Elmhurst Ballet School

Elmhurst exists for pupils who want full-time professional dance training alongside academic education. Founded in Camberley in 1923, the co-educational vocational school moved to Birmingham in 2004 and developed its association with Birmingham Royal Ballet. It now serves classical ballet students aged 11 to 19 from its purpose-built Edgbaston site.

Daily ballet is joined by contemporary technique, jazz and choreography, taught by the dance team and guest artists. Upper School pupils work towards a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance validated by Trinity College London and study two academic subjects at Advanced Level Certificate standard. A Year 13 route can instead lead to a two-year Level 5 Diploma, with professional preparation covering portfolios, CVs and health and safety.

Performance and progression are woven into training. Annual shows, solos, choreographic competitions and work with Birmingham Royal Ballet sit alongside support for health, wellbeing and academic learning. Seven dance studios, a theatre, academic classrooms, an outdoor sports field and a dedicated health and wellbeing centre make the physical campus part of the training model.

Entry is by audition from Year 7 onwards: younger applicants attend an in-person semi-final, while applicants from Year 8 upwards submit a video before semi-final invitations. Day places and boarding are available. Years 7-11 live in boarding houses, Years 12 and 13 move to The Elms, and final-year students live more independently.