Oldermum

My dd is currently at RCS, there are 17 in her year group. classes 60/40 ballet contemporary, they also do jazz, coaching, pointe work, conditioning. The teaching staff are supportive if you want to enter competitions like, YAGP, Genee etc. You can also take RAD vocational grades up to and including solo seal. There is also a term when one day a week is given over to working in a colaboration group with students from all other courses run by RCS. Most first years stay at Liberty Living and the students tend to walk to and from dance studios together. Funding is by student finance. This year’s grads have done very well at gaining contracts.

I know at least one girl got a place from waiting list last year.

I’m also happy to answer any question regarding RCS, my dd is currently studying there after choosing RCS over Elmhurst last year.

Further to Cotes du Rhône’s comment about last years year 11 being offered upper school at Elmhurst. Although there are only 2 DD from the start of year 7 are at Elmhurst upper school a further two were offered places but took up a place elsewhere and another who started later in year 7 is also in upper school, so 5 where offered upper school, at Elmhurst last year who trained there from year 7.

My dd put her training, performance experiences, academic info. Why she wanted to audition at RCS. Happy to say she is taking up her place in a couple of weeks. Good luck.

All schools are different. Dada's do have a maintenance element to assist with accommodation which is means tested - if you google Dada awards you can access the government site which has a guide for the maintenance element which varies whether they will be living in London or outside London. Other schools it is student finance - student loans. MDS are rare for 6th form but they assist with living costs. Some chools also have bursaries and/or scholarships which may also assist with living costs.

Central are results are out

If you're going by train any of the hotels near the bullring Travelodge, Ibis, Premier or Ibis budget on Bristol Road is close all on bus route or by taxi. If travelling by car Oldbury just of M5 junction 2 about half hour drive away. Longbridge, Frankley, Rubery all in driving distance.

My dd also attended West Yorkshire Summer School ( thank you Tutugirl) and I couldn't agree more with the positive comments. My dd loved it and came home every evening tired and happy especially after the two performances on Saturday. What a pleasure it was to see all the talent and hard work on display. I don't get to see my dd perform as much as I used to as she's at vocational school. She loved catching up and dancing with friends she's met over the years sharing what they all love most - dancing. The variety of genres covered during the week by excellent teachers in such a well organised friendly environment all enhanced the week. This year we introduced another two dancers to the summer school one into the younger age group and I'm sure her mum wont mind me telling you she was very sad when it was all over, she'd been very nervous at the beginning of the week but loved every minute and willingly went to bed every night so she'd have the energy for the next day. The other dancer joined my dd in the older and I believe they also had a very positive experience. Harwel please thank your ds - my dd enjoyed dancing the pas de deux with him. We are so lucky that this summer school is on our doorstep and we are able to lift share during the week. There is a good mix of vocational and non vocational students in the older group from a variety of schools. Accommodation is available through host families so the students are very well looked after, the cost of the summer school is very reasonable and definitely worth being on your list of summer schools.

My dd went to Ballet Cymru summer school and thoroughly enjoyed it. She was lucky enough to be invited to move out of group 4 15+ intermediate advance level to the international group 18+ advance professional/graduates. It was tough going but she enjoyed the challenge, I think the guest male teacher aimed his class at the adult level. I was pleased to go in to watch his class on Thursday morning and could feel his frustration when students were holding back and not putting their hand up when he asked who could dance specific steps at one stage he did shout at them and ask if they knew how to do anything, but this course was aimed at the professional level and I was very proud of my dd for grasping this opportunity with both hands. She didn't make the same amount of friendships has she had the previous year in group 4 and the course wasn't as structured but that was the level - the opportunities to socialise in this group wasn't the same, classes ran over. On Thursday I noticed as soon as students finished their break they were back on stage practising on their own. I know in group 4 new friendships were made, a friend who knew nobody went home with lots of new friends in fact she was invite to go out for tea with them one evening. I'm sorry your dd didn't enjoy the experience star dancer, my dd spoke to your dd and knew her name, unfortunately she didn't leave the theatre on Thursday and she didn't see you dd upset or I assure you she would have gone over to comfort her.

It doesn't tell us how many make it through to upper school though, and how many of these were taken into lower school at year 7.

Bird

14th, 15th & 16th July 2016

I wish I was going with her, she does have a friend who's going with her parents. We got our info yesterday too. I'll tell her to introduce herself. It's good to know of others going.

Anyone going week one DD is going for the first time on her own. Any suggestions on how much spending money to send her with, or anything extra it would be useful to take.

We also found the MDS in year 7, 8 & 9 goes a long way. I bought my DD 1 set of uniform on her MDS at induction day, bought pointe shoes, and canvas shoes during the year and also had plenty left at end of year to buy leotards and belts for year 8 and stocked up on tights and canvas shoes with anything we'd left (actually rang supplier while we were at school picking her up on last day of term). I also bought some second hand so she had plenty of spare uniform and leotards. Bought her formal uniform second hand as this isn't covered by MDS and it still fits and hoping she'll get year 10 wearing it and as well. I'm sure we have out grown items - made be fleece, polo shirts, some year 7 and 8 leotards small sizes, and character skirt if anyone would like to send me a message I'll gladly check what we have.

My DD on Course 4, never been before, she's really looking forward to it. We're staying at the Travelodge.

When my dd was a JA her junior school was very supportive and booked her for out of school learning so her attendance record wasn't affected. Some of these Heads and teachers are beyond belief if they think all learning takes place in school. DD Head said obvious his support would be different if it affected her School work. but they actually bought her a special trophy for leavers assembly because despite all her dancing - associate classes, auditions etc she still came out with the second highest marks for her year. It's so annoying that dancing is thought of so poorly compared to say football it's about time these school leaders under took some training. The skills and lessons dancers learn far out weighs missing lessons at school. Active body active mind. I also thought ballet exams could be classed as part of PE and therefore they shouldn't lose any attendance but sometimes you have to point it out to the school as they don't realise.

Some of Elmhurst students are on bone density research trials with Wolverhampton University, I think this is also related to the research with BRB dancers. My dd has multi vitamins and I try to get her to think about spending time outside especially at weekend and when she's home. We were advise up to 1/2 hour outdoors between 10 am and 11 am depending on the weather without sunscreen and not over-covered up obviously consider the sun strength and your child's complexion. They are also studying the affect on the arms of dancers as their natural body focus is to build up the density in the bones of the hips and legs due to the impact of jumping etc.

Enjoyable evening watching the wonderful talent of the young dancers at the 2nd round of the ballet. Well danced everyone. Pity they didn't announce those who have got through to the next round.

Does anyone know if you've to pre-book to watch Molly Lake award later this month?

Photos have been upload some lovely pictures on there Only week one though

The notice on the last Friday said photos would be available to view by 6th August, just checked and still only 1 photo

I know the boy whose staying with Elmhurst - his mum didn't announce anything until after she'd spoken to both schools. I'm sure it will have been the same for both girls. Their news had already been announced on facebook, instagram and snapchat before anyone commented on here and they all will have included their names. Most people just wanted to congratulate them, I know I certainly did.

The Elmhurst boy has turned down his offer of a WL place and is staying at Elmhurst for year 8 Good luck to both Elmhurst girls, wishing you all the best at WL you'll both be missed by all your friends especially in your year groups, keep in touch xxx