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Busymum

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Everything posted by Busymum

  1. My DD is in her second year at Laine and we did the auditions a few years ago obviously. Feel free to pm with any questions.
  2. I have had 2 very different DC at Tring and both have been very happy and very supported. My DS is still there and I had the same issues as you @JulsgalaxyWe had no training close to home and as a boy dancer he wasn't happy at primary school. I feel the local high school would have been torturous for him. He is now Year 10 and en route to Milton Keynes to watch the new James Bond film with his friends. My DD was not classical orientated but Tring was the best school for her to have that high level of training. Even though she would never be top for ballet she was always treated as well as the purely classical dancers and the school supported her as an individual. I felt there was care and worry for her as an individual and academic successes are as highly regarded as any vocational regardless of what vocational course the children are on. I find it brilliant that they have so many differently talented children all working for their own loves. Having children on the musical theatre course as friends in your dorm helps it not be all encompassing about ballet 24/7. My DS has been so happy at school and I was so worried about him boarding as he is a home boy and I worried so much that he would be homesick and have lost all his pants by the end of the first week. He has been supported as necessary and has coped really well. His training is brilliant and I feel injuries etc are managed well. They have different coloured cards for when they go back to dance to show each teacher so their teacher is aware what they can and can't do and also reminds them during class to be careful and adapt or sit out of exercises if necessary. When he had physio the physio rang me to discuss and I felt fully informed. The first few weeks of term when they all go back in September they are all expected to stay at school for the weekends until exeat, usually 2 weekends. This is to help them settle at school and build friendships. After that they are allowed home at weekends if they want to but most don't as they enjoy their weekend off at school. From year 8 onwards they have exam dance classes on a Saturday and can go home after that but they like going to Tesco with their friends or their organised trip on a Sunday. We are billed for them but they generally are only £7 or £8 pounds or so until the last one of term and that might be £20. They always enjoy Christmas shopping in Milton Keynes. Houseparents go with them and supervise the young ones, they also go to panto at Christmas and older ones to a show in the last week of autumn term. Sports day in the summer (throw the pointe shoe!) and teachers compete too. They have a football goal and swings on back lawn and a football match in summer too. Plenty of fun and a much more (normal) life for not normal school days! MDS cover £825 of dance clothing/shoes, AXA medical insurance and private music lessons. Also unlimited amount for exams. If you are on lower incomes then there is also an allowance for academic uniform and travel. They have counsellors to speak to of any issues that aren't resolved by talking to houseparents, teachers etc and are encouraged to talk through any problems. Can't think of anything else but if you have any questions please pm me.
  3. Tring lower school, so Years 7,8 and 9, have their dancing in the mornings and academics in the afternoon. Middle school, years 10 and 11, are the opposite and have a longer day. Lower school start dancing at 8.30 and finish 12.15, Academics start around 1.15 (around that time) and finish at 4.45, they then have prep 5-6, then supper. They also have RAD ballet and ISTD tap and modern classes on a Saturday but they don't start until year 8. Middle school start academics at 8.30, finish around 12.30 and dance 1.45-6.30 have supper and then prep 7-8.30. Also exam dance classes on a Saturday. Also in the run up to GCSE's they can have extra academic from 8. Edited to add they have ballet every day, sometimes double ballet. I think from memory my DS had almost all ballet 2 or 3 days a week. So would either have an extra long ballet class or normal ballet class and then boys have separate boys ballet whilst girls then had a separate class for pointe work.
  4. Reading this thread is so hard that these students have to go through such turmoil unsupported by their schools. I have to say our family have always had the back up chats as I worry so much about the chance of a job when they graduate. DS is at Tring and we received emails last week that the kids will have an app for career guidance (not dance related) as it is always drummed into them all that they need back up choices. The university routes that the ones who choose not to go on and continue the vocational route is always celebrated. So many varied careers that the students all seem to go and pursue. Shows that there is more to life than a vocational career. Still such a long road for the DC to walk that all we can do is support as best we can. At least our DC have had the chance and talent to pursue for as long as they did.
  5. Tring definitely do remove MDS from pupils and have done before the new Co Directors of Dance came into post. They don't do it that often but definitely do but they don't come as a shock. Support and advice is given in advance and from what I am lead to believe they would know by October half term to give them time to audition elsewhere if they couldn't stay without the funding. All pupils on the dance course are assessed in the same way and you never know who has an MDS and who doesn't.
