http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds Music and Dance Scheme Music and Dance Scheme Full details on the Music and Dance Scheme, including the Choir Schools Scholarship Scheme. <![CDATA[<h1> Access to Excellence</h1> <blockquote> <p> The aim of the scheme is to help identify, and assist, children with exceptional potential, regardless of their personal circumstances, to benefit from world-class specialist training as part of a broad and balanced education, which will enable them, if they choose, to proceed towards self-sustaining careers in music and dance. <em> Music and Dance Scheme Advisory Group's Report 2000/01</em></p> </blockquote> <ul> <li> Do you know a child with a special talent in music or dance?</li> <li> Would he or she benefit from special training?</li> <li> Would they need help with the costs of their training?</li> </ul> <p> If you answered yes to all these questions, you have come to the right place.</p> <p> The Department's Music and Dance Scheme currently enables around 2200 exceptionally talented children to have access to some of the best specialist music and dance training available in the world alongside a good academic education. Some 900 of those children hold aided places in the participating residential schools and the rest are attending Centres for Advanced Training (CATs) and benefiting from the national grants scheme so that they can gain access locally to high-quality, out-of-school-hours training. The Music and Dance Scheme also supports choir schools in their work and provides a limited number of scholarships for talented young choristers attending them. This website gives information about the music and dance scheme, which schools and centres participate in it, how to apply for a place, and about recent and future developments.</p> <p> Please also visit the Foundations for Excellence website for more information, Music and Dance Scheme news and events, and a range of resources to help talented young musicians and dancers achieve their very best.</p> ]]> false Music Department for Education English 2012-04-26T16:49:22 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/history A brief history of the Music and Dance Scheme History of the Music and Dance Scheme Information on the history of the Music and Dance Scheme (MDS). <![CDATA[<p> Before 1973, support for pupils at schools such as those currently in MDS schools was provided by local education authorities under discretionary powers provided in Sections 55 and 81 of the 1944 Education Act. In 1973, the Royal Ballet (Lower) School and the Yehudi Menuhin School were admitted to a fee remission scheme funded by the Department in recognition of their position as Centres of Excellence for the Performing Arts. The fee remission income scale (i.e. the means-test of parents) mirrored that of the old direct grant grammar school scheme with some modification to account for the higher costs of boarding and specialist tuition.</p> <p> The Gulbenkian Report (1978) on training musicians reviewed the state of specialist music education. It was largely as a result of the recommendations in the report that the Music and Ballet Schools Scheme (MBS) was set up in 1981.</p> <p> Five specialist music schools in the UK were designated: Chetham's School of Music, Wells Cathedral School, Purcell School, Yehudi Menuhin School and St Mary's Music School (Edinburgh). Together with the Royal Ballet School, lower and upper divisions, they were allocated Government-aided places under the Education (Grant) (Music and Ballet Schools) Regulations 1980 SI 1980/684 (or the Scottish equivalent).</p> <p> The scheme was expanded in 1996 by the admission of two new schools (Elmhurst School for Dance and Performing Arts and the Arts Educational School, Tring), and with extra places at existing schools. In 2002, the scheme was renamed the Music and Dance Scheme and another dance school, the Hammond School, Chester, was admitted (from September 2002). Since 2004, the scheme has broadened to include newly designated Centres for Advanced Training that provide out-of-school-hours training and learning opportunities for many more talented children.</p> ]]> false 2011-02-09T14:30:01 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/rationale Rationale for the scheme Rationale for the scheme Details about the rationale for the Music and Dance Scheme. <![CDATA[<p> There is a need to educate and train, from an early age, children who are exceptionally talented in the two fields of artistic endeavour - music and dance - if Great Britain is to maintain a world-class pool of talent for future generations. The need for early training, in particular the primary development of the physical and intellectual disciplines required of dancers and musicians, is recognised by many to be greater than for some other forms of artistic endeavour. The MDS enables exceptionally talented children between the ages of 8 and 19 to receive a good academic education alongside the best specialist music and dance/ballet training available.