Wandsworth & Richmond Borough Council

London Children's Ballet moved to Wandsworth in 2020 as part of the Borough's Cultural Anchor Tenancy programme. This move has been a game changer for LCB and we are pleased to be building a close working relationship with the Council and local primary and secondary schools within the Borough as well as other arts organisations. 

Every year LCB takes part in the Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival, offering performances, workshops and working in local schools leading to a showcase in the borough. We were able to support the Council's successful bid to become London Borough of Culture in 2025 and are proudly producing ‘Strictly Wandsworth’ the official launch event taking place in Battersea Park on 26th April 2025.

  • This year LCB have taken part in Strictly Wandsworth and Wandsworth Arts Fringe. LCB also created the Wandsworth Schools Showcase which was held at the Royal Academy of Dance Studio.

  • LCB is one of a number of cultural organisations moving into the Lombard Road / York Road area. We are joining an already strong dance community which includes Royal Academy of Dance, Tavaziva Dance and BBO Dance (formerly the British Ballet Organisation), and a strong set of creative youth programmes focussed around Providence House and Caius House.

Strictly Wandsworth

  • The first major event of Wandsworth’s tenure as London’s Borough of Culture. The days pinnacle was the biggest dance spectacle the borough has ever seen, bringing together 200 dancers from 22 local organisations. Created by world-renowned choreographer Jeanefer Jean-Charles (London 2012 Olympics), the event featured various groups including Tavaziva Dance and London Children’s Ballet, culminating in a mass dance finale led by Patience J (accomplished dancer, choreographer and TikTok star), where everyone could join in.

    There were other workshops, performances, and interactive activities throughout the day. Designed for all ages, abilities, and interests.

  • LCB dancers took part in the Strictly Wandsworth performance at Battersea Park, with each local dance group enjoying a highlight moment. LCB dancers led to the ballet section, supported the Irish dance segment, and participated in the main viral dance finale of the Strictly Wandsworth routine. Additionally, we performed an excerpt from The Secret Garden and led a workshop—facilitated by Amy Daniels—introducing Ella's Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella.

Schools Showcase

  • LCB partners with Wandsworth Council to lead workshops in local primary schools, culminating in a performance.

    Each year, we are given a theme, and LCB facilitators collaborate with students to develop choreography and music based on their ideas. In 2025, the Schools Showcase was held at the Royal Academy of Dance Studio Theatre. We worked with four classes from three different schools. With just six rehearsals, our facilitators Nicky Henshall, Alice Oakley Jones and Ben Socrates guided the students in creating and rehearsing a dance inspired by the theme Culture in Wandsworth.

  • In 2023, we worked with two schools; in 2024 , three schools, all of which performed at the Wandsworth Town Hall Civic Suite.

    2025 saw the biggest year for the Schools Showcase, moving to the Royal Academy of Dance studio theatre. LCB worked with 4 classes from three schools with the theme, Culture in Wandsworth.

    Additionally, we collaborated with Smallwood Primary Language School for five workshops. These led to a performance at LCB Studios for teachers and parents as part of the Liberty Festival.

Wandsworth Arts Fringe

  • Since opening our doors at LCB Studios Battersea, we’ve proudly offered affordable, local performance and workshop opportunities to dancers and residents as part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe.

  • We hosted an Insight Day with The Secret Garden choreographer, Erico Montes, introducing LCB as a cultural anchor tenant. Audiences enjoyed a short rehearsal and performance, followed by the chance to try on costumes and explore props from past ballets.

  • Our Production Company dancers performed a slightly shortened version of Anne of Green Gables to sold-out audiences at the Royal Academy of Dance.

  • We offered workshops at LCB headquarters led by alumni James Lovell, as part of the Fringe.

  • We were thrilled to participate in the Wandsworth Dance Community Day at the Royal Academy of Dance. Our Touring Company performed excerpts from Snow White, while our Development Programme dancers showcased scenes from The Secret Garden. Our outreach facilitators also led workshops exploring the world of The Secret Garden.