ElllieP

Only talking lower school here, but we got an offer of a Y7 place off the reserve on 1 July. So hold on! Quite a few did get offers from the reserve list and many at a fairly late stage. I think a number of those offered the places for lower schools decide not to accept once they have taken some time to consider and have worked out the realities. They may turn down a place due to funding, distance, not wanting to board, deciding to try again at 16, as well as accepting an offer elsewhere.The late offer made it a very rushed decision for us, so not ideal.

Wow thanks everyone, that's really interesting and helpful. Pups_mum - your DD sounds very impressive and dedicated and this will stand her in very good stead. The work experience she is getting now will be great for teaching. It's also interesting about the UCAS points - it's confirming for me that it's definitely better to get your points from academic studies, although as Fiz says A level courses themselves might not be better as an experience. It also seems that intermediate is the key stage in the vocational exams. Maybe overall it would be good for my DD to get that Adv 1 (maybe miss AF?) but perhaps as a goal for some point in the next 2.5 years before she leaves school. Exactly when is a good time is another whole question as I know from experience with her older siblings that the pace doesn't exactly slow down after GCSEs! Luckily her dance school would be fine with that and not insist on her taking exams - by this stage the classes now have a mix of some adults and university students.

Can anyone give me some practical guidance on the benefits – in theory or practice – of RAD Advanced Foundation and Advanced 1? eg do you gain UCAS points for them, and if so do universities or courses really consider them for any course other than drama/performance/dance? And do you need either, in order, say, to teach dance? My DD is not going down the vocational school or dance college route (been there, done that, with voc school). She has Intermediate and now just likes to do ballet for exercise, enjoyment, and to put her early training to use. We are lucky to have an excellent dance school which offers all vocational grades, but we live a fair distance away. The advanced classes are always late in the evening and the can knock out homework for an entire evening. Exams always mean more classes to fit in, too. With GCSEs looming, followed by AS, A levels etc we’re wondering…what is the point? She could carry on taking class but not take the exams, but would she be missing out on something? Maybe having got to this level she should have something to show for it? Any views?

Agreed, Dea - a great experience and confidence-booster for my dd - who now has withdrawal symptoms! - and a really vibrant, enjoyable and entertaining show for the audience. Just listening to the positive comments of the matinee audience as they were leaving was lovely. EYB know how to put on a great show, never mind all they do for the children.

We were surprised at the class sizes in vocational school. We got the impression it would be about 12, and although it started that way, numbers rapidly rose to 19 for the girls. Saturday RAD classes were even bigger - the funny thing was that when my dd left, she was lucky enough to be taught by the same teacher that did the RAD voc school classes - except this time there were only 12 in the class! Now 6!

When will the switch to the new syllabus take place? My dd is due to do AF next spring, so will that be the old or new syllabus?

Would agree with the above re Just Ballet - really quick delivery and helpful service!

Great - thanks for all the help. Both the glues suggested are available on Amazon.

What sort of glue should be used for sticking the suede patches onto pointe shoe tips?

I remember going through this for Elmhurst - we were lucky and the local independent electrical shop did it for a small charge. I think Elmhurst said that they would confiscate and test any items that did not have the right PAT label and as I recall they would have charged more. in the event i don't think I heard of this happening though.

My DD said only 4 of the girls in her Y7 class at her voc school had never been on pointe before they started. Within a week of starting in September, the rest were told to get pointe shoes. It was a fairly gentle introduction but they were certainly doing pointe work at the barre that term. Also at the RBS summer school that summer (ie after end of Y6) a number of the mainly foreign girls in her class were on pointe and had little sessions in some classes - quite accepted.

The general acceptance here is for 13+ or when feet stop growing - which is very sensible. Yet the reality is different at some levels. At vocational school nearly all of the Y7 girls were already on pointe (at age 11+) and all the rest were expected to get their pointe shoes and start right away with no real individual assessment as to whether were ready. Same at EYB when there were 10/11 year olds on pointe and no questions raised.

Meadowblythe I had to sign in just to like that comment! I remember my DD saying one of the Elmhurst boys was off to join the army a few years back so maybe it is not such an unusual career path! Can see why the Forces might like these fit, disciplined young people. I wonder if Army scholarships might extend to those at vocational school (if you are successful they pay half the fees for sixth form, I believe, and allow you do to any degree you like. All you have to do is, er, promise to sign up until the age of 25).

Hi If you can/are prepared to travel, I would highly recommend the East Oxford School of Ballet. http://www.eastoxfordballet.co.uk/ Trains and buses possible, although don't come into the right side of Oxford for most classes. A good range of senior classes with excellent teaching including one who is also RAD examiner and teaches at two of the vocational schools. Also has a Sunday dance school by invitation/audition. But depending which side of Reading, and schools etc, in terms of logistics you may be as well heading for London...best of luck!

Thank you DrDance - that is reassuring especially about dancing in the brace! Will report back on progress.