Who are the grants for?
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.
Will my child have to take a test/audition?
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.
What about where I live?
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.
How much will the grant be?
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.
Further information
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.
Contact details
Music and Dance Scheme
Department for Education
Great Smith Street
London
SW1F 3BT
United Kingdom
Telephone: 020 7340 7046
