Entry onto the Pre-Vocational Course is by audition only and places are awarded on talent and potential. An assessment is taken at the end of Level 1 for entry onto Level 2, The Vocational Course. The School looks for boys and girls with the right sort of classical physique and proportions, with flexibility in the feet and hip-joints. We also look for special qualities such as imagination, a natural ability to move to music and an eagerness to learn and work hard.

The Pre-Vocational Course is for students aged 8-11. The course gives students a head start by learning how to function in a traditional ballet classroom preparing them for Vocational training. Emphasis is on establishing a good basic technique in an inspiring and creative environment.

Ballet classes are integrated into the academic timetable giving students an opportunity to succeed academically whilst training in Classical Ballet. Students receive a bespoke programme with the benefits of small classes attending a Ballet technique class each weekday and Saturday mornings.

A weekly Enhancement class in either Contemporary, Jazz, Character Dance and Drama are constructed to ensure versatility in preparation for the demands in professional ballet companies. Students may also be invited to pursue supplementary classes in Pilates and I.S.T.D Grade examinations.

Termly projects are set in Anatomy, Nutrition and Dance studies. Students have the opportunity to perform in the annual choreographic competition, the Ballet Academy end of year performance and charity events around the community. Students may also be selected to compete at the Youth American Grand Prix and The Mabel Ryan Awards.

Entry onto the Vocational Course is by audition only, places are awarded for the duration of Level 2. An assessment is taken at the end of Level 2 for entry onto Level 3, The Pre-Professional Vocational Course.

The Vocational Classical Ballet Programme is for students aged 11-14 and runs alongside pupils academic lessons. Classes are mostly integrated into the academic timetable. The course offers students with exceptional potential the foundational resources to become professional classical ballet dancers. Students receive a bespoke programme with the benefits of small classes. This enables teachers to work closely with pupils and allow for personal mentoring time and individual technique coaching. Students attend a Ballet technique class each weekday and Saturday mornings, continued attention is given to co-ordination, musicality and artistry. Students focus on a deeper understanding of posture and alignment, and are encouraged to become intelligent, self-motivated, confident dancers, whom are aware of their bodies.

A weekly Enhancement class in either Contemporary, Jazz, Character Dance and Drama are constructed to ensure versatility in preparation for the demands of professional ballet companies. Students are set termly projects in Anatomy, Nutrition and Dance studies. Students may also be invited to pursue supplementary classes in Pilates and I.S.T.D Vocational Grades.

Students have the opportunity to perform in the annual choreographic competition, the Ballet Academy end of year performance and charity events around the community.

Students may also be selected to compete at the Youth American Grand Prix.

Entry onto the Pre-Professional Vocational Course is by audition only. Places are awarded for the duration of Level 3. An assessment is taken at the end of Level 3 for entry onto Level 4, The Professional Vocational Course.

Students on the Pre-Professional Course are aged 14-16 and work towards high standards of technique and artistry whilst developing a sound understanding of correct muscle usage.

Students are able to undertake a full range of GCSE options. To ensure their academic education is not compromised students in Level 3 take the majority of their training during the evenings.

On completing the course students are trained to the highest pre-professional level are ready to graduate to a Professional Vocational Course.

Students have the opportunity to perform in the annual choreographic competition, the Ballet Academy end of year performance and charity events around the community. Students may also be selected to compete at the YAGP and The Cecchetti Classical Ballet Vocational Awards which take place annually at Sadler’s Wells and are open to vocational students in the UK and Europe.

Entry onto the Course is by audition only. The Professional Vocational Course is a two-year training programme designed to nurture and fully develop students’ potential in classical ballet, providing an environment in which a high level of challenge is matched with a high level of support preparing for a professional career.

Manageable sized classes enable the staff to focus on each individual student, providing understanding and continuity within a unique study programme. The course is bespoke to each individual student and comprises of up to twenty hours of class time, tutorials and rehearsal times with additional private practice.

Students are also able to achieve a Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education  (DDE) Qualification and are able to choose from a range of A levels from Moorland Schools 6^th Form options.

Students have the opportunity to perform in the annual choreographic competition, the Ballet Academy end of year performance and charity events around the community. Students may also be selected to compete at the YAGP and The Cecchetti Classical Ballet Vocational Awards which take place annually at Sadler’s Wells and are open to vocational students in the UK and Europe.

On graduating from The Professional Vocational Course students may choose to apply for The Graduate Programme or to progress on the accredited route through the Level 6 Diploma in Dance Pedagogy, the BA (Hons) in Professional Practice.

Teaching Qualifications

 Competition for jobs within the dance sector is fierce and the need for recognised teaching qualifications is more critical than ever, with a recognised dance teaching qualification you can broaden your horizons to a much wider range of opportunities across the private and public sectors.

International Ballet Academy is an Approved Dance Centre (ADC)

 (ADCs) are independent schools, vocational colleges, etc. who have been approved by the ISTD to deliver to learner teachers the regulated teaching qualifications that form the ISTD’s initial teacher training, the Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education (DDE).  The purpose of approval is to ensure the   ADC meets the standards of the ISTD and the Regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

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Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education (DDE)

 Overview and Objectives

Part of the ISTD’s portfolio of initial teaching qualifications, the Level 4 DDE is an achievable and streamlined teaching qualification which provides student teachers with a clear progression pathway to becoming an ISTD qualified teacher (either Licentiate or Level 6 Diploma in Dance Pedagogy), and an overall excellent introduction to a career in teaching dance. The contextual nature of assessment will moreover ensure that student teachers develop the practical skills and knowledge required to enter the teaching profession and to develop a sustainable career.

Duration and Units

The Level 4 DDE can be achieved as part of full time vocational training.

It consists of 5 units (120 credits), which can be taken individually, although they all link to one another ensuring a depth of knowledge which prepares the student teachers thoroughly for the studio and the start of their teaching journey.

• Unit 1: Preparing for Safe Teaching (15 credits at Level 3)
• Unit 2: Observing, Assisting and Teaching Practice (30 credits at Level 4)
• Unit 3: Vocational Graded Examination in Dance: Intermediate (28 credits at Level 3)
• Unit 4: Dance Practice (30 credits at Level 4)
• Unit 5: Social, Emotional and Cognitive Development (17 credits at Level 4)

In regards to continuing your professional development you can choose to progress on the accredited route through the Level 6 Diploma in Dance Pedagogy, the BA (Hons) in Professional Practice: Dance Education or the MA in Professional Practice: Dance Technique Pedagogy.

Alternatively you may choose to further your professional development through the non-regulated route with the Licentiate and Fellowship examinations.

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Entry onto the Graduate Programme is by audition only, and places are awarded to students whom the school believe can fulfil their ambition.

Alongside the continuing technique training, students who successfully reach The Graduate year are provided with a mentoring programme. Students receive individual attention and encouragement with career management classes and assistance with CV’s, portfolio photography and videos.

This Programme is a vital bridge from being in full time training to life as a professional performer.