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Ballet at Francis Holland is the responsibility of Mrs Valerie Hitchen, who trained at the Royal Ballet School and who is an examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance.
Classical ballet forms part of the curriculum in Reception and Years 1, 2 and 3 and it is a very popular extra curricular activity from Year 4 upwards. Students are prepared for examinations of the Royal Academy of Dance and also for the school's internal ballet competition, the Princess Margaret Ballet Competition. This competition culminates in a final in June, which is a prestigious event, attended by School Governors and noted figures from the world of classical ballet.
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The aim of ballet within school is to inspire and nurture a love of classical ballet, its history and traditions and associate arts. All pupils are encouraged to achieve their personal best and many find that ballet has benefits for their confidence and posture.
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Ballet is taught to the highest standards at school and was descibed as being 'of excellence' in the last ISI inspection report. The school achieves a 100% success rate in examinations and a number of exceptionally talented pupils have auditioned to attend the Royal Ballet School Associate Programme.