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Wow that looks so reasonable! Will definitely have a look next time I'm up.

Just like to put a plug in for the lovely italian we went to L'ulivo. It's between Embankment and Charing Cross tube stations. Prices seemed pretty reasonable - pizzas and pasta were £15-£18, quality (so fresh!) and quantity were both excellent. Service was good too!

Bluebird, I just wish you could have taught my DS! No more hours moving all the home furniture and hoping for the best . Do hope you get the thanks you deserve for the parents.

Based on DS' experience: You may need music for a solo (he turned up without and had to blag it using spotify!) Don't underestimate the time needed between flights (was taken through the back of Rome airport at full out run to catch a flight by a kind desk attendant) Spare shoes etc as per school auditions Don't just chat to the people you know (there's bound to be someone) Don't underestimate the time to get from the airport/train station to the audition. Check out the transport in advance and where to buy a ticket. Drink/whatever in case you end up taking classes back to back or doing more than you expected Think about facial hair (boys!) and hair style (boys!) - if you are going for a corps role (lets face it most are if leaving school) you need to fit in. If auditioning abroad even "hello" and "thank you" in the local language will help you connect to local company members - obviously recognising numbers up to 8 can be useful too ...

If retail isn't your thing, walk the other way down Oxford Road, and you come to the marvellous University of Manchester museum. Haven' t been for a couple of years, but was the most eclectic selection, everything from Egyptian mummies to meteorites to dinosaurs. Keep going (you may be a bit footsore by now!) and you get to the Whitworth Art gallery. Loved my Saturdays in Manchester!

Think Sundial Court let in the holidays. Fairly basic student rooms but fabulous location, just round the corner from the Barbican. Less than 20 minutes walk to central, so I;m told.

Is it "The Journey of the Magi" by T S Eliot?

Have heard good things about both options - as Accurina says, if you can, why not audition for both and see how it goes? Certainly RCS students via both routes and students from both schemes had plenty of offers elsewhere. BSS also offers excellent training in other genres, students have, for example, had offers from Laines/Bird.

I think the reality is, having a DS, if you want to dance with other boys, you may well have to travel if you live outside a city. Associates or private lessons with another male teacher - it will still be cheaper than vocational! We are not a rich family and many UK summer schools were out of our price reach. But the experience of travelling and mixing with other dancers has stood him well over the years. There are so many European summer schools at substantially lower prices than the UK tour. But don't dismiss female teachers - DS had no male teachers in his vocational school during year 11 but his female teacher he still rates as one of the best from whom he received training. A lot of this had to do with her attitude - she would ring up her male friends from her last company to check things. Regarding the wider question of children being unpleasant to each other - if it's not ballet chances are it would be something else ... and boys at vocational school can be pretty unpleasant to each other too, albeit not about wearing tights.

Don't forget your library will have a range of resources, mine also has an ebook system linked to my library card. You could also look for the book (can't remember it's name) that tells you which charities support which sort of person - there may well be funding available there too,.

Is it worth applying for a year 9 place (not sure of the deadlines)? Would give him a get to know a school before picking GCSE subjects.

How old the is boy? Having re-read the post, maybe older? In which case second the Streetbeat recommendation.

Joanne Haylock always had a very good reputation - personally know of a boy going from there through to Upper School.

Oops, daughter is a brass player. Has taken to pints with a vengeance since getting to Conservatoire ...

It's interesting the effects it's having, and the conversations it is engendering, at school level. For the first time ever, before a school production, we discussed whether the risk assessment should consider the orchestra make up, and whether students should be advised to wear ear plugs (should we be providing them?) At my daughter's school, acoustic shields appeared, and teachers discussed their own hearing issues. This in turn empowered the students to demand more protection (my daughter is a brass player). I think the debate is one that should be heard. Oh, and her birthday present from her brother? A fine pair of earplugs ...

Julie Thanks to both you and your wonderful son for all the help - especially during the bad times. I will never forget the kindness you both showed my son through some turbulent times.

To be honest, we still joke about the value of his degree. But it got him where he needed to be, and he's already looked at "upgrading" it in the future. There are definite options, ironically especially as it wasn't an honours degree.

DS did degree at 16, the staff did not generally deal with us directly - I think in one case I did get an email in the first year assuring us that a situation was under review. Having said that, he took to halls and life in general with enthusiasm - it really wasn't a problem. Just to put an opposing view, having done his growing up early, he was confident to take a job abroad at 18. I think had he come straight from a more catered and structured environment the move would have been overwhelming. As it was, he found it extremely challenging for the first few months. Learning to shop and look after yourself when you don't speak the language is hard enough, as is taking class in a foreign language, without having to learn the basics of self sufficiency too.

Agree with everything Karen said. Our half way house was to go and stay at a hotel near DS, and I wish I had done it sooner and more. What they often need is a good night's sleep (or two) and just to see you. And you need to see them to know that, as Karen said, sometimes you are the safe harbour, that holds all the worst things, but maybe doesn't get to hear about the good things. Just been to see musical DD at the end of her first week at music school. She is getting there, but she definitely needed some home contact, and just to be able to talk face to face. And this is child who has done four years at vocational school.

On the plus side, have just raided musical DD's cupboard for some shoes ... oddly something I never did when she was away at school. She's finding it quite challenging, a lot of the students know each other already from NYO, something she never did. But I'm sure she will find her feet. Surprise visit from brother lead to photos of them in the bar clutching pints, something she wasn't renowned for before.

There's actually a free pick up and drop off area, similar to Stansted - when you arrive at the car park you can park up in the drop off area (if that makes sense) and passengers can use the free shuttle. Presumably can also wait for passengers to arrive. https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/parking/pick-up-and-drop-off-info/ Used it in the summer, all very straight forward.

Like Celib B, may seem small fry but I think the wild celebrations from staff and family for my musical DD's E in maths at A level far exceeded the scholarship offers for music college - done on sheer grit and determination not to be beaten. Not easy juggling a full academic time table with 14 hours per week scheduled musical activities, and that's before you think about practice. I am very proud she met her personal goals and is a thoroughly decent human being.

Lisa Sounds like a good employer, who took you seriously after one shift and obviously wants to keep you. That's really not to be sniffed at. Hang in there, sounds like night porter might be your niche. Fiz I know there are silver swans in Horncastle, during the day. Gutted, I really wanted to start to dance.

Hi Lisa How did it go last night?

Bethany, Might be worth a look at Chantry Dance too, they offer a very wide syllabus.