1944 – Cone-Ripman School (later the Arts Educational Trust) opens

The Cone Sisters School of Dancing was founded in 1919 by Gracie, Valli and Lily Cone. In 1944, the school integrated with the Ripman School, an organisation established by Olive Ripman in 1922. The new institution operated as the Cone-Ripman School until 1962, focusing on classical and musical-theatre dancing. The school had two centres in London – the Cone section operating on Oxford Street, and the Ripman section from Baker Street. Beryl Grey became director in 1966, overseeing the school’s transformation into the Arts Educational Trust, a leading ballet and drama school with a co-educational school in London and a residential institution at Tring Park in Hertfordshire. Notable alumni include Julie Andrews, Anton Dolin, John Gilpin, Gillian Lynne, Julia Farron, Pauline Clayden and Antoinette Sibley.