The Oundle School of Ballet

General information

The Oundle School of Ballet specialises in classical ballet (Cecchetti Method). It was founded 50 years ago by former faculty chairman and international examiner Mary-Jane Duckworth and a bursary in her name is given to a pupil at the school every year, to enable the pupil to take advantage of further learning opportunities. The school takes pupils from 4 years upwards and regularly enters pupils for exams in Cecchetti Classical Ballet. Pupils who show particular ability are encouraged to take part in The Mabel Ryan Competition in London and to audition for The Cecchetti Associate Programme at The Royal Ballet School Associate Programme. At the school there are currently four Cecchetti Junior Associates, one Cecchetti Senior Associate and one Royal Ballet School Senior Associate. Former pupils have gone on to vocational training at The Royal Ballet School, The English National Ballet School, Tring Park, Northern Ballet School, Arts Educational Schools, The London Studio Centre, LIPA and Ballet West. A show involving all pupils is put on once every three years.