National grants in music and dance

In March 2004, the Government announced a new national grants scheme for exceptionally talented children which will allow them to gain access locally to specialist training. The scheme has become successfully embedded since then, is continuing to be rolled out, and is complementing the existing Music and Dance (Aided Pupil) Scheme at the eight residential schools which are designated centres of excellence in their field.

Alongside the junior departments of the six English music conservatoires, there are (from September 2009) fifteen existing or emerging Centres for Advanced Training (CATs) based in every region of the country.

The fifteen centres are:

There are junior departments at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity College of Music (Trinity Laban), Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.

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 £3,510 a year from September 2009. You will not have to make any contribution if your total family income before tax is £28,793 or less (after deducting £1,830 for each dependent child in the family, including the grant holder) in the tax year ended 5 April 2009. If your family income is more you will receive a smaller grant and you will have to make a contribution as shown below (depending on the total cost of the training):

Total family income
Amount of grant
Amount of contribution
up to £28,793
£3,510
nil
£28,794 to £32,632
£3,159
£351
£32,633 to £36,471
£2,808
£702
£36,472 to £40,311
£2,457
£1,053
£40,312 to £44,150
£2,106
£1,404
£44,151 to £47,989
£1,755
£1,755
£47,990 to £51,829
£1,404
£2,106
£51,830 to £55,668
£1,053
£2,457
£55,669 to £59,507
£702
£2,808
£59,508 to £63,344
£351
£3,159
over £63,344
nil
£3,510

You may be able to get help with your contribution either from the centre for advanced training itself or from other sources. Please ask your centre.

How do I apply for a grant?

Arrangements will vary between the centres for advanced training. You will need to get in touch with one of the centres for details. Contact information is given on the CATs page.