- Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
- Families comfortable with top-tier London independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.
Watch-outs
- Fees sit at the top of the London market. Factor in extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition) before committing.
- Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
AdmissionsApplication timeline
Admissions
Application timeline
September 2027 entryRegistration tbcCloses 14 Oct 2026
- TBCOpen dayTo be confirmedCentenary Year 2026Associate Insight Day for Parents and Dance Teachers
- Sep3Registration opensPassed
- Oct14Registration closesNext
- TBCAssessmentTo be confirmedApplications open annually from SeptemberFull-time and Associate Programme Auditions
Not yet published: bursary deadline, interview, offers, acceptance deadline.
UpcomingOpen events
Upcoming
Open events
Private tours by arrangement with admissions.
Fees & costFees
Fees & cost
Fees
£35,179per year · Day · 2026-27
Inc. VAT £35,179VAT included7 years: £277,854
vs London avg (£24,000)47% above
Extras: registration, deposit, uniform, lunches, trips, music lessons, exam fees.
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Quick answers about The Royal Ballet School
Answered only from The Royal Ballet School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.
Financial supportBursaries & Scholarships
Financial support
Bursaries & Scholarships
Beyond the classroomActivities & co-curricular
Beyond the classroom
Activities & co-curricular
music
Music ConcertMusic Concerts
drama
Local PerformancesCollaborative Dance ProjectsCollaborative Dance ProjectCreative Artist Programme
other
Audition Insight ClassesDance ClassesPrimary Insight EventsCommunity PerformancesPrimaryStepsAssociate Insight Classes
On campusFacilities
On campus
Facilities
arts
The Royal Ballet SchoolMusic Practice RoomsThe Royal Ballet School StudiosTheatre Facilities
boarding
White Lodge
OutcomesLatest exam results
Outcomes
Latest exam results
10%
A-level A*–A
45%
GCSE 9–7
DestinationsWhere leavers go
Destinations
Where leavers go
| 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Cohort | 5 |
| US Ivy | 0 |
CurriculumQualifications offered
Curriculum
Qualifications offered
GCSEA-Level
In the newsRecent coverage
In the news
Recent coverage
AlumniNotable alumni
Alumni
Notable alumni
Margot Fonteyn (ballerina)Darcey Bussell (ballerina)Carlos Acosta (ballerino)Alina Cojocaru (ballerina)Steven McRae (ballerino)Miyako Yoshida (ballerina)Edward Watson (ballerino)
Recommended next step
Registration closes 14 Oct 2026 (16+)
Add it to your plan and book a visit before you apply.
Fit for your child
Is The Royal Ballet School right for your child?
Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.
Check fit for my childPastoral careWellbeing
Pastoral care
Wellbeing
Counselling
We want everyone within our organisation to have the tools they need to shape their futures as healthy, resilient human beings. Last week, we held a Wellbeing Week at the School for both staff and students, and while we know these initiatives don’t transform individuals’ wellbeing overnight, we love them as gentle reminders to us all of the robust support we have available year-round. We’re proud of our top pastoral and welfare team, which includes clinical psychologists and counsellors, and of our HR team who offer plenty of in-house programmes and services as well as connections to national organisations.
GovernancePolicies & documents
Governance
Policies & documents
Also considerSchools like The Royal Ballet School
Also consider
Schools like The Royal Ballet School
FAQQuestions parents ask
FAQ
Questions parents ask
What kind of child is The Royal Ballet School best for?+
The Royal Ballet School suits: Families seeking a senior school for ages 12–19; full-time places are no longer offered at Year 7 (from 2026) or Year 8 (from 2027); Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex; Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered; Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school; Families comfortable with top-tier London independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.
How much are the fees at The Royal Ballet School?+
Day fees at The Royal Ballet School are around £35,179 per year in 2026-27. Boarding fees are around £34,554 per year in 2026-27. Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.
When is the next open day at The Royal Ballet School?+
No dates are listed yet. Save The Royal Ballet School and we'll email you when booking opens.
How does admissions work?+
The Royal Ballet School is selective. Expect an entrance assessment at each entry point.
Does The Royal Ballet School support SEND?+
The Royal Ballet School offers some SEND support. Ask admissions which needs it can meet.
What ages does The Royal Ballet School take?+
The Royal Ballet School takes pupils from age 12 to 19.
Is The Royal Ballet School a day or boarding school?+
The Royal Ballet School offers both day and boarding places.
Is The Royal Ballet School co-educational or single-sex?+
The Royal Ballet School is co-educational, taking both boys and girls.
Where is The Royal Ballet School?+
The Royal Ballet School is in Richmond upon Thames, TW10 5HR.
How do I contact admissions at The Royal Ballet School?+
Contact The Royal Ballet School by email at info@royalballetschool.org.uk or phone on 02078368899.
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