Farawaydancer

My dd has been on the other side of this, as the only vocational level student in her classes. Whilst the girls were younger they were happy to accept her as one of the class. Once she got to about 10 and was dancing with teens they started to ostracise her and her classes became pretty uncomfortable. She’s now at vocational school which has solved the issue, but there wasn’t anything her teacher could have done to keep the older girls (and their parents 🙄) happy. They perceived it as favouritism and it really wasn’t, it was just making sure that dd could do a class at the right level!

15 girls started in year 7 in the current y11 cohort. However, lots have joined and left, there’s been a lot of movement.

We got emails last year and they were very quick. Hope you’re not waiting too long!

Capezio is usually two sizes larger than street shoe size.

Ds is at vocational school where they only have one exam session per year in the autumn term. If they’re starting from IF they take that in y8 and then one grade per year (including AF) from that, so he didn’t take Intermediate until y9. It makes no difference, the rest of their ballet classes are at a higher standard than the RAD class they’re in. If he needs more time then it’s ok, he’s not going to be disadvantaged in any way.

Top ballet schools ARE all by audition and they have no interest in how many exams a child has done. They go on what they see at audition.

It’s not essential, certainly in Sunderland there were lots that didn’t wear it.

Emma Northmore would be my recommendation. She has open classes at Pineapple but she also gives private lessons.

Distinction for my dd from the Manchester session, so pleased it’s finally done! Hope everyone’s results arrive soon.

No, we’re waiting hopefully for Manchester results but nothing as yet.

Its sometimes not quite as easy as that, especially if you live in an area where teachers/ballet classes are hard to find! We’ve stuck with teachers who are really good teachers, but don’t want to lose their pupils to other schemes and therefore don’t encourage outside participation, simply because there isn’t anyone better to take them to.

I’ve never asked permission for my children to do anything. I have informed their school/teacher that they are doing something, but I’m not asking permission for my own child to do anything. That’s down to us as parents to decide. I understand it might not be the correct etiquette but it’s worked out ok for us so far and we’ve not had a problem.

And this was the recall schedule. 9.00amArrive at Hoole Bank House Welcome by Principal 9.30 – 10.30Audition – Ballet 10.40 – 11.15Creative Movement 11.15 – 11.30Light Refreshments will be provided 11.30 – 1.00Audition – Musical Theatre Workshop.

This was the schedule for this year’s auditions. Dd thought the ballet was around grade 4/inter foundation in terms of some of the things they were asked to do but there was plenty of simple things too. She said about half did a ballet solo and half did something else. Everyone had prepared a song for her particular audition. 8.30 a.m.Arrive at The Hammond. Please report to The Performing Arts Centre Welcome by the Hammond Principal. CANDIDATE 9.00Candidates taken to change and prepare for audition 9.15 – 10.15Audition – Ballet class. (Parents/Guardians should contact the Hammond prior to audition should they require further explanation or are uncomfortable with this procedure). 10.15 – 10.40Flexibility Assessment 10.40 – 11.00Modern 11.00 – 12.00Dance Solos in any chosen dance style 1 minute maximum (teachers or candidates own choreography). Please record your music on a USB STICK. 12.00 – 12.30Lunch (School will provide, please let the school know if your child has any special dietary requirements). 12.30 – 1.45 Vocal warm up (in audition group) followed by: 12.30 – 1.45 Vocal Solo – 1 minute long. Sheet music is preferred and should be provided clearly marked. If sheet music is not available a backing track can be used. However, backing vocals are not suitable. Backing track on a USB STICK. 2.00 – 3.00/30Non Verbal Reasoning Test (NVR) for all years 7 & 8 candidates. English and Maths papers will be forwarded to current school for completion. 3.30 – 4.00Audition candidates visit boarding house (if appropriate) where they will receive a tour and refreshments.

There’s Moorlands too. What aren’t you sure about at Hammond? If you need MDS funding then it should be considered alongside the other three schools which have mds too.

I wouldn’t be taking my dc to a RAD teacher who didn’t understand the gradings, they’re all very well aware of the two systems and should be guiding their students (and parents) through the most appropriate route.

I’d echo everything Jane says in her post.

It will most likely be 14th September. They usually follow Elmhurst school terms.

Ooh, @balletbean can I ask a Manchester question? Where does the examiner and pianist sit in relation to the barres? Which side of the room etc? My dd and her friend are there next week but no one from their school has used that centre before so they don’t know the layout. Yes, and then the long wait for the results. At least they’re not LAMDA, they take forever!!

She is.

@TinyNEDancer the y4 audition in Sunderland usually has around 25-30 in each audition class. The class sizes for each year group tend to be between 8 and 12, but there’s no set number. The teacher is very lovely and your dd will have a fabulous time. Good luck to her!

Again... This is the third year that they’ve held an extra late audition, which seems very unfair on those children who auditioned in November!

Absolutely this! My dd has had her fair share of no thanks emails during her junior associate years but is starting vocational school in September with an mds. Enjoy it all.

Echoing what @sarahw says above, you really do have to just take it day by day. Assessments are horrible but try not to let them overshadow all the wonderful things about their school life. I’ve got one almost finished lower school and it hasn’t been an easy ride at all, but we’re about to start all over again with dc2 so it can’t have been all bad 😱😁

I’m not sure with the mds if they let you switch from a day place to a boarding place (if there is one available). You can definitely decide at the outset to be a day pupil. At 20 miles I would make being a day pupil work. For comparison we are 180-200 miles from our dc’s schools.