Students who dance school day away

"Look noble, but gorgeous – think of something inspiring to make your eyes sparkle," says Mary Goodhew, artistic director of Elmhurst School, as a group of teenage boys twirl and leap past her.

"I want amazing legs," she calls out to the girls. "Your feet should be stunning, like lethal weapons. Think about straight necks and long eyelashes."

Welcome to Elmhurst School for Dance where all the girls are small and graceful and the lads so strong they can lift a girl above their heads without breaking into a sweat.

The school, based in Edgbaston, is celebrating its 85th anniversary and former students include Jenny Agutter, Hayley Mills, Sarah Brightman and Helen Baxendale.

"Elmhurst is the UK's oldest vocational dance school and offers high-quality training in ballet to students aged 11 to 20 years-old," says Mary. "We moved to Birmingham four years ago, after being based at Sadlers Wells, and we are now on a five-and-a-half acre, purpose built site.

"We train some of the best dancers in the world and students are of 16 different nationalities. They also study academic qualifications and most of them board here.

"They are all supportive and good friends with each other but competition is very high to get into a dance company.

"The last auditions took place in Munich and 400 dancers went along to vie for a couple of contracts.

"We have such excellent students that last year they all got places with a ballet company, except one girl who didn't want to move away from home."

In 1923 Helen Mortimer and Miss Crisp became partners and the Mortimer School of Dancing was created with 12 students.

The school now has seven dance studios, a 250-seat theatre, dedicated exercise centre, theatre workshop, classrooms, library and music facilities.

There is also on-site boarding facilities for over 100 pupils who also study towards GCSE and A-level qualifications.

"Sometimes students call Elmhurst 'The Palace' because it is so different from the church halls and community centres that they are used to practising in," says Mary.

"We have 200 students but to teach them we have 40 members of artistic staff and 80 people who either teach or look after their welfare.

"Students are aware of how their talents can benefit other people and last year they raised £52,000 for the Save The Children charity because they were shocked by how youngsters in war zones had nothing."

Mary started out dancing in her local church hall before she gained a scholarship to join the Royal Ballet School.

She performed on stage but suffered a knee injury, which forced her to become a ballet teacher.

"We feel it is important that students gain academic qualifications in case they do suffer an injury," she says. "However, I went into teaching and I am as passionate about that as I was about being a dancer."

In March 2002 Elmhurst became an Associate School of Birmingham Royal Ballet. This association benefits all the students who can see what a professional dancer's life is like.

Alice Williamson, aged 18, joined Elmhurst two years ago and is studying for her NVQ level six in classical dance, which is the equivalent of a BA Hons degree.

"The main thing we are aiming for now is to get a job with a ballet company," she says. "Everyone aspires to work with the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

"We work six days a week and start at 8.40am and finish at 6.40pm but I don't mind because I absolutely love dancing." Jason Tunney, aged 18, from Dorset is in his final year at Elmhurst.

"As well as doing a lot of dancing we go down the gym four times a week," he said. "This is because we want to be able to lift the girls - they may be small but to lift anyone above your head takes strength."

Sam Brown, aged 17, from Reading says: "My breakdance teacher asked me if I wanted to try ballet and I loved doing the jumps and all the different movements.

"I was teased at school and called 'ballet boy'. However, when people understand how hard it is and how athletic you have to be they change how they are towards you."

Laura Davenport, 18, from Nottingham says: "We are all ambitious but all of us, at some point, fell in love with ballet. This means we understand each other's need to be on stage, doing what we love."

By Cathy Spencer.