Students in Kent had a chance to experience what it is like to work on a professional dance production.

One of the UK’s leading ballet companies, English National Ballet, teamed up with staff and pupils at Knole Academy in Sevenoaks for the Creative Pathways project.

Over 100 students were involved in creating, producing and performing in a show that they performed to friends and family.

The children took on a range of job roles covering all aspects of the production including backstage crew, stage management and design of costume, set, hair and make-up.

“All the students rose to the challenge and I am proud of them of all. It was a privilege to work with them" - Project manager, Alison Truphet

Community programme directorand project leader, Alison Truphet said: “Creative Pathways was an all encompassing project which gave a large number of students insight into the world of work in the performing arts.

“They worked harder than they thought possible and took their dance to new heights. It was an intense, exciting and unforgettable experience for them.

“All the students rose to the challenge and I am proud of them of all. It was a privilege to work with them."

As well as a series of taster dance workshops for the young performers, the project involved trips to English National Ballet’s technical and wardrobe facilities which has allowed the students to see how a professional production comes together.

They were even taken on a backstage tour of the Royal Albert Hall during their visit.

Choreographer Hubert Essakow and Dance Artist Amelia Carrington-Lee took the students through a week of intensive dance rehearsals which culminated in a short dance piece based on the themes of love, death and conflict from Romeo and Juliet.

The score had been specially written for the performance by composer Jon Opstad.

The performance, on Thursday, July 17, was accompanied by a short video of the project made by two post 16 students.

This is available on the school website: www.knoleacademy.org