taxi4ballet Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 DD wants to audition for vocational school soon and we have been looking at open days/insight days etc and found details re RBS and Tring, but can't find anything for Elmhurst. I'm wondering if anyone knew whether Elmhurst hold open days for prospective pupils and parents as I've scoured their website to no avail and e-mailed them, but not had a reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballet0 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 dont know if they have an open day but when you do the first round the parents get a tour round the school xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 Yes, I thought that would be the case, but don't they do anything else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyG Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Elmhurst haven't done in the past. In previous years RBS open days were for JA's only I thought. Though it could have changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleballerina Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 White Lodge was/still is JA's or those "in the know" as it were! ie teachers etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 its a shame Elmhurst don't have an open day- i'd love to get a look around!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I don't think Elmhurst have open days prior to audition. You do get a very comprehensive tour on the day though while the children are dancing. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 The Royal do an audition insight day, which is open to all, as far as I know, and Tring have open days in october. Regular academic schools have open days/evenings, so it seems odd that Elmhurst don't do anything. I wonder why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletla Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I have never seen the point of open days at vocational school as the auditions are pretty much the same as an open day and if I'm going to go to all the trouble and expense of getting there with my DD, I may as well throw in an audition as well. Also, the websites are very good and if you need to know anything specific, just email or ring the school. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach3 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 The RBS audition insight day is classes and talks at the upper school in Covent Garden, you don't get to go to White Lodge and look round or anything. JA's are given the option of one of two mornings prior to preliminary auditions to go to White Lodge and look around if they wish but you must book this. I think Elmhurst might allow a tour of the school if you contact them I have seen one or two parents being shown around in the past but I don't know the circumstances these tours were requested or allowed under. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancemaddad Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I spoke to Elmhurst and they wouldn't let us look round prior to audition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach3 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Perhaps I was mistaken then. Your best bet for info would be the schools own websites and the knowledgable folk on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach3 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 You get a tour of White Lodge on finals day and also a chance to talk to house parents and members of the PTA. At the prelims for Elmhurst you will be given a tour of the main building but it isn't until the final audition that you get to see the inside of the boarding house. Even then parents are permitted only in the common room and to talk to the house parent while the children are allowed to go to the dorms with current year 7's who will answer any questions they may have. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancemaddad Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 We were allowed to look round bedrooms at Elmhurst at final auditions. And very nice they are too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach3 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Yes they are very spacious aren't they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancemaddad Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Yes my dd loves it there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I find this very odd, that you cannot see the dorms. It isn't free and if you send your child to a public school, you expect and get to see everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted September 27, 2012 Author Share Posted September 27, 2012 If you are thinking about sending your child anywhere you want to be able to see everything... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyG Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 To offer tours of the boarding accommodation to all who audition which could be 500+ students and parents is surely very disruptive to the students whose home it is. It seems fair to show those who have reached the final audition as they actually stand a chance of getting a place at the school. For W/L we went to the summer fair/open day and did the tour of the school. If I remember correctly they alternate the years they do the open day. At the end of the day only a very few of our DC will actually have a choice of which vocational school they attend. Once offered a place schools may be more accommodating in allowing a visit to help make your choice. Doing a tour of the Tring boarding several years ago put me of my DS going there. We haven't seen Hammonds boarding but Elmhurst is the most spacious with 3ft beds compared to 2ft 6 offered elsewhere. