Happymum

And I'm off to France for 2 weeks in 40 minutes but I hope to read all about YBSS ( especially the younger group) when I'm back :-) thank you for all the answers so far.

What about daily timetable? Did they start classes at 9 and finished at 5:30? I'm interested in how many hours of ballet dancing

Looks like YBSS is a fantastic SS focused on ballet. Can anybody tell me how did the timetable look like? what kind of classes, how many hours etc. Also, for boarding children, what did they do in the evening? My DD will be 10 next year so I'm interested mainly in the youngest group. Sorry, I couldn't find this info on YBSS website.

I enjoyed watching Sussex SS show today. There were 4 groups this time ( normally there are 5, but this week wasn't full). Each group presented 4 dances: ballet, musical theatre, Greek and contemporary. It was well prepared and interesting to watch. It looked to me that the ballet was least important, all other style looked better, more difficult etc and my DD agreed- she'd like to do more ballet. But she loved the school, met lots of lovely girls ( lots of them v good dancers) and had a very good time. I felt that she was well looked after and Must say that the food was very healthy and good quality. My DD would love to come back next year but also would like to do more ballet so we may try our luck with RBS and York first as DD will be old enough next summer. For all interested: that was the last Sussex SS in Forest Row. The New venue nearby will have normal rooms and showers ( as I know that not everyone liked sleeping in a big hall and communal showers). Hope it helps LinMM :-) let me know you'd like more info.

I've just called my DD... "sorry Mummy, I can't talk now. They've just opened the tuck shop so I need to go" Well...

He will be still 7 in Oct and already does ballet classes twice a week for over a year. Wants to try JA auditions in May so I think he is already inspired :-) I think he'll do Birmingham royal ballet workshop instead. And couple of "be a JA for a day". Not sure though how will I cope with two ballet children at home!

I did have a look at it yesterday fOr my DS but I understood that this is for boys who never tried ballet before, just to introduced ballet to them. Because my DS does ballet already I thought if won't be good for him. Am I correct?

And it's good to know that you enjoyed today class LinMM!

Today my DD didn't call till 9pm! She had no time: classes, new friends, bingo, ball games and the tuck shop again. And she lost just one thing today- her hair brush. She said that the classes are great and her favourite was .... Ballet class of course, as always. I decided not to check my phone every half an hour after 5pm tomorrow. She is obviously happy there and I should just enjoy and explore east Sussex. It did rain heavily today few times but it was mostly a warm and sunny day. My DS is off to a pony club tomorrow and me and DH decided not to drive anywhere but walk the nearby nature trail and cUckoo trail. Off to seven sisters and Brighton, Lewes etc on Wed and Thu. Will try and visit at least one place recommended by you:-)

Sorry to bring the subjec up again but it's 4:40 in the morning, I'm in my tent, can't sleep and just wanted to share my thoughts with somebody. My DD starter Sussex SS yesterday afternoon. She was very nervous and so was I. We should be there between 2:30 and 4 and because of traffic and broken pole in our new tent and a few other unexpected problems we were there 5 mins to 4 ( it didn't help!). DD had such a scared and worried face that people were asking her if she was alright. And I put a brave and happy face on, pretending I didnt notice. She cried just a bit, just for a moment when she saw her room (a screened section in a hall) because she is 9 and other girls in the room are 11-14. We talked a bit, hugged a bit, the teachers came to talk to DD... She got better after checking with one of them the she is alowed to put her earings back on on Friday night ( BBQ and disco). Also she had been introduced to another scared girl from her room ( first time for her as well) We have been shown around (lovely place with beautiful grounds) and that's it - DDs first class started at 4:30. Quick hug, no tiers (??!!) Me, my DH and DS went to see the canteen and I had a chat with a lovely lady who works there about the food. My hungry husband wanted to go ASAP, I stayed, asked more questions, thought for a moment about going back to studio to watch my DD through the window.... DD rang about 6:45 fir the first time to say that she has 3 new friends ( girls from her room). That she is dancing in group C ( with older girls- from her room :-)). That she had a healthy dinner and then a choc cake with cream and strawberries. That she's not worried anymore. Then she called 2nd time to ask what is her mobile number. 3rd time she called to ask where is her watch. 4th time to let me know that she's been to a tuck shop and what did she buy for only 90p. 5th call - she last her trainers 6th- she found them.... She is happy there, not worried anymore. My DH already "forgot" about her. It's just me. I'm not worried, it's just a strange feeling, I keep thinking about what she's doing at the moment. Well, it's after 5 now. I'll try to go to sleep again. Sorry for any spelling mistakes. It's not me, it's my phone and early hour....

