The National School of the Arts, South Africa

The National School of the Arts, South Africa

The National School of the Arts is a historically and culturally rich high school that was born out of the amalgamation of The Johannesburg Art, Ballet, Drama and Music School and Hoërskool Die Kruin which were opened in 1969. Specialists in Design, Visual Art And Performing Arts Education.

Admissions Policy

INTRODUCTION:

Legislative framework:

  • South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act 84 of 1996)
  • Admission of Learners to Public Schools (General Notice 4138 of 2001)
  • Education White Paper 6: Special Needs Education
  • (Gauteng) School Education Act, 1995
  • National Education Policy Act 27 of 1996 · Circular 80, 1999

In accordance with the legislature, the National School of the Arts is committed to provide quality teaching to learners irrespective of race, colour, religion or language. The Admission policy of the NSA is submitted to the District Director by the end of April each year for ratification.

Education White Paper 6, Special Needs Education (2001), recognises that in an inclusive education and training system, a wider spread of Education Support Services has to be created in line with what learners require. The learners at the NSA require more intense specialised forms of support to be able to develop their full potential.

As a Specialist School of the Arts, placement of learners in a specific field is done by means of auditions. In this way an informed and just recommendation in the best interest of the learner can be arrived at. (Circular 80.1999 – 8.2)

ADMISSION PROCESS:

The National Education Policy Act provides that the Minister of Education may determine national policy for admission to education institutions. Therefore the Governing Body, the SBST or SMT may not arbitrarily administer a test before admitting a learner. The SBST may make recommendations in the interest of ensuring that the learner receives the most appropriate learning context once the auditions have taken place.

  1. The National School of the Arts specializes in Art, Dance, Drama and Music. Auditions are held bi-annually and learners from across the country and/or abroad may apply to come to the school.
  2. The NSA is obligated to the prospective learners to make a considered decision when advising prospective learners in their choices. However, learners who show a latent talent for one or more of the Art forms are sought after by the school.
  3. It is the policy of the NSA to admit students who show an aptitude for a particular art form even when no formal previous training is apparent. It is the policy of the school to be flexible in this regard, and the following arrangements continue to make the Arts extremely accessible for prospective students:
  4. MUSIC, ART & DRAMA: Over and above the academic Grade 12 in combination with the specialist subjects, the Music Department provides for learners to take a second instrument for the Royal Schools of Music.
  5. DANCE: The School offers Ballet, African Dance, Spanish Dance, Jazz Dance and Contemporary Dance to students who show a natural ability, irrespective of previous training. It is, however, recommended that learners who want to specialize in Classical Ballet, have had previous Ballet training.
  6. Applicants are invited to audition for the Specialist field of their choice. In each field a panel of specialist teachers and other experts evaluate the candidate, and each candidate is informed of the recommendations of the panel as soon as the process has been completed.
  7. Dates and times of the Audition are published in the media and the school newsletter and website closer to the time. Parents make application by requesting an application form and returning the required information before the deadline in April.
  8. The documentation required includes a copy of the birth certificate or ID document, two recent passport/ID photographs and the latest original report (or certified copy) from current school. Immigrants and foreigners seeking admission must supply the documents and permits relevant to their situation.
  9. A R50 administration fee is charged.

Policy for Late Admissions:
The school will consider late admissions, provided that there is space available in both the academic and specialist sides in the grade concerned. Candidates will do an Audition as per the requirements contained in the Application Form attached.

Appeals:
A parent who is dissatisfied with the decision, may appeal against the decision to the MEC for Education.
CONCLUSION:

It is important to reiterate that the aim of this process is the promotion of equal, non-discriminatory access to learning, intervention and support.

Admissions

A predisposition towards the Arts and Performing Arts does not preclude ambition for academic excellence.

Learners from Grade 8 to 12 study a full range of academic subjects in addition to their chosen speciality subjects. The specialist studies foster the discipline and dedication which are pre-requisites for academic achievement. Our excellent Matric results over nearly two decades bear witness to this.

In Grade 8 and 9 the NSA complies with the national requirement of completing the General Education and Training (GET) Examination. The GET examination covers eight learning areas: languages, mathematics, social sciences (SS), natural sciences (NS), arts and culture, economic management services (EMS), technology and life orientation. In addition all learners specialize in either Art, Drama, Dance or Music.

For the FET certificate:
Grade 10 learners (from 2016) must offer the following components:

  • Compulsory Specialist Subject
  • Two languages, one being English Home Language and the other either Afrikaans or isiZulu First Additional Language.
  • Mathematics.
  • Life Orientation,
  • An elective component consisting of two subjects chosen from the following: History, Geography, Life Science, Physical Science or Business Studies.

Grade 11 – 12 learners (from 2016) must offer the following components:

  • Compulsory Specialist Subject
  • Two languages, one being English Home Language and the other either Afrikaans or isiZulu First Additional Language.
  • Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy.
  • Life Orientation,
  • An elective component consisting of two subjects chosen from the following: History, Geography, Life Science, Physical Science or Business Studies.

