Mrs G

My DS is second year at Laine Theatre Arts if anybody has any questions regarding there

Hi flexible Fred, I think you would start in year 1 . Our DS is a student at laine and started last september aged 16 . The majority of the students in his year group are aged 18 plus .they all started as first years irrelivent of age.

Our DS went to a vocational school years 7 - 11 and gained 9 solid GCSEs . We feel that he has come away will a fully rounded education and still being able to follow his dream of musical theatre. As parents what we found difficult was getting him to revise as he was so far away and we didn't have much control over this. We did however structure a revision plan which captured him on his weekends home and holidays. We supervised his revision and did over 100 hours with him and got him through it . My husband had to learn simultaneous equations again!! . He really didn't have much interest in them apart from music and drama and didn't understand the importance of passing them . We told him he needed 5gsces to be accepted into the musical theatre colleges so he went along with it..... This was a little white lie on our part. If he had stayed at home and not gone away to dance maybe he would have gained more grade As but he probably would have not kept up his dance and given into peer pressure. We weren't very popular with him for a while !!

Totally agree 2dancersmum our DS was at Hammond for five years and there is excellent tuition in all disciplines there. They also found his voice and he excelled in singing and acting too. He was offered funding at everywhere he auditioned (Professional dance and musical theatre level 6 diploma ) . The Hammond training prepared him well for the auditions , he was even offered funding at one place at the audition !! . He ended up going to his first choice though .... Laine , he is enjoying every minute of it .Couldnt have done it without The HAmmond .x

Ok ballet4boyz. Please let us know the outcome .....fingers crossed our DS is an all rounder and is having a fantastic time at Laine.x

Ballet4boyz Our DS has trained at the Hammond for the last 5 years and started at Laine Theatre Arts last September. Let's hope your DS has a positive outcome for the funding audition. If you want any further info or tips etc feel free to PM me.

I am a firm believer in that things happen for a reason. Our DS was a JA and auditioned for a yr 7 place at WL, ELmhurst and The HAmmond. He got finals for WL and ELmurst but a no for both at the finish ,however he got a funded place at HAmmond. He has spent the last five years there and got a taste for musical theatre, he successfully auditioned at Laine and Bird last year and was offered a funded place at both. He started Laine which was his first choice last September and is loving it !!! The all round training at the Hammond including the singing and drama has really helped him follow his dream.

That's a really comprehensive rundown bestfootfirward. Exactly the sort of info I was looking for.

Picturesinthefirelight our DS is a first year at Laine having been at another vocational school before starting there.

Pm me if you want further info

Our DS had mislaid his certificates and needed them for the next stage of vocational MT training .I contacted ISTD on their website explaining the situation. They emailed me the following day and asked me to phone them. I rang and asked them if they could replace the modern theatre and tap certicates . I only had to pay £10 per certicate. They arrived the following day..... Very impressed.

Joemill have sent you a pm

We are wanting a host family/ live in landlady (laundry and meals included) for our 16 year old DS who will be starting at Laine September 2015, if anyone knows of any please pm me.Thanks in advance.

We also come from Hull and we are very proud that Liam Mower is also from Hull and has achieved so much to date.some great dance schools in the area that have also produced many sucessful dancers.

We have accepted offer for now but he has recall at laine in April . Laine is his preferred choice but depends if he gets a Dada offer from them.

Our DS got letter from Bird on Wednesday with DADA funding offer for diploma.

Our DS auditioned at bird in December and was offered a place with funding on the day . He received a letter from them confirming it a few days later.

Well done to your dd Regattah.

Just to add that no deposit was required to accept the two offers our DS has. Maybe it is different for musical theatre?

My DS has accepted two of the three he has auditioned at. The third one he is awaiting final recall to see if offered funding then will decide.

Our DS now has another yes,so recall at Hammond and laine theatre arts and bird has also offered him a place , no finals there.

My DS is at vocational school and has been since year 7 . He said at the laine audition a few days ago that very few boys were at full time vocational school.

DS has been offered a place at Hammond and also Laine today. Still got Bird to do next week and Italia Conti in January.

Our DS doesn't seem to get nervous , it's mum and dad who do!!!! Our DS has been at full time vocational school since year 7 and they seem to prepare students for this stage .however it is still a very anxious time .good luck to all students auditioning !!!!!

Sent off applications at half term to Laine, Tring,Bird college,Italia Conti and The Hammond for DS .Got all audition dates through already. First one 1st December .

My DS is in yr 10 at the Hammond and has been there since year 7. He eventually would like to continue down the musical theatre route. He studies all forms of dance and has a private weekly singing lesson and is about to take his grade 8 in June. The school is wonderful and will support and encourage whatever is your child's strength. He is currently undertaking GCSE in drama and I believe this rounded training is a great foundation for his future.The end of year show and musical theatre productions that are put on at the Hammond are absolutely fantastic. The teaching is amazing and the boarding staff are lovely.The sixth form at the school do have a musical theatre course. Unfortunately I do not know of extra weekend drama classes etc as DS wouldn't have time as they have ballet on a Saturday morning !!!

Have you just joined the forum Mrsg? My DD is in the same year as your DS!

Hi Regattah, I have sent you a pm