Millfield selected as pilot school for prestigious Rambert Dance Grades

Millfield have been selected as one of a small number of pilot schools across the UK to offer the prestigious Rambert Grades. The Rambert Grades are a new benchmark in contemporary dance training and education, grounded in process and creativity that supports teachers to enable and develop emergent talent.

The new grading within the industry focuses on ‘making dance that is awe-inspiring, adventurous, dynamic and relevant’ articulated around three pillars: performance, technique and creativity with material devised by prestigious figures in the world of contemporary dance, Hofesh Shechter, Alesandra Seutien and Benoit Swan Pouffer.

Millfield’s Director of Dance and Drama, Rhian Fox, was involved in the piloting of the programme and was one of the first group of teachers from across the country to train to teach the new syllabus. Rhian will be teaching new Millfield dance coach Robert Guy to become accredited to teach the programme later this year. Robert, who joined Millfield in September 2020, graduated from London Contemporary Dance School, working with some of the world’s leading dance companies and choreographers. His experiences include five years of European and International touring with Wired Aerial Theatre as head Aerialist, three years with Norwegian Dance Company Panta Rei before moving to Montreal, Canada to join Cas Public, an internationally renowned contemporary ballet company. Robert has worked within the theatre sector and worked as part of the creative team on The Royal Shakespeare Companies production of Matilda the Musical.

Millfield’s new GCSE programme started this September, offering students in Year 10 the opportunity to study three strands of learning: performance, choreography and dance appreciation. The programme aims to develop knowledge, understanding and practical experience of the wide range of dance choreographed and performed today.

The Dance GCSE programme is strongly supported by an inclusive and substantial dance offering. Students have the opportunity to take part in over 30 classes a week in two well-equipped dance studios with professional sprung floors, offering expertise in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Street Dance, Contemporary and Musical Theatre. The Rambert Grades will run alongside the R.A.D ballet syllabus and I.S.T.D Modern and Tap.

Rhian says “The Rambert Grades are an exciting addition to our dance programme, allowing students to experience current dance practice which is creative, relevant and clearly linked to the outstanding work of Rambert Dance company and school.”