Junior Associate Programme
Central’s Junior Associate Programme is a pre-vocational programme of Saturday classes for those aiming for professional dance training, for students aged between 8 and 10 years.
Entry Requirements
For students age 8-10, school years 4-6, entry by audition only.
Programme Length
6 Saturdays per academic year during the October, February, and May half terms.
Fees
Paid annually.
Application Dates
Applications for entry in October 2026 will open on Monday 1 December 2025 and will close on Friday 19 June 2026.
Audition Date
Sunday 12 July 2026
Uniform
The Junior Associate Programme uniform is made for Central, available exclusively from the school.
Overview
Programme Outline
Central’s Junior Associate Programme is a new pre-vocational programme of Saturday classes for those aiming for professional dance training, for students aged between 8 and 10 years (academic years 4 to 6). The classes are designed to help aspiring dancers to prepare for a future performing career and will complement their regular after school training.
Students are divided into three classes. Places in the Programme are offered following audition and are available for one year only. Continuous assessment and support are part of the ethos with progression to the next level dependent on successful annual assessment in the summer term.
JA 1 – Girls aged 8-9yrs (school year 4)
JA 2 – Girls aged 9-10yrs (school year 5)
JA 3 – Girls aged 10-11yrs (school year 6)
JA 4 – Boys aged 8-11yrs (school years 4 to 6)
The programme includes:
Ballet
Body Conditioning / Strength and Conditioning
Creative Movement
Entry Requirements
For students already taking part in regular dance training classes aiming to progress towards full-time training. Applications are welcome from students aged 8-10 years, in school years 4-6. Entry is through application and audition only.
How to Apply
Bursaries
We have a limited number of bursaries available to support access to our classes, with qualifying criteria listed below. If you would like to find out more, please contact the Associate School and Short courses Manager, jo.hurst@csbschool.co.uk
Central School of Ballet is committed to addressing issues of under-representation in ballet and higher education. To achieve this, we identify and target prospective, talented students from groups that are currently under-represented, particularly including students:
- from low income backgrounds
- from postcodes where participation in higher education is low
- from under-represented ethnic backgrounds
- students classified as having a disability
For further information about Widening Participation at Central School of Ballet please click here.
Term Dates
Classes take place on Saturdays during half term.
Saturday 25 October 2025 and Saturday 1 November 2025
Saturday 14 February 2026 and Saturday 21 February 2026
Saturday 23 May 2026 and Saturday 30 May 2026
Timetable
JA 1 – 2.00pm-5.30pm
JA 2 – 11.15am – 3.00pm
JA 3 – 10.00am – 1.45pm
JA 4 – 1.00pm-4.30pm
Additional Opportunities
Students are invited to the Creative Choreography Day at the end of the Spring Term which provides students with the chance to work with leading professionals in the dance industry from organisations including Ballet Black, with the Akram Khan Company, Alexander Whitley and Mark Bruce Dance Company.
Students will also receive an online Body Conditioning Programme to follow as well as a Creative task at the beginning of the Spring Term. There will also be an opportunity for students to perform at the end of year work sharing for parents and guardians alongside Associate students.
Uniform
The Associate Programme has a specific uniform that is only available from the school.