National Dance CATs were set up by the government and are part of the Department for Education's Music and Dance Scheme (MDS). Funding for training is always an issue with students and their families, and so it's good news that bursaries for the scheme are available. These are means-tested which means that for many students the training is either subsidised or free. One parent of a dance CAT student said of the scheme, "Discovering contemporary and creative dance has been amazing for my daughter. The fact that we are able to get a full bursary is wonderful. It means that she can have the best possible training.

So if you have the talent and the drive, having the money for training doesn't necessarily have to be an obstacle.

The aim of the National Dance CATs is to discover young dancers, give them the best possible training, develop their potential and give them a springboard into the professional dance world. CATs actively seek out raw talent and potential in applicants, so formal training is not always necessary before joining a CAT. This is something that all the centres strongly believe in and they look for how far students could go with their help - some young people from geographically quite rural areas, or those from low-income families, may not have had the opportunity to access training before.

Students undertake professional training and are nurtured and encouraged through a broad programme of dance activities including dance classes, choreography, creative practice, healthier dancer classes and working with dancers from professional companies.

The training is specific to the individual student and they are encouraged to realise their own potential and creativity. Professional levels of commitment and behaviour are demanded of all students. One student described his time at a CAT as follows: "Life at the CAT requires hard work and dedication. However, the teachers are lovely and very considerate of other important commitments, such as school. They helped me become so much stronger and more technically able, showing me how many creative possibilities and choices there are to pursue, both in my body and in dance as a whole. I have been able to work with dancers from major companies and perform at Sadler's Wells - I love my CAT!"

Centres offer a range of dance training including contemporary, urban, South Asian and ballet with strong emphasis on preparation for further professional training and ultimately a career in dance. This vocational approach and focus on different types of dance has interesting and very real advantages for students as Viv Slayford, Programme Manager, Youth Dance Academy, Swindon Dance pointed out: "Talent spotting for urban dancers largely happens outside mainstream education. Many of the young people we train learn from the Internet, the street and in clubs as opposed to theatres and dance studios. Our Urban Programme is aimed at exceptionally gifted and talented, often hard-to-reach 13-16 year-olds, both male and female, from the South West region. The CAT provides the opportunity to develop their talents and excel.

Graduates from National Dance CATs are proof of how successful the training is - going on to further professional training with schools including Bird College, London Studio Centre, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, London School of Contemporary Dance, Laban, Central School of Ballet, Royal Ballet School and English National Ballet School.

Dance companies in the UK and beyond are also now beginning to see the results of the scheme too as the first wave of CAT students move into their professional careers. The first centres were established six years ago and graduates are now working with Scottish Dance Theatre, Hofesh Shechter Company, Motionhouse Dance Theatre as well as in the West End.

Yorkshire Young Dancers, Leeds

There is also a central website which has been launched to raise awareness, recruit new dancers, give information on the bursaries available and also to promote performances throughout the UK. You can find out more at:

www.nationaldancecats.co.uk