24 March 2004
Children with an exceptional talent for music and dance could benefit from new grants that will allow them to get local training.
There will also be four new centres for advanced training from September, based in Newcastle, Leeds and London. The government aims to establish one in every region over the next few years.
The new grants will be provided through the Music and Dance Scheme which enables more than 800 talented children to get the best specialist music and dance training. Programmes will be developed specifically for the individual child out of normal school hours and could take place at different venues.
School Standards Minister David Miliband said:
"We all remember the character of Billy Elliot leaving his home-town to train in London.
"I want to extend these opportunities to children similar to the character of Billy so they can enjoy the benefit of excellent training but still go to their local school and remain active participants in local artistic communities, without having to leave home."
Talented children will receive most of their specialist tuition at existing junior departments of music conservatories and at the four new centres.
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