Spacy

What and amazing daughter you have Kat09 ! I know this anyway. She is so very brave and kind to share her blog with us. I Have also had some very negative experiences of the ballet world! As parents we just want to allow our most precious children to follow their dreams but this can come at a price. Your beautiful daughter has so much talent and she should have had more help and support along the way. Unfortunately this one dimensional world does not always look beyond the dancer and take time to nurture and support. Your daughter has displayed such courage and generosity in sharing her experiences and I am so proud of her and you ! I just wish the journey that had so many highs had caused you both so much pain Your very special daughter will always be an extraordinary beautiful amazing dancer. X

My daughter started at KSdance this September, she joined the second year as she was unhappy at her previous school. all I can say is that she is very happy at KS dance. She has grown in confidence and feels that her dancing has improved loads.she has had a lot of individual attention. my daughter is in the classical stream, but as it is a small school they attend many of the same classes. They also have jazz, commercial, flamenco and tap although my daughter chose not to do the tap. My impression is that the teaching is excellent and the school although strict is very nurturing. They seem to really care about their students personal development. Miss Simmons and Miss Hirst are according to my daughter excellent teachers. My daughter is doing the Trinity Diploma and her teaching qualifications so the work load is full on. It seems to me that many children of dance teachers send their children to KS dance and some are from Italy and Malta. I think this is the Checchetti connection. Since my daughter has been there they have had master classes, and competitions. I get the impression that as they have been around for many years they have very good contacts and connections in the industry. The building is not very pretty at all and the location is quite of putting but inside there is a warm, supportive atmosphere where ex students are always visiting. The students live in houses and flats although I understand some are with host families. They are living independently and have to cook and clean for themselves . I had lots of reservations about this especially as my daughter did not enjoy her first year but she is very happy when she is. They are very organised and quick to get back to me if I have any questions. Bursaries are available.hope that helps.

Thank you Annaleisey for your advice, I will definitely not let it go. I will also keep making requests for the return of our accommodation deposit as well Cornishprincess. I guess now it has gone quiet re request to pay back thousands of pounds scholarship money I can start my next battle !

I find this very interesting regarding exam fees. My daughters vocational school collected money for Advanced 1 Rad classes extra to curriculum, we also had to pay the £130 exam entry payment. We paid this in the November 2015 and were told that the exam was to be in the spring of 2016, date to be confirmed. The school then decided that they had not finished the course in the spring and every one on the course would now have take their exams in the Autumn term. My daughter has left the school now, but they are refusing to give the exam entry payment back. I wonder if that money has been kept separately....in a secure account.

We are using Open Study College AQA. I don't really have anything to compare it with. The college doesn't really give you contact time, according to my DD it is definitely self study. My DD says she wishes she had used the same exam board as some of her friends who are at her original school as she could have access to some extra notes/ shared with them when she comes home in the holidays. Hope that helps.

My daughter started at vocational school BTUK is September and is doing A level biology on line. She says she is enjoying it and managing to keep up with the course. I don't think there is much interaction with her tutor. My daughter enjoys studying and is self motivated. She went to a very academic state school and although she is loving full time dancing she says she enjoys using her brain in a different way. I think another of the girls is doing her maths A level on line. School say it is fine to do but is completely independent. Also my daughter did not have wifi for the first 3 months which was very difficult. She made use of the local library. I think A levels are approx 3 hours a week study which she finds easy to find at weekends. It gives her some structure. She also catches up in the holidays. So far so good! You have to book a centre in well in advance to take the exam and if I think that costs about as much as the on line course.

we're rooting for her as well Kat09 !!X

Thank you for your replies, Yes I noticed A level biology is changing as of 2016 I believe. I think there are quite a few centres you can take the exams at. I think I need to do a little more research. Am I right in thinking that at CBS the A levels offered are on line? My DD is going to BTUK and they are supportive of self study but up to us to arrange. My DD very keen to try anyway!

Just wondered if any of you have experience of on line A levels. My DD is starting at vocational school in September. She would like to try and continue with A levels on line possibly only one as we are aware of how demanding she will find full time dance school. Have any of your DC had success with this. If so any recommendations of providers etc. and is the support offered good enough? i would be interested in your experiences. DD is interested in taking biology which at least relates to what she will be studying at vocational school.

This opportunity has been offered to all the current SA's who are tear 11 and they do not have to audition for their places. My daughter is going to vocational school and will not be taking her place. I can think of a few girls who will most likely continue with the scheme though.

My DD has accepted her offer of a place at BTUK-so happy for her! I am relieved that the audition process is over. I have been reading these dance threads throughout although reluctant to post the highs and lows it has been a great support. I was not prepared for how exhausting and expensive the whole process would be. All our DC are amazing to go through this process with its highs and lows and give it their very best whatever the outcome is,they are amazing. My DD doesn't like me to post but I am so proud of how she has coped with all this and kept so positive. Good luck to all our DC they have all done so well. Next GCSES

My daughter has also been offered both of these schools and like you suggest tutu girl there are pros he cons to both. My D D likes them both. Would you include me in your comments private messages please. I would be very grateful. Spacy

You are right lynMM the trains do seem to be particularly bad this year. Yesterday however the delay was due to a fatality on the line which does kind of put a different perspective on things! Despite this there is so little information about what was happening. My Dd and her dad where permitted to get an earlier train home after much negotiating. No refund Janet, if delay is caused by a fatality on the line. A far worse day than DD and hubby had for a family somewhere!

My DD got the offer of a last minute place as well. DD went up today with her Dad as I had to work today. They are on their way home now. Train arrived 1and a 1/2 hours late in to Waterloo. DD decided she could not arrive 45 minutes late. they will have spent half a day on the train and no ballet. I wish I hadn't checked my emails this morning now! Oh well fish and chip supper when they eventually arrive home. Lets hope the trains behave better for auditions in the new Year!

Hello the way forward, we have also sent the form off with the application fee, I spoke to someone from the RC admissions for dance and I was told there will be an audition in London on The 31st January. They took our details but did not yet know where the audition would be held. There is also a couple of dates for auditions at the RC in Glasgow, I think one date was the 17th January. We have not yet submitted the photos, my DD did the application, I think that is done separately on line. This is the same for references. All on line by email but I guess that can be done at a later date as we have not submitted the references yet. We wanted to go the Glasgow but don't think we can fit it in so hoping to do the preliminary audition in London. Hope this helps.