PippinPointe

From my experience it seems that groups 4-6 are more mixed with a variety of ages within each group - it would seem slightly more on the level of the student in those groups, but of course I could be wrong

Hi spannerandpony, My daughter wears Freed in a 5 and a quarter and several other specific things about the shoe that make them right for her. I ordered 5 pairs to have in for the start of term and when they were in put in an order for another 5 pairs. Freed are really great about you taking 2 or 3 pairs at a time and then send the next few when you contact them and you pay each time they send them out even though they have ordered them in specifically for you. My dd loves her Freeds but also is able to wear Suffolks if we get caught out (as happened when she was on summer school) Because she has such a specific shoe we have to order them well in advance as they can take 6 weeks or so to come in. Don't know if the Suffolks might be an interim option but may be worth a try?

EllieP, I agree that as parents we get a choice and if we find out as much as possible about a school prior to applying we make a choice about where we apply. The reality is with vocational schools that we get a choice once our child has been chosen. I was more concerned about all and sundry marching through the dorms of these young students - this is after all their private space. Would we think it ok to have 500+ people passing through our bedrooms in our own homes each year? Speak to students and staff, they are always readily available, in my experience, at audition days where a tour is given showing many aspects of each school, along with this on open days. Whilst the children are in term time there should be some element of respect for their space and I'm sure for many whose children are at, or have been at these schools they would like to think their children are afforded some of this. There are lots of ways to have questions answered without having to see where they could possibly be sleeping if they make it through the rigors of the audition process. If your child is fortunate enough to be offered a place, go there have a further look ask more questions be sure it is a choice you wish to make. You have a smalll amount of time between offer and having to accept use it to clarify anything that you are uncertain of at that point. The schools are much more user friendly these days than ever before

I would agree that the pastoral care is by far and away the most important part of the boarding element of any school, vocational or academic. It is unrealistic to think that the school will allow 500+ people to trot through the boarding accomodation of the students already at the school. This is an invasion of privacy on the part of those students. Also when we choose a school - secondary for instance - if its state we go to the open days, and put down OUR first choice - if its private we go to the open days make OUR choice prep our kids for CE and all is well. For vocational school, there will be very few children who will get to choose under 16 - vocational schools are choosing your child, not the other way around. At first audition it is not necessary to be invading the privacy of the students already at the school to show all parents around as the vast majority will not be asked back. Its more realistic to hope you might get a tour at the final audition but not to be assumed. We live in a world now where everything is about how lovely everything looks - not about the reality of what goes on within

It was said to me once that "Teachers are born and not made" - I think that there is a lot of truth in this

My DD has a dada for September and the way I have looked at it is this: Though we're paying the boarding fees and the £1,250.00 a year as well, its only marginally more than we have paid out in the last year in associate courses, travelling and classes as well as travel to school and food at school. When I added this up I was shocked as to how much we had spent!! I've found its a much easier pill to swallow when I looked at it this way

That is what is so useful about this forum - two different experiences of the same summer school. I think for summer schools its definitely worth applying to the ones that you would like to try and then if you get the opportunity to go, try them and then form your own opinion from your own personal experience. For my dd, she had lots of helpful corrections, very personal and had some fabulous teaching. Obviously boys and girls were separate so I can only comment on my dd's experience and for her, this was a totally positive experience and she would absolutely want to do it again

Hi Pointytoes22 the students were definitely working at advanced level and the rep was also challenging. I don't mean advanced level in terms of a grade but in vocabulary and technique. When students take grades, vocational or otherwise, they always (or should) have more knowledge than just set exercises as there is so much more to achieving the level they are taking - having the strength to take on the challenges of new vocabulary, being more developed in musicality, to mention just a couple of things. Taking the exam is a snapshot of a huge amount of work - it doesn't show the whole picture - for example a student could have an off day with pirouettes or balance in adage and the result will tell a completely different story with the mark that is achieved than what you see when the dancer is stood in front of you. A level being studied is a broad and stimulating training, lots of free work etc, where as an exam syllabus is just that, an exam syllabus, showing highlights of, hopefully, much broader learning. What I'm trying to say is some students never take exams or not as we see them but train to advanced level. I'm not sure what grade you are, in exam terms pointytoes22, but I am pretty sure your learning will be beyond what the certificate will say. Whats on paper is a rough guide. I have rattled on a bit - sorry about that!!! Back to the point, the standard was high but I think thats to be expected because of it being the Royal

Done

My dd did Royal at Covent Garden and had a fantastic time. The performance at the end was really stunning, the standard was incredibly high. Classes were really challenging but very rewarding, there were personal and group corrections, it seemed very personal. There was a lot of pointework at least 3 hours a day but also jazz, contemporary, body conditioning and musical theatre. My dd felt it was a massively enriching experience - incredibly hard work but thats what she wanted!! It seems that so much was learned from such excellent teaching staff. The support they received from the staff - not just teaching, but ALL staff during the day was great and they were able to see the physio at any point should they need to. My dd didnt stay in the boarding houses so I can't comment on that (though I'm sure it was also excellent) she was staying with her best friend who was also on the course. I would also say it was great value for money without a doubt.There is nothing negative that I have to say on my own dd's experience She will be applying for next year and if she is selected she will definitely do it - its just getting selected as the number of applicants is very large with obviously limited places.

Hi Ameliemum, as you are in Essex have you thought about Three Counties Youth Ballet? They cover Essex as one of their counties. They take children from year 4 (they can audition in year 3 for Sept of year 4) They have JA's, MA's and SA's who perform with them. They have auditions coming up next weekend for their next season. If you want any more info let me know

So sorry Ameliemum - we posted at the same time!! Don't give up, my DD had short wait list twice as a JA and no once for MA.. She didnt manage to get to an audition again due to illness or injury until year ten and then got a place for final year in SA's London, so never give up hope

London results are out!! Good luck to all those waiting and fingers crossed for you all

Its really difficult with height as different companies (and countries) have an idea of what is right for them!! The one thing you can't change is genetics and how they grow!!! Too tall, too short, legs too long, legs too short, hips too wide, hips too small, the list seems to be endless!! Its a tough profession and one that takes such strength of character to pursue - I take my hat off to all of the DC out there. Congratulations to your daughter for getting a contract and to you as well for surviving the process!!

Hi Everyone, This is my first post!! I've read here for a while, its been really informative and also fab to hear whats available and going on in various parts of the country - finally decided to post! There are lots of really great summer schools out there and its great to keep them dancing over the summer