INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL (11-18 years)

How do we apply?
You can download an application form from the ArtsEd website (www.artsed.co.uk), email pupils@artsed.co.uk, or telephone the School Secretary on 020-8987 6600. 

Does the school select on academic ability?
Pupils are required to undertake academic tests in English and Mathematics when they audition. In addition, a reference is requested from their previous school. For entry into the Sixth Form, pupils are expected to have achieved at least six good passes in their GCSE examinations, and to have achieved high grades in subjects they might want to study at A Level. Vocational ability is paramount in the selection process, however.

What age does my child have to be?
The usual points of entry are into Year 7 and Year 12, at ages 11+ and 16+. There are some who join the school in other years, depending on the availability of places.

What makes the Schools different?
The school offers a unique blend of outstanding vocational Performing Arts training and a full academic programme that allows the pupils to pursue excellence in both areas. The outstanding results that are achieved indicate the richness and diversity of experience that the school offers, ensuring that all pupils maximise their opportunities and have the widest possible range of options when they leave the school.

How big are the classes?
The Year Group has a maximum of 24 students, but the majority of classes, and particularly those in the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, have half that number.

Are there facilities for boarders?          
No. Arts Educational school is a day school, although some Sixth Form students chose to live in one of the many flats in the vicinity.   

How easy is it to get to?
Arts Educational School is in Chiswick, about four minutes’ walk from Turnham Green Tube Station (on the District line) and is well served by local buses.  There is parking nearby plus facilities to lock up bicycles. 

Are meals provided?
Yes: we have a large refectory that serves breakfast and a choice of hot or cold lunches and salads, which always includes a vegetarian option. Meals are included in the fees.

Do you have any sports facilities?
Sports are enjoyed on a voluntary basis and take place twice a week at lunchtimes.  Our dance and performing arts programmes ensure that children remain physically fit.

Do you accept pupils with disabilities?
The school considers every candidate on their own merit. The criteria for entry are having the talent and desire to gain maximum benefit from the opportunities on offer. There are no assumptions made about an individual, and the audition process is open to all.

Can I come and see around the schools?
Prospective parents and pupils are very welcome to visit us at Arts at any time. Individual tours of the school are always available by appointment, and there are a number of Open Evenings throughout the year which give visitors the opportunity to see the school in action.

ACTING & MUSICAL THEATRE (18+ years)

How do I apply?
Entry into both the Acting and the Musical Theatre courses is by audition, and is not based upon academic achievement. You will need to prepare carefully for your audition as competition is extremely keen. A Prospectus and application form may be obtained by ringing 020 8987 6666 or by emailing receptionist@artsed.co.uk. Please read it carefully and make sure that your application is returned on time. We cannot accept late applications.   Additionally, the cut-off date for accepting a place, if offered, is set by the Conference of Drama Schools -- of which Arts Educational Schools London is a member -- and is usually 1 July each year.

Can I defer my entry?
No. You will be expected to audition in the year in which you wish to attend.

What age do I have to be?
There is no upper age limit, providing you are physically and mentally able to handle a demanding and intensive course. However, you do have to be over 18 (or over 21 for the MA Acting course).

What will I have to do at Audition?

• If you"re applying for the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre you will be taken through a jazz dance routine and come prepared with two songs (one from a Musical and one in any contrasting style). You will also need to come prepared with two short monologues.
• If applying to the BA (Hons) Acting you will be asked to perform two prepared monologues and may also be asked to do a short sight-reading exercise. 
  Further details on all auditions are in the Prospectus. 

How do I apply for the post-Diploma BA (Hons) course in Performance Studies?
Acceptance on this one-year part-time course is subject to fulfilling the entry criteria and a personal interview.

What does it cost?
The BA (Hons) Musical Theatre and MA Acting each presently cost £10,355 per year. The BA Acting costs £9,728 per year.
Additionally, there is a non-refundable audition fee of £35 plus a deposit (payable on registration) of £175 for UK students and £2,000 for overseas students. In all instances there is likely to be a registration fee of £310 to City University. Deposits are refundable at the end of the course.

How do I pay for my course?
Currently many of our students receive full funding from a Dance & Drama Award (DaDA). For those not on a DaDA, our Prospectus has further details about an educational loan program for UK residents; and we also offer advice on funding and fundraising -- and can, on occasion, offer some degree of bursary help.

As an overseas student am I eligible for funding?
DaDAs can be awarded to any EU student to whom the following applies…
a) You must have been an EU resident for at least three years prior to the first day of the course.
b) Your EU residence during this time must not have been wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education.

