DanceEast CAT student & parent/carer Hub

CAT Term Dates 2026/2027

AUTUMN TERM 2026

Sunday 20 September – Friday 23 October
Half Term: Saturday 24 October – Sunday 1 November 2026
Monday 2 November – Sunday 6 December 2026

Audition Toolkit, provisional dates (Year 13 students)
Wednesday 28 October – NSCD, Leeds
Thursday 29 October – TL, London
Friday 30 October 2025 – LCDS, London

SPRING TERM 2027

Term Dates
Saturday 9 January – Friday 12 February
Half Term: Saturday 13 February – Friday 19 February
Saturday 20 February – Friday 26 March

Off-Timetable Day (all students)
Sunday 14 March (provisional date) No classes on Saturday 13 March

Spring Intensive (all students)
Monday 5 April – Wednesday 7 April

SUMMER TERM 2027

Term Dates
Monday 19 April – Sunday 23 May
Half Term: Monday 24 May – Sunday 6 June
Monday 7 June – Sunday 11 July

Summer Intensive (all students)
Monday 26 July – Saturday 31 July

End of Year Show (all students)
Saturday 31 July

Finance Forms and Financial Support

The financial forms you need to complete will depend on your household income and level of support needed.

NGMD1 – means-tested grant form information

The NGMD1 form is used to assess eligibility for Department for Education means-tested support through the Music and Dance Scheme.

Please complete this form if your household income is below £77,578.92 before tax, or if you are applying for a DanceEast Bursary.

The form must be completed in one sitting, as there is no save and return feature. Please contact the CAT Team if you need the form in an alternative format.

The following household information is required to complete the NGMD1 Form:

• P60s for 2025/26
• March 2026 payslip
• Birth certificates for all dependent children, new students only
• Proof of benefits received, taxable and non-taxable
• Proof of any other income declared
• Proof of interest received
• Tax return or accountant’s letter, if self-employed
• Your young person’s UPN or ULN, available from their school

NGMD1 applications must be supported by financial documents from the 2025/26 financial year.

If you are self-employed and your final accounts are not yet available, please provide either your completed 2025/26 self-assessment tax return, if available, or an estimate of your 2026/27 income from your accountant and a date when the final figures will be ready for assessment.

If your financial circumstances have changed significantly since the 2025/26 tax year, please let us know and provide evidence of your current income where possible.

Digital documents can be submitted electronically. Physical documents can be brought to DanceEast during opening hours or posted to:

CAT Finance
DanceEast, Jerwood DanceHouse
Foundry Lane
Ipswich
IP4 1DW

Original documents will be copied and returned or collected in person.

DanceEast Bursary Fund information

The DanceEast Bursary Fund provides additional financial support to families whose household income is above £35,262.46 per year. Support may be available towards course fees, travel expenses and sibling discounts where more than one child attends the programme.

You may wish to apply if:

• Your household income is above £35,262.46 and require additional support with CAT-related costs.
• You do not qualify for MDS funding but need assistance with fees, travel expenses or sibling costs.

All bursary applications must be accompanied by a completed NGMD1 form, even if your household income means you are not eligible for a grant. This information helps the DanceEast Bursary committee to assess applications consistently.

Please note that bursary awards are not guaranteed and are subject to available funding. Applications are assessed individually based on financial circumstances and demonstrated need.

Awards typically range from £100–£500 per year.

CAT Grants 2026/2027