Introduction
- Elmhurst Ballet School admits students solely based on ability or potential in classical ballet. Students are admitted to the school following an audition process. Students who complete the Lower School at Elmhurst are required to re-audition for entry to the Upper School. The School abides by the admission conventions of the DFE Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) and the Education Funding & Skills Agency’s Dance and Drama Award (DADA). No preference is given in the admissions process to siblings of current students, children of former students or children of members of staff.
- A number of school places are partially or fully funded through the MDS and DaDA schemes. Additionally, the School offers several bursaries; details of funding schemes and bursaries are available from the Director of Finance and Operations.
Joining Elmhurst:
- Elmhurst is an independent school for classical ballet students aged 11-19 years’ old. Entry to the school is by audition with students joining anytime from Year 7 onwards and graduating after Year 14.
- In a typical year, 80% of our students receive financial assistance to train with us.
- In geographical terms 20.6% of our students are from the Midlands; 26.9% from London and the South East; 13.7% from the South West; 18.8% from the North of England; 1.7% from Scotland; 2.9% from Wales; and 15.4% are from overseas.
- Most of our students are new to boarding when they join Elmhurst. We have capacity for 169 students to live on-site and nearby at The Elms boarding house. Our graduate students live independently. We also welcome day-students.
Entry to the School
- The main entry point to the Lower School is Year 7, and Year 12 for Upper School. In exceptional circumstances students may be accepted at other points into the School. This is at the discretion of the Principal. Students applying for entry into Year 7 are required to submit photographs to a set requirement, auditions are offered over two stages. Those applying for entry into Year 8 and above are also asked to submit video footage to a set requirement, those successful applicants will then be invited to attend the 2 stage in-person auditions. Semi-final auditions are held in the early part of the year, with the final auditions held later in the spring. Students are assessed at all stages by a panel of specialist ballet teachers who identify those students who will benefit most from our classical ballet training.
- All overseas applicants, are assessed based on pre- recorded footage, incorporating a set requirement of balletic movements. This may then lead to an invitation to the final auditions.
- Students who have attended the Elmhurst Lower School have no automatic right of entry to the Upper School and must attend final auditions alongside external applicants, all Upper School places are awarded entirely on merit in accordance with the relevant Dance and Drama Award guidance. Dance and Drama Awards are awarded to the most talented students.
- All Students undertake a physiotherapy screening on the call back day of the final auditions and the outcomes of this are reviewed by the school to assess the suitability for advanced training.
Responsibilities
The Principal, working in conjunction with the Artistic Director and Director of Dance Training, will ensure that the principles and procedures outlined are adhered to. All members of staff are expected to follow this policy when advising prospective parents. The number of students on roll and the results of the audition processes will be reported to the governing body on a termly basis.
Appeals Procedure
Unsuccessful candidates who wish to appeal against the outcome of an audition may contact the Registrar for details.
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