Kings Stanley Boy & the Royal Ballet School

I’m writing following the exciting news that my son, Myles Watson, has gained one of only 24 places in Year 7 of The Royal Ballet School.

The Royal Ballet School is recognised as one of the world’s leading ballet schools and is the official school of The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Over 750 children applied for the school and following a very lengthy audition process which included a preliminary audition, online interview, physio assessment, a written report from both Myles’ Primary school and his associate ballet teacher and two days attending the final audition in London, Myles was awarded one of only 12 boy places.

Myles lives in King’s Stanley, with myself (dad), mum and two brothers aged 7 and 13, and attends Kings Stanley Primary School (Year 6). Myles first started dancing at the age of three at the Sally Prout School of Dancing (located in Stonehouse, Minchinhampton, Cam & Leonard Stanley). The teachers at his local school spotted his talent and when he was just 8 years old, encouraged him to audition for The Royal Ballet School’s Junior Associate Programme in Bath. Myles very quickly developed a passion for Ballet attending associate classes in Bath on a weekly basis with the incredible, ex-Principle dancer with The Royal Ballet company, Miss Karen Paisey.

Myles love dancing and has always worked so hard at his ballet and made many sacrifices to further his ballet development. None more so than stopping playing football with his friends at the local football club to prevent any injury on the run up to the auditions.

Amazingly, Myles perseverance has paid off and to have that recognised by one of the world’s greatest ballet schools means everything to him and makes his family very proud. To think that he will be training at the school where Margot Fonteyn, Darcey Bussell and Wayne Sleep attended is astonishing to us.

It will be extremely difficult for us as a family to come to terms with Myles living away from home at the tender age of 11. However, Myles loves ballet, and he desperately wants to attend.

Unfortunately, simply put, we cannot afford to pay the school fees and so we are desperately looking for help.

A place at the Royal Ballet School costs over £35,000 per year. The Government’s Department for Education (DfE) offers UK students means-tested support through its Music and Dance Scheme. There is, however, a substantial sum that has to be met by us, the grant does not cover all of the School’s fees nor items such ballet shoes, uniform, music lessons or trips home. We are hoping that your organisation may be able to help.

If you think you could help Myles realise his dream to train at The Royal Ballet School please contact me. Any help you may be able to provide would be gratefully received. Alternatively, do you know of another organisation that may be able to help Myles?

We are extremely thankful to you for taking the time to read about Myles’ story.

With warm wishes

Louise, Geoff and family