Picturesinthefirelight Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 There were several new year 9s last year. 3 dance boarders (2 girls 1 boy) & a couple of day drama students. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quest Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Thanks for the info, our dd would be starting in yr9(still deciding whether to accept bursary and live like paupers!) so that will be a challenge in itself as friendship groups will already be formed and dd is a quiet child until she knows people well. Has anyone else's dc started in yr9? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quest Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 (edited) Boogalou, mine started in year 9 last year, and I was also worried about them fitting into established friendship groups. I need not have worried as everyone was very welcoming, and they love every minute of it. Happy to help further if I can ????, as I appreciate its a big decision Edited May 21, 2016 by Quest 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snape Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 The phone thing can be a pain as I don't get in on an evening, often until after 9:30pm and lights out is 9pm in year 7. The boarding staff let her call me just after 9 twice a week only for a couple of minutes, it does feel a bit rushed but at least I get to say night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straceydor Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Thanks for the info, our dd would be starting in yr9(still deciding whether to accept bursary and live like paupers!) so that will be a challenge in itself as friendship groups will already be formed and dd is a quiet child until she knows people well. Has anyone else's dc started in yr9? Hi Boogalou My dd is starting yr 9 in sept. and can be quiet until she knows people 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Is there anyone else going into year 9 Staceydor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straceydor Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Besides Boogalou dd i don't know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Ok, well last least if there's one other new DD it will be nice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Hi - is anyone else starting in Y10 next year? My dd would like to make contact if so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Dd tells me there are a few new year 10s starting. One of them has made contact via Facebook. PM me if your dd would like to be put in tosuch with current year 9s. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Do you get a uniform allowance with MDS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballet4Boyz Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share Posted May 21, 2016 Yes Sarahw ..... all dance wear & dance shoes covered & tracksuit upto a certain amount each year - think it's £700 + (but not totally sure on that) . Academic uniform isn't covered by MDS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snape Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 You get a ballet uniform amount. I think everyone on an mds gets that. It didn't last all year though, nearly did. I think it would last a boy all year. Girls pointe shoes add up. You only get a school uniform allowance if you are at the lower end of the earning scale. I think earning less than 10/15 thousand a year. It did say on a form somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snape Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 It's £620 I think for the dance uniform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Great thanks! Is that a standard amount or on earnings sliding scale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snape Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 Think standard for the dance wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 At Tring vocational MDS uniform alliance this year was£720 or £750 (can't find exact figure now). So it seems the schools differ. Vocational uniform is not dependant on earnings to qualify whereas academic uniform is. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pas de chat Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 I always found it very easy to get in touch with DD both before school and after. They do have a very busy life which is a good thing as they can get home sickness when they have nothing to do. The house parents for us have always been very lovely, my DD has always suffered from home sickness so often comes home after Saturday class and we take her home Sunday night. She is unusual though as most of the other children are very settled. The most important thing is Hammond is a very good school, the teaching is excellent (both academic and dance) and your children will be well looked after. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcoom75 Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Pas De Chat, is your DD able to come home every weekend, and what time does Saturday class finish? I would also like to know more about the academic side as my DS is very keen to audition for year 7 but I am in two minds as at the moment he is very academic. ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Saturday class finishes at 12.15. I usually pick dd up at 12.30 as she chooses to eat lunch at school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snape Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 My DD does not come home every weekend. It would be OK if you lived near enough I suppose. Bear in mind that the ones that go home more often/ have lots of visitors, are the ones that struggle with homesickness! Homesickness is more than often caused by well meaning parents!! My DD came from an amazing academic prep school. I would say academically it is not going to be able to compete with a private school with an academic focus and all its finances targeted at that ( and no dance!) but I think it is better than most state schools. I compared the timetable when she started with three schools local to me, respected secondary schools with excellent and outstanding ofsted thingys, not that that means anything, but anyway, per subject the Hammond seem to do a tiny bit more, 15 mins more maths for example. But no PE and no DT except one term of food tech. Obviously I would guess a large proportion of their budget goes towards more dance/drama/ music things. The things my child found difficult was the lack of technology, she was used to 3D printers, everything connected and all the latest tech in every classroom, linked to home. I do believe they are working on improving this. Sometimes the printers don't even work in the boarding. It must be a disadvantage to the teachers also. I think the Hammond and Tring seem to be the best two for academics. Am I allowed to say that? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snape Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Ps the house parents are really good!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eowyn Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Totally agree with all of that Snape! My dd is one of those who suffers with homesickness and I must admit she is much better when we see her less. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straceydor Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 on the boarders requirement list there are two items which has got us confused What are/is linen bag and show cleaning equipment and what are they used for ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snape Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 (edited) It is supposed to say, shoe cleaning equipment ( they obviously haven't corrected it from last year, as I asked the same question! ) Linen bag is a laundry bag for their dirty stuff. Edited May 24, 2016 by Snape 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straceydor Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Thanks Snape 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Dd is going to be boarding temporarily for a few weeks soon. We usually play things a bit by eat & she borrows stuff but could anyone forward me the boarding list at all as she moans if she hasn't got something she should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sadie123 Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Does anyone have any experience of the learning support offer at The Hammond? My DS is starting in September but he does struggle academically. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 No experience of learning support but SEN provision is exceptional & puts dds old school & ds's current school to shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sadie123 Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Thank you, that is reassuring to hear. I am gettin increasingly anxious about September. I need to pull myself together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 No experience of learning support but SEN provision is exceptional & puts dds old school & ds's current school to shame. The Hammond school is certainly inclusive. However, one of mine had 6 classes per week on learning support at her old school and has 1/2 an hour a week now, which I pay extra for. There are only two members of staff who provide this for the whole school. They do their absolute best however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Obviously quite a difference then. Dd doesn't require learning support as such - just understanding & reasonable adjustments. They were very quick to pick up on the fact she may have issues unlike her previous school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherbert Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 You are certainly allowed to say that Snape. But as anecdotal evidence it only serves as your opinion. I have a different opinion. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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