</p> <p> There are now eight MDS schools in England with some 900 Government Aided Pupils between them. All are HMI/ISI inspected, registered specialist independent schools. By designating certain schools as 'centres of excellence', financial and human resources can be concentrated, which ensures that:</p> <ul> <li> children benefit from close association with similarly gifted children who provide the stimulus of competition and example;</li> <li> by receiving support with the costs of boarding, pupils from all over the country have access to an extended teaching day and to practice facilities within the environment of the school;</li> <li> timetabling can take account of the individual requirements of the pupil and the need for orchestras, choirs and performances to be integrated with other parts of the school curriculum;</li> <li> distinguished practitioners can be attracted to teach and/or take masterclasses.</li> </ul> ]]> false 2010-12-01T14:15:03 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/means-testing Means-testing arrangements at MDS schools Means-testing arrangements at MDS schools Information on the means-testing arrangements at MDS schools. <![CDATA[<p> There are two parental contribution scales currently in operation, one for aided boarding pupils (accounting for over 80% of all aided pupils) and another for aided day pupils.</p> <p> The scales are uprated annually in line with inflation. The level of contribution towards fees is assessed solely by reference to pre-tax family income from all sources.</p> <p> No deductions are made in respect of allowances for tax purposes, specifically, those for personal allowances, pension contributions, donations direct to charities or covenants and no allowance is made for outgoings such as mortgage payments and every day cost of living expenses.</p> <p> An allowance is made against income for each dependent child - other than the aided pupil - or other dependent relative in the household. The thresholds below which fees are fully remitted are set deliberately low so that the least well-off families will benefit the most.</p> <p> Details of the scales are set down in the Music and Dance Scheme Administrative Arrangements and Financial Memorandum document made pursuant to sections 14 to 17 of the Education Act 2002 (previously the arrangements were made under the Education (Grants) (Music, Ballet and Choir Schools) Regulations 2001).</p> <p> For aided boarding pupils, any pupil whose parents have a relevant income of around £12,620 (2012/13) or less is entitled to a free place. For aided day pupils, the threshold is around £15,965, below which the pupil will receive a free place.</p> <p> There is a sliding scale above the thresholds which determines the size of the parental contribution towards the fees charged. Parental contributions are determined only by reference to gross family income and not by reference to the fees charged at the school attended.</p> <p> The higher the parental income, the greater the contribution that is required. The DfE meets the balance of the approved fees for Aided Pupils after any parental contribution. Means-testing for choir school scholarships mirrors that for MDS schools but is not prescribed in detail by the DfE.</p> ]]> false 2012-04-02T08:43:25 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/participants Schools participating in the scheme Schools participating in the scheme Contact details for schools participating in the Music and Dance Scheme. <![CDATA[<p> The following schools are taking part in the Music and Dance Scheme.</p> <p> Please note that St Mary’s Music School Edinburgh is listed for information only as the Department for Education does not fund grant places at the school</p> ]]> false 2012-05-01T13:05:43 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/aided Aided pupil scheme Aided pupil scheme Information about the aided pupil scheme available to qualifying music and dance students. <![CDATA[<h1> Who is the scheme for?</h1> <p> The Music and Dance Scheme (formerly the Music and Ballet Scheme) is for boys and girls with outstanding talent in music and dance. The scheme helps parents pay the fees and boarding costs at eight specialist independent schools which are centres of excellence in their field. Children aged eight and over can join the four music schools. Entry into the four dance schools is normally at age 11.</p> <h1> Will my child have to take a test?</h1> <p> Your child will have to meet the school's selection rules. There is usually an entrance examination, an audition and an interview. Schools will look for a child with exceptional potential and there will be competition for the places available.</p> <h1> What about where I live?</h1> <p> A child can get a place if he or she has been living in the British Islands for at least two calendar years before taking up a place. Special rules apply if your child has been temporarily abroad, or is a refugee, or is the child of a worker from certain other European countries.</p> <h1> How much will it cost?</h1> <p> You will not have to pay anything towards school fees if your total family income before tax is below a certain level. For the school year 2010/11 the level is £15,468 (for an aided day place) or £12,250 (for an aided boarding place) in the tax year ended 5 April 2009. If your family income is more than those amounts you will have to pay an increasing share up to the full fee. Details should be obtained from the school concerned.</p> <h1> How do I apply for a place?</h1> <p> Schools' entry arrangements vary and you will need to get in touch with the school of your choice as soon as possible to discuss the possibility of a place for your child. The addresses, telephone numbers and websites of the schools in the scheme are listed on the 'Participating schools' page.