  6. Congratulations everyone with your results and I'm sorry for the ones who haven't had the response they hoped for. It's an arduous process. Regarding boarding please try not to worry. They changed to this working about 5/6 years ago but they always seem to find boarding for people who need it. Definitely of you receive funding then a bed is there too and if you can only attend with boarding then they seem to find it. Thinking of you all for the rest of the remaining time until this is all over. The horrible not knowing and worry regarding September is awful.
  7. Friars balsam!!!! it finally came to be today what we used to use years ago. Also Zambuk! I had to share the oldies, although I’m sure the latest information is much better!
  8. I think the problem then would be that the teachers that are highlighting the bad practice would be labelled as “jealous.”
  9. Everybody is offered a day place and wait list for boarding. Then once they know how many beds they have they know how many beds they can offer. All MDS offers are with beds if needed. It always seems to work out that anybody who needs a bed gets one. Even if there is a bit of a wait for it initially.
  10. My DS was not kept for physio but got an MDS.
  11. Results for Spring are starting to come out. DS has a place on Spring Intensive.
  12. I know children at full time vocational school who are dancing constantly in the holidays too. It is absolutely ridiculous. The schools are totally unaware that the parents are taking them to all these extra lessons. There is no time to relax and recuperate. My DD comes back from full time school tired and needs a break. Also as a family we need time together and not her being segregated again from the rest of the family because of dancing. I seriously worry about the physical well being, long term, for these pushed to the limit bodies of a few children.
  13. Yes I will. Thankfully we only have a term left now. My DS has had such trouble with the boys in his class that his teacher last year suggested home schooling him. Totally different topic to what we are discussing of course but I am so thankful Primary school is almost finished for him.
  14. My DC have never been on the gifted and talented register for their dancing. I really should have picked up on that. One school was always very good. Nothing was a problem and it was always classified as educated off site. I have no idea what the present School enter for my DS. I can say they get on my nerves though!! I would imagine it isn’t entered as educated off site.
  15. I think the ISTD exams are actually more numerous than RAD so it isn’t just a problem of the RAD. When you take into account ISTD provide grade and vocational modern, tap and ballet exams plus Cecchetti on top then it would be impossible to fit all those exams into after school or holidays. It just can’t be done. I myself do not see a problem with a child missing school for a short while or even a day, if need be, to take an exam. It is something that they are dedicated to by working many hours towards it and seeing it through to take the actual exam. Most children would be able to catch up on the few hours missed without any problem. Dancing children are wonderful are organising their time and are often high achievers in all aspects of life. My DS attended finals at 3 schools this year . I took in the proof of his invite to finals at WL, Elmhurst and Tring. References were needed from the head yet I was asked to fill in an absence request. There was no way on this planet that I was going to ask my DS’s school, for permission to be away on those days. I am his parent and the auditions were necessary to try and find the best secondary school for him. I wouldn’t need permission on the days they went up to the senior school for a tour so I don’t see the difference for vocational school. The sad thing is not once has anybody asked me how he got on. Thankfully he has a place at vocational school and we are all overjoyed. The local senior school that his brothers are at is just not the right school for him and I am thrilled that he will be with other likeminded boys. Time off off from school is not something that most parents’ are happy about but there definitely has to be a balance.
  16. At DD’s school the director of dance teaches the year 7’s so that she gets to know the children. She also does teach other classes with the older years so knows all the children well.
  17. Boys London results are out. Wondering if they are sending boys first as audition is only 2 weeks away.
  18. Great news Coniger my son is 10 and also year 6! Xx
  19. I have just received an email offering ds a place. Nice to hear earlier than expected!! Good luck for your email. I hope you hear soon
  20. Thinking of everybody during the torturous wait. I hope the children who received no's are ok and the yes's congratulations. We received a yes at about 10.30 in the morning 2 years ago so I think you can expect the results at anytime.
  21. Army dancer my niece will be starting y7 in September too. Lucky kids!!!
  22. I didn't think CBA was on today, so thankfully we didn't go. DS wasn't booked in for boys day for the first time in 3 years so gave us a day off I have never been able to access this forum on the school wifi. I think it is so the students don't go on it.
  23. The majority of the deposit at Tring is refundable as £2000 of the deposit is fees. £1000 for first term and £1000 refunded when you leave. Therefore if you don't take up the place you only lose the £250 deposit as obviously you won't use the £1000 first terms fees. Hope that makes sense.
  24. Good luck Harwel. Hard when a second child wants to go, added stress!! Xx
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