Picturesinthefirelight

Unfortunately even some full time schools are now congratulating students  on social media for participating in high profile events/shows with this type of teacher. (why they are being allowed to take part is beyond me).  

I've been reading the recent facebook post from Centre Pointe.  Very professional in tone and lots of support for them.  But I'm betting there is backlash and abuse behind the scenes from the no pain no gain brigade.

It is a legal requirement for business websites to have their contact information including company name, address and contact details on the website. 

Whether she is offended or not is not your concern.  She is a professional and will hopefully act like one.  Your current teacher (and you in your exam fees) will be paying the old teacher for the use of the studio for the exam and possibly a contribution towards examiner expenses so it will be a purely business transaction.

As Anna says, it’s more a case of plan b, than not being seen at audition. 

Many professional performers have gaps gaps in employment where they do other things. They may teach for example. It’s a precarious profession and all it takes is an injury or change of circumstances and having no kind of qualification limits your options somewhat. 

Assuming you are academically able enough would studying A levels via distance/online learning maybe be an option?  That would open the door to higher education in the future. 

5 hours ago, balletbean said:

Oh. That’s interesting, when I did research this pathway I was told no because the applicant was too young. 
Another frustrating factor is that many schools/colleges offer a Diploma Level 6. As we know it’s the vocational equivalent of a BA but doesn’t carry the same merit when seeking Student Loans. 
 

It depends on the individual institution and their entry criteria.  Very few actually stipulate a minimum age (except for medical courses) what they do is stipulate entry qualifications that the average 16 year old will not have such as A levels or a Level 3 Btec.  To my knowledge the institutions  that currently offer a degree where you only need GCSE's or equivalent are Central, Rambert, RCS & (very newly added for their Foundation degree only) LSC. I hadn't previsuly been aware about RBS.

Student finance depends on how the degree is offered.  If an institution is a member of the CUKAS (conservatoire) or is a university franchised programme then full student finance is available.  If however it is a private school/college and their degree is simply accredited by a university then the maximum you can borrow is just over £6,000 per year.

It appears they have a new course a 2 year Foundation degree.  The entry requirements are dance skills/knowledge equivalent to Level 3 such as A level Dance.  However Grades 6-8 is Level 3 as are Intermediate & Advanced Foundation so maybe they can be used for entry?

They are flexible on places but the number of MDS awards available depends on various factors. 

That’s fantastic 2dancersmum. 

9 hours ago, 2Graceko said:

I can’t believe how much has changed since 2015 either!!! There are nude seam-free period pants by modibodi. They just pop in a normal 40 degree wash (just can’t be tumble dried) so don’t think it would be a problem at vocational school. I use them myself and laundering is the same as for any other pants to be honest!  

Everything is tumble dried and washing is only done on certain days per week (though dancewear was done every day at dd's school) so the smell might become an issue and whether the school laundry was willing to handle them.

I turned a one off bonus down that would have put us into the next bracket. 

If your income has changed drastically from a previous year you can apply to be re-assessed on your current income. I get dividends and I had to fill in my self assessment early in the May for the year just ended 5th  April. So after 5th April 2020 you would fill in your s/a covering what you event between August and April. 

My daughter wears Diary Dolls as an extra layer of protection.

It sounds like she may be heading in a more general dance/musical theatre direction than ballet. 

The issue will be funding. Funding for vocational schools aged 11-16 is based on their potential in classical ballet. My Dd who isn’t classical dancer attended Hammond on a bursary but we still had to find substantial fees. Their lower school dance course was great for her but it may be a better route for your daughter would be to attend a good local school working on ballet, modern/jazz technique etc then look at post 16 options. 

At 16 there is more funding available via DaDa for non classical dancers and lots enter at this stage. 

Yes she did enjoy it. 

It was eye eye opening for her too. Having been to vocational school she said the standard of ballet was lower than she was used to but the jazz, Tap & Commercial really pushed her and gave her an insight into what serious non vocational kids were doing as up to that point her own modern classes were very technical and the tap she was used to was more broadway 42nd street than the more modern style. 

I’m just impressed there is still a library. Ds’s school got rid of theirs and created a learning resource centre instead with computers but got rid of non essential books. 

My daughter bought a book called Safe Dance Practice at Move It one year (think she was in Year 9).  It was expensive but she still uses it now.

Maybe This is A Voice would be the best one to start with.  Bit more user friendly.

They might be a little too in depth for Year 8's (though my daughter read them) but I recommend This is a Voice and/or Singing and the Actor by Dr Gillian Kayes and Jeremy Fisher.

I don't think they do.  (My nephew is in a football academy).  But they should.

Yes, I think its the same organisation.

15 minutes ago, Peanut68 said:

Pictures, I was thinking exactly the same....

DD’s previous school did a compulsory ‘Healthy Dancer’ annual check (small fee I think?) but don’t think this extended to checks in heart with ecg etc.....

 

If I remember correctly the Healthy Dancer screening is carried out by a physiotherapist.

8 hours ago, Lusodancer said:

 So do not just take your DC's to the doctor when ill , insist on 'health checks' not illnesses treatment. Medical teams should be an integral part of the training team.  

This just is not available in the UK.  There are charities that offer the heart checks held on specific dates at places like local leisure centres (one locally is organised by the mum of a boy who died playing football) but the most you would get in a health check is blood pressure check and asking a few health questions.  The waiting time for a simple blood test (which are not carried out by the GP) for specific issues my son was having was about 3 weeks wait.  

To have what you are describing done privately would cost hundreds of pounds if you could even find someone.  My brother is currently struggling to find someone who will see his son privately for ongoing issues that are affecting his schooling and sports.

This was where it was very handy to discover that our GP, many years ago had attended a private school in Chester and shared a school bus with Hammond students some of whom he made friends with!  The fee was forgotten about. 

Dd is in host family accommodation at Hammond.  Currently paying £130 per week too.  There are some students in her year who were over 18 when they started and they were able to apply to Tramways https://www.studentroost.co.uk/locations/chester/tramways 

My dd is now starting to look for a shared house for next year.  

I echo a lot of pupsmum’s advice. It sounds like a dance course that includes some singing would be ideal rather than an MT course where often singing is more heavily weighted at audition. 

Its a a shame you’ve missed the CDMT conference, it’s excellent, many colleges are represented and it’s less frantic than Move It. Its held in November. 

Financially you need to investigate whether dada funded diploma courses are an option or whether you need a Student Finance funded degree course (being aware that as pupsmum said, some private colleges you don’t get the full loan)

My daughter is at Hammond, she was also offered a place at SLP, and living costs are significantly less. Agent showcases are well attended (I’ve heard some horror stories so do ask searching questions about this). There is also Shockout in Manchester, not so well known & I don’t know much other than one of my dd’s favourite teachers also teaches there and their grads are getting work.