The Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) is a government initiative funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and managed by the Music and Dance Scheme (MDS). The scheme initially set up in 2004 is committed to delivering national intensive dance programme for 10-18 year olds who display exceptional potential and passion for dance.

"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." - MDS Advisory Group 

Watch the CAT films to get an insight into the Centre for Advanced Training

Aims & objectives
Our long term aim is to nurture young dancers and enable them to maximise their potential; thus creating world class dancers who have the capacity to engage and compete with their international peers around the globe. Centres for Advanced Training provide a vital link in this process by identifying children as young as 10 and ensuring that they benefit from the highest quality prevocational training. CAT’s prime objective is to help and encourage young British dancers to access institutions and conservatoires of excellence at 11, 16 or 18 years.

Context
Unlike other specialist training programmes the Centres for Advanced Training are non-residential allowing students to remain in the mainstream education system and live at home with their family.

Access
The programme is open to all children between 10-17 years regardless of previous dance training. We readily accept children who have limited dance experience alongside those who have had considerable prior training. With the generous support of the MDS we are able to select children purely for their potential regardless of family and financial circumstances. Each family is means tested so families only pay fees according to their means. The MDS issues numerous full grants on an annual basis to students who could not otherwise afford to dance.

Course Content
The CAT programme balances technical training with creative activities; ensuring students experience a holistic dance training programme. Sessions are taught by leading professional artists and companies working in the dance industry. Following extensive review there have been some major changes to the delivery and structure of the course for 2008/09.      Read more

Please note the CAT prospectus for download (see right) refers to to the current academic year in terms of course structure. Our new prospectus for the programme starting September 2008 will be available soon.

See the Term Dates

Home Training
Each student receives an Individual Training Plan – catering for their personal needs to enable them to develop their technical and creative expertise. The CAT programme’s success relies on the support of each student’s family and, when appropriate, their local dance providers/teachers, without whose support and encouragement the scheme would not be possible.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions

Management & Faculty
All staff running the Centre for Advanced Training are professional teachers, dancers and choreographers with a wealth of experience and expertise in the dance sector.  Students benefit from being taught by leading dance artists who inspire and develop their students to realise their potential.

Teaching Faculty for 2006-2008 click for biographies
Akane Abe
Jose Agudo
Natalie Aldridge-Dickmann
Claire Cunningham
Nicky Ellis
Darren Ellis
Lucy Field
Jonathan Goddard
Vanessa Gray
Phil Hill
Abi Kessel
Rachel Lancaster
Martin Lawrance
Pari Naderi
Tom Roden
Lee Smikle
Jo Turnbull
Viv Wood

Finance
Parents/Guardians of pupils accepted onto the Centre for Advanced Training are requested to fill out the Music and Dance Schemes means testing form to assess whether their child/dependent is eligible for a full or partial grant. The process is straightforward and calculates the income and benefits received per household in order to determine the government’s contribution toward each student’s dance training.

For more information visit the department for children, schools and families website 

Fees
Annual fees for 2008-2009 are £3,375 but this only applies to households whose annual income is greater than £60,500 - if your relevant income is under £27,500 you are eligible for a full grant.  Please refer to the chart below:

What does the fee pay for?
The fee covers all students dance training fees and related expenses at London Contemporary Dance School. Students living outside of London must agree any training outside of LCDS with the programme manager before these costs are met by the centre.

Payment Plans
There are a range of payment options available through The Place’s Finance Department to aid Parents/Guardians who are required to contribute towards the scheme’s costs in order to help stagger payments throughout the year.

Transferring between CATs
As part of the national CAT programme we exercise a policy between centres to help support students make the right choice of centre for their personal development and training needs.  Occasionally a student may want to change centres midway through their training - as the locality or provision offered at another centre may be more suitable.  In this event the student and family/guardian should contact the existing centre before applying to audition to another centre.  This will enable the management team to give you the correct degree of advice and support and liaise with the other centre in question on your behalf.  It will always be necessary to go through the audition process when transferring to another centre as your place on a different scheme can not be guaranteed by your existing provider.