sarahw

I'm so sorry to hear this Dramascientist and wish your family all the best for the future. Your daughter will recover and be successful in the future.

I know you will guide her wisely - your opinion has always been one I value.

You are brave to post and it is of value to all dc and parents to know about the darker side of this dance business. Too often it is not discussed in public. I am glad that you and another parent have felt able to share such experiences recently. 

Take care.

From my experience of SS there I would say the quality of teaching is high with attention to detail. The classes are small. (A definite advantage over many more well known schools.)

I don't know enough and don't know the regular students there to comment on long term outcomes. 

Being small also has disadvantages - the main teachers (who are fantastic ) are a husband and wife team so a lot depends on just 2 people.

Penguin boys mum

Doing the grades above and below is a good way to extend hours.

I would be concerned if technique classes are abandoned for 6 months for a show - he ideally needs to carry on technique - doesn't need to be syllabus though.

Has the BBO Scholars teacher given any feedback? Could you get to Elmhurst scholars?

GETTING ELMHURST FINALS IS FABULOUS

13 hours ago, TEE said:

Are there any new year 8 girls going to Hammond on this thread. My daughter is starting in September 

TEE - congratulations!  There's a thread called Living at the Hammond. Maybe post there?

9 hours ago, Kaylie said:

Has anyone tried the 'turn board' and has it actually helped to improve pirouettes? I'm thinking of ordering one but not sure if it works well.

 

Kylie I've heard it said a turnboard puts weight in wrong place as you'reon flat feet. Does help with spotting etc.

Yes I've done the same!!

Seaside - I would also consider carefully whether Hammond is the right school.

By that I mean is your dc wanting a classical or general dance /MT training?  Although it offers MDS it is not a ballet school and although they do a fair amount of ballet it is often not prioritised (eg at Xmas a lot of time is lost to practising carols). If you want a general or MT training it's great.

As Hairbelles said consider very carefully what your money may be able to buy at home. If you have very limited training locally then the threshold for vocational school would be lower.

Yes you can ask to be reconsidered each year.

I think everyone offered a place is considered for funding.

Y7 and 8 entrants go to the finals and then may be offered none/MDS/bursary

Y9 and Y10 are reviewed on video and put into the same categories as above.

When my dd entered the school I know of MDS and bursaries in Y10 and bursaries in Y9. 

Do you mean everyone at finals who wasn't offered an MDS?

My gut feeling is not everyone.

Midland Theatre Ballet?

There are also regional Cecchetti associates. My dd did the North ones and had never done Cecchetti. Not sure if any in Midlands? 

Good luck!!

7 hours ago, Picturesinthefirelight said:

Dd’s School does not have one. 

Picures I think Hammond would benefit from an AD especially for the dancing. As long as they were involved of course! It would improve the overall planning of the dance training I think. 

Of course that's a personal opinion....

I think Pictures explanation should be pinned at the top of the forum- so useful.

Actually Trickybottom the threads with the same tags appear if you just click on the tags.

Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this!! There is a similar thread running here currently 

Maybe a mod could merge them?

If you search under tags Upper School or Finance you'll get similar threads.

Good luck!

The current Y11 at Hammond had several MDS to Y10 entrants.

1 hour ago, Ballet4ever said:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction-1250670.html%3famp

 

although an old article an interesting and very accurate description of how I felt this school treated my dd during her years there. After coming away from this environment she is a lot more confident in herself and is thriving and currently auditioning for us this week I think the saying is never judge a book by its cover or in this case never judge a school by its name always look further into personal experiences 

Good luck to your dd Ballet4ever 

3 hours ago, Picturesinthefirelight said:

Yes, bed times & lights out is a little bug bear of mine when Dd stays over (no where is perfect) 

Yes Pictures and when you are there all the time it is very important! !!

Because many children at vocational schools are from families who have no boarding experience I think there is a lot of potential for this to go wrong as it's hard to pre-empt problems you don't know the existence of. 

The questions I would ask now were we doing it again are:

Staffing levels in boarding house

Turnover rate of boarding staff (very important)

How many kids in a room esp Y10/11

Quiet study space in boarding house

Supervision of prep (ie staff not involved in other responsibilities at same time)

How they police bed times and quiet after lights out

Actual number of activities /outings arranged at weekends 

Taxi - welcome back. 

Totally agree with everyone about this - the forum fulfills a vital role. Critical posts are vital.

Maybe the recent posts could be moved to a thread about RBS US so they're easy to find?

I'm sorry to hear that Auntie Nora. Chin up and keep positive. Your dc must be very talented to get funding finals at Tring. Good luck for future auditions!

There are still kids in vocational schools using these which is so depressing. ...

We have this conversation every year 🙁🙁🙁.

I agree with all the potential reasons listed. 

I feel depressed knowing how much money British dancing parents spend on RBS fees for associate/summer school /WL applications bearing in mind how poor their commitment is to training British dancers.

Pictures that is very interesting