Anon2

Spanner, From their website subjects studied at each KS. Don't know if they would get to do all listed subjects at KS4 or would do core with a couple of options but not 12 GCSE subjects on offer. <p> Year 7, 8 and 9 (key stage 3) English Literature English Language Maths Biology History French Drama - Trinity Musical Theatre Award PHSE CYQ Years 10 and 11 (key stage 4) English Literature English Language Maths Biology History French Physics Drama – Trinity Musical Theatre Award (PHSE is integrated in English & History) CYQ

A question for Anjuli which I hope you don't mind me asking - have you written a book with all your wonderful tips in? I print them off for my daughter to read and then keep for reference, she finds everything you write makes perfect sense to her. Thank you for all your guidance from both of us. Jane

C4D - It is really hard, we have been there too but don't let your daughter realise you are upset. Try really hard to distract her with talk of everything and nothing - if anything like mine she will try to take you back to her unhappiness but be strong ask what others are doing at the moment, what she has tomorrow, even what the weather like etc. I'm sure she will tell you she is the only one feeling like this and everyone else is happy - they are not just but they can't see it when they are upset themselves. I sometimes suggests mine goes for a shower/bath and phones me back - usually takes ages because meets someone to chat to on way. Remember homesickness is normal - whatever their age, would worry if never showed any signs. They get very tired and at home might have down time alone in bedroom, in front of TV but don't have that luxury when away. We have always found Sundays the worst day especially early evening - learnt to try and arrange for delivery of small parcel on Saturdays with mag, chocolate, socks or little craft activity so something new to think about over weekend. Have talked to my DD about it when she is happy/relaxed and always says that although she does get upset, as others have said she saves it all for me, but the good out weighs the bad even if at the time she is acting like it is the end of the world!

I have 3 pairs of Bloch leather tap shoes for sale, £10/pair to include postage. All in good condition. Two pairs of male split sole - think they are tap flex. Size Bloch 7M/ UK 4 Size Bloch 9M/ UK 6 Girls S0301L full sole Size Bloch 6/UK 3

Thank you Julie for such a comprehensive review that summed up much of what I thought about this year's show. I strongly agree with your comments about offering two different showcases to give everyone an opportunity to perform, my dd was lucky because she is in Miss Saidi's piece but some pupils in year 10 didn't get onto the stage in programme 1 until the defile. It would also be great to see a gala performance in a large theatre where other family members, friends and old teachers can come to see the show - I feel mean telling relatives that have been supportive all year that sorry it is only 6 tickets per family! We will have to work on Mr Parker for next year. I think the Harmony piece was 6.1 ladies - I kept expecting something more to happen in this dance, thought there was a bit too much running in a circle. I thought the boys seemed self conscious in their costumes for Les Jeunes Hommes and although executed the steps well it was as you say like watching a class, preferred previous years Sailor dance which had a bit of life to it. Hope dd got to see Rich Man's Frug in yesterdays run through! She has been complaining that has seen all the other sixth form dances but not this and the photos make it look appealing! I thought the leotards in both Les Jeunes Filles and Les Rendezvous looked jaded - worn and washed once too often! Would have been good to see Elmhurst invest in a few new leotards for these dances. I wish they would make more of the stage too, I know we had the gate for Les Rendezvous but otherwise it was very flat, even a change in lighting occasionally would have helped especially on the contemporary pieces. Blondie we felt too close to the stage too - couldn't really see the patterns in the ballet pieces and found myself concentrating on just one or two of the dancers. I'm looking forward to seeing Friday's performance with the slight change of programme and hope the pupils all enjoy shining at tonights fundraising gala.

I don't think she would mind if you asked! When I asked at induction she commented on the fact that she understood the need to know ASAP as everyone needs to sort out that they would have a lump sum they need to account for. Ours didn't come in the end that year until mid August!

Lala, Phone finance at the school, even if they can't give you the exact figure yet they will be able to give you a rough idea of your contribution. We hadn't heard a few years ago when we went for induction and finance director said she would give us an idea then if we wanted. We didn't because there used to be a chart on the RBS website so we had an idea anyway.

Primrose, it is the fact that it is an open forum that it concerns me so much. Yes as parents and prospective parents of pupils at the school some people might want to know this information but do schools/teachers ever look at the forum? Could some of the posts be taken as defamation of character?

