Well my DS insists he had the best training and is rather indignant about the fuss over the fact that this year no one who had been through RBS from yr 7 got into the company. He says that they are all still getting jobs afterall and many look forward to going abroad to join other British dancers worldwide. And I have heard in the past of RBS graduates preferring to work in smaller companies as soloists rather than as corps in RBS!
As it happens no one from his year got assessed out in year 7 and they really do try to avoid this. And a high proportion did go through all 5 years and all of those went on to further training though not necessarily Upper School. Admittedly some of those have now given up but the majority have now either got jobs or are still in training thus fulfilling the promise shown when they were 11.
My DS point is also that a British dancer did get into the company having been funded by MDS, even if she didn't go to WL.
Don't be scared about dance in the UK, we are so lucky to have so many brilliant places to train - thank goodness because different places suit different students. And all places have highs and lows but isn't that what prepares you for life?
I would also like to say that being assessed out is not the end of the road, just a different path by way of training at a place more suitable to a particular students needs. Indeed one of my DS closest friends was in this situation and ended up being one of the first of that particular set to secure a contract.
And I don't know of anyone who regrets being given the chance to follow the dream, but I do know three people who bitterly resent their parents for not allowing them the same opportunities. All three showed promise as dancers but dutifully followed the academic, university path demanded by their well meaning parents. And all three have abandoned their more lucrative law profession in favour of dance!
