Dance Scholarships 2025

Dance Scholarships

Dance is a relatively new but up-andcoming department at Ampleforth. We are excited to be able to provide student focused training in a nurturing environment, ideal for young dancers to develop their technical, artistic and creative dance skills. Our students grow through a motivational and balanced training programme, developed with the knowledge that student confidence and wellbeing is paramount in order to thrive.

Georgina Strickland Head of Dance

Dance at Ampleforth

Dance training is offered in classical ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, acro, body conditioning and performance technique. Dance classes and individual coaching fit into and around the school timetable, with sessions taking place before, during, and after school throughout the week. All lessons take place in our state-of-the-art Performing Arts Studio with sprung floor, mirrored walls and ballet barres.

Assessment and Progress

Internal formal assessments take place in the summer term when students are asked to prepare, choreograph, and perform a short solo or collaborative piece. Comprehensive individual feedback enables them to celebrate successes and highlight areas for improvement. Personal targets are set and training programmes revised to realise their goals. Students may be entered for external examination at the discretion of the dance teacher when they reach the required standard.

Workshops and Performances

Opportunities to perform are offered whenever possible including: Open Days, Parents’ Days, in Concerts, Showcases and Cabarets, as well as in the bi-annual school musicals.

Guest teachers are invited to deliver occasional professional workshops and masterclasses and students are also taken to watch live performances. These opportunities are recognised as being hugely valuable for motivating and inspiring young performers and developing their artistry.

Scholarship Programme

We provide a bespoke Scholarship programme where individual support, and mentoring enables each student to develop to the best of their ability. This includes:

• A personal Scholarship Mentor to monitor and support progress

• Bespoke programme of classes including a weekly 1:1 coaching session, funded by the College

• Invitations to attend workshops, talks and masterclasses delivered by industry professionals

• Support with preparations for auditions, summer schools and other external opportunities

• Support with applications for the next development stage of scholarships and/or for competitive higher education institutions

Becoming a dance scholar will mean joining a group of people who share the same passion and love for Dance!

Dance scholarships are offered to students with a strong work ethic who demonstrate commitment to their training and have the potential to become a strong performer or choreographer.

Could you become a Dance Scholar?

11+ Development Award

Assessment is by audition held at Ampleforth in January. Students are asked to perform a solo lasting 2-3 minutes of their chosen style, and to participate in a group dance lesson.

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of dance vocabulary

• Dance with fundamental technique and coordination of the whole body

• Perform with an awareness of the audience

13+ Basil Hume Scholarship

Assessment is by audition held at Ampleforth in January. Students are asked to perform a solo lasting 2-3 minutes of their chosen style, and to participate in a group dance lesson. Afterwards candidates will be invited to engage in a short discussion about their performance.

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of a range of dance vocabulary and good application

• Dance with a sound technique and coordination of the whole body

• Demonstrate good musical interpretation and perform with an appropriate sense of style and expression

16+ Senior Scholarship

Assessment is by audition held at Ampleforth College in November. Students are asked to perform a solo lasting 2-3 minutes of their chosen style, and to participate in a group dance lesson. Afterwards candidates will be invited to engage in a short discussion about their performance.

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate an established knowledge and understanding of a range of dance vocabulary and complex repertoire in their chosen genres

• Dance with a strong technique and coordination of the whole body, demonstrating control and precision

• Demonstrate highly developed musicality and the ability to show contrast in style, as required by the choreography. Appropriate expression and communication should be evident in the performance with an increased awareness of the relationship between performer and audience

Every year we run a series of events for families to learn more about scholarships and development awards as well as taster days for students. Please contact Admissions to find out more: admissions@ampleforth.org.uk.

Expectations of our Scholars

Dance Scholars are expected to work hard and engage fully with their bespoke dance programme. They are expected to rehearse for and perform at all given opportunities and to positively represent the department as an ambassador for dance. Dance Scholars should also maintain a portfolio of all their dancing achievements and progress.

Bursaries

Those in need of financial support, are encouraged to apply for means-tested bursaries. The award of a scholarship is a very strong indication of a student who is likely to flourish at Ampleforth and can be extremely helpful in supporting a bursary application.

For further information about Dance Scholarships, please contact Georgina Strickland, Head of Dance: gst@ampleforth.org.uk

For general information about scholarships or the assessment process, please contact the Admissions Office:

admissions@ampleforth.org.uk or 01439 766000

An Ampleforth education is a compass for life

Co-educational Catholic boarding and day school for Years 7 to 13

Ampleforth College, York, YO62 4ER

01439 766000

admissions@ampleforth.org.uk

www.ampleforthcollege.org.uk