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meadowblythe

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Everything posted by meadowblythe

  1. Certainly in the past WL places have been offered to students who only ticked MA.
  2. Just to offer a counter view (and bear in mind in my day the audition order was different) - we went to all the final auditions as we were making a serious decision on very little contact time with the schools. And a lot more was said to help inform that decision at the finals than at the earlier rounds. That said we still made totally the wrong choice - and went for the most "prestigious" school But attending the finals gave more information than having only seen the school once, and certainly wasn't for kudos.
  3. No experience of Moorland, but DS was at Hammond for years 10-11. He found the mix of students (not just ballet focussed) made for easier living - and he got enough ballet training to make the choices that suited him for US. Some negotiation was possible regarding options had he stayed for US. It also did the ballet focussed boy he was no harm to be bottom of the pile in tap (hadn't really done any for 3 years), and to stand in awe at the achievements of others who may not have been gifted ballet-shaped bodies. He is still a professional ballet dancer.
  4. My eldest non dancing son has recently joined the police force, having previously worked in the theatre. Only last night I was offering to come and watch him arrest someone and clap wildly at the appropriate moment ... I pointed out it was only what I would do for his ballet dancer brother!
  5. I think you could say that about any school in the country, vocational or otherwise!
  6. Apologies if this is advertising, Mods feel free to remove but my DS has designed and sells track pants specificially for this purpose. He's a professional ballet dancer and if you look at his website or instagram https://www.instagram.com/apticsport/ https://apticsport.com/ https://fb.watch/aO8wRB3kPE/ you'll see some pictures of dancers wearing his clothing. As it says in the bio, he wanted something he could wear both for dance and go to the gym. The photos are genuine, him and his friends Obviously biased but would be grateful if you could have a look - and it might just be what you are after. Hoodies are cute too!
  7. What is right for your child is more important than what is perceived to be "best." An unhappy dancer will not flourish, however prestigious the organisation.
  8. If you don't know the city or area, may be worth going to Glasgow to get a feel for the place and see the studios etc. It's an impressive set up but in many ways the complete opposite of Tring - (16+ environment, urban setting ..) and consider which would suit your DC more. Appreciate it's yet more cost but cheaper than a regretted decision.
  9. Personally I think I knew from term 1 that things were not good. Ironically, being assessed out at the end of year 9 was the best thing that ever happened to my DS - forced us to address situations that had been running on for too long. I would also comment this is not ballet specific - going through similar issues to some US experiences raised now in a completely different performing arts genre.
  10. My heart aches for you - my DS was retrieved from trying to run away 3 times in 3 weeks at this stage in year 7. Two thoughts: it was the wrong school for my DS. He was eventually assessed out and spent two very happy years at a different vocational school. He is still a ballet dancer although to scare some of you he has now reached the grand age of 24. The two main issues in his case were mismatch between pre-vocational programme (all leaps and twirls) vs reality (back to basics) and also a very urban environment (space and mentality) versus a very rural home life. I also think it was pretty clear that 2 had been picked for training and the rest were paying the electricity bill. Another boy left in year 7 after the first term. He came back to the school in year 9 and did exceptionally well. My daughter is not a "chosen one" at her musical conservatoire but she chose to fight the system and has managed to get some changes. Leaving was never an option for her. I think the impartial counsellor is an excellent idea - if the school can't provide one can you arrange a private appointment with someone? The one thing that got my DS through was taking him out of school a lot at weekends. We stayed locally rather than bringing him home but it gave him some breathing space. Please feel free to message if it would help. Meadowblythe
  11. It's worth researching accommodation costs at the same time as courses. In some cases these would be quite eye-watering and may outweigh differences in course costs. You probably want to know the total cost ie course fees paid by yourselves and accommodation costs you would need to cover.
