Lottie

As Unite have now been mentioned, that is where we've booked a room for DS. You have to ring each place and speak to them directly to ask if they take under 18's. East Central House is 15 mins walk from Central. They were very helpful when we went to look round at the end of term. DS didn't have the time to go into estate agents etc to ask about flats. We wanted something booked as we only had a choice of Unite or Urbanest for an under 18 year old and will get quite full soon, I think, plus peace of mind that he has somewhere for September. More info on Central on 'Post 16' thread.

With the YMCA Barbican closing in September this has left very few options available in the immediate area. Several vocational schools in the area, not just Central, have used the Y for years. It's been a very useful place to stay but now we have to look elsewhere. (and teach DS how to cook!)

Tulip. Hyelm was one we looked at last year but went for the Y as it's closer. We had applied to Hyelm for DS for September 2012 but were refused a place 'as he was already living in London'. It is possible to travel there and back to Central by tube or bus but would take 30-40mins, from memory. Have a look at the Transport for London website and the journey planner there.

veryskint have sent you a PM too.

Spooky have sent you a PM. My first time of trying so hope you get it OK!

Thanks for the link to the accommodation opposite Central. Have requested information so should be able to find out if it takes under 18's and how long the lets are - for future reference. It's looks very compact! The place where DS will be next September is slightly bigger, a shared kitchen with lots of space and an area of 'garden' to sit in.

I am going to try and tell you about our experiences of Central. This is how it is/was for my DS. Central is part of the Conservatoire of Dance and Drama offering a Foundation & BA (Hons) Degree in Professional Dance and Performance. The auditions are held in December and January with finals being held at the end of March. If you get a final audition there is an open day that you and your DS/DD are invited to go to where you meet the Director, Head of Studies and the Senior School Administrator and your DS/DD will meet some students. Out of all the auditions DS had, Central was the only one that talked about their students as 'men and ladies'. At all the others the students were 'children'. Central look at their students as adults. At the time of the Final audition there is a Physio assessment, but not necessarily on the same day as the audition. You hear quite quickly after the final audition and then have to accept the place within a few days after that, if you want to go. A few weeks later you then receive a big pack with several forms to fill in and return (term dates, uniform lists etc). There is an orientation day towards the end of the summer term, which was very useful for DS to attend, as he met fellow students starting in September. In DS's year there are 40 students.16 men and 24 ladies. Several students are from abroad. The men in his year are from London Senior Ballet, White Lodge, Hammond, Legat, Dance School of Scotland, RBS SA, Central Associates and local dance schools. The week is Monday to Saturday starting at 8.45am and the students are expected to be warmed up by then. Each day in the morning they have a long ballet class, plus Pointe for the ladies, and then Contemporary three times a week and Par de Deux twice a week with lots of other classes throughout the afternoon and finish about 5-6pm. On a Saturday there is just a mixed ballet class. The A levels available are Dance, English, Art, French and Music depending on numbers. The lessons for these seem to be spread out during the afternoon and early evening, including on a Saturday after the ballet class. The first two years are the Foundation degree and you do know that your DS/DD will have to audition for the third year for the BA (Hons). The students will have signed an acceptance form to accept their place on the Foundation course which also clearly says about entry into the third year. (We accept that what will be will be and will cross that bridge when we come to it.) All the staff my DS has met and been taught by are very helpful and approachable. The students are expected to talk to their tutors about any problems that they are having. Accommodation: We have been lucky that DS has had a year in the YMCA Barbican. All the first year students staying at the YMCA were put on the same floor with more on other floors. It's catered so has been piece of mind that DS has been fed. He's only has to buy lunches. Unfortunately this place is CLOSING in September 2012 as the lease is up and London Corporation/whoever owns the building want it back. Others of DS year have lived further out. It has been difficult finding somewhere else to live for September as DS is under 18 and a lot of places do not allow under 18's. I have found out that it can vary from each London Borough as to whether they allow under 18's or from each landlord depending if they want the responsibility of under 18's in their property. DS wanted to find a flat with others but had no time to go and look as too tired in the evening to do much else but rest and sleep. I have found two places - what I call - private run student flats - where there are a number of flats together and they share a kitchen and bills are included. We've chosen one and have now booked it. It's within 15 mins walk from Central. DS didn't want a tube or a long journey there and back each day. Yes accommodation is expensive as it is Central London and if you don't want something really awful you have to pay the high price. The further out you are the longer commuting time you have along with everyone else. The ones opposite Central, I have tried to find them on the internet but with no success and do not know if they allow under 18's. Has anyone got a link? Hope this is helpful for those wanting to find out more about Central.

Is this what Janice and Ellen are thinking about: http://www.centralschoolofballet.co.uk/news/launchofsatelliteschool DS, year 1, says that they haven't been told anything about Central moving to this satellite school. When I get more time I'll post something about accommodation and experiences at Central so far - all positive.

When my DS was applying for Vocational Schools for entry in September 2011, so October 2010 and aged 15, he had just done his RAD grade 6 and was taking his RAD Intermediate in November 2011. He took RAD grade 7 in March 2012 and Grade 8 in November 2012 even though not actually necessary. We know several dancers that seemed to stop taking grades but continued just with Vocational lessons. He was successful in getting a place at a Vocational School.

When DS was at London Junior and Senior Ballet, the Senior classes have an hour of Pilates before their ballet class.

Lildancer96 - Last year my DS had a 6th form audition and then a funding audition at Tring, he didn't have a physio examination and was offered a funded place. He didn't take them up on their offer but went to Central instead. I wish you all the best and hope you get an offer of a place.

Have washed white canvas shoes (Sansha 1C) in the machine at 40 degree wash for several years. I let them dry naturally and not near any heat sometimes stuffed with a tea towel or kitchen roll. Spray with a liquid spray stain remover before washing helps keep them white. Hope that helps.

My DS, now 16 and at Central School of Ballet, has been to YBSS for the past three years and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Coming from a non vocational background it gave him the chance to live away from home for one or two weeks, dance all the time and meet others from vocational schools. At YBSS the accommodation was in the University Halls of residence close by. He had quite a bit of freedom after classes were finished so could leave the site and go and walk about York, but did have to be back at a certain time. We chose YBSS over Elmhurst because of the dates and of going on holiday.

Really pleased to see this site back up and running again. Wasn't a member before but thought I'd make the effort to register to support Bruce and those at ballet.co forum.