The Royal Ballet School (RBS) has reached a financial settlement with a former student who reports ‘lifelong psychological damage’ following body shaming she experienced from teachers.

Ellen Elphick, 31, was a student at RBS from 2009 to 2012 and says the institution ‘breached its duty of care.’ She claims that the treatment she received from teaching staff led to her developing disordered eating habits, as well as receiving a later diagnosis of body dysmorphia and atypical anorexia.

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‘It wasn’t about the money…it was about making people aware of what being a ballerina is really like’

While the financial details of the settlement have not been made public, Ellen intends to pursue legal action against the school, stating: ‘It wasn’t about the money…it was about making people aware of what being a ballerina is really like and showing that what happened to me was unacceptable.’ She said that she felt ‘some validation’ following the settlement but was still disappointed that the RBS declined to offer an apology: ‘[The fact] they couldn’t even say “sorry” shows there is so much more to do.’ A spokesperson for the RBS said: ‘We are pleased that both parties were able to reach a mutually acceptable agreement in this way and we wish Ellen and her family well for the future…(the school) continues to take the welfare of its students seriously.’

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Ellen described an incident where a teacher ‘traced a line’ around her body in a mirror

In 2023, Ellen and over 50 ex-dancers came forward to the BBC to describe the ‘toxic culture’ of bullying which they reported to be pervasive in the UK’s top ballet schools. Ellen described an incident where a teacher ‘traced a line’ around her body in a mirror: ‘If I had a knife, this (part) is what I would cut off.’ Ellen said that this event ‘exacerbated’ her struggles with disordered eating. After dancing professionally for four years after the ordeal, Ellen decided to pursue legal action against the RBS – which is not the only school facing allegations. Grace Owen, a former student at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, recalled a teacher saying at a graduation party: ‘All you girls, bar one or two people, need to lose weight, otherwise you’re not going to get a job.’ Grace said: ‘The ballet world is a brutal place but telling people that you’re too fat…I don’t think that’s preparing you for anything.’ Another former student at Elmhurst, Harriet Royle, was hospitalised following severe weight loss after hearing remarks made by teachers during a dance appraisal. Harriet’s mother Michaela described having to intervene when her daughter’s weight loss became severe, removing Harriet from the school.

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Grace said: ‘The ballet world is a brutal place but telling people that you’re too fat…I don’t think that’s preparing you for anything.’

Ellen hopes that her recent financial settlement with the RBS will inspire reforms in ballet education which prioritise students’ mental health and wellbeing: ‘RBS needs to lead the way and show that health and wellbeing matter more than just dancing…children should be able to go into dance and not leave it feeling damaged.’

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