  12. I would just echo that many of us "on the other side" wish we had raised our heads. With hindsight we were, effectively, condoning the behaviour by not challenging the support given, or not given, to our DC. Make sure you know the school policies inside out and you can, in a non-confrontational way, ask to understand how they are being implemented to support your child. Good luck!
  13. Hello all I'm producing our school play, and at least 3 girls have been to see me to say that although they said they had dance shoes - they haven't. If anyone has any old character/jazz/ballroom/pretty much anything shoes between sizes 5.5 and 7 in black they could send to me I would be eternally grateful.
  14. I'd love to think that an institution exists where the playing field is completely level and all are equally valued. Never personally seen it, including at conservatoire level in music and drama. This means, unfortunately, whatever experiences anyone else may have, doesn't mean it will be the same for your child, good or bad. There is no excuse for bullying, inequalities must be challenged, that is the only way there will be change. And as others will say, if you wouldn't accept the actions from a "normal" school, don't accept it from a vocational school. There is always a choice, there is always more than one way to reach any goal.
  15. When mine were younger it was often quite difficult to differentiate between home sickness and tiredness. Nothing like a few nights good sleep and a full tummy to make the world a better place. Also just to get away for a bit. The pressure of starting a new school is immense.
  16. The sight of me and my Ikea bag hand delivering books around the school (picked with gloves on, placed in a bag and quarantined for three days on return) is, apparently, one of the enduring memories of the last year. Students reserve books on line (or email me) and I take them to their classrooms. Fortunately the school has also invested in a high quality ebook scheme which includes a large wellness and mental health selection. Otherwise my knees would have given way a long time ago under the weight of books lugged around the school site.
  17. Speaking as a librarian, rather than not enjoying cheerleading, could she not read a book? Best thing you can do for your mental health and really great habit to get into at a young age. A lot of performing is sitting around waiting - and learning to use that time productively is as important as any dance training.
  18. Nothing is ballet in easy! I think it's one of the great ironies is that something that is so hard to get into, so badly paid, with such a short career, is such a sought after profession.
  19. I think there's a big if there - our experience was it was very difficult to find good quality male training (rural location). This is why we decided on vocational in y7. There was also the issue of being the only male in an entire ballet school. Admittedly our DS rather enjoyed this for a while but I think the social aspects are hard in that situation. CAT was impossible as it would have involved leaving school by 1pm for every weekday session. Not ideal even had the school allowed it, and finances stretched to me reducing my hours. As with all things it's a case of find out what works for your DC.
  20. we could never afford Prague - ironic as Ds' first job was in the Czech Republic. International was, however, generally cheaper and gave better life skills. Not practicable this year sadly, musical DD has just turned down a fantastic summer school in France for this reason (100 Euros total cost inc. food and accommodation - this is our level). The main purpose of the summer was rest, cycling, swimming and growing ! Every year when he stopped dancing he grew and I genuinely believe the opportunity to grow physically without otherwise stressing his body was more beneficial than any course could have been. Also sustained family time so that conversations could be had without it being on the way to/from/during other events.
  21. Huge congratulations to your DS Bunny! Decisions to make now?
  22. Just to say it is, according to DS, more about technique than sheer muscle. Strong core and willing to communicate means happy partnership. Both apply for both genders!
  23. Know people who have developed successful careers from both. And not-so-successful careers. Do look at the overall package - are the A levels on offer ones your DS would wish to pursue. Elmhurst is very urban, Tring more spacious - which suits your son? Does he want to be with just dancers or a wider range of students? Accommodation? Distance from your home? Exeats? Read the recent threads from us oldies - nothing is more important than mental health. Physical health is a close second. Which offers the best "Plan B?" Everyone hopes not to use it, but .. Prestige is a long way down the list. As well as where your son would feel happiest, which do you think will support him best, and support you? The best of luck with your decision making process.
  24. If they are already in Voc. training do you need associates? And could it be that it's one thing too many?
  25. You might also wish to consider the academic aspects of each school - how important is the opportunity to study for A levels?
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