Fab_feet

Cannot recommend Woodside Dance Retreat and Nicola enough. She is a wonderful teacher and my son has learnt so much from her and not just about Ballet. Her family are wonderful and welcoming. If we were closer my son would be a regular outside of his vocational training.

I cannot recommend Nicola high enough. She is a wonderful teacher of Ballet and Ballet life skills. Her support to my son and me over the last year has been wonderful. If you want your dancer to have a high level of tuition in a relaxed environment then this is the school for you.

I hope everyone finally found out their results. My DS is lucky enough to be attending his third WLSS in a row this year. X

Thanks amum..... It was probably as clear as a bell but I couldn't find it! Not to worry. My 12 yr old DS fancies going to this, but need to look at the finances......as usual!

Can anyone please tell me the age restrictions on this SS. I can't find the info on the website! It was propably staring me in the face....... Thankyou. X

RBS offer MDS to every child who gains a place. There is the sliding scale obviously and it's all means tested. My sons old JA teacher also told me there are many sponsorships in place for those who still can't afford to pay the fees after the MDS is in place. If RB want you they do their best to help you. My DS got to finals at RB and is now at Elmhurst, but we didn't know how much we had to contribute until the end of July this year. Although we had a ball park figure based on info the school gave us before he did his final audition. I think the info is still on Elmhurst website. There are also very good companies that you can set up payment plans with to pay the school fees monthly, which we have done. I know the financial side is a massive massive part of the process, but please don't let it stop you from auditioning anywhere. It's a long process to go through and it's better to let her audition than wonder what would have been. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Maybe a good idea to have a look at the schools websites. Some SS dates may already be published. You can get an idea from last years dates too as in my experience most schools stick to the same weeks. WLSS was end of July, Elmhurst is end of August. It always hard when trying to book your hols...... We are the same! ????

Us too Billly.....my DS had worked on his laptop at home from around year 5 and they used a maths learning website too. As i said my older daughter who is at a grammar school, does nearly all of her homework on her laptop and gas done since yr 7. We have also upgraded to an iPad for DS, the iPod was traded in and it's birthday and Xmas pressie. I think it's down to personal choice myself! But he stores all if his music, and uses some great learning apps on it. He also likes creating music videos and writing songs, which he does on the iPad! I'm sure your DS will look after his gadgets. ????

We considered sending his laptop as my older daughter has to use hers everyday for her homework, hence the reason they have one each. However if he doesn't need it I won't bother. One less thing to worry about, so that's good! ☺

Hi Billy......Elmhurst will test everything for you. I asked the question and they can do it in the school no problem. All you have to do us fill in the form with all the serial numbers. They will also do older stuff as DS laptop is a few yrs old and they said its not a problem.

Send an email to Linda young. She will send you the dates. X

He thoroughly enjoyed it. Made lots of friends, and would like to apply for next year. That of course all depends on finances!!!! But he's gained a lot from it too. It's amazing what they can learn in a week!!!! He was blooming tired though, as I'm sure your DS is too! X

Well done Billy! DS said " that is so cool", which I believe is a huge compliment!!!!!! You must be really proud. DS said he's looking forward to hearing all about it. X

My DS was given an assessment at RBS finals, Tring, Hammond and Elmhurst finals. They were basically the same at all finals, but we accompanied him to the Tring Physio. They measured his leg length, tested ankle joints and knee joints. Checked flexibility in the hips, and looked at turnout. They also checked his spine by watching him "roll" down to touch his toes and then back up again. They also checked balance by asking to stand on one leg with eyes closed. Measured hips to make sure they were equal in Height. Finally, he had to jump off two feet and then off one foot. It was done by a Physio, a very nice lady in fact who gave nothing away!! My friends DD was in an assessment for a good half hour to check her hips. She was also given feed back, however no feed back was given " officially" from any other schools. Finally as DS was a JA for 3 yrs we saw RBS Physio regularly. She prescribed particular excersizes to complement each dancers training. Plus after RBS finals our JA teacher gave us feedback from the Physio assessment done on the day, complete with new excersizes to improve flexibility. In terms of safe guarding young people. Do you mean safe guarding from injury? Or something else? I don't think the kids get " broken" by the dance schools anymore, nothing is pushed. The JA excersizes were all about slow and steady manipulation that gives lasting results over time. Hope all if that makes sense!? ????

I dropped my DS off at White Lodge on Sunday and saw many a prop being negotiated up And down escalators on the tube!!! Felt very sorry for them! Well done Billy...... Will let my DS know when I talk to him tonight he will be really pleased for him. X