</p> <p> If you have more questions about the aided pupil scheme, please contact the school concerned or you can contact the Music and Dance Scheme.</p> ]]> false 2010-12-01T14:30:05 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/cats Centres for Advanced Training (CATs) Centres for Advanced Training Information on the Centres for Advanced Training for young musicians and dancers. <![CDATA[<h1> What are they?</h1> <p> The Centres for Advanced Training (CATs) are organisations or consortia of organisations/partners that include existing Saturday provision at junior departments of music conservatoires and new weekend schools, after school hours and holiday courses for young musicians and dancers. They provide children with local access to the best available teaching and facilities alongside strong links with the music and dance profession. They ensure that children who are talented and committed dancers and musicians have appropriate, tailor-made, specialist provision even if they do not choose to attend specialist boarding schools.<br />  </p> ]]> false 2010-12-01T14:31:11 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/cats/location Contact details A-L Contact details A-L Contact details for the Centres for Advanced Training from A to L. <![CDATA[<p> There are 21 Centres for Advanced Training offering Music and Dance Scheme National Grants.  This page lists all the centres from A to L.</p> ]]> false 2010-12-03T12:52:54 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/cats/contact-details-n-z Contact details N-Z Contact details N-Z CATs contact details for schools/colleges from N-Z. <![CDATA[<p> There are 21 Centres for Advanced Training offering Music and Dance Scheme National Grants.  This page lists all the centres from N to Z.</p> ]]> false 2010-12-03T12:52:02 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/cats/junior Junior departments of music conservatoires Junior departments of music conservatoires Contact details for junior departments of music conservatoires and music colleges. <![CDATA[<p> These conservatoires run junior music departments. Please note the Cardiff and Glasgow  conservatoires are listed for information only as the Department for Education does not fund grant places at them.</p> ]]> false 2012-04-02T09:01:53 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/cats/grants Grants scheme Grants scheme Information on eligibility for grants for young musicans and dancers to attend the Centres for Advanced Training. <![CDATA[<h1> Who are the grants for?</h1> <p> These grants are intended for young musicians aged 8 to 16 (on first application) and for young dancers aged 11 to 16 (on first application) with exceptional potential and dedication, and who do not have the financial means to access the best available training. The grants are available up to age 18/19 subject to suitable progress being made. In making such grants available to individual students, the needs of the individual child are put first. These are spelled out in individual training plans which need to be agreed by students, parents, teachers and providers.</p> <h1> Will my child have to take a test/audition?</h1> <p> Your child will have to meet the centre’s selection rules. There is usually an audition and an interview. The Centres for Advanced Training will look for a child with exceptional potential and there will be competition for the limited number of grants available.</p> <h1> What about where I live?</h1> <p> Your child must have been living in the British Islands for at least three years before taking up one of the new grants. Special rules apply if your child has been temporarily abroad or is the child of a worker from certain other European countries.</p> <h1> How much will the grant be?</h1> <p> The grants will be means-tested. The full amount will be £3,577 a year from September 2012. You will not have to make any contribution if your total family income before tax is £29,340 or less (after deducting £1,895 for each dependent child in the family, including the grant holder) in the tax year ended 5 April 2010. If your family income is more you will receive a smaller grant and you will have to make a contribution.</p> <h1> Further information</h1> <p> If you have more questions about the new national grants, please contact the centre concerned in the first instance, or you can contact the Music and Dance Scheme team below.</p> ]]> false 2012-02-16T11:15:04 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/choir-schools Choir schools Choir schools Information on choir schools and the scholarship scheme. <![CDATA[<p> Choir schools play a significant part in the musical life of the nation, particularly in promoting singing and choral activities.</p> <h1> Choir Schools Scholarship Scheme</h1> <p> The Choir Schools Scholarship Scheme was set up in 1991 to help boys and girls from low-income families wishing to train at any of the 36 independent cathedral or collegiate choir schools in membership of the Choir Schools’ Association (CSA) in England. The scheme facilitates access by talented children to the opportunities available and helps to maintain Britain’s renowned choral heritage.</p> <p> The scheme supports around 100 Choristers aged 8 to 13 from low-income families each year in their academic education and choral training. Since 1994, the Department has paid block grant to the CSA Bursary Trust based in Winchester for disbursement to individual member schools.