Elhmurst Ballet School in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet
Accommodation
Elmhurst’s boarding philosophy is to create an extension to home, and allow our students to Live, Dance and Learn.
We expect students and staff living together to work and live within the Elmhurst Way: choose the right attitude, be there, have fun and make someone’s day. Elmhurst respects the individual needs our students, and we foster a caring and creative environment. We aim to support the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of each young person training to become an articulate, educated dancer.
Elmhurst will provide safe, caring and happy surroundings that allows all students, regardless of background, language, gender, culture, social, racial and religious to benefit from the excellent education that the school has to offer.
Elmhurst employs staff who are skilled, dedicated and committed to the well-being and holistic development of all students.
The overarching aim is to provide a happy, productive family atmosphere. The pastoral policies of the school, its facilities and boarding houses, the continuing improvement in the enrichment activities and the commitment to the training and development of the staff, all demonstrate a commitment to the long-term future of boarding at Elmhurst School.
Elmhurst is the oldest vocational dance school in the UK – its vision is to provide a world renowned centre of excellence for the training and education of classical ballet dancers for Birmingham Royal Ballet and other national and international dance companies.
The school was originally based in Camberley in Surrey; Birmingham Royal Ballet was one of the prime movers in Elmhurst's relocation to Birmingham in 2004. Elmhurst formally became an Associate School of Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2002 and Birmingham Royal Ballet's Director, David Bintley CBE, became the school’s Artistic Advisor. In the intervening years the relationship has strengthened, and from the appointment of Desmond Kelly as Artistic Director when he retired from his post of Assistant Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet more members of Birmingham Royal Ballet have been teaching at the school regularly.
The new school has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of professional dance training, with all facilities on one five- acre campus. This move constituted a £20 million investment in the future of dance education in the UK and Elmhurst now fills what was a conspicuous void in vocational dance training in the Midlands. In October 2005, the school was officially opened by Dame Merle Park, a former student, and Sir Peter Wright, former Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Elmhurst prepares students for professional careers in ballet and allied dance genres. Students benefit greatly from the school’s association with Birmingham Royal Ballet, and many students from the school have an opportunity to appear with the Company. The curriculum is geared to the future requirements of ballet companies worldwide and is taught by an international faculty of dance teachers with outstanding professional reputations.
In October 2006, following a visit to the school by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, Her Royal Highness agreed to become Patron of Elmhurst. HRH The Prince of Wales is the President of Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Boarders Health and Wellbeing
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Boarding offers a caring environment within a dance and academic framework.
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A specific multidisciplinary Health and Wellbeing team to provide both whole school health leadership and individualised student health plans.
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A well developed Health and Welfare student induction program.
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The benefits of eating together socially in the school’s bistro.
Safety of Boarders
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Clear and supported policies for both staff and students, including: Child protection, Anti-bullying, Problem Sharing, Sex and Relationships and Drug Misuse policy.
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A safe, caring and student centred environment.
Activities and Free Time
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Boarding can offer stability in each child’s life and the school will always aim to work in partnership with parents/guardians to help enhance our students boarding experiences.
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The wide range of enrichment experiences offered allows for a holistic development of each child.
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The spiritual and moral development of students is enhanced by the cultural diversity, the charitable and community service work and opportunities to explore spiritual issues.
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Leadership, teamwork, assertiveness, independent thought, all within the context of living within a community, form part of students’ ‘transferable skills’. Especially in preparation for life as a dancer.
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The supportive nature of the community is of benefit to all. Individual support can be offered to those with a learning difficulties, emotional/ behavioural problems or students joining us from overseas.
Promoting Positive Behaviour and Relationships
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The Elmhurst Way; promoted and supported.
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Community spirit is the essence of the boarding community. Such a spirit can engender a feeling of belonging, togetherness and respect for others. It teaches pupils to live effectively and in harmony with each other.
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Involvement in a wide range of both national and local charity support fund raising programs.
The Boarding Structure at Elmhurst
There are five boarding houses, four of which are on site. Accommodation varies from year to year depending on pupil numbers.
Fischer House: Fischer House is home for the Year 7 girls. There are nine twin study bedrooms with wash basins. Toilet, shower and bath facilities are nearby. There is also a large student lounge with flat screen digital TV, DVD player and Wii, a separate kitchen, a laundry room and a telephone booth.
Mortimer House: Mortimer House is home for the Year 7 - Year 11 boys. There are 17 twin study bedrooms with wash basins. Toilet, shower and bath facilities are nearby. There are two student lounges, both with TVs, digi-boxes and DVD players, two separate kitchens, a laundry area and two telephone booths. Students also have the use of a Nintendo Wii.
Park House: Park House is home for the Years 7, 8 and 9 girls. There are 20 twin study bedrooms with wash basins. Toilet, shower and bath facilities are nearby. There is a student lounge, with kitchen facilities, TVs, digi-box and DVD player and a Nintendo Wii. There is a further separate kitchen, a laundry area and two pay phone booths.
Hetherington: Hetherington House is home for the Year 10 and 11 girls. There are 31 single en suite study bedrooms. There is a large student lounge, a separate kitchen, laundry room and a telephone booth.
The Elms: The Elms is off the main site and is home for the Year 12 & 13 students. There are 14 twin study bedrooms and two single rooms, a student lounge/dining area, a large separate kitchen, laundry room, telephone booth and garden. The Elms is staffed by two House Parents, both of whom work on the main school site during the academic day.
Occasionally younger or older students may need to remain in the same House or move to an older year group House to accommodate all the students who have been successful in gaining a place at Elmhurst.
Year 14: Students live in rented accommodation within easy access of the school. Students and parents are given advice and usually transfer from one group of Elmhurst students to another by liaising directly with the landlord.
Boarding Staff
Each boarding house is staffed by a House Parent and Assistant House Parent teams, Mortimer House also has a Resident Assistant. In addition, nurses are on duty throughout the day and on call during nights to manage medical call outs.
The House Parents manage their respective Assistant House Parents whilst the Head of Boarding & Pastoral Care manages the House Parent body. The Chair of the Academic, Artistic & Boarding Committee the appointed link Governor for boarding. There is also a designated Child Protection Governor.
There are regular Pastoral team meetings which are part of the whole school meeting cycle.
Development of Boarding
Elmhurst School for Dance is committed to developing boarding provision. In order to facilitate progress, the following procedures have been put in place:
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A Supported Self Review Process to evaluate boarding and pastoral care provision.
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An appointed governor is working with the Principal and Director of Finance on the succession plan for the new off-site Sixth Form boarding provision due to be ready for September 2014.
