primrose

Just wanted to add another clip of this young lady. I am in awe of her ability to dance the way she does, the poise control and fluidity of music. Imagine this girl turning up at one of the dance festivals she would certainly have the adjudicators tongues wagging lol.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDIQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fm.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DPfDQ604l4V8&ei=h_2CU8GYH8ekPYSqgbgK&usg=AFQjCNFeR3FJAZUeNCuYMdVjEOr84MnW0g&sig2=xqEDUehC5haKWZz94vptmA&bvm=bv.67720277,d.ZWU This young lady is breath taking.she is only 12 years of age.

Am I exagerating in seeming to remember that the fees for full boarding at Tring are about 8 thousand per term.

I should add that military kids d get at least half of the fees paid for by the military due to being posted every two years although this could be changing soon.

The fees for this type of school seem very reasonable to me. Being from a military family where a lot of our children attend boarding schools this is definitely a school I would have considered looking at for my daughter.

It really does look lovely.

There is not one member that has criticised your daughter in fact many including myself have said how talented your dd must be to be offered the places she has. I think you are putting your own words into others mouths. Please celebrate your dds success we are all happy for her.

I really dont quite understand why you are so upset balletmum 16. Your dd has done very well gaining a place at Elmhurst which is also very selective. There are many children on this forum who would love to go to this school but werent selected.

Sorry balletmum 16 I did not mean to offend you. It is clear that your dd is talented. The schools you have mentioned are also very good with a good graduate list. I notice you havent mentioned ENBS which is also another fantastic school and not forgeting central.

That is very sad to hear. You sound like exceptional parents to have given your daughter the experiences she has had so far. If she is not enjoying herself and its upsetting her mental health then its probably time to stop. I do understand your predicament as my son who has ASD has just stopped representing England for cp football. I would have conversations with all departments of the school to make sure that nothing else can be done to make life easier for your dd. I would also have a conversation with your dd to make sure of what she wants. I would use a social story so she fully understands the consequences. I would also get her to do a positive and negative list about life at her school. I wish you and your dd best wishes with the decisions that you have to think about.

Bluntly that is what it is. My dd also got offered many places with funding but simply wasnt good enough for RBS. She was also a royal associate. It doesnt mean that they wont be good enough to get a job in a company and in some instances dancing alongside people who trained with RBS.

I would have said it was known to be an excellent school also. What maybe one persons opinion may not be anothers. Always do your own research.

Invisiblecircus I think your post is getting a bit personal. BD19 has not mentioned the original posters daughter at all never mind her ability. Can we all remain respectful to each other. This forum is very friendly helpful and supportive so lets try and keep it that way.

I think height is not so much of an issue as it used to be but I think they would have to have the body shape of a ballet dancer. Long legs short torso long neck small head etc. They would also have to have the required facility. I cant see any classical school accepting a ballet dancer with say short legs big hips etc. Ballet companies when advertising for auditions will often state height requirements. Not many would allow female dancers above 5ft 8 inch unless exceptional. If you go on dance Europe auditions you can see this for yourself.

I think that BD 19 makes a valuable point in saying that to get into any top classical vocational school then the talent and body shape has to be there. The Russians do like slim long limbed dancers with small heads and long necks. They love high arched feet and sway back legs. Flexibility is important. Most of all they expect their dancers to work hard.To be accepted onto the three year course is very difficult indeed and a lot of dancers after the trainee audition year do not get offered further training. My dd was offered the full 3 year course. When my dd came home RBS, ENB and Elmhurst all showed an interest in her. The training at the Bolshoi really is unique.

It only costs £12,000 PER YEAR to train at the Bolshoi including full boarding food and academics.

I have no idea where you have got your information from but it costs only £12,000 per year to train at the Bolshoi and that includes full boarding, food and academics.

When my dd was at this school she was allowed to carry on with RBS associates. This was a few years ago so things may have changed.

Annie what a lovely story. Your son and yourselves are truly courageous and such an inspiration to other young dancers.

It is actually very difficult to get a diagnosis for ASD. Aspergers is now not a diagnosis and will go under the title of asd. The spectrum is huge. Most are literal so if told to act a certain way then they will. Yes they all struggle socially in understanding relationships humour idioms etc but strategies and structures can be put in place to enable the person to function as well as can be expected. Sadly I see so many undiagnosed children who are obviously Autistic and struggle as they dont recieve the help structure and support they need. I am yet to see a diagnosed Asder who I dont think has it. Just peel back the layers undo the structure and it will stare you in the face.

I think it depends how severe the ASD is and how it affects the person. Many people have very little understanding of autism. Many believe it is the isolated person who requires no friends and have no eye contact or language etc. Yes the extremes can be like this but mostly people on the spectrum do live independent lives even get married. There was a documentary about autism on the television a few weeks ago highlighting the strategies people with asd can put in place to help themselves. Quite a few were public speakers etc.

Sadly aileen I can relate to what you are saying about the depression and ocd as my son is going through this right now. He up until last week played cerebral palsy football for England the pressure he put on himself was immense and sadly he turned down his place at the nationals. What I am trying to say is that he had up to this point had such a great experience of playing at this level. We gave him the opportunities to try to reach his potential. Sadly it was too much for him for now. I would encourage any person with or without a additional need to give it a go. Things may or not work out the same applies for everybody else. Just make sure there is a good support network in place. Who knows their aspirations just might become a reality. It they dont try they will never know. By the way I do not believe that voc schools are full of student with ASD. Unless one is a pychologist and have gone around diagnosing students then non of us know for sure if a child has a additional need. What would be really interesting though would be if any of the students hold a statement of their educational needs.

Having experienced several vocational schools over the last 8 years I stand by my comments. That is not to say that these students work to incredibly high standards. They are dedicated to their art and make so many sacrifices no youngster should have to. I teach youngsters with additional needs in mainstream school. I also have a son who has mild ASD epilepsy and cerebral palsy. I am a bit too passionat when working with these youngsters and ensuring they access the curriculum the same as their peers. So from my personal experiences this has been my interpretation of what I have witnessed of students at vocational schools but this certainly does not apply to all.

I think there are a number of children in vocational schools who have SEN. I think they fit in very well as in my opinion most dancers are quirky or drama queens.These schools lend themselves very well in allowing children to express themselves through different mediums. All of the schools offer an excellent curriculum that is diverse to cater for all levels of learning. At the end of the day it comes down to the severity of the SEN. Would your child have managed in mainstream education or would a SEN school have been better.