Nana Lily

On DOE statistics.....The cohorts in the vocational schools are so small results can sway one way year on year dependent on the intake and so are very misleading and can't be viewed in the same way as a regular school. Maybe someone who has time and the skills could work out the P value.... .

My DD got through two pairs of GM's in 5 weeks during the summer show/rehearsals. The back were fine, but she completely trashed the box on both pairs. Horses for courses...the quest for the perfect pointe shoe...

I have one DD at Hammond and one at Elmhurst in years 11 and 10. Previous posters have covered a lot, so I will just add a couple more bits of info. While the schools are not selective academically they are set/split for Maths and English in both schools based on ability/needs. At Elmhurst they have two sets and at Hammond three (at Hammond there is a small intake of children who don't dance) meaning the class sizes are very small for core subjects. Once the children choose their options for year 10, those subjects can have extremely small class sizes. Both my DD's have subjects where there are only 4 children in a class, resulting in more 'tutor' group type learning which is fabulous. Both schools do have science labs and Chemistry is taught as part of the double science GCSE . Children who excel academically have taken GCSEs early. A small group last year attained A* grades in maths at year 10. Classes are small and there is no place to hide or not work hard. At prize giving at both schools there are always outstanding academic achievers who are rewarded as well as those children who have worked hard and progressed well whatever their natural ability. Hope this helps, though its rare for a DC to have a choice of schools as places are so highly sought after. Good luck with auditions. NL.

The closing date has been brought forward to the 7th April, not extended. It is on their Facebook page. Staff have been in this week though presumably not today as its a bank holiday. The Principals are holding auditions in New York on the 18th and 19th April, with Charla Genn from the ballet faculty at the Juilliard School. The auditions and a workshop are being held at New York City Centre Studios. This may be an option for your friend is she lives abroad. All the information is on their Facebook page, I can't post the link for some reason from my phone, but it's easy to locate. Good luck to your friend. NL

Thank you John. Many congratulations to the winners

Hello, Did anyone take part last weekend? Unfortunately my DD wasn't able to enter as she had too many other commitments with GCSE Art controlled assessments taking place and sixth form auditions. Would love to hear how it all went. NL

If you manage to get to see the finals of Janet Cram Awards or have a DC take part, you will observe the ISTD Modern Theatre genre at its best. There are three catergorie; junior, senior and premier. The dancers have to perform a couple if elements of the set syllabus, then the rest is free work, followed by the dancers own solo. The standard is outstanding and the solos breathtaking at the finals. Here you can see what that syllabus can lead to for the most talented dancers.

Was anyone lucky enough to get a ticket for this event at the Lindbury last night? Would love to hear how it went!

I have two DD's at vocational school, one in year 11 and one in year 10, both doing Art GCSE. At both of their schools they do fewer GCSE's than had they gone to the local school at home. We had a dash to the local art shop before it closed on Saturday to buy supplies... and I have learned now that the local department store isn't the best place to buy supplies... While there is a lot of work to get through both are enjoying the subject and seem to find it a welcome change from core academics. I am the least 'arty' person you will ever come across, if I draw something it looks like something a two year old has attempted, so I am in awe of the work they produce. One is more 'fine art' the other is very textiles and 3D (not that I have a clue, but attempting to explain their different skills). Look at your own child, what pressures and releases they need as well as how well run their art department is.

Thank you Janet!

This section of the thread is valuable and interesting, however it has strayed completely away from its title. Can the mods separate this section initial a new one, 'pressures of GCSE's and auditions'? Then others can contribute to both threads appropriately. Many thanks.

'A word of warning. It does depend on the school/education authority as to whether the time will be authorised. With the recent changes more & more schools are not allowing time off for this, I know that Cheshire have strict rules for example. Best to check.' We live in Cheshire and both my DD's were JA's in Manchester. School were very supportive and JA's isn't classed as an absence. This us still the case as a couple of little ones from our old dance school are current JA's and there hasn't been any issues. Good luck with the audition and enjoy every minute. NL

Ann Williams I may ask 'who are you' in the Doing Dance Forum? Welcome to this section of Ballet.co. I havent posted in this particular thread but am enjoying members contributions. I have been s member for many years as have other posters and do occasionally post I'm other sections

Oh No CeliB, I was hoping to watch this evening. We are all rooting for him here.

