Audition Date: Saturday, 9 May 2026

Location: Arts Educational Schools, 14 Bath Road, Chiswick, London, W4 1LY

Start Time: 13:00 (Exact times will be confirmed closer to the date, but auditions will not begin before 13:00.)
If successful, Scholars must be able to travel to London for weekly Saturday classes during term time.

Important: After reading this page and making your payment online, you will receive a link to upload the candidate’s details. Applications cannot be processed without this information. All applicants must have their ISTD Cecchetti teacher’s permission to audition.

Application Deadline: Friday, 24 April 2026

1. The candidate must be a pupil of a member of the ISTD Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty and must be receiving their ballet training mainly in the Cecchetti method.

2. Candidates must have passed Grade 4 or Standard 5 in any method. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis for candidates who are working at Grade 4 or Standard 5 level, however have not yet passed the exam. Please email cecchetti@istd.org with candidate details for consideration. 

3. Applicants to be considered for the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Scholars Programme must be between 11 and 17 years of age on 1 September 2026.

4. Candidates who attend an audition will be expected to accept a scholarship if it is awarded.

1. The audition will take place on Saturday 9 May 2026 at Arts Educational School, Chiswick, start time TBC.

2. Following payment of the audition fee, further information will be sent to the email address given in the registration process. This will include a link to upload the candidate's details and should be completed by the parent/guardian. If these details are not uploaded, the application cannot be processed.

3. The exact time for the audition and any further information, such as uniform guide, will be sent in a separate email following the closing date for applications.

4. Parents may not observe the auditions, however, are required to remain on site/nearby. No photography or videoing is to take place from the candidate, teacher or parent/guardian during the audition.

5. The results of the audition will be sent by email to the email address given for the parent/guardian. All auditionees will receive an outcome letter.

1. Scholarships are awarded for one academic year only, provided each term’s assessment is satisfactory. Classes must be prioritised over other activities and attendance will be taken into consideration during the assessment process. Progress is monitored by the Scholarship teachers and final decisions concerning further scholarships are made at the compulsory re-audition each year should they wish to continue and meet the eligibility criteria. If a Scholarship is awarded, Scholars must attend at least one ballet class a week with a Cecchetti teacher. Failure to follow the rules for the Scholarship, if awarded, may mean that it could be withdrawn or suspended at any time.

2. Regular attendance and punctuality are expected from all Scholars. Acceptable reasons for absence are illness, a teacher’s own annual show, examinations, or very special circumstances for which permission for absence must be obtained in advance. Failure to observe this rule will mean that the Scholar may be withdrawn or suspended.

3. Any change of teacher and the result of any Cecchetti examinations must be reported to Miss Toogood.

4. Photographs / videos of classes and performances may occasionally be taken and used for promotional purposes by the ISTD and the Cecchetti Society Trust, on their websites and on social media channels, either in the year of the scholarship or in following years. By accepting a place, Scholars and their parents/guardians hereby agree and give consent for this. 

5. The organisers cannot accept responsibility for injury or illness howsoever caused during the audition process and if successful, during subsequent participation in classes.

Additional costs of the Scholars programme (for successful auditionees)

Although the programme is primarily a free programme, there are some additional costs involved and these are detailed below.

1. In addition to the regular weekly Cecchetti Classical Ballet Scholars classes, the Scholars programme includes Contemporary classes held across the year to further students training. This incurs a nominal fee of £95.00 (12 classes) for Class 1 and £115.00 (15 classes) for Class 2. These fees are payable by the parent/guardian of the Scholar, before the beginning of the programme.

2. The uniform for Scholars is expected to be worn at all Scholars classes and rehearsals. The official Scholars leotard must be purchased at a cost of £45.00. Class 2 also have a matching skirt at a cost of £28.00. Hoodies are optional at a cost of £25.00. Specific footwear is also recommended for use during the programme.

3. Scholars must be prepared to take part in any performance or demonstration, including any rehearsals required, which are organised by the CPD and Events team and the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty, ISTD. The parent/guardian will be asked to contribute a maximum of £70.00 towards the cost of any costume required and the costume will be retained by the Cecchetti Scholars Classical Ballet Programme.

HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION - ISTD will process your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy which can be found in full on our website: www.istd.org.

By submitting this entry form and making payment for the audition the candidate and their parent/guardian hereby confirm that they have both read, accept and undertake to abide by the rules of the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Scholars Programme.