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interested Parent Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I have done both open days and/or tours with all of the 4 schools: 1. RBS no open day but can book 'JA for a day' for those seeking 11 years Year 7 and then Audition 1 with no tour, Audition Final with tour. 2. Elmhurst no open day, Audition 1 tour of school facilities, Audition Final tour of accommodation (although this may have changed). 3. Hammond not sure on open days but Audition 1 tour of school and accommodation, Audition Final none. 4. Tring yes open days, Audition 1 tour of school, facilities. My experience was that I needed the Open Days for Tring because I had never seen the school or accommodation and if my DD was going to audition, she needed to have a solo dance and possibly singing piece/music which all costs time and money so wanted to be sure it was right for her before we committed to the audition. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletla Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I agree that you want to see everything but I would be surprised if anyone made a decision about a vocational school, purely on the buildings or boarding accommodation - surely it's about the standard of teaching? My DD goes to ballet lessons in a run down old church, but her dance teacher is excellent and we wouldn't go somewhere else just because it had nice studios. As KathyG says, it's not like most people are lucky enough to get a choice anyway, so my advice is go for them all and look round on audition day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interested Parent Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 For us, accommodation was VERY important and if the accommodation had not been good enough we would not have allowed our daughter to audition. You also don't get to look around at Audition 1 and so we would have still been none the wiser on accommodation if my DD had been lucky enough to get a Final Audition. By this time we would have wasted much time and effort on the solos, photos, costs to apply, time off school etc only to find that the accommodation was not suitable. At the open day you also get to watch a short performance in their small theatre and to ask lots of questions about teaching, scholarships, number of MDS places available etc which you don't get at Audition 1. I would highly recommend the open days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Living the Dream Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 For us, accommodation was VERY important and if the accommodation had not been good enough we would not have allowed our daughter to audition. You also don't get to look around at Audition 1 and so we would have still been none the wiser on accommodation if my DD had been lucky enough to get a Final Audition. By this time we would have wasted much time and effort on the solos, photos, costs to apply, time off school etc only to find that the accommodation was not suitable. At the open day you also get to watch a short performance in their small theatre and to ask lots of questions about teaching, scholarships, number of MDS places available etc which you don't get at Audition 1. I would highly recommend the open days. I can only add that if I had looked at the accomodation a WL prior to my DD gaining a place and this being as you say VERY important to you, then she would not have been going. So in hind sight and after 5 years of fantastic training, I am glad that I did not see the Year 7 boarding facilities prior to new parents day, as I thought it was awful and so did she for that year too. However after being 5 years down the line, it is the training at vocational school that is the most important and not the boarding facilities to me, as some schools facilities can look amazing, but the standard of the training might not be the best. Of course this is only my opinion. Hope this helps 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellybeans Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I would say that the quality of pastoral care is what I would look at first and foremost! Children are very adaptable and would probably be happy almost anywhere as long as the adults looking after them are sympathetic and approachable. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletla Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 (edited) Yes I agree LTD - the accommodation in year 7 at WL is Victorian and even the year 9&10 rooms are very small and cramped. DD has stayed in all through several summer schools. Would anyone turn down a place at WL because of this though? I doubt it. Elmhurst rooms by comparrison are huge and have loads of storage space, but again, I don't think this would influence my decision. In my experience, none of the accommodation is below satisfactory or harmful to health and really should be a small factor in the decision-making process. Edited to add: Sorry IP, not meaning to disagree with your personal experience of Tring boarding accommodation. I wasn't impressed with it either, but I would have still let DD go there if I thought it was the right place to go. I think it's when other things aren't quite right and then the accommodation isn't good either, that it all starts to add up. Edited September 27, 2012 by Ribbons 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Hammond have an open day this Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon2 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Are the open days at White Lodge not just for the 'Friends'? I can't see anything else listed but might be looking in the wrong place because would be interested to know if any coming up for Upper school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyG Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 (edited) W/L open day in June is for anyone to attend. If you turn up on the alternate year I don't think they will turn you away just not as much on offer. Edited September 27, 2012 by