</p> <p> Applications for assistance should be made directly through the school. Further information about this scheme or about outreach activities can be obtained by contacting the Choir Schools' Association.</p> ]]> false 2010-12-01T14:48:45 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/outreach Outreach activities Outreach activities Information on the music and dance activities provided in local communities by MDS and choir schools. <![CDATA[<p> There is a huge range of outreach activities, workshops, partnerships, concerts and performances carried out by Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) schools, Centres for Advanced Training and by choir schools. The Department is continuing to encourage these by providing additional funding to develop and sustain such initiatives. The principal aims of outreach are to focus on the identification of talented children and help set them on suitable pathways of high-quality vocational training, and to provide experiences and opportunities for those who would not otherwise have those things. Outreach and associated partnership activity also promotes specialist teachers’ continuing professional development and helps raise schools’ aspirations throughout the system.</p> <h1> Performances, music workshops and concerts</h1> <p> MDS schools mount numerous concerts and performances throughout the year and some, like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chethams-symphony.com">Chetham’s School of Music</a>, have a full touring symphony orchestra. Workshops of one kind or another, and masterclasses, are also regular features for all MDS schools. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wellscathedralschool.org/wells/">Wells Cathedral School’s Music College</a> provides a good example of the opportunities on offer. The school also provides world music workshops for local schools free of charge on Gamelan, Steel Pans, African Drums and Indian/South Asian instruments. The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.yehudimenuhinschool.co.uk">Yehudi Menuhin School</a> in Surrey continues to provide in-service training for peripatetic string teachers and the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purcell-school.org">Purcell School</a> mounts a Summer Chamber Music course among many other activities.</p> <h1> Choir Schools</h1> <p> Choir Schools have always played a significant role in their local communities. Such schools and their foundations are now taking a key role in the National Singing Programme - Sing Up! - by providing enhanced outreach and partnership activities across the country. More information is available from the Choir Schools website.</p> ]]> false 2012-04-26T16:49:22 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/news Latest developments Latest developments Latest news on the Music and Dance Scheme. <![CDATA[<h1> Music and Dance Scheme helps to boost opportunities for young musicians and dancers</h1> <p> An MDS contribution of £500,000 a year for national youth music organisations and a contribution of £400,000 a year towards the core costs of Youth Dance England have been made available in 2010/11.</p> <p> Youth Music is administering the funds for music, along with contributions of its own. The total fund to be spent over the period is in the form of awards to the national, flagship, music organisations that apply against fixed criteria. The organisations include the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, the National Children’s Orchestra, the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, the National Youth Jazz Collective and the South Asian Music Youth Orchestra.</p> <p> Successful applicants are receiving up to three-years funding that can be spent on helping to sustain core activities, developing artistic programmes and increasing access to the excellent opportunities they provide. This includes extending and opening auditions, widening membership and broadening repertoire. For further details visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youthmusic.org.uk">Youth Music's website</a>. </p> <h2> Youth Dance England </h2> <p> <span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt">Youth Dance <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> has identified the full range of dance activities available to young people and seeks to create new partnerships between those providing and supporting these activities within and outside of school. It is working across the education, arts, and private and community sectors for the benefit of all involved in youth dance. For further details visit <b><font color="#0000cc"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.yde.org.uk/main.cfm">Youth Dance England's website</a>.</font></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> ]]> false 2012-04-26T16:49:23 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/resources Resources Resources Information on the resources available to help talented young musicians and dancers achieve their very best. <![CDATA[<h1> Foundations for Excellence: Promoting health and wellbeing in talented young dancers and musicians</h1> <p> All Music and Dance Scheme partners are committed to promoting health and wellbeing and preventing injury and illness in talented young dancers and musicians. Following the Foundations for Excellence Music and Dance Scheme Conference at Dartington, Devon in 2009, our partners wished to provide more information to help anyone working with young dancers and musicians ‘know more, support more’ in this very important area of practice.