Programme Outline

Central’s Associate Programme is a pre-vocational programme of Saturday classes for those aiming for professional dance training, for students aged between 11 and 16 years (academic years 7 to 11). The classes are designed to help aspiring dancers to prepare for a future performing career  and will complement regular training after school.

Students are divided into classes for boys and girls, with further groupings taking into account both age and ability. 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 spring term. Please note that students may be asked to repeat a level at any time.

Many students progress to full-time vocational and degree level training age 16 at Central and other dance training organisations. Applications for Central’s degree courses is a separate process, see Degree courses.

The following class division provides a guide only; students will be assigned an appropriate level following audition.

Prep 1 Girls – 11-12 Years

Prep 2 Girls – 12-13 Years

Prep 3 Girls – 13-14 Years

Pre-Senior Girls – 14-16 Years

Prep Boys – 11-14 Years

Pre-Senior Boys – 14-16 Years

The programme includes (depending on level):

Ballet

Pointe work

Pilates

Contemporary

Repertoire

Attend an Open Day

Guests have the opportunity to watch current students in their classes and hear more about the Associate Programme from the Associate School and Short Courses Manager.

Open days for 2025/26 have now passed. Open days for 2026/27 will take place in Autumn 2025, and dates will be announced in September 2025.

If you would like to apply for 2025/26 but have any questions, please email our Associate School and Short courses Manager, jo.hurst@csbschool.co.uk

Entry Requirements

For students already taking part in regular dance training classes aiming to progress towards full-time training at 16. Applications are welcome from students aged 11-16 years, in school years 7-11. Entry is through application and audition only.

Fees

Fees are paid termly, 3 terms per academic year.

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 in term time; Autumn Sep-Dec, Spring Jan-March/April, Summer April-July

Timetable

Classes take place on Saturdays during term time.

Student Support

Students are invited to an Induction Day each September at the start of the academic year. This includes workshops on nutrition, motivation and wellbeing, self-reflection, and personal target-setting to support new students as they progress through the Programme.

Pointe shoe fittings and pointe shoe advice is arranged by Central, provided by Freed of London.

There are additional opportunities to progress and to develop skills and artistry. One example is the Creative Choreography sessions which provide students with the chance to work with leading professionals in the dance industry from organisations including Ballet Black, with the Akram Khan Company and individual choreographers such as Jasmin Vardimon, artistic director of the Jasmin Vardimon Company.

Advice about applying for full-time vocational training is also provided as students consider future career aspirations.

Uniform

The Associate Programme has a specific uniform that is only available from the school.