Do you accept students with disabilities?
If an applicant with a disability is successful at audition the college will do its utmost to meet the student’s access requirements. Before offering a place the college will discuss with the student its ability to fully support him/her during training. If after discussion the college regretfully feels it cannot provide adequate support and, therefore, is unable to offer a place, it will explain to the student why, and advise them on alternative opportunities. Although the building is fully accessible for public performances, many of the teaching areas are not accessible for people with mobility impairments.

Is ArtsEd residential?
No. All students live in external accommodation, which must be paid for separately. (A later section offers help and advice on this subject.)

Is there transport to the schools?
No. Students are expected to be able to make their own way there from their homes or lodgings.

Can I watch classes?
No: it would be too distracting to the students. However, you’re most welcome to watch any of our regular public performances. These take place in our two fully-equipped theatres. Programmes may be obtained from the school’s Reception (020-8987 6666 or by emailing receptionist@artsed.co.uk).

What facilities does ArtsEd have?
ArtsEd occupies a large building in Chiswick and, as well as having its own proscenium-arch Theatre and a highly versatile Studio Theatre, it has over 30 studios, its own Film Department, where students can hone their television and film skills, a student bar and a large canteen serving a variety of hot and cold food at reasonable prices. There are also plenty of shops in the immediate area.

How easy is it to get to?
ArtsEd is about four minutes’ walk from Turnham Green Tube Station (on the District and Piccadilly lines) and is well served by local buses. There is parking nearby plus facilities to lock up bicycles.

Will I have to work as hard as I would at university?
You will almost certainly have to work a lot harder! Our Acting and Musical Theatre courses are extremely intensive and involve long hours of research, preparation, rehearsal and theory. You need to be punctual and you will start early and sometimes finish quite late. You will need to be physically and mentally fit and have the determination to keep going when things get tough. Attending a good performing arts school will give you a great sense of fulfilment and excitement, but it is certainly not an easy option.

What’s the teaching like?
Arts Educational employs some of the most talented performing arts teachers in the country, who will cover every aspect of performance that you will need in your future career. Additionally, we use highly experienced and frequently well-known external directors, musical directors, choreographers and specialists in Technical Theatre to help stage public performances that are of a professional standard.

What are my career prospects once I leave?
Arts Educational Schools London is amongst the country"s leading performing arts schools, and has produced such well-known performers as Julie Andrews, Darcey Bussell, Sarah Brightman, Leslie Crowther, Nigel Havers, Janie Dee, Jane Seymour, Sally-Ann Triplett, Cherie Lunghi, Nigel Harman, Stephanie Lawrence, Bonnie Langford, Hugo Speer, Finola Hughes, Ben Stevenson, Martin Clunes and Will Young.
Although we can"t promise international stardom to all our graduates, we attract students from all over the UK and abroad, and can promise some of the most thorough professional grounding available in Europe. So much so, that the majority of our students go straight into West End shows or National Tours on leaving.

However, a life on the stage is often interspersed with long spells of having to do other things, and it can take years before you get your big break. But persistence and determination are all, and most performers who stick with it usually find their niche.  The good news is that there are now more jobs available in the profession than at any time in its history.

ACCOMMODATION ADVICE

Arts Educational Schools London do not have Halls of Residence and isn’t able to offer accommodation so, unless you’re able to commute from home, you will need to find your own place to live – which can often seem daunting at first. What follows is designed to help you find somewhere that suits and to avoid the common pitfalls.

Try and find somewhere as nearby as you can – and with good transport links if you don’t cycle. The School is well served by buses and is only four minutes walk from Turnham Green Tube Station (served by the Piccadilly and District lines).

Decide whether you want to rent with friends, rent on your own, or take a room in someone else’s house.

Renting generally
If you rent, you will probably be asked to sign a contract with your landlord. Read it carefully before you sign – and if any part of it worries you or you think it unreasonable, ask for a copy to take away so you can get advice before agreeing. Once you have signed it keep a copy somewhere safe.

Most contracts that students enter into are “Assured Shorthold Tenancies” (ASTs). These are for a fixed period, which may be weeks, months, or even years. They may also be “Contractual Periodic Tenancies”, which can run indefinitely from one agreed rent period to the next. A common AST is for “a term certain of 6 months” to start with – which can then be renewed by mutual agreement. With these types of contract, the landlord can regain possession after six months as long as he or she gives you a month’s notice in advance.

You will need to know how long the “term certain” is, as you are legally liable for the rent during this period. Such contracts are legally required to be for at least six months – and, if you are renting privately, this is a good length of time to stick to. You don’t have to leave when the six months are up: you can renew your contract on a month-by-month basis if both parties wish.

