sarahw

Yes not acceptable at academic school either.

It's not about being afraid of not being number 1; all kids know someone will do better than them at something. It's a personal battle for each to achieve their potential and publishing results for kids is not necessary. 

On 27/04/2018 at 12:56, BalletBelle said:

In our school scores get read out in class by the teacher - everybody knows everybody else's marks.

But that wasn't really a debate that I wanted to open up.

 

My query was really about what proportion of RAD distinctions awarded are for marks 90+,  and therefore how difficult are they to come by.

In our school they seem to be very common - the downside of which is that those with scores of e.g. 84 aren't as delighted with them as they might otherwise be... that led me to wonder where those scores of e.g. 84 might sit outside the small bubble of our dance school.

Reading marks out in class? 😯😯😯

800 international units (iU) is the same as 10 mcg rec by DOH.

It would be interesting to know what % of the population are vit D deficient on blood tests. I am - discovered when bloods were done for another medical problem.....

1 hour ago, Danceforfun said:

I do not want to be accused of defamation therefore I stated "I have heard" I know the pupil personally and therefore it is not second hand information this pupil has been advised to refrain from dance for lengthy period of time (until September) by an extremely well respected professional practitioner. The expectation to train this intensively is from the teacher and the parent feels totally backed into a corner.

The parent needs to take control of their child's life. Risking health is not worth it.

This is not uncommon unfortunately. 'No pain no gain' seems to be acceptable in some schools.

But I totally agree that the paradox of 14yo being accepted into RBS US (and that's another long thread) gives mixed messages to our dc.

That is very impressive. 

The Dept of Health does recommend vitamin D for all in the winter in the UK- it's not well advertised.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/phe-publishes-new-advice-on-vitamin-d

The clinical significance of low vitamin D on bloods is uncertain - it has been a hot topic in medical literature in recent years. But I'm sure all our dc should be taking vitamin D daily.

As always it has turned into a marketing opportunity for vitamin companies! Personally I have found Boots own brand plain vit D tablets to be the cheapest. Beware if buying calcium/vit D combos as this often has less than the recommended 10 mcg of vitamin D in!! Again evidence on calcium supplements is lacking in non elderly. But if my dc didn't eat dairy I would consider calcium also. I haven't done any chewable tab/liquid research. And best of all get them out in the sun!!

On 28/03/2018 at 19:33, Danceintherain said:

 

It's one we've been debating in our house!  We're not even sure Hammond would allow it.  After a morning of classes, to then travel to Birmingham and back.  As much as I'd LOVE to see her every weekend, I feel she needs the time to settle into life away from home, and that includes forming friendships and enjoying the down time on a Saturday afternoon.  She'll be starting GCSE work too, so there's making sure she has the time for that, and we need to realistically understand how much driving that would mean for us - even putting the petrol cost aside, we'd be constantly exhausted.  I haven't ruled it out just yet, but I think ultimately we will end up having to turn the place down and allow somebody else to have it.

Very wise!

I think it's difficult to say as it really depends on the quality and abilities of the teacher.

Based on SS and vocational school experience I think over 20 is usually difficult to supervise properly.

I too am keen on value for money!!

2 minutes ago, shygirlsmum said:

Thanks for the information, I don't know much about Ballet West other than I heard its in an Idyllic but remote location. 

 

I will take a look at both programs, DD is 14 and has just taken her RAD Intermediate exam so might suit Ballet West.

 

Many thanks

 

 

Yes shygirlsmum my dd went at the same age and level and loved it. It's a beautiful place with very kind and experienced staff. A super SS experience........

Good luck Terpsichore - sounds fantastic! !

Full sole if you have both already but don't buy especially. 

18 hours ago, Notmoreshoes said:

We'll have a 4 hour plus train journey to Newcastle if DD gets in. When you live north of the central belt you quickly realise that if you don't do it, you don'

That would be a very long day - assess carefully if it's worth it. We weren't able to use the train as Sunday timetable made it impossible. 

I would consider carefully whether you'd be better off spending the money on private lessons /summer schools instead.

13 hours ago, shygirlsmum said:

 

I agree classes are pretty big but DD has not done other courses so we have nothing to compare with, do you have any recommendations?

I think it partly depends on the age of the child and the reason for going. In our recent experience my dd has found Ballet West to be challenging and enjoyable and learnt a lot. This isn't suitable until around age 13 I would think. For a wider age group the West Yorkshire SS run by tutugirl was excellent. DD enjoyed junior Elmhurst SS but that was some years ago. 

Sometimes as child gets older there may be other reasons to go somewhere such as checking out potential schools for Upper School applications. 

I'm sure others can add other experiences.

I 

On 20/04/2018 at 00:25, TBG said:

Place on wk 2 for dd but sadly no scholarship. Dd very excited to be going, although has heard they are usually big classes and individuals dont get much attention. Does anyone have any knowledge of this please?  Xx

TBG as you've not had any feedback I'll tell you what we've been told (DD has never been) by an attendee: girls classes very large. Boys classes great. Their opinion was that if you're a paying girl you may get better value elsewhere...... But it was enjoyable. Sorry if that muddies the waters.....

