Elmhurst Ballet School
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

Elmhurst Ballet School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Birmingham for pupils aged 11 to 19. Founded in 1923 as a vocational school for the performing arts, it became a specialist ballet school in 2004 and moved to purpose-built premises in Birmingham. The school is a charity governed by a board of trustees. Boarding pupils are accommodated in four houses on the main campus, with separate provision for older year groups. Boarders come from across the UK and around the world, bringing with them a broad range of social and cultural backgrounds. All pupils have been identified as talented in dance, and the curriculum is shaped around their vocational needs. The school aims to equip pupils with the skills, resilience, and creativity to succeed in the professional dance world and beyond, supporting their vocational training with a strong academic education in a nurturing environment.