The Royal Ballet School
School summary
Few schools combine elite vocational training with academic study quite like The Royal Ballet School, an independent school in Richmond upon Thames. With just 212 pupils on roll, it is a notably small and specialised setting, offering boarding alongside day places from the age of 11. The intimate scale reflects its distinctive purpose: nurturing young dancers while ensuring their broader education is not neglected. It is led by Head Mr David Gajadharsingh and inspected by the ISI.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Teaching & academics
Pupils follow a full academic programme leading to GCSEs and A-levels, with the option of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) for those wishing to pursue independent research. This breadth allows dancers to keep meaningful academic doors open alongside their vocational training. The small roll suggests close attention to each pupil's progress.
Head · Mr David Gajadharsingh
Sixth form
Qualifications offered
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- Yes
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Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A rare school where serious dance training sits beside a recognised academic curriculum. It will suit families of committed young dancers seeking a small, specialised environment with boarding from age 11.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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The Royal Ballet School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.