Happymum

Thank you all for helpful replies. We decided to try Sussex summer school this year. I found a nice (I think! ) campsite nearby for me and my DH to stay. My DD doesn't want to sleep at school this year. What is interesting my DS ( soon 7, primary exam in couple of months) wants to join this cours as well! I'd love him to try it but I know that he'd hated it if he is the only boy in his group! So do you know if many boys go there? Have your DS been there?

And can anybody tell how many groups there are in CBA? Are the youngest children 8 or 9? Does it go with school year (like RBS JA) or ballet grade or are they mixed groups? Hfbrew, do you know if some of these 16 places were for younger (8/9ish) children?

My DD said the same! Wants to try again ASAP :-). I may see you again on 15th of May Danceroo.

Just to let you know that I have contacted the school but have been told that they are not able to give feedback. My DD was very upset yesterday, her first "no" letter.

Frogsmum, what was the age group in group 3 if I may ask? I didn't realise there were more than 2 groups. Group 1 (my DD's group) had children from 8 till 12 (if not older) but mainly around 9-10 I would say. Group 2 looked more like 14 ish but with some younger and older children in it. Do you know if there was group 4 as well?

Congratulations Frogsmum! Which group was your DD in?

Mine is like Danceroo's. Nothing about more training. Do you think it's good idea to contact them and ask for feedback? Id really like to know why she wasn't accepted

Mine says about a lot of people and few spaces and good luck for future

It is a no for my DD as well. When she auditioned for Royal and Elmhurst she wasn't that sure but she was accepted by both schools. This time she was pleased with herself and it's a "no". I have never heard about additions if there are no places!! What for?

I'm still looking for a summer school for my 9 years old DD. At the moment I've got RAD on my list and now I also found Sussex summer school website. Did you ever try it? What did your DC fought about it? Is it a proper ballet/dance summer school or kind of fun dance camp for all children? I hope that someone will be able to tell me more about it (or suggest other summer school ).

Yes! I did think the same! 5 studios and no toilets! And then the nearest toilets in such a bad state. But still, we would love to come back :-), good luck to everybody. Hope the letters arrive soon.

I agree with balletmum. My DD can do it on one leg ( but not with square hips!) but not yet on the other leg. But the main thing was that they enjoyed it. We stayed for Christmas fair - just wanted to see the main school. The building is lovely inside. But I wasn't impressed with the toilets where we went before the auditions!

My DD enjoyed the auditions today. She was in group 1 and I think there were 25 children in this group. My DD says that head master was there, (that's what the teacher told them). They did exercises at the barre, then stretching (hamstrings stretch, box split, frogs and front splits) then centre - finishing with a little routine. After us there was another group of about 25 children but they were older. my DD said that she did well so now we just need to wait and see. They promised the results within a week. Good luck to all who auditioned today.

My DD, 9 years old, does 3 ballet classes a week plus JA every other Sat plus one street dance class. She is very serious about her ballet and would like a class every day but I think what she does now is enough.

Her flexibility is not bad but she's not flat on her splits ( but can do box split well). But remember it's also about musicality, performance skills, right build etc . Good luck and see you next week :-)

9.45 registration - if I remember well

My DD just turned 9 (year 4). She auditioned for royal JA and Elmhurst Pvp but we've never been at Tring before. It will be nice to see the school. What about your DD?

Just one more week to go! My DD is working on her splits and is getting really excited. I'm also getting excited! I don't know why did I think that we will be more relaxed because it's not a first audition for us. Good luck to everybody else who is auditioning at Tring next Sunday.

Well, it looks more like a fun rather than "serious" training, but I can't find anything else for a 9 year old. We are planning to make a holiday out of it. I found a caravan and camping park nearby in London so DD will come back "home" every afternoon and while she is dancing me and my DH and DS will just enjoy our holiday. I hope that's a good plan ( weather permited!)

My DD and I are thinking about trying a summer school for the first time. Our choice (mainly because of my DD age- only 9 in July) is RAD school in London. But I think that I can't really make any " ballet" decision without asking you all first :-) So, have your DC ever been there? Did they enjoy it? Was it good? My DD is very serious about her ballet and not that interested in other dance styles ( and I know that it's not just ballet there).

Well I am also trying to leave my DD alone and let her eat as long as she wants/needs. But I sometimes have a feeling that she is "waisting" her time. Her every day is full of different activities (mainly ballet or Pilates) and it would be all so easier if she could eat faster! She could have a bit of free time just to relax or play. Nana Lily, does your DD have (or had) any problems at vocational school? Was she late at school after breakfast or maybe she was walking hungry having not enough time to finish eating?

I am also worried about my DD because of slightly different reason. If she ever makes it to vocational school she will spend her whole free time eating! She is the slowest eater you can think of! She is not fussy and eats right amount of food for her age and activity level but it takes her 30min to eat single sandwich, an hour to eat a dinner even if it's a dish which she likes! She is known at her school for being always last to finish her lunch (while others are already playing outside etc). Is there anybody else with a similar problem?

Thank you for the reply. It's good to know that she won't be the only tap beginner, but I'll probably organise some tap lesson for my DD and maybe also check with the school what they think. And I also would like to know how soon I need to apply, how hard/easy it is to get a place at the course and how do they decide? Do we send photos with the applications? Do they offer places to their associates first?

My DD does lots of ballet classes but she doesn't do other types of dances ( well she does a street dance style class for fun ). I just noticed that Easter Tring course includes tap and modern. Maybe I'm wrong and they offer a classical ballet only, but if not will my DD be able to participate? Or would you say that she needs several tap lessons first? I really want her to do a boarding ballet course in 2013 and she is only 9 so too young for RBS

We received the letter today and my DD is in group 1 starting at 9.45. They said in a letter that they have huge amount of applications and very few places so I guess they won't start a whole new class in January but have just couple of places in existing classes. Does anyone knows/remembers what kind of photos are they taking on the day? They want to photograph all group 1 in 15min only so surely they can't go through all the positions required for RBS or Elmhurst?