How hard is it to get into Brit School for Year 10 Theatre?

[miffy1990]

Hi there, my daughter is pretty set on getting into Brit School for year 10 - it's her dream - however wondering if anyone has any experience of how hard it is to get in or what they're looking for? I know there's less applicants than at sixth form. She already attends two brit kids classes on a Saturday - I know that doesn't affect likelihood of getting a place - just to say she's committed.
We're in the process of buying a house, and its awkward timing. If she doesn't get in, there's no good back up schools nearby to where one of the properties is - but its a lot closer to Brit, half an hour journey. If we pick the other area, it has a good school with a drama GCSE offering, but its an hour and a half away from Brit. In a massive dilemma, have to decide this week and don't know which path to pick.

How long is it till you will know? I would rent before buying until I knew the outcome.

@Michele09 Thanks - I'm guessing a year we would know in. I can't actually afford to rent unfortunately. It's a more complex situation and we need to be out of our flat in a couple of weeks, originally had a place to buy lined up - however the seller went cold, but am still contracted to sell. Found another place in a different area near a good school but just got a survey done and it's in a bad way. Now the original seller has said we can complete, so in a weird position where I have about a week to make a decision.

I've known DC who have got into The Brit School - and some that haven't. To me, some of those who didn't get in are just at talented as those that didn't. I'm sure the school knows what it's doing and it must be very specific things they're looking for.
I take it you know that they've recently changed their GCSE options offering? I know some parents aren't happy. It's a massive gamble to specialise at such a young age.

There's a thread specifically for parents who have DC trying to get in/who have got it at Yr10 so it may be posting on there for some advice if you haven't already:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/5244144-the-brit-school-ks4-applications-2025-entry

There's also a recent one about a mother asking about drama schools for post-16. I know this isn't what you're asking about but there's some good advice on it which may be food for thought:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/5349615-best-state-sixth-form-london-for-drama

Thanks so much - thats so helpful. Really appreciate you going to that effort. No, I was not aware of the GCSE options changing, I wonder if that means there will be less applicants... are they offering less 'normal' or 'standard' subjects?

Yes. I believe that they're offering a much narrower choice of options. I think only Maths, English and Science now? It's on their website.

I think it will reduce the number of applicants for Y10, but it will still be heavily oversubscribed.

It is worth bearing in mind that not everyone who goes in Y10 is offered a place for Y12, so consider what the options might be at that stage if you needed to find an alternative with the GCSEs on offer.

And also if you want to narrow that early - I know lots of people who have changed their minds at Y12 and Y13 about the pathway they are on.

And for acting, early training is not necessary like it is for dance. Being in a PA school can be seen as a disadvantage for degree level where they tend to want older candidates with varied life experience.

All these performing arts colleges want a range of casting types as they want to give their leavers the best chance to not be competing against each other - than can be a reason why very talent people don’t get in.
Going in a year 10 even for dance is not essential, even year 12 is not essential. The majority in professional trading have not been to performing arts schools.