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Some of the same places? Any new ones that she likes since last year - more importantly does this mean a new spreadsheet???

DS wants more than just classical ballet so that rules out a few places but does want dance. He's probably too young for MT (not 16 until Feb). What about your DD?

Thanks Kaymac. We are looking for Sep 2015 entry and I've been inspired by your talk of a spreadsheet to do one myself edited as I accidently posted before I had finished writing!

I've probably missed it somewhere but would love to know where your daughter is off to

Is Derby any good?

I just went through and 'binned' all the things I didn't want and although I got an error message telling me I was binning too many things it seemed to work.

DS was 'spotted' at after school club aged 5 and I was told that he should be doing ballet. I was completely taken aback and it was about 6 months before I decided to try and see what happened. I rang around several schools and made my decision based on convenience and the fact that she seemed genuinely pleased to have a boy, stating that she specialised in boys work. It never occurred to me to ask about qualifications and I had no idea that there were different examining boards with their own syllabus We were very lucky in that she is an excellent teacher but she is the only ballet teacher and so the amount of time she can give is limited. Having said that he has been accepted at one or more schools every year that he has auditioned and only finances have prevented him going away so she's obviously doing something right!. I knew nothing and it wasn't until he had been dancing for about 18 months that she spoke to us about his potential. He did 2 associate schemes and auditioned successfully for CAT at 13. Had I known anything about the ballet world I would probably have tried to get into an RAD school because there seems to be so more opportunities for competitions, festivals etc. but of course that would have been no guarantee of quality teaching. I'm not sure at what point I might have known if the quality of teaching hadn't been up to scratch, I think either the child has to aware of something lacking/not getting what they want out of the classes or they have to go outside of the school - to summer school or associates so that another teacher could suggest a change to you or you can see from the other children that yours isn't at the same/similar standard.

For anyone considering this I thoroughly recommend it, if it's as good as last year your DC will have a really good week.

We recently went for a few days to LRBS and were extremely impressed. There is lot of building work going on at present but from what we could see the facilities are going to be wonderful. The staff were extremely helpful and the pupils very friendly. The standard from what I saw was extremely high and there was a good range of ages.

great to see there's going to be a boys session but do you have a few more details e.g target age/level, will it be one session during the day? If you had enough interest would it be possible to do the whole day?

I wrote this in a bit of a panic without speaking to the school - just a knee jerk reaction really and I'm not proud of myself Anyway we have now had a conversation and it's all sorted. The school were extremely understanding and it's with a sigh of relief that we now look forward to the next two days . Note to self - engage brain before reacting

I emailed the London Russian Ballet School to ask if they had any open days planned with a view to DS applying for September 2015. A few emails were exchanged and then a few phone calls which resulted in us being asked to take him up for 2 days. I was told that he would take part in several classes, be accommodated overnight and then take part/observe further classes. I checked about him being accommodated and explained that I would not be stopping overnight in London due to the expense (having already explained that we have no money and he gets free school meals] So it's all arranged, train tickets bought and we are off tomorrow. Then yesterday I get asked to pay £40 for his accommodation and today I am asked for £25 towards his classes. Whilst I appreciate that neither of these charges are unreasonable I'm horrified at having to find this money at such short notice. He's only going because they asked me take him and I feel they should have told me about the costs up front so that I could make my mind up about whether to go or not. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place now, I've already spent money on train fares, arranged for him to miss school etc but if I take him I need to find another £65......... Let everyone learn from this to always ask about any possible or hidden costs

We did it in May and have never received the DVD despite emailing Angela, any response would have been good even if it was to say sorry, no DVD. It's a great pity as we enjoyed the experience and DS had a solo which unfortunately we don't have a record of. I thought someone on the site knew how to get one but didn't get a reply. If anyone has a copy from the Derby May 2013 performance and would be prepared to lend it to me I would be extremely grateful. Jill

I agree - Just Ballet is excellent, fantastic service and very helpful

Hi, does anyone know what roles there are for senior boys in Nutcracker please?

I've never thought about it before until my mum commented that she wished grandson would stop growing as he would be too tall to carry on dancing. I dismissed it but can't help a little nagging doubt!! Having turned 15 last Saturday he's 5ft 10ins and growing, takes size 12/13 shoes, his Dad is 6ft 1in. As if there isn't enough to stress over without worrying about something we can do nothing about - Aggghhhhh

We used the Park and Ride at the Zoo, I think we paid a small amount for the bus into the city centre but nothing like the cost to park in Chester

It's £80 a month for two 45 min classes where we go, most classes have piano accompaniment.

I couldn't agree more

Thanks Spanner but as soon as I posted it came to me - café press I've been trying to remember that for over a week!!!

A few years ago on the old forum there was a link to a site that had lots of gift ideas for dancers, does anyone remember it please?

I try not to but everytime I see your pic I think of a fried egg... Jill

this is fab, thanks

Having started dancing at 6 and now 14 we know what it's like for a boy who life is dance. A boy who can never just walk anywhere but needs to leap or spin. We've been very lucky, the only person who has ever been derogatory about his dancing has been my sister who has always told me I should stop him (as if I could) as I'm making him different. I got a phone call at work yesterday to tell me look at the Bloch Europe Facebook page as his picture is on it - he was more than happy to share that with all his family and friends because he is very proud of his dancing. His friends are envious of his physique and his strength and at performances he can always be found surrounded by girls, one of the benefits of being very much in the minority Hopefully that boy will grow up with a similar positive experience.