I appreciate that these comments about Tring are being posted by those with experience of Tring and I have none. However I have yet to hear of a child that sails through any of the vocational schools without some problem along the way - it is important to keep the lines of conversation open and let the staff/headteacher know what is worrying you or your child. However I still feel uncomfortable with what is being discussed in relation to Tring in such a personal and negative manner on a public forum.

I would also be interested in answer to this! Have also just taken delivery of first proper tutu and have left it in the delivery package at the moment because that seemed safest way to store it but not ideal and won't work when we need to transport it.

Like some others I have been worried by this thread as regardless of 'ranking' what suits one child/family will not others. A good school/training is what will bring the best out in each child. Constant negative comments from what is considered one of the top schools may well destroy a child, while positive feedback from another will bring their potential to the forefront equipping them to achieve. I have no experience of Tring but all the negative comments make me feel uncomfortable. I am particularly aware of how the parents must feel that have children due to start there in September. They must have been feeling a mix of excitement and nerves before reading any of this but now must be feeling very anxious.

When we have been invited to watch class all the students are expected to do the same exercises. Only those who are on off dance or on restricted dance don't complete the full complement of exercises. I think if the teacher gave exercises of differing levels to the students it would cause a lot of extra friction within in the class.

All doing same pointe work but some in year group obviously more secure on pointe than others. Don't think this is related to the age they went onto pointe but more to do with their strength/turnout as Dancerbabe said, plus sudden growth spurts that sends their centre of balance off for a time.

Maisie Lou, Sad to hear Norfolk scholars is down to only five times a year. When DD was a Norfolk scholar it as far more frequent and we didn't let her try for a 2nd year as it was too much of a commitment. Apart from the Dance East CAT scheme they also run various workshops in different styles during the year. I know for the ballet workshops they set a minimum grade standard. Don't think there are any ballet ones on the current program but might be worth getting yourself on the mail list and keeping an eye on their site too.

Maisie Lou, Have a look at http://norfolkdanceassociation.org.uk/index.php They run a Sunday scholars class with a couple of really good teachers.

Fiz, My dd had Aspirations after a couple of pairs of Gaynor Minden. Her teacher hated them, from what I can remember I think it was the length of the vamp and how hard they were. Dd was determined to prove her wrong and spent every spare moment in them until they worked for her. Teacher had to admit after a couple of lessons that they were suitable for her foot but I can remember the tears and traumas over those shoes as well as blisters. She went onto have several pairs of Aspirations before moving onto Synergy and they did become easier to break in. Good luck to your determined dd with them.

Ja Sm, I would be tempted to try the adult A/B if your daughter is on the cusp of sizes. The Danskin tights that we always had in the past have so much lycra in they don't seem to be baggy and they also last forever. My DD is still using some that are at least three years old - bit faded now but still not laddered or bobbly. When we couldn't get hold of Danskin tights I was shocked at how quickly other makes laddered or became baggy around the waistband regardless of how much I paid for them. Realised we had been spoilt by being introduced to Danskin when DD started wearing tights.

Thank you for all replies. I will take the shoes with us when I take DD for another fitting. I think she has used this style for over a year and although they seem to get too soft after a term and need replacing, this is the first pair that have separated like this after just a few weeks wear. Hoping the replacement pair we had in reserve last her through until the end of term and then I think she may have to consider a different style or make. She won't be happy about it but isn't doing that much pointe work yet and as the quantity increases the shoes are going to need to last more than a week or two! Jane

This is my first post having lurked for some time. Wondered if anyone in the know could give advice on my DD pointe shoes. After lots of trial and error her shoe of choice is Bloch synergy (S0100), she has both a strong foot and good arch. They have been lasting roughly a term, if she swaps between two pairs, before becoming too soft to wear. One of her current pairs, after just a few weeks wear, has come apart. The insole and the 'bit' underneath are loose and flappy at the heel end - now only glued at the toe end! Have got another pair in reserve which will hopefully see her through until the end of term. Is it safe for her to carry on using this pair? Would she be better in a 3/4 shank? The bloch site says the 3/4 allows more flexibility - is this a good idea for a 13 yr old?