outofmydepth

Our letter has arrived for Birmingham fortnightly classes, start date is the 14th September in the afternoon.

10 Fridays mornings/afternoons spead over a whole year of school should be manageable. I have to agree about dentist appointments there are plenty of holidays to fit them in, unless you need braces or major treatment.   The children who appear in panto's round here will miss more days of school in the 6 week run from November to January and these are always authorised, and afterall the classes are vocational and should be seen as part of their personal development. I think we would be authorised all weeks except the SATs weeks but that is a whole other soapbox I would need to get on!!!!

I also agree with JulieW its year 5 and 6 they should manage.

Still no letter here! Has anybody had a Birmingham letter?

Time to stalk the postman again!!!!

Thank you Dancing 2003. I will keep my fingers crossed ours arrives today x

Has anybody had their pack of information with the start date yet? Do all fortnightly children go on the same day? And finally does anyone know the Birmingham class times please?

Thank you in advance x

Thank you along for the ride mum, that's very helpful. I think I will see if Nanny and Grandad might treat her to the "optional" fleece!

Are ballet shoes/character shoes the same as their normal lessons?

I know I could wait for the letter but I am excited and not a patient person at the best of times

We have a friend who had a yes for Leeds. She auditioned in Leeds but actually wanted Birmingham which is sorted now. So the yes Leeds letters have come out.

Can anyone advise of rough uniform costs? I had assumed it extremely unlikely my daughter would get a place and am now trying to get my head around the costs, and the thought of having to make a skirt is hilarious if you knew my sewing skill level! :0 I hope someone advises on quantities of fabric required!

Congratulations to all the other yes's

Thank you for the congratulations, she was so excited when she read the letter

She auditioned on the 10th May so you should not have too long to wait, a week after Leeds but the letter was only one day later.

She is going for the fortnightly place.

I thought it would be nice to start a new topic for future searches.

It appears the letters are starting to trickle out earlier than anticipated.

I have just walked through the door to find and white envelope on the mat postmarked Royal Ballet School.

After a good 5 seconds debating whether I should be good and wait for my DD to open the letter, I decided it was my parental duty to open it so I could be prepared with tissues/ear plugs as appropriate.

The amazing news is she has been offered a place at Birmingham.

I am over the moon especially after reading how few year 4 places there seem to be.

I am going to school with the letter and am going to video her reaction, I cant wait

Good luck to all those auditioning, have a lovely day, relax and enjoy (especially the pianist )

I wondered about the height question for parents, my parents are 5'4 and 6'6 so I could really have ended up anywhere in between. My husband is shorter like me so on paper our daughter should be short but there is always a chance she could grown like her grandad, who knows. I think looking at centiles would be more beneficial. If they had insisted on asking weight I am not sure we would have applied :0

How do I edit a comment my last one does not make sense!!! Must remember to proof read

I think I postman might need danger money in a few weeks!!

Hi my daughter is also 8, auditioning for a year 4 place, but she auditioned in Birmingham. I totally agree that the waiting is torture! I am avoiding mentioning the what ifs and trying to be patient. Posting here and reading other people's comments is saving my sanity (and my husband's )

Let's hope the results are early like last year and come in June!

We went to Birmingham and were told results would be beginning of July but more than likely it would be quicker. Apparently last years were out in June

REEM - breath!!!! Don't panic

Yes unfortunately the "competitive warmining up" does include the 8 year olds. Just keep telling your daughter that they will be professionally warmed up in the audition and it is important that they don't over stretch till then. It is no use pulling a muscle trying to show off. Walking round and not getting cold are just as important.

I was just wondering if, on the very slim chance of my daughter getting a place, anyone knows the class times in Birmingham and what date they start? thanks

Class numbers are 20/25, 2 people watching them dance and one teacher, just been told don't forget the pianist (she really did enjoy that part). Normal class leotard, waist elastic, socks and clean but not new ballet shoes. A good clue if your nearly there is follow the little girls with perfect buns in their hair. (that bit made me smile). And don't forget to relax and enjoy, and ignore the people who take to competitive warming up!

Just thought we would report back following yesterday's audition in Birmingham. My daughter really enjoyed the class, she commented that they only get a pianist for exams so that was special! The organisers from reception staff to the teachers were extremely friendly putting us completely at ease. The class was apparently very easy with lots of different stretches and "nothing to worry about" no individual bits but some in pairs. The feedback is from my 8 year old. She would definitely go back again.

Thank you for anyone providing feedback it really helps to read how everyone is finding the experience. Good luck to everyone in Leeds today

This is a very interesting question, but I personally beleive you are missing the most important part of any success where starting young and extensive practice are required, the parent/s! Without parents willing to transport, pay and push themselves the extra mile no-one would sucseed. The best coaches/teachers in the world can not help a child with unwilling parents.

Thank you for the advise, I might avoid mentioning there are shops in the bullring

My daughter has an audition on Friday 10th May in Birmingham. We are completely new to this so any tips on what to expect are greatly appreciated. She is only just 8.