atacrossroads

I phoned in last week as I think the 4 weeks would take us to 10th April, but they said that the emails to offer Summer School places (or not) will be going out next week :-/

So was mine It's not a 'rich man's playground' at all, not from my experience in the last two years

Wonderful news Daisy'smum and bettyballerina! Congratulations on getting those scholarships, I'm sure both children will love their time at Tring

There is that assumption Harwel and it is by no means true. There are exceptionally talented paying children at the school and at the top end of their year. At least those who can afford to pay are doing so and leaving the MDS places for those whose dance journey would come to an end without the funding

Most cars in the car park are just normal cars that you would see at any school Loulabelle, mine included! There is a real mix of parents at the school and I certainly don't feel that we are in a rich man's playground. In our year in dance course, most of the children are not affluent. They either have MDS funding, local council funding, or talent aid funding in order to be there. I would hate to think that anyone would feel that they wouldn't fit in as it isn't true. The parents are from every walk of life and lovely Also, with the boarding spaces, there are the Theatre Arts pupils to be accommodated too, so they are always short of beds.

But RBS can afford to operate differently, they are totally government funded, with every child on an MDS. Tring don't have that luxury, it's a huge estate to run and can only be funded into existence by paying parents I'm afraid. Some years they have only been given 3 MDS places to offer to children who need it. There is still a lot of classical talent at the school, with 3 Year 11 pupils being offered RBS Upper School this year. And with White Lodge only taking 7 of their children on to Upper School (so I believe), that's testimony to the classical training at Tring. I'm sure there are so many that they would love to take and equally, they know that they will always be third on anyone's list for training. Most candidates that Tring want to offer MDS places to, will also be offered RBS and Elmhurst and take those as a preference.

Ah, that makes sense now! Thanks so much!

Hi Picturesinthefirelight, I must say that after reading the .gov website, I'm confused too. I understand how MDS works and which 4 schools it covers, but how does CATs work? Is it a separate funding option if her child is auditioning for Tring next year?

Hi, A friend of mine has asked me about CATs (Center for Advanced Training) funding. Does it cover schools such as Tring for children as young as 11? If so, can you apply for an MDS and also CATs? I can't find any information with a list of accredited schools. Many thanks

Hi, Does anyone know which dance schools are CATs (Centre for Advanced Training) registered? Would this funding apply to schools such as Tring and Elmhurst, or is it just MDS? Many thanks

We saw Kimberley and Adam's show 'Revolution' in 2012 in the West End. Tobias and Jak were in that show together with them for 8 weeks, but when they auditioned both Adam and Kimberley pretended not to know them! Obviously they've been an act together for quite a while and have a fan base. It left me feeling very bitter when they won as the whole thing about them not knowing Adam and Kimberley had been so deceptive.

The girls who board in that year are really lovely, they will look after her I hope Sunday goes well and she feels settled when you leave. PM me if you want at any time if you have any questions

Hi amanda-w, It's safest to take the blazer with you, but she'll probably be fine with her cardigan for newcomers day. She may well need the blazer on Monday for school photos, then for Christmas Concert in the church and possibly Founders Day at the en of the year, but that will be about it for the blazer! I'm not sure if there are any new 3rd Formers, but 3rd Form has a good mix of lovely girls both in boarding and day and they'll whisk her up and look after her! Is she boarding or day?

No problem JulieW, better to play it safe

He will love it Harwel. The 4th Form boys were particularly strong last year, obviously including Kaine! Good to have another boy in the new 4th form

I hope this is ok to post, but I just wanted to say how well Tring Park students, Kaine and Jaih from Boy Band have done in this year's Got to Dance. My DD has just finished her first year on the dance course and we have nothing but praise for the school in every area. In dance and academic the tuition has been amazing and most importantly, the atmosphere is vibrant and caring. I know some parents with DD's and DS's dont know what to make of Tring, but we've found the ballet training to be fantastic and they also have the plus of having plenty of modern/jazz/tap/drama/singing on the curriculum to keep other doors open in contemporary and commercial dance, not to mention the wonderful opportunity to dance with The English National Ballet in The Nutcracker each Christmas. I wish there was more MDS funding for this wonderful school! We'll be voting for Kaine tonight!

Hi amandawhiter, They only do the reference letters to the current schools once you've been offered a place. Fingers crossed for your dd

Really pleased for you and your DD Angel

I know of 5 girls and one boy who have been offered both Elmhurst and WL, so if they only offer 12 places they would end up with a very small year...

I wonder if they offer about 18 places knowing that they'll loose 5 or 6 to WL? If they liase with WL before they offer, to see how many have had WL offers also, they'll pretty much know how many will turn them down and how many will accept I guess.

...has anyone heard of a child who has 'waiting list' for Elmhurst Year 7? I don't thing anyone's mentioned it on this thread have they?

Feeling for you angel. Fingers crossed for Tring or Hammond funding for your Dd x

Great news theodore! , our post just arrived too. It's a no for my Dd but being less the ballerina and more the all rounder her first choice was Tring, so still smiling ! Good luck to you all!

In trying to work out why Elmhurst send their results so late, I'm wondering what date WL places have to be accepted by? Do parents have to accept before Elmhurst results come through?

I agree - absolutely stunning!