The law doesn’t require the landlord to provide a written contract, but it’s sensible to ask for one. If you only have a verbal agreement then that’s still a legally binding contract – and you will both automatically be bound by the “shorthold tenancies” legislation. With this type of contract you have the right to ask for a written statement outlining any or all of the following: The date the tenancy began; the amount of rent payable and the dates on which it should be paid; any reviews of rent; and the length of any fixed term that has been agreed between you. You will need to ask for this in writing and the landlord is legally obliged to provide it within 28 days.
If you have a longer contract, you can only give notice that you’re leaving before its end if this is specifically stated in that contract. If you do otherwise, you could be sued for the remaining rent. If you have an AST you can’t be evicted during your contractual period unless the landlord gets a County Court order first.

If the property you’re renting is self-contained and you only have a verbal agreement, then you still have security of tenure and can only be evicted on specific grounds, such as damage, failure to pay your rent, etc.

Lodging in someone’s house
If you rent a room in somebody’s house, then you have much fewer rights. It’s a good idea to write a contract that you can both agree to in advance. This can be quite simple, just stating how much the rent is, when it’s payable, how much notice needs to be given by either side and how much deposit you have paid.

As a lodger, though, you have no security of tenure and your landlord can serve notice at any time. Notice can be given regardless of any prior verbal agreements, and the landlord doesn’t have to give any reason why he or she wants you to leave.

It’s also worth finding out if such things as electricity, gas and a reasonable use of the ‘phone and suchlike are included in your rent.

Sharing with friends
You are likely to be joint tenants. This means that the whole group is responsible for paying the rent. Should anyone fall into arrears, then the rest of the group can be pursued for the difference by the landlord. If they don’t pay, then they stand to forfeit their deposits.

With a group of tenants, you will need to make sure that you all want to stay in the house for the same period of time. If anyone leaves early, then it is up to them either to pay the balance of the rent owed for the period of the contract, or to find a replacement tenant if this is acceptable to the landlord.

Deposits
It’s usual to be asked by a landlord to pay a deposit. Make sure that the amount is written into the contract, or that you get a receipt for it. (Don’t part with a deposit before you’ve actually signed a contract or come to a verbal agreement!)

Deposits are guarantees – and can be forfeited in whole or in part to cover damage or neglect to the property or for non-payment of rent. They are not meant to cover normal wear and tear or routine maintenance, for which the landlord is usually liable. Deposits are otherwise refundable in total at the end of the contract.

You can find further details – and answers to many more specific questions -- on the following Website: www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk

SHORT COURSES  

How do I apply?
You will soon be able to book online and (www.artsed.co.uk).  Meanwhile, to book your place please print an application form and send it together with the full fees. For any queries, please contact the Short Courses office on 020 8987 6644. 

Do I need any prior experience?
The only courses requiring prior experience are the One-Year Foundation Courses in Musical Theatre or Acting and the advanced Easter and Summer School courses (the introductory Easter and Summer Schools are suitable for all adults 17-years plus).

Do I have to pass an audition?
Only for the One-Year Foundation Courses in Acting or Musical Theatre. All other short courses are booked on a first-come-first-served basis.

What is the difference between the Introductory courses and Advanced Courses?
The Advanced courses are run by professional tutors and directors currently teaching on the BA Musical Theatre and Acting courses, and aim to give students a thorough overview and first hand experience of what to expect on a professional training programme. The advanced courses will be streamed to suit different levels of abilities. It is usually advisable to have had some performing arts experience prior to applying but this is not compulsory.

Am I too old?
No. Our short courses have a minimum age of 17-years but no upper maximum.  The range and diversity of students is actively encouraged.

Do you have any courses for children and younger teens?
As well as the Saturday School, offering a wide range of classes for young people, we also offer an intensive week-long course – Young Person’s Theatre Company – both at Easter and during the Summer.

THE SATURDAY SCHOOL

Does the Saturday School accept any age group?
We run courses for both children and adults.  The minimum age is 3 (Babies’ Ballet). 

Do I have to take an examination?
Not if you don"t want to: Saturday School is for fun.  However, we do encourage those interested and who seriously want to improve their skills to take their Grade examinations and the Major Examinations in dance. 

Can I join at any time?
Courses are arranged by term and anyone applying more than five weeks after the beginning will need to join the following term. 

What are the hours when you’re open?
Classes start at nine o"clock and continue until mid-afternoon. 

How long are the classes?
Most are 45 minutes or an hour in length.

What do I wear?
For dance there are specific requirements regarding dress and equipment (ring Jules on 020-8987 6672 for details).  For drama, loose, comfortable clothes are sufficient.