Anyone else there last night? Fabulous programme a packed house, thoroughly moving, I was still buzzing from the excitement when I woke this morning. David Bintley was the 'compare' for the evening which was delightful and he also made a surprise dance appearance Dance programme was: "Concerto Classique", danced by years 10 and 12 from Elmhurst School for Dance, choreography by Lee Robinson from Elmhurst danced to Suite no 3 Theme and Variations - Polacca, Tchaikovsky. Absolutely gorgeous (but I am biased as my DD danced in this, so no apologies). "Matryoshka" wonderful choreography by Ruth Brill, danced by Laura Day, Karla Doorbar, Miki Mizutani, Max Maslen, Oliver Till, Samara Downs, Feargus Campbell and Lachlan Monaghan. Totally charming and engaging to Shostakovich "Act II from pas de deux from Cinderella" and we were treated by watching the gorgeous Elisha Willis with her very handsome Prince Iain Mackay "Excerpt from Act II of Coppelia' with Momoko Hirata and special 'guest' David Bintley as Dr Coppelius!!! Absolutely marvelous!!! "Four Season and Coda from Cinderella" with David Bintley choreographing a new version of "Autumn" from his original back in 2010. Danced beautifully by Miki Mizutani, Yaoqian Shang, Samara Downs and Delia Mathews. And finally we were treated to a wonderful performance of the "Black Swan pas de deux and coda from Swan Lake danced by the amazing Celine Gittens and Tyrone Singleton a truly spectacular end to this wonderful evening. It was a real treat to see the Royal Ballet Sinfonia on the concert platform in full view of the audience rather than tucked away in the orchestra pit. Led by Rober Gibbs and conducted by Koen Kessels their programme was varied and enchanting: Espana, Chabrier Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, Pietro Mascagni The Walk to the Paradise Garden, Delius La Valse, Ravel. One additional note on the students.... After watching the same dance during the Elmhurst Summer Show I could appreciate how the they had progressed both with technique and performance skills. They were clearly inspired by the thoughtful choreography, coaching and the momentous occasion of dancing to the music of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia at the same venue as the icons of Birmingham Royal Ballet. How lucky they are to have this unique opportunity. This event is now a favourite of mine and I will definitely be attending next year. So refreshing and strangely intimate, you really do feel part of the proceedings. I enjoyed how the dance started with the young students, we saw new works and then built to a crescendo with the Black Swan pas de deux and coda. Would love to hear other folks thoughts. I know Janet was there, I am sure she will add a more informed critique JULIE

London School of Contemporary Dance is a good course, still an opportunity to carry on with classical. They are coveted by student finance, but it is a private college, so the student finance won't cover the full fees. Good luck.

Posted at the same time Julie!

Hello Risballet and welcome to the forum. Sorry I can't help as I don't understand how training works in the US, but hopefully another member may be able to give you some pointers. Your love of dance comes across in your post. Have you tried Ballettalk4dancers it's a U.S. based forum? Good luck

My younger DD, Pictures. I think you are correct in that Dance GCSE may now be compulsory.

One of my DD's chose to do GCSE dance at vocational school, the other did not. Our local secondary school has excellent results for GCSE dance and they have children on that course who haven't had any formal dance training. I feel my DD is benefiting from the syllabus content as well as creating her own choreography. She is of course supported by a fabulous teacher on the faculty at her school. It is timetabled with the same amount of time allocated as any other GCSE so to cover the work as an extra I imagine would be a significant commitment.

I haven't seen Alice, but I found this a very enjoyable and informative read.

Thank you Balletqs that's so kind of you to find this. NL

Thank you balleqs. Will take a look on YouTube

'My only disappointment was that there were no 2nd or 3rd places and no commendations, so it was literally just one winner and that was it. It was a boy winner and I was left wondering who they would have chosen from the girls.' This year there will also be a choreographic award for the 'dancers own' variation. An additional opportunity for some recognition