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What it's like

Founded in the early 20th century and now a specialist dance school. It offers professional-level classical ballet training with a full academic education and has an international reputation. It is an associate school of Birmingham Royal Ballet Company (sixth formers regularly perform with the company) and it has creative partnerships with schools throughout the Midlands. It moved in 2004 from Surrey to its present 5-acre campus in Edgbaston. The school was newly-built and designed to meet the requirements of specialist dance training. The school is a Church of England foundation but welcomes pupils of any denomination. It was founded as a girls' school but has been fully co-educational since 1972. The main vocational emphasis is on dance, drama and singing, and a highly qualified staff give instruction on all aspects of dance. Classical ballet, modern and contemporary dance, jazz, tap, Spanish and national dance are taught, combined with a sound general education; examination results are good. Music and singing are also vital areas of school life. Pupils come from across both the UK and the world, and the school is dedicated to ensuring that each one achieves and exceeds their personal potential.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 11-19; 186 pupils, 26 day (6 boys, 20 girls), 160 boarding (26 boys, 134 girls). Entrance: Main entry age 11; selection by dancing audition. Pre-vocational classes on Saturdays from age 8.

Scholarships & bursaries

102 pa Aided Places for pupils aged 11 (through the government Music and Dance Scheme); 22 pa Dance and Drama Awards (DADAs) for students aged 16+. A limited number of bursaries and other scholarships are available.

Head & staff

Principal: Elaine Brook, in post from 2008. Previously Headmistress of Priory School, Edgbaston and Notre Dame Prep School, Cobham. Birmingham Royal Ballet Company’s former Assistant Director, Desmond Kelly, is artistic director; its director and choreographer, David Bintley, is school’s artistic adviser.

Exam results

GCSE: Average of 26 pupils in Year 11: 82% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 22 in upper sixth.

Pupils' destinations

All sixth form leavers go on to professional careers in the theatre and media, as dancers, actors, choreographers and performers in musical theatre.

Curriculum

Range of GCSE, selected AS and A-level subjects. Vocational: Work experience available. All pupils take vocational qualifications: the National Diploma in classical ballet and related dance styles (accredited by Trinity College London). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg research. 26 computers for pupil use (6 hours a day), majority networked and with email and internet access. All pupils take Clait examinations, sixth formers take GCSE business and communication systems.

The arts

Music: Over 80% of pupils learn a musical instrument or have voice coaching; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include flute choir and voice ensembles. Drama and dance: Both offered to GCSE; A-level dance and RAD exams also offered. CDET-accredited sixth-form course in classical ballet and related dance styles. All pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 15 take GCSE, 10 AS and A-level.

Sports & activities

Sport: No organised games; physical development through vocational dance training. Activities: Some pupils take Duke of Edinburgh's Award during school holidays.

Discipline

Supportive pastoral system is used to address most disciplinary problems. Parental involvement is encouraged in resolving problems.

Former pupils

Dame Merle Park, Fiona Lummis, Jennifer Jackson (ballet dancers); Fiona Fullerton, Jenny Agutter, Hayley and Juliet Mills, Tracy Childs, Helen Baxendale (actresses); Sarah Brightman (singer).