Great News! I know that one girl ( year 5 at the moment) decided not to come back after summer. So yes it does happen and not only when children are assessed out. I'm sure your DD will love it! Miss P is a Fantastic teacher! See you in September ( though my DD is doing year 5 class again).

Were are your JA lessons? If Bristol- don't worry about the belt as the teacher prefers the ordinary elastic navy belt. I made 2 ribbons for my DD out of what I received. But in my DDs class everyone has got slightly different lengths

And I just imagined something - what if she is offered a place as S&P says and you won't let her go.... And then next year she let's say makes it to finales but then isn't accepted... I just thought that my DD would never forgive me! Or I would never forgive myself! Not an easy decision. Wish you and your DD all the best.

Wow LinMM! I always knew that this forum is fantastic but I'd never suspect that I may not need a bookguide ever again! It all sounds fantastic and well worth a visit, I'm just worried about my waist after all this info about nice restaurants and Mulberry ice cream ( never tried it). I'll let you know how it went. And if I'm lost in Sussex I may PM you :-) thank you!

Thank you LinMM! Yes, we have a list of places we want to visit, including Brighton, Lewes and Rye. I hope the weather stays nice. Good to know about the swimming pool, a must for my DS.

Just wonder if anybody else is going to Sussex Summer school - second week. (Last time I asked in April :-) ). My DD is very excited about but would really like to "meet" somebody else who's going as well.

Thank you all! So I decided not to wash leather shoes. Well I'll try it but will wait till the shoes are really bad. I think DD will need to have one pair for Mon, Wed, Fri, second pair for Thu, Sat and occasional Sun plus a spare pair just in case. I'll try the soda trick and am off to buy Fabreeze :-)

I've just searched for other topics about it but I only found information about canvas shoes. Is it possible to wash leather shoes? And I don't mind the outside but smelly inside. Looooong time ago I used to buy new shoes for my DD only because her old one were small. Now she dances more hours per week and needs new shoes because the old one are a bit stinky. In her ballet school she needs to wear leather not canvas. Can I hand wash it? Any tips?

Yes, I'm worried about it too. Well, her plan is to go to vocational school, not an academic secondary school :-) At the moment she's doing very well at school but does her reading and spelling in the hall of our dance school waiting for her class.... She didn't like street dance class. Also Isn't that good at RAD free movement. I see it is important So I've contacted her teacher and she'll start modern this Saturday.

Oh, she does lots of classes, 3 on Monday, 2 on Wednesday, 2 on Friday - grade 2,3,4,5 and Pilates. Plus JA every other Sat and Midas on Sun once a month. In September she will do 4 classes on Thursday as well. There is no other modern in our small town just this on Sat afternoon. She is fine, never has enough and is looking forward to more dancing in September. Reading other posts I see that other DDs are doing even more so i probably shouldn't worry but I can't help it.

Thank you all. The only class she could join is ISTD grade 3 modern. She is going to try it this Sat ( after her JA class and over 2 hours in a car :-( ). Sometimes I worry that she does too much, only to find out that she needs to do more! Hope that this modern class once a week will be enough to get her ready for jazz part of Tring/Hammond auditions

My DD has been described by her teachers as "very classical" dancer. And she does just ballet- several classes, different grades. She went to Tring for a day workshop and was very upset that she couldn't keep up with others in jazz class as she didn't know the vocabulary and steps etc. I know that it's good to practise different styles but do you think it's necessary? Will she need jazz for year7 auditions ( all 4 schools but she dreams about RBS and Elmhurst). There is just not enough days in a week ( and pounds in a bank). And second question: is jazz and modern about the same? There is no jazz class available but she was invited to join modern and I've been told that it is pretty much the same ( same vocabulary etc). Thank you.

Fantastic! I loved it!

OK, I've called the school and asked about it. Maybe there are other parents or DS interested so here it is: Kickstart programme for boys at Tring Park There are still places for September entry Classes start at 10am Classes are 1 hour up to 1h15min long each There are 4 classes a day: ballet, jazz, musical theatre (singing) and street dance Mainly male teachers One term costs £45 3 classes each term (on Saturday once a month) Minimum age 7 Hope it is useful. My DS's ballet teacher has just booked a place for him :-)