Billyelliott

No Fiz not yet! anyway..... I am just comparing the accommodation between where he is now and some of places he wants to audition for in the next few months- we had not really considered RBS but after some recent encouragement it's back on our list ! DS is a fussy eater he prefers to cook his own food so we were looking at the pros and cons. It turns out that he will spend next week with at least one of the boys there at the moment - so I'm hoping for a bit more inside information!

Can anybody give any comments from first hand experience of what the upper school accommodation in Pimlico is like - I'm interested in what life is like for the boys or should I rather say young men..... How long does it take to travel from the accommodation to the school ? Is it self catering? I see they have the option to eat in the Royal opera house staff canteen ... Are rooms shared? Are the men housed in the same building / area as the Ladies? are there laundry facilities? To what extent are they supervised in the living quarters ? thanks!

My DS had a wonderful time with you last year Tutugirl we highly recommend it to anyone who needs something in August ! Sadly he is too busy this year and needs to rest! hope you all have a wonderful time x

There is most definitely a shortage of boys at the local dance school. Without exception my sons costumes have been hired out the girls have had to dress up as boys to fill fill the part he used to play once he was too old to play it ! All the boys in the school are needed in every single festival group and still they're not enough boys to partner!

Apparently you apply to them directly, but let the school know what you have done . You can also add any extras that occur and have them spread across the term as well

I found the brochure that was sent to us by Elmhurst the company is SFP Website is WWW.sfpsschoolfees.co.uk - there is an online calculator to calculate your monthly repayments

I know a mum who was doing this - I'll message her and check the company's name

Supercalafragilisticexpialidoucious!?

Sorry for the spoiler Jan ! It was a lovely evening of dance and I had to agree with the choice of winner - a big cheer went up in our house as we had all agreed for once ! A wonderful opportunity for all of them.

I can't seem to go direct to the first unread post in a thread on my phone so having to scroll through the whole lot to see the latest comment !

The numbers taken into Year 7 are quite variable from year to year and not necessarily an equal number of girls and boys - just depends on how many children they see that they really want and can fit in .... BUT I don't believe there is space for many more than 24 in the boarding areas and no more than 20 to 24 MDS grants becoming available for new children !

It was 10-14 days when we did it -if that's of any help !

Thinking of you all today remembering the ordeal 4 years ago - Just try to enjoy the day and keep hoping xx

Our experience of the regionals was great a few years back - we only came from a small school and my DS went all the way to the finals winning with his modern solo and even took part in the Gala! Everyone was friendly and it was well organised - Great memories ....

I know what you mean about that "he's a boy so it will be easy "thing ! It certainly isn't easy at all. There are now so many more hopeful male dancers out there compared with a few years ago ! Maybe still not as many boys as girls but the competition is very stiff and there are far fewer places then there are children that want /need them ! Thinking of you and your DS

Awww please remind him they are not looking for perfection , but a passion and joy in his dancing and courage / potential for the future !

Such a great opportunity!

That is exactly what has happened this year ! My DS was injured for the Chectti exam and thus unable to compete and his class mate was through to the final but now injured and so everything's cancelled for him ! There are however 2 Elmhurst boys fit and going to Florence ! - not sure about the girls!

To those with a no - which is actually a not here or not yet ..........Take heart! 4 years ago my DS was one of the few in his JA class that all got to the finals and set his heart on life at White Lodge but got a NO and he was devastated. I remember so well ......It was so hard to console him as he threatened to "jump out the window as his life's was over !"(always was a drama queen) By next week it was all behind him -he had a place that fits him even better, further way from home that's I would have liked , but he has thrived there . Thank goodness his local teacher persuaded us to do 2 auditions ! Others that got a longed for WL place have since been assessed out and come and moved on again, but he is still going strong! If the passion is there there will be a way! So be brave and keep dancing xx

Yes hope you enjoy it Biscuit !

Apollo and palace hotels on the Hagley road are easy and affordable if you have a car

I can't see it anywhere ! Phone them or email them - they were very helpful when I tried .... perhaps they have forgotten to put it on the website or are revising it !

My DS did group B 2 years ago - I can't find the email with the itinerary, but I think it was 10:am till 4 pm . I would say that it's about average for the difficulty in getting a place .we stayed in the Kew Gardems travel lodge and took the bus

Thank you CeliB - I enjoyed watching that as I was getting ready for bed last night ! The sad Clown was super as well x

Thanks for the update ! That all sounds very encouraging ????