The National School of the Arts, South Africa

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

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 2024) 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.