§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to support individual children who wish to attend specialist dance schools where provision is not available locally. [119200]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe Music and Ballet Scheme provides over 700 Government-aided places for school-age pupils at three independent specialist ballet schools and four independent specialist music schools in England. The great majority of those places are boarding places to enable exceptionally talented children from any part of the country to benefit from the best possible training on offer alongside a broad and balanced general education. We have recently reviewed the Scheme and intend to continue it with some improvements.
In addition, the Dance and Drama Awards provide for 820 talented students aged over 16 to join high quality vocational dance and drama training courses at nearly 30 specialist schools and colleges each year. Funding is available to support students who have to live away from home.