Centre for Advanced Training (ages 10-16*)
The Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) is a non-residential, intensive training for pre-vocational students. You must be attending school in the UK to be eligible as this course is funded by the Department for Education.
The Centre for Advanced Training is suitable for students who have the facility and potential for a career in classical ballet. The Academy of Northern Ballet is the only facility to offer intensive, quality, classical pre-vocational training that does not require students to move away to boarding school. Our Alumni success speaks for itself when it comes to further classical ballet training and beyond.
*Students must not be older than 15 on 1 September 2026.
Associate Programme (ages 8-15)
Associate classes run weekly during term time and are the perfect complement to the training young dancers receive at their home dance schools. This course is suitable for students who wish to strengthen their ballet technique alongside their regular training and will further strengthen them in preparation for their vocational training.
Training on the Associate Programme will help students reach their goals in whichever genre of dance they wish to focus on, by providing them with a strong classical foundation which will be reflected in all other styles.
Audition Fee
There is an administration charge of £35 per person and you may be assessed for one or both Programmes for this fee.
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CAT Audition Fee Waiver
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The Academy of Northern Ballet's CAT Programme aims to support talented children and young people from all backgrounds to access our training. To apply for an Audition Fee Waiver, please complete the audition application form below. You will be directed to apply for the waiver once you have submitted your application.
Our waiver works on a means tested basis that follows the CAT grant income brackets set by the Department of Education.
This waiver is available to students applying for our CAT Programme (this can be in conjunction with associates).
Families on a combined household income of £34,037* or less will be eligible for the fee waiver.
*Income reflective of 25-26 brackets
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What happens after I apply for a waiver?
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Once you have completed your application you will be redirected to pay or fill in a waiver.
Waiver requests will be reviewed by the Academy team on a rolling basis. If successful, applicants will be notified and no fee will be required on application.
There are a limited number of waivers available. These will be offered on a rolling basis with the deadline of 23rd February, so we would advise completing your form promptly.
When will I find out if I have been successful in my application?
All eligible applicants will be offered a preliminary audition. The Academy Team will email you your audition time after the application closing date. All preliminary auditions will be held on Sunday 22nd March at Northern Ballet, LS2 7PA. If you are applying for both the CAT and Associate Programmes you may be required to attend two auditions on this date.
If successful in your preliminary audition, you will be invited to a recall audition. Recall auditions will be held on Sunday 19 April.
If recalled for both the CAT & Associate programmes, you will be expected to attend two recall auditions.
Important Dates
- Submission deadline: Monday 9 March 2026
- Preliminary audition date: Sunday 22 March 2026
- Recall date: Sunday 19 April 2026
Photos Emily Nuttall.
Centre for Advanced Training
We are the only Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) in classical ballet in the UK, equipping students aged 10-16 with skills to progress onto professional vocational dance training.
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Associate Division
The Associate programme enhances the training of many excellent dance schools in the north, offering weekly classes in facilities used by Northern Ballet's professional dancers.
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