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This is very interesting thanks Bluebird, let's hope one day our DDs buck the trend!

I'm wondering whether a lot of scholarships go to the boys? My DDs teacher says this is the case for Tring although I don't have any experience on the other schools. In the last five years at our local school we have had four girls who have secured places at vocational schools but have not gone due to funding. I really believe just because you earn 'x' amount of money doesn't mean you can or want to spend huge sums on dance school. I'd spend my last penny on my DD but I'm in the minority when I speak to other mums/dads who are not willing to do this as the sacrifice is a bridge too far. I think is your DC is talented then they should receive the money whatever the individual circumstances and this will probably solve the issues. The best go through? We went to a RB audition insight day last year as our first step into the outside world of ballet and I asked about funding. Based on my Partners earnings (not DD's father) plus mine we would receive hardly any funding hence our delay in applying for vocational schools until year 9 and maybe even six form as we could then get better funding options. The lady was extremely nice and helpful but she said don't apply unless you have the money she said they have many very very disappointed children who get in but then cannot go due to funding. Could some very talented DC being missing out - most likely? On a separate note one of our friends went to a SS in USA which was for four weeks and she said the standard of girls was much higher than her experience in the UK, she said the teachers expect you to be much further at a younger age, maybe our girls just develop much later on then miss out on early opportunities. Thank goodness we have so many dedicated local dance school teachers in this country or we would be in a much worse state.

Sounds like a very good idea I wish our teacher had more time to do a class like this but my DDs school is either doing exams or show work! Sometimes it is good to educate the parents as well as we are their backstop! Good luck with the classes it sounds very proactive.

Thanks S@P you are right that is my one concern as the funding would be a major issue. I do sometimes wonder that getting her out there does make her realise she is a big (ish) fish in a little pond at her local school and much smaller in the real dancing world. I am so glad we do MTB and Elmhurst SS will be an eye opener! I'll think on it some more x

Just been to MTB in Birmingham and the road diversions caused very little delay to our journey - about 5 mins. However it was a Sunday morning and might be more troublesome on a weekday!

I hate doing DD's hair for exams as she has the worse double crown and heaps of new growth under her long fringe! We try and do the front as a sweep to the side style. She tries to do her own hair but it is always a mess but at least she tries. I'm hoping a week away without mummy might bring her hairdressing skills on.

We are seriously considering letting our DD apply for vocational schools for year 9. She is just about to go into Year 7 this September at her local school which goes up to Year 8. We will then have to find a new school for her which will then mean another change if she didn't get into a vocational school in year 9. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience about whether you start the whole process earlier by applying a year earlier? 1/ For the experience to help the nerves 2/ If she gets in would they hold a place open for year 9 3/ If she wasn't successful do you start with a clean slate for the next year? Going a year earlier wouldn't be an option as we won't have the funds saved unless we lived on baked beans on toast! many thanks

We are going to ask our DD's teacher to help us with the photos as they tend to know what the schools are looking for. It might cost us a little bit but apparently the photos are a bit element to the application process. I would also agree going for better technique than height but then again they might be looking for flexibility? I'm sure a teacher help you out.

Maybe she can wear it day two and I'll suggest she keeps one in her bag like you said just in case they are strict on dress code. Wish I had gone for another colour now.

Hi afab she is 11 three days before she goes but I think she will cope well and wishes it was 5 nights. Hopefully our girls might meet up as she doesn't know a soul. Are they twin rooms?

Thanks afab she wants to wear her new fushia/raspberry wearmoi leotard that she got for her birthday but I thought it might be too bright. I've told her to save it until the last day and see what the other girls wear. Hi swanprincess no this is her first year and she loves it although the trek to Birmingham can be a bit tiring. I think you might be older she is in the B's doing daffodils/busy beavers and the snow fairy. She says the teaching is fabulous but tough! Is this your second year?

My DD dances at MTB and has them as teachers, she loves OP and PP. Wish I knew about this earlier as it is much closer to us - one to watch next year!

Has anyone heard anymore information about who might be teaching at Elmhurst SS besides what it says in the email? Also what do you class as a dark leotard - just navy and black?

my dd did say that she thought the examiner mixed her up but I told her to forget it and move on! I wonder though how much attention the vocational schools view ballet grades when they view audition information you send in? I know they look at the photos in great detail. Thanks for all your comments they are very reassuring, fingers crossed though it will be a slightly cheerier summer! Summer schools on the horizon!

My DD's R.E teacher wished her luck in her new school. She said to me 'mummy am I starting a new school?!!!

Has anyone had to deal with a bad exam result that did not reflect your DD/DS ability? We are awaiting this years RAD results and at the back of my mind I'm wondering what this year may bring? Last year followed two days of sobbing on her bed as she missed out on a Dist by two marks for the first time ever! She never cries at anything! We had thought as her dancing ability has just soared and watching at her pre-exam session she should have easily been into the high 80s. I'm always honest with DD and she knows ballet is a tough world but I came out for this first time and said to her WOW! Just wondering if anyone else has had an examiner that didn't see the potential or could it just have been a bad day for DD? (ps this isn't a criticism about examiners)

My dd went last year and many girls didn't have tap shoes so wore character shoes instead which were just as good! I wouldn't waste the money as they grow out of them so quickly!

When your wardrobe reminds you of a character from The Last of The Summer Wine!

I have read somewhere that they cannot take the new exam for a year from introduction. My dd is taking her grade 5 next June 2014 but the teacher will start to incorporate some of the new syllabus into their weekly dance lesson as she feels it is quite different from the old scheme.

I love little ribbons in the hair attached to a hair pin. Our school always wear them on the top of the bun and I make DD wear the same for MTB in black to match her belt. I'm sure on the day the teacher will move it if necessary. Good luck to your DD on her exam!

I agree with Tulip and try and avoid the bitchy mums. I often find they are either berating the talented children or the teacher about one thing or another. Usually to do with who stars in the show, the costs of costumes, extra lessons etc.

My DD will probably be the youngest as she is 11 on the 24th August but she can't wait!

I do think that vocational schools should be more accountable due to tax payers money supporting the placements. In particular I would prefer British Ballet Companies to look at employing a % of home grown talent. Look at ABT. Home grown doesn't mean a lesser RBS or ENB. We loved DB so much because she was ours! Going back to the link it is surprising how quickly the bills mount up in particular during show term and for all the exams they take. Worth every penny though as she loves it.

My DD has two wrap skirts. We put press studs and fasteners on them which work really well.

Good luck to