Living the Dream

I have to say I'm shocked at these prices. The situation can't be any different for ENBS or Rambert or any of the other London dance places. What about host families? Could that be an alternative?

I have located a recommended hostel in Central London for ENBS at £6,800 per annum (which is for the 3 school terms), this includes breakfast and evening meal and also lunch on weekends, then on top of that is the DADA parental contribution of £1,275. Travel on buses in London is free of charge for students.

I was told by the Finance Director at Elmhurst that they currently invoice DADA Upper School students £3,000 per term (£9,000 per annum).

It's very expensive, even with a DADA at these schools but hopefully worthwhile in the end.

LTD

I was really surprised to fid out that they do neither A'Levels nor a degree course (even a Foundation degree?) at ENBS. That must be unusual - I know at Central and Rambert it's a degree course, and am I right in thinking that Elmhurst and RBS Upper School offer A Levels?

ENBS students study for the first 2 years the Level 5 Diploma in Professional Dance awarded by Trinity College, London. On successful completion of the third year, students are awarded the Diploma in Professional Dance. This qualification is comparable in terms of the professional performance skills acquired by honours degrees and graduate diplomas.

I hope this helps.

LTD

There are quite a few very good home study A level courses available online. You get a tutor available online and also via the telephone, but you need to be focussed and follow the study plan. Be aware that you have to buy certain recommended books (dependant on the topic you choose) and also the exam entry fee is extra.

Here are a couple of recommended sites:

http://www.icslearn.co.uk/qualifications/a-levels.aspx

http://www.oxfordhomeschooling.co.uk/course/a-level/

These courses are approx 18 months long and we have been advised by a current student at ENBS who is home studying 2 A levels that this is a lot of hard work after a full day at school and they recommended doing 1 at a time.

I hope this information is useful.

LTD

Living the Dream - can you tell us more about the A level arrangements/home study etc. for ENBS on the new post 16 thread here:

http://www.balletcof...ost-16-schools/

 

Thanks

Hello Ribbons

I have now posted in the new Post 16 thread.

LTD

First time I have posted anything and I wish I had found this site earlier. My daughter is same situation and doesn't know what to do. Her heart says Elmhurst but she is aware of the kudos of ENB and worries she would be foolish if she turns it down. Any suggestions?

Hello follycat and welcome to this forum.

I would definitely look at the advice given to me on this forum. I also believe that your DD is obviously very talented to have the choice of both schools, so where ever she goes she will excel. With regard to ENBS, you need to know if your DD is mature enough to live not in a boarding house in London but in either a flat or hostel. My DD has been living away from home since 11 and is very mature and capable of doing her own washing and feeding herself. Also do you want her to do A levels. At Elmhurst it's part of the curriculum, but ENBS you will need to home study or attend night school. Please feel free to PM me if you want more details. Good luck with your decision.

I just wanted to thank everyone who has commented on my post and offered very valuable advice. After long discussions regarding the pros and cons of each school, she has decided to accept ENBS. One of the main reasons is that she wants to be a purely classical ballerina and feels that the training at ENBS will be the best for her career. With regard to A levels, as they are not offered here, she has volunteered to study A levels home study as a compromise, as we are all fully aware that an injury could occur at any time and put an end to a ballerina's career and you need a back up plan.

I would recommend to anyone thinking of auditioning for Upper Schools for September 2013 to be very well prepared (I thought I was, but it has been more stressful than I could have ever imagined), have plenty of wine at hand and also to ask advice of the very knowledgable people on this forum.

Thank you all.

LTD x

Oh we're a nosey and opinionated lot! No chance of no response! LOL. And we love to hear about people's successes.

 

Seriously though, congratulations to your dd. I think you could look at employment rates for female graduates as an indicator, but I wouldn't use that as your sole deciding factor because both are top schools, and what is most important is whether the school suits your dd. Personally I'm a great believer in gut feel on this kind of thing!

Thank you glowlight and your have just put a smile on my face and also good idea to look at employment rates, I will be looking at these tomorrow. Off to fetch my footballing son now LOL.

So hard - let us know what she decides. Lil x

I will and thank you to everyone who has commented on my post. I have never done this before, so was a bit nervous in case no one responded to my question.

Good luck to your DD with her decision. I'm sure in terms of training it must be a win win situation. I'm guessing this one will be done to her gut feeling of which suits her as obviously the schools are very different in atmopshere and location and the acommodation too. A huge well done to her for having this decision to make in the first place.

Thank you 2dancersmum. I think you are right, she will know what is right for her, although as a parent my concern is accomodation. ENBS it's hostels or flats and Elmhurst it's boarding house for first year, but really all she wants to know is which will be best for her training.

Don't envy you and I hope she makes the right choice. Do you have long to decide? Lil

Not sure how long she has to decide as DD has the letters and forgot to ask.

I didn't think Elmhurst letters were out yet!

If you haven't heard today, you should hear either tomorrow or the day after at the latest.

Thank you Lildancer96 and not sure which way to go, hence my post. It's going to be a very difficult decision, but ultimately I think it will be her decision.

Hi Lildancer96, yes my DD has been offered places at both schools. She's at full time vocational school at the moment and has been there for 5 years (since Year 7).

Good luck to your DS and thank you for your input.

Thank you JulieW your comments are very helpful. I was interested in what was going to happen once Desmond Kelly was no longer Artistic Director of Elmhurst, but I believe Robert Parker will be excellent for the school and hopefully create better links to BRB.

With such knowledgable people on this forum, I would like to ask your advice and opinions on the training offered by English National Ballet School vs Elmhurst Upper School.

Thank you for your help in anticipation.

Living the Dream

I believe there are currently 15 girls, of which 5 are international and 10 boys, of which 2 are international in the current Year 11.

I have spoken to Elmhurst today and the letters are ready to be posted either today or tomorrow at the latest. Not long to wait now.