Background

Our foundation

Central School of Ballet was established by Ann Stannard and the late Christopher Gable CBE in 1982. The founders wanted a school that valued the artistic expression in dance, as well as the importance of technique.

Each year around 100 Senior School students attend Central. The Senior School course is one of the most comprehensive dance programmes in the country, and helps students go on to careers in classical ballet, contemporary dance and musical theatre.

Ballet Central

In 1984 Ballet Central was formed as a touring company to give final year students firsthand experience of professional dance. This has provided great training for Central students, who are recognised in their subsequent careers for their maturity and professionalism.

The Conservatoire for Dance and Drama

Affiliation of the Conservatoire began in 2004, when Central began to offer the two-year Foundation degree, leading into the third year BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance (accredited by the University of Kent). Central is the only school to offer this degree.

Outreach

Central runs a wide programme of outreach work to encourage and broaden participation in dance. As well as working in schools and offering workshops, Central also runs an Associate School which includes a thriving Junior School, a Pre-Senior programme and adult evening classes.