The Royal Ballet School and Kate Stanforth Academy of Arts are launching free, adaptive ballet classes designed to make dance accessible to everyone.
Launched in partnership with the Kate Stanforth Academy of Dance – an award-winning inclusive arts organisation – the initiative offers disabled dancers training in the Royal Ballet School’s fully accessible studios in Central London or join on livestream.
Rachael Hunt, the School’s International Artistic Manager, describes the programme as a “game changer”. The development of the termly inclusive sessions followed the School’s inaugural Let’s Dance open day — the first time the institution had opened its doors to the general public — where dancers of all abilities, including wheelchair users, took part in classes. The experience highlighted the need for sustained, high-quality inclusive ballet training, leading to ongoing conversations between the School and Kate Stanforth Academy about creating a long-term programme.
“It was such a good experience for me as a teacher and for the dancers,” says Rachael. The success of the day highlighted the importance of creating something sustainable rather than a one-off event. After ongoing conversations between the School and disabled dancer and educator Kate Stanforth, the idea evolved into a termly programme of two-hour sessions. The classes bring together classical ballet training and adaptive approaches, shaped through shared experience and collaboration in the studio.
The classes are defined by collaboration rather than traditional instruction. “It's a sharing of knowledge,” says Rachael.
“I'm teaching the dancers ballet and they are finding ways to adapt it.” Whether working on The Nutcracker or Swan Lake, the standards remain high. “We find a way to make it work for everybody.”
Beyond the technical side, the initiative serves as a social hub. The schedule includes a long lunch break, which Rachael describes as a rare “communal space where they can share their stories”, particularly important for younger dancers.
The classes are made possible through funding from Allied Mobility, in-kind support from The Royal Ballet School and ongoing fundraising led by the Academy. Together, this support ensures the sessions remain free to participants, reducing financial barriers while maintaining high artistic standards.
They currently run once a term, and dancers can book their place at the barre directly through the Kate Stanforth Academy website.
Photo: Kate Stanforth Academy of Arts and The Royal Ballet School with photography from Shona Louise Photography