The Arts

The Art Department is the largest secondary school art department in the country. The high level of success achieved by the Art learners of the NSA over the past 35 years bears witness to the outstanding tuition provided by committed and talented teachers who are specialists in their fields.

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The NSA is proud of the studios, workshops and Art Gallery where the learners regularly exhibit their work.

Tuition is offered in Visual Arts, Two Dimensional and Three Dimensional Design. Courses within these subjects include classes in sculpture, printmaking, painting, photography, ceramics, jewellery, design and digital design. Theory of Design and Visual Art theory form an integral part of the programme.

Academics

A predisposition towards the Arts and Performing Arts does not preclude ambition for academic excellence.

Learners from Grade 8 to 12 study a full range of academic subjects in addition to their chosen speciality subjects. The specialist studies foster the discipline and dedication which are pre-requisites for academic achievement. Our excellent Matric results over nearly two decades bear witness to this.

In Grade 8 and 9 the NSA complies with the national requirement of completing the General Education and Training (GET) Examination. The GET examination covers eight learning areas: languages, mathematics, social sciences (SS), natural sciences (NS), arts and culture, economic management services (EMS), technology and life orientation. In addition all learners specialize in either Art, Drama, Dance or Music.

For the FET certificate:
Grade 10 learners (from 2016) must offer the following components:

  • Compulsory Specialist Subject
  • Two languages, one being English Home Language and the other either Afrikaans or isiZulu First Additional Language.
  • Mathematics.
  • Life Orientation,
  • An elective component consisting of two subjects chosen from the following: History, Geography, Life Science, Physical Science or Business Studies.

Grade 11 – 12 learners (from 2016) must offer the following components:

  • Compulsory Specialist Subject
  • Two languages, one being English Home Language and the other either Afrikaans or isiZulu First Additional Language.
  • Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy.
  • Life Orientation,
  • An elective component consisting of two subjects chosen from the following: History, Geography, Life Science, Physical Science or Business Studies.

The Dance Department

The cornerstone of the Dance Department’s Policy is to produce well-rounded, disciplined, dedicated, intelligent and fit dancers, by offering the best physical training in Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, African Dance, Spanish and Jazz Dance. The dedicated, experienced staff focus on performance, interpretation and style.

Learners are exposed to performances of all varieties, local and international guest artists and teachers, workshops, corporate events and competitions. They regularly perform at art festivals, and have become a fixture at the annual Grahamstown National Arts Festival.

Learners perform in NSA Dance Department productions during the year and work in close collaboration with the Joburg Ballet, situated across the road from the NSA. Many learners who choose to pursue a career in dance join the Corps de Ballet at Joburg Ballet, or overseas companies for further studies

The Drama Department

The Drama Department provides an opportunity for personal growth on many levels.Strong emphasis is placed on the development of actors and theatre practitioners.

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Learners receive tuition in all practical aspects of theatre. Practical training includes acting, voice, movement, physical theatre, stagecraft, mime and poetry workshops. A comprehensive Theory component covers the study of play texts, theatre history, history of costume, history of literature, voice theory, ritual and mythology.

Every available opportunity is given to drama learners to perform in numerous productions as well as in the presentation of class work.

Every effort is made to expose learners to theatre agents and potential employers.

The Drama Department has received numerous awards and accolades over the past years.

The school’s excellent results and awards in both the academic and artistic arenas, combined with the highly successful careers enjoyed by our alumni, clearly demonstrate that Drama is not taught for its own sake, but because it contributes profoundly to the holistic development of the individual.

The Music Department

Rock or Renaissance, Violent Femmes or Verdi, Bass Guitar or Bassoon – whatever your language, here at the NSA we speak it. Where there were limits, there are no more. Where there were walls there are now open doors. We hear you, we see you and we want everyone else to.

The Music Department is housed in two very distinct and beautiful complexes of specialised classrooms, practice rooms and performance spaces. Both streams of either classical or contemporary offer an in depth study of your instrument and music studies while also fulfilling all the matric academic requirements enabling you to study further in the music field or another.

Focus is placed on professional tuition in either individual or group classes. You will be required to learn two instruments, History of Music, Theory, Arranging and Composition, Improvisation, Aural and Performance. Solo performance, chamber music, vocal ensembles and an orchestra await those itching to get into the classical world, offering a valuable training ground for learners.

While, with at least three live performances per year, solo performance and band performance are around the corner for those in the contemporary stream who can hardly wait to perform their favourite songs to their friends and the public.

Learners may specialize in any of the orchestral instruments, piano, recorder or vocals for the classical stream and either vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, or drums in the contemporary stream. So, no matter your instrument – your voice of choice – come and play for us. Where else are you going to find a combination of academics and music – a place where you receive a minimum of nine hours a week on your specialised subject while also fulfilling your matric requirements.

Contact of The National School of the Arts, South Africa

Contact us

Physical Address
17 Hoofd Street
Braamfontein
Johannesburg
Postal Address
Private Bag X25
Braamfontein
Johannesburg
Telephone: 011 3396539
Fax: 011 3396695
Email: admin@artschool.co.za
PRO, Publicity: pro@artschool.co.za
Admissions: admissions@artschool.co.za
Finance: finance@artschool.co.za