Leapinglizards you have all my sympathy - that's a very difficult situation. I don't have any personal experience of sibling dance rivalry but have observed the bitter disappointment my dd has experienced at times and tbh very often it is just time that heals things. Hopefully things will settle as the girls come to terms with the situation. Try to boost dd1 in any way you can. Have you spoken to their dance teacher?

These will be available at end of academic year-

Y10/11: black dans-ez cap sleeve leotard. Medium x 2. Good condition £7 each

All years (I think) RAD leotard Wear MoI Titania black XS. Good condition £5

28/30 inch tracksuit bottoms. Good condition £7

32 inch tracksuit top good condition £8

32 inch? Tracksuit top. Good condition except zip pull has come off so has key ring pull on. £5

2 x 34 inch school jumpers. Good/fair condition £5 each

Coat 32 inches. Good/excuse condition except casing cracked on one popper and missing on another. Poppers all work. (They barely wear them) £10

Year 10/11 pink modern leotards x2. Wear Moi size S. Barely worn. £10 each

Tie £3

Postage at cost.

Thanks!

We did Newcastle JAs and there were kids from Edinburgh/Glasgow there. We drove more than 2h to get there.

I agree they are good classes and a great experience but consider very carefully the effect on you and your family. For us at age 9 the downsides of travelling outweighed the benefits I think. Take a serious look at BW also. ?apply to both and make a decision if you get both?

Yes facial expression and positive body language.

I used to tell dd to show the examiner/audience how much she loves dancing. It comes naturally to some and in others develops with maturity. If the dancer is finding the dancing technically difficult it will be harder to 'perform'.

4 hours ago, ArucariaBallerina said:

...... It was a no  the lady on the phone said "well, if it makes you feel better we'll put her on the waiting list but don't hold out much hope."

I don't expect to get in but ballet really is cruel sometimes. I've had 4 Nos and no Yeses yet this year 😓 Beginning to think that however hard I work and how much I love it I will never be successful. But at least I have Associates and my EYB audition this weekend . Thanks everyone. I am going to book a week at OPES and try to find another nice and small but good quality SS.

Oh no - that is awful - they should've been a lot more gracious!

Well done for staying positive!

Ballet4boyz - could your ds maybe drop something for a while to release pressure? Eg delay a LAMDA exam or similar? He is juggling a lot of stuff....

13 hours ago, CeliB said:

I think I have mentioned this before on other thread related to stress but don't underestimate the positive benefit to your DS of offloading all his complaints, fears, doubts etc onto you and thereby being able to let them go. Hence the roller coaster effect. My daughter does this to me on a biannual basis (she's quite a calm person in general) and has done since the age of about 7 or 8 (she's now 19). It took me a while to catch on - in the early years I spent so many nights awake and in a complete panic that her entire life was terrible and how could I not have realised only to have her get up next morning completely chirpy and not mention a single worry for another 6 months.  Now even she says quite matter of factly 'I think I'm due another meltdown Mum I haven't had one in quite a while'...

 

I also remember my younger brother driving my mum mad when he was on his university exchange year in California, skyping her every few weeks with a litany of how ghastly it was (no friends, mad landlady, couldn't do any of the work, hated the states, run out of money etc). Since coming home he has always said it was the best time he's ever had, he made fabulous friends and he got the equivalent of a first for the academic year. 

 

I suppose what i'm trying to say is that sometimes kids use parents like their 'Dorian Gray' to offload all the stress or explore in some ways the things they fear but which may never come to pass. It doesn't surprise me at all that he can tell you one day how awful/stressful it is and the next day say he had the best time ever- the one enables the other (if that makes sense).

 

Of course this is not always true I'm not trying to downplay your DS's concerns or troubles and it is always a matter of degree. My DS also found boarding very hard especially the lack of space and VERY difficult room mates.

 

You will be the best judge of whether this is a deal breaking amount of stress or a need to offload which enables him to then carry on. 

 

Good luck, it is hard...

 

That's a very good point CeliB. My dc definitely off loads in this way.

I assume candidates are scored on a standard system. Copies of these could be emailed to parents. They wouldn't be obliged to give further comment. If Lane can do it why can't the others?

BalletBoyz - I think this is very common. I agree that you need a list of pros and cons and review them - some may change, some not.

Our experience has been heavily influenced by the relationship with the main ballet teacher and if the relationship is not good it really affects everything. So that could potentially change next year.

Boarding is unlikely to change - always noisy and chaotic. I think my dc is in the same boarding house as yours and I think the quality of supervision has been severely affected by the high staff turnover this year.

Definitely speak to head of boarding who is very experienced. However in our recent experience it is easy for a child to hide what is really going on from the staff.

Good luck - a tricky situation. 

Congratulations to all of you with lovely offers!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗

7 hours ago, Balletdaughter said:

Please can I have recommendations between Ballet Theatre and Tring Park for Ballet focus training sixth form?

We are not allowed to discuss BTUK school. In the absence of honest and open public discussion I would personally approach very cautiously.