Stirrups36

I really don't want to use this board as an advertising route! But the questions are really interesting. The school is not intended to be a competitor to the full time vocational schools turning out <insert appropriate dancer's name here> for professional ballet companies - although if that happened, and after 16 a student went on to vocational school, then great. But just as important is the student who wants to be a scientist, and who loves dance. This school would give that child an opportunity to do both. I really believe that dance can help academic studies, that there are neurological reasons why dance should be considered as an everyday component of school life, and the school will build on that research as well. Addressing Anjuli's very valid points, I think the difference is that this school is not a dance school, with academic education. But a general academic school, with lots of dance. Does that make sense? It would be great to offer 15-15 as suggested, but under UK Sex Discrimiation laws, this would be illegal for me to do. And maybe next year, CLASS for Girls... not sure we could write the Government applications for 2 schools in the 3 weeks left on the application deadlines!

Hi all, I must confess an interest in this discussion... But am writing just to add some facts about these types of schools. The proposed school is to be a state funded school, probably the most similar example in the US would be a Charter school. So the school teaches all the academic subjects as well. The Ballet Tech school in New York is the nearest example I could find. With regards to coed status, it would actually and rightly be illegal under UK laws to restrict access to a state funded day school based on sex if the school is a coed school. But if it is a single sex school, admissions are obviously just for one of the sexes. So yes, it would be perfectly possible for a group of parents to set up a girls school, with dance as a main aspect of the schooling. Especially if it was based in a locality with little all-girls provision. If a coed school was to be set up, then you would not be able to restrict access on sex, so would probably have a higher number of girls.

It's now on iplayer until the 15th Jan http://bbc.in/wS9SoT

DS went 2 years on the trot while at primary school and was never a JA.

totally agree with JulieW - take spares and don't forget the ballet shoes (as we did for DS final audition at White Lodge...) definitely enjoy the day, and if you see someone (especially a lone, probably petrified dad like I was!) you don't know, go and speak to them as there are often groups of JA parents who know each other already. We now have long lasting friendships with others who like us were not JA parents, or even now with children at Vocational school. They will probably be as glad of the company as you will be.

a no and a waiting list for us this year - waiting list DS has done Summer School twice in the past whilst at primary school (year 5 and 6) and is now at Vocational School. He was never a JA/PVP at all. just shows that all combinations can be possible! for those with places, enjoy the week and make good friends

This was our first ever Nutcracker (how's that, i hear you ask!) and so interesting to see it in such a venue. The staging and dancing were excellent. Being on the sides meant that we couldn't see the tree change, and maybe a better use of the cameras using wide angle rather than close ups at that pont would have helped everyone in the same position. However, the story was super and the dancing of the usual high standard for BRB. The space did seem to be relished by the dancers, althou probably hard work covering all the ground. I don't think I would go to watch ballet at the O2 again - but Well done to BRB for pulling it off.