Conservatoire for Dance and Drama

Over the past 18 months, the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama and its Schools have been working closely with one another and with the Office for Students to move towards new arrangements, with each of the Schools pursuing an independent pathway outside of the Conservatoire. We are pleased to confirm that as of 13 June 2022, each of the schools has achieved its desired outcome and the transition to new arrangements will be effective from 1 August 2022.

Following a successful quality and standards review (QSR) outcome from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), we are thrilled to announce Rambert School have received confirmation of registration with the Office for Students, and we will become an independent higher education provider.

Central School of Ballet, London Contemporary Dance School, National Centre for Circus Arts, and Northern School of Contemporary Dance will also become independent, whilst Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is entering a new partnership arrangement with the University of the West of England.

All students who are currently at Rambert School will transition to new registration with the Office for Students, from 1 August 2022. At that time, the Conservatoire will deregister as a higher education provider and will begin the process of a solvent winddown of its Charity and Company.

For the past two decades, the Conservatoire has provided a collegiate structure for its schools which has facilitated collaboration, sharing of learning and best practice, and the continued development and enhancement of higher education provision in dance, drama and circus arts. During this time, the higher education landscape has altered significantly, and we and the other Conservatoire Schools are now able to take advantage of new opportunities available to small specialist providers. The Conservatoire will continue to support the Schools up to the date of transition in preparing for the next phase of their journeys as providers of world-leading higher education and training in the performing arts.

We look forward to exciting times ahead for Rambert School.