JulieW

I've had children do dance festivals and I also show my dogs - I'm obviously a glutton for punishment. Lots of similarities - judges/adjudicators, catalogues/programmes, strange haircuts/costumes (fortunately my dogs don't require much preening),favouritism, expense, no financial gain........ Loved both but think I prefer dog showing :-)

My son from teenage years upwards wore cotton lycra footless tights with longish socks. Dark tights better than light. With a leotard underneath mostly, but sometimes (if wanting to be a bit more casual) with just a t-shirt (and he preferred a tight fitting t-shirt - cycling ones were good). At school they would use a leather (or similar) normal belt which you put round the top of the tights and wind the waistband down over the top - makes a good waistband I think. But once in upper school and when he turned professional (and not having to have a uniform) he loved cotton lycra unitards (especially with short legs finishing about mid-thigh) and the two-tone ones looked good (different colour on the top down to about chest level, with black on the lower half).

Angel - that's very interesting (and sad) to read - it's made me glad that although our son cried a lot, he was at least open with his feelings and let people help him. He had fantastic house parents who stood in for me admirably.

Snap! Lucky boys weren't they. I've got a scrapbook of their time there - the note in the back from PH that she sent after he moved schools gets me every time!!

I've told my children that they need to give me grandchildren (eventually) and love close enough for me to take them to ballet classes!!. My daughter said she wasn't sure that was a good idea!!! I've had a sudden change (well, it feels sudden) in that my daughter gave up dance for rugby 3 years ago when she went to vet school, and my eldest son left a professional ballet career to become a personal trainer a year ago. It's taken me quite a while to get over the upset of not seeing them dance again. I get my fix going to live cinema feeds and must book something at the ROH soon. And I've taken up dog agility to keep me occupied in the evenings!

Oh meadowblythe - that's lovely, thanks. I'm very proud of him and I'm so pleased things are going well for you x

I echo that - my son had a fantastic time and is proud to have been at the RBS and Elmhurst, and to have danced professionally for a few years. He's no longer dancing which I'm sad about but it's turned him into a fantastic young man with a strong work ethic and he's having an even better time as a personal trainer - he loves his job and is thrilled when people thank him for changing their lives.

Thinking of you all. My son's now 23 but I can remember those year 7 early days very vividly - he was the most homesick child they'd had apparently (and it went on for over a term and beyond - until about year 9 - on returning days). They "used" him when he was older to talk to the younger ones about getting over it!! So if anyone needs me please feel free to PM.

Hull - that made me smile as my (now) vet student daughter had 2 pet rats as a present after her GCSE results, and Hunter wellies after her A levels :-D

I was the same with AI - heartbreaking!

I had wondered the same Alison

So glad he enjoyed it Pupsmum!

But that's how the medal table always works Alison, plus we had more silvers so I'm happy to accept "our" 2nd place on the table :-) I'm not a "sporty" person in any sense of the word but have grown to love the Olympics especially since 2012 I suppose. I'd love to find a sport I enjoy doing but haven't had much luck on that front, however I've recently gone back to doing agility with my 2 spaniels and am loving that. I'm exhausted after 2 hours training in 2 classes on a Monday evening, so need to get fitter. I have an exercise (spinning) bike at home, and free weights, and a son who's a personal trainer - you'd think I'd be OK!!!!

I generally only listen to Radio 4 on a Monday evening on my way to dog agility class - this evening's treat on there was hearing your interview!

I still don't know why it's catamaran :-(

I agree Jan. We'll just have to wait and see

But is it a public account? I can't find it!

I'm glad she's still going

Any news? Been thinking of her

Might be worth asking on the Notapushymum forum

Thanks Lisa but I wasn't looking for where to learn to be a teacher, more wondering about whether someone could teach A level without formal qualifications

Thanks everyone - question answered!

Thinking ahead to the weekend already.... eldest son's 23rd birthday on Saturday and he's managed to swap his shift at the gym to come home for the weekend. Other 2 back from uni and hubby not disappearing off on a work trip - so we're all getting together - yay. Plus the in-laws coming round (not a bad thing as often quite entertaining!) And weirdly - it's his first birthday not being a full-time dancer (either student or professional) for 13 years! Many birthdays spent apart for end of year shows!!

That's true - I'd forgotten that. Seems odd though as there quite a lot of academics - surely they need some teaching qualification? (I'm thinking more of the fact they're teaching an A level rather than the dance aspect(

Do you need any specific qualifications to teach A level dance (I'm thinking in a private institution not a state school)?