</p> <p> Download the <a target="_blank" href="//media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/f/foundations for excellence.pdf">Foundations for Excellence conference publication</a> as well as the <a target="_blank" href="//media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/p/principles and practices - promoting health and wellbeing in talented young dancers and musicians.pdf">Principles and Practices statement </a>which was drawn up after the conference to represent the collective wisdom of conference presenters and delegates. Hard copies of the conference publication are available to buy from the South West Music School.</p> <p> Visit the Foundations for Excellence website to find a range of resources to help talented young musicians and dancers achieve their very best, whether in performance or in their general lifestyles.</p> ]]> false 2012-04-26T16:49:23 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/links Useful links Useful links Useful links to Government Departments, non-Ministerial Departments, public offices and organisations working in the fields of music and dance. <![CDATA[<p> These pages give web links to useful organisations working or specialising in the fields of music and dance.</p> <h1> Government Departments and non-Ministerial Departments</h1> <p> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.direct.gov.uk/danceanddrama">Dance and Drama Awards</a></p> <p> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.culture.gov.uk/">Department for Culture, Media and Sport</a></p> <p> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/">Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)</a></p> ]]> false 2012-04-26T16:49:23 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/links/choir-websites Choir websites Choir websites Links to choir websites that participate in the Music and Dance Scheme. <![CDATA[<p> Organisations that are part of the Music and Dance Scheme:</p> <ul> <li> Choir Schools Association</li> <li> Cornwall Junior Choir</li> <li> Sing up</li> <li> The Voices Foundation.</li> </ul> ]]> false 2012-04-26T16:49:24 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/links/dance-links Dance websites Dance websites Links to dance websites that are part of the Music and Dance Scheme. <![CDATA[<p> Specialist dance organisations:</p> <ul> <li> Ballet</li> <li> Council for Dance Education and Training</li> <li> DanceUK</li> <li> Dance companies worldwide</li> <li> Dance Teachers Online</li> <li> Folk Dance (and Music)</li> <li> Music and Dance Excellence (MADE) Schools</li> <li> National Dance CATs</li> <li> National Dance Teachers Association</li> <li> Royal Academy of Dance</li> <li> South Asian Dance</li> <li> Youth Dance England.</li> </ul> ]]> false 2012-04-26T16:49:24 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/links/music Music websites Music websites Links to useful music websites. <![CDATA[<p> Specialist music organisations:</p> <ul> <li> Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music</li> <li> Awards for Young Musicians</li> <li> Chamber Music Courses</li> <li> Federation of Music Services</li> <li> International Society of Music Educators</li> <li> Jazz Services</li> <li> Music and Dance Excellence (MADE) Schools</li> <li> Music Council (USA)</li> <li> Music Education Council</li> <li> Music for Youth</li> <li> Music Manifesto</li> <li> Music Medals</li> <li> Musicians Benevolent Fund</li> <li> Music Masters' and Mistresses' Association</li> <li> National Association of Music Educators</li> <li> National Foundation for Youth Music</li> <li> National Youth Strings Academy</li> <li> Pay the Piper: So you want to play a musical instrument?</li> <li> Pro Corda residential chamber music.<br />  </li> </ul> ]]> false 2012-04-26T16:49:25 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/links/other Other related websites Other related websites Links to related websites. <![CDATA[<p> Other specialist organisations:</p> <ul> <li> Charities Aid Foundation</li> <li> Classic FM</li> <li> Directory of Social Change: Publishers of the Educational Grants Directory Independent Schools Council</li> <li> Live Music Now!</li> <li> National Association for Gifted Children</li> <li> National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA)</li> <li> Zone magazine.<br />  </li> </ul> ]]> false 2012-04-26T16:49:26 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/links/public Public offices Public offices Links to Arts Council and British Council offices. <![CDATA[<p> Specialist council organisations:</p> <ul> <li> Arts Council of England</li> <li> Arts Council of Wales</li> <li> Arts Council of Scotland</li> <li> Arts Council of Northern Ireland</li> <li> British Council</li> <li> British Council (Music).</li> </ul> ]]> false 2012-04-26T16:49:26 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0068711/mds/feedback Feedback Feedback Information on how to provide feedback on the Music and Dance Scheme website. <![CDATA[<p> Did you find this website useful?</p> <p> We would value your comments and any suggestions for improvement.</p> <p> Please email <a href="mailto:paul.mcdonald@education.gsi.gov.uk">paul.mcdonald@education.gsi.gov.uk</a> or contact the team using the details below.</p> ]]> false 2010-12-01T15:00:03