Centre for Advanced Training

The Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) scheme is a year-long progressive training programme for young people from across the UK. This programme is available to participants aged 11 to 18 years who demonstrate exceptional potential in performing and circus arts.

Successful applicants have the potential to access subsidised training grants and additional opportunities to develop their training throughout the year.  The National Centre for Circus Arts runs the circus strand of this scheme under the umbrella of the National Dance Centres for Advanced Training in partnership with our host school, the London Contemporary Dance School at The Place.

Find out more about the National Centres for Advanced Training.

Our scheme provides for London-based CAT students who train as part of the London Youth Circus, as well as External CAT students who train regionally at another school elsewhere in the country.

All CAT students must provide a high level of commitment to additional training during the week, be open to developing both ground-based and aerial disciplines as well as complimentary skills such as theatre Other enrichment opportunities are also provided in school half-terms and holidays.

Your training schedule will be discussed and agreed upon acceptance of a place on the programme.

The CAT scheme offers a very limited number of places, with most spaces allocated to London students. The program follows a structured yearlong framework, and once accepted, students who meet the participation criteria and demonstrate strong progress can remain with us until graduation at around 18 years old. Due to these factors, spaces become available only as previous participants move on, meaning the number of new students we can take each year is limited and varies year on year.

If you’d like to register your interest in CAT for future updates, please contact participation@nationalcircus.org.uk

Please note although the scheme is for 11 – 18-year-olds, the last entry point at application is 15 years of age on the 1^st September 2026.

Funding

The CAT scheme is a government initiative funded by the Department for Educationand managed by the Music and Dance Scheme (MDS). The MDS provides targeted means-tested fee support and grants to designated centres of excellence for the education and vocational training of young musicians and dancers.

Grants are graded on household income before tax. Students can be eligible for a full, or part grant based the final relevant income – where a part grant is offered parents pay a termly contribution towards the scheme.

Who it’s for

The CAT scheme is aimed at young people who have the potential and enthusiasm to pursue a future in circus and exists to remove barriers from access high quality training.

You don’t need to be the most flexible or strongest in your class. We are looking for CAT students to show:

• Potential
• Commitment and dedication to taking your training to the next level
• A genuine passion for circus and interest in the arts for the future
• Openness to exploring lots of different skills
• Willingness to collaborate and work together in creative ways outside of your specialism.

What you’ll need to do

As this is a government funded scheme, students must adhere to guidelines to be on the programme. It’s important to point out that if these expectations do not suit your current schedule, then the CAT scheme may not be for you:

• Weekly circus training (at least 2 – 3 times a week)
• Committed attendance – CAT students must attend at least 80% of their scheduled classes
• Attendance at regular, termly, individual training plan meetings (ITPs)
• Attendance at intensive training opportunities, held three times a year during school holidays

Training and Support

Additional training and support provided through the CAT scheme includes:

• Mentoring – parents and students take part in termly meetings. These are spaces to discuss specialised training, set goals and talk about where the student’s training could go next.
• Intensive workshops – students work with professional performing and teaching companies to enhance and learn new skills.
• Trips to see shows – subject to availability, students will be offered tickets to see shows throughout the year.
• Access to additional circus skill and fitness classes during the week at the National Centre for Circus Arts.
• Paid support to take external classes at other training centres in theatre, dance, gymnastics etc (funding dependent)

For CAT students outside London

While many of our CAT students live in London and attend the London Youth Circus, we also work with students from across the UK.

We currently have 8 partner schools on the scheme:

Aerial Art House & All or Nothing Dance Theatre Edinburgh/Stirling/Dunblane

The Circus House Manchester

The Circus Project Brighton & Hove

CircusMASH Birmingham

Cirk Hes Helston

Greentop Sheffield

Tuyo Circus Arts Nottingham

If you don’t attend one of these schools but are interested in applying please have a representative from your school contact us directly before you make your application.

External students’ training takes place at their ‘home centre’ and is managed in partnership with the National Centre for Circus Arts. As well as their weekly training at their home centre, external CAT students also have access to workshops and enrichment events held at the National Centre throughout the year.

External CAT students will receive additional training and support which includes:

• Individual Training Plans
• Specialist workshops at the National Centre for Circus Arts in London, during term breaks;
• Additional training at their home centre.
• One off workshops and 1:1s at their home centre (where applicable)
• Support for additional training (such as gymnastics or dance- funding dependent).
• Accommodation/travel expenses when visiting London for specialist workshops

From all CAT students, London based and external, we expect excellent attendance, commitment and attitude towards training.

Funding for External CAT students

The CAT scheme is supported through the Government’s Music and Dance Scheme. All CAT students- both external and London-based can apply for the same funding. Grants are graded on household income before tax. Students can be eligible for a full, or part grant based the final relevant income – where a part grant is offered parents pay a termly contribution towards the scheme.

The specialised workshops held during term breaks here at the National Centre for Circus Arts are usually 3 or 4 days long. For these trips to London, we support the CAT students and one parent by arranging and paying for accommodation, travel and per diems during their time in London. (Funding permitting and please note the per-diems are for the student only).

Becoming an External CAT student

If you are interested in applying for the CAT scheme and your school is already a partner, you should speak to your trainer to register your interest and complete the application form.

If your school is not a partner, your trainer or school will need to contact the Learning and Participation Team at The National Centre for Circus Arts to discuss further before you progress with your application.

For more information please contact participation@nationalcircus.org.uk