KathyG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted September 27, 2012 Author Share Posted September 27, 2012 I would say that the quality of pastoral care is what I would look at first and foremost! Children are very adaptable and would probably be happy almost anywhere as long as the adults looking after them are sympathetic and approachable. Agree with this, and about the standard of vocational training, but something else I'm interested in is the academic side of the schools too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yaffa Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 WL also has a Dance Partnership and Access - General Public Insight Day on Thursday, 22nd November: Not aimed at prospective pupils but open to all at no charge. http://www.royalball...dar.php?s=2&e=1 Yaffa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Yes I agree LTD - the accommodation in year 7 at WL is Victorian and even the year 9&10 rooms are very small and cramped. DD has stayed in all through several summer schools. Would anyone turn down a place at WL because of this though? I doubt it. Elmhurst rooms by comparrison are huge and have loads of storage space, but again, I don't think this would influence my decision. In my experience, none of the accommodation is below satisfactory or harmful to health and really should be a small factor in the decision-making process. Edited to add: Sorry IP, not meaning to disagree with your personal experience of Tring boarding accommodation. I wasn't impressed with it either, but I would have still let DD go there if I thought it was the right place to go. I think it's when other things aren't quite right and then the accommodation isn't good either, that it all starts to add up. Funny enough it was seeing the rolled up sock on the floor in one of Trings dormitories that convinced my ds he wanted to go to boarding school! He ended up at WL and was among the last couple of years to live in the accomodation as it was before the new blocks were built- he is very glad to list that experience to many happy memories! And we found the new buildings more than satisfactory. The pastoral care is what is more important though and I cannot praise the WL staff highly enough. During ds time there new pupils came from both Hammond and Elmhurst who preferred the set up at WL, not least because of the wonderful grounds that they have the use of. Incidently ds was well looked after at Tring too during his short time there. I should add though that his home bedroom is tiny so most places are luxurious by comparison! At the end of the day comparatively little time is spent in the accomodation anyway. As long as its warm, clean and has sympathtic staff then great. And it really doesn't hurt to learn how to get along with others- something I felt very important for my only child. And as to academics well I can vouch for the quality and dedication of the staff at WL. OK so he didn't do 13 subjects like his cousin but actually who really needs that many? For the record hes ended up with 9 gcses,1 as level. 3 A levels (courtesy of the excellent choice on offer at Tring) + his dance diploma!! And after all that he didn't need any of them for his current job but it is hopefully a safeguard for the future. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I agree with all that has been said, but schools do have a responsibility in providing a safe, clean and healthy environment for its pupils. Yes great to be offered a place but MDS award or not, you are still paying for a package. Your child will be living in this environment for a very long time. We looked at one school many years ago and found the boarding facilities down right dangerous, eg fire escape from attic rooms? Single glazed broken glass in conservatory very dangerous. I did wonder how this boarding facility had passed its ofsted inspection . However I know for a fact the children living there were very well looked after and the boarding mistress really was exceptional in her care towards the girls. I must admit if my daughter had to have boarded there it would have added to my concerns regarding her safety but I know she would have been emotionaly nurtured by the staff there. I would suggest that parents do look at accomodation to reasure themselves that the place where their children will be living is safe (fire exits, wiring, windows when the children open them can they fall through them if the builing is high, showers etc etc) clean and healthy emotionaly. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach3 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 We have had experience of boarding facilities at Elmhurst and White Lodge, to be honest the majority of the accomodation is very similar, purpose built clean and comfortable bedrooms with showers and loos just down the hall. There is a common room in each house for relaxing in. The year 7 and 8 at W/L are in bigger dorms with more beds but they all have their own space and are clean and comfortable. The bedrooms at Elmhurst are never more than 2 sharing and the older girls yr 11 I think have single ensuite rooms. I agree with what has been said above that it really is the quality of pastoral care that will mean more to you and your dc when the time comes for boarding and it is a something that at the two schools we have had experience at, is taken very seriously and really seen as the key element...if they are happy boarding then they will do well at school and the house parents and medical staff seem to have this common goal in mind. There will always be some who have a bad experience but many more who go through the schools happy. Like hfbrew's son my dd now has more room than she did at home! We have no experience of Hammond or Tring so can't comment on those two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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