TBG

Thank you all for your comments. I just needed confirmation i was on the right wave length. X

My dd has found a new audition leo for upper school auditions. Can anyone let me know if the Grishco 1930 leo is suitable please, i am not sure it is. Many thanks x

Crazylifecrazykids - my dd aplied for yr7 but was poorly and not successful, so applied for yr 8 and did get a place. If you are worried about the cost of an audition then you really have to think if you can afford vocational school. The funded places are means tested ( look on Elmhurst website to work out roughly how much you will pay per year), in addition there are house funds, trips, pocket money, school uniform (and the uniform bursary doesnt go far once they are getting through Pointe shoes and demi-pointe shoes quickly). They also have leave out every 3 weeks, so once per half term, so will either need collecting Friday 2.45 and returning Sunday, or catch trains - all this is additional cost. So without putting a grim outlook on it all, it is an amazing experience for the dc, but it isnt cheap. Make sure you go in with your eyes wide open. It isnt fair to dc to go through the audition process if you cant afford to follow it through. Normally all who apply get prelims, however, i am sure due to covid they have to be more selective. There are places in year 8,9 and 10 but only when children leave, and they leave because they want to go to another school, dont enjoy the reality of living away, or fall out of love with ballet. So my dd is now applying for 6th form, so we are not just looking at UK, but also Europe, again there is a cost, but some European schools are cheaper than UK. Just a reminder to all that the rollercoaster you are on doesnt stop once they get a place at vocational school, it gets even more stressful with assessments, injures etc. On a positive note, my dd absolutely loves it and we wouldnt change it. For her Elmhurst is where she wants to stay, but one school doesnt fit all, just like all schools. It is definitely - if at first you dont succeed try, try again, it may be a no for now but they grow and change so quickly that every year is different. Good luck to all those applying. I hope this post has been helpful. Xx

Good luck everyone, hopefully not too much longer for you all to wait. Xx

Thank you. That is heartbreaking to hear, as those poor children are not only about to move schools but essentially home as well and needing to make new friendships at their new school. It does beg the question about whether RBS is run as a school or a business? Surely it is a failure on their part if children do not pass their assessment. Should they not perseverie and put everything into the training for those children. As we all know children are an unknown entity as they grow and change, at least give them a chance to prove themselves.

Dancing Kitty is that for RBS or Elmhurst? Xx Good luck everyone, xx

Thank you amos73, that is really helpful. What age/yr group do they go up from younger group to next age group. My dd is yr 8. As much as i want value for money, it should also be about having fun and in a more relaxed environment than being at school. It is a great opportunity to meet new (and old ) friends, and to share experiences.These are their holidays and dd would go mad if she couldnt dance. Having said that, dd will be expecting corrections. We will just have to wait and see how it compares to others. Xx

Place on wk 2 for dd but sadly no scholarship. Dd very excited to be going, although has heard they are usually big classes and individuals dont get much attention. Does anyone have any knowledge of this please? Xx

Well done to both your dd. Have watched your posts over the last few years and really pleased for them both. amos73 is that Elmhurst too?

Dd's year there are 17 girls ( 5 entered Sept 17), so very much if they like them they will offer, +/- MDS. Classes will take up to 30 mixed.

Yes totally agree dancefanatic. He also meets with the children on a 1:1 following appraisals, and meets with parents in a group discussion forum at open days. In my limited knowledge and experience he is everything i think an AD should be and do. Xx

Ok, thanks JulieW Xx

Hi Sue, just out of interest, what did the vocational school say. Were they supportive? Is she still at vocational school, has she gone through lower and upper school?

RBS JAs definitely worth a try, at least you will have a better idea of whether she has potential or not. My dd didnt want to try for yr4 but auditioned in yr5 as teacher kept asking her to apply. She was successful for JAs and Elmhurst associates for yr5 and yr6, got a place as MA for yr7 for a year before being offered a place at vocational school - not bad for dd who wanted to be a Dr!! The more she danced the more she loved it and still does. My other dd didnt get a JA place but glad she auditioned and knows that at that time there were better dancers. She still enjoys dancing but enjoys her other activities too, when she knows what she wants to focus on we will support her just like our other dd - not an easy feat though. If the applications have closed - email and see if it is possible to still apply. Hope that is helpful. Xx

MA results probably wont be out until late next week at the earliest as vocational finals results still to be sent out and there will be acceptances and a lot of movement between vocational schools. Once all those places are finalised you will find that there will be more MA places available . This can sometimes happen for a month or two. So those who dont get an MA place initially, and are on the waiting list, be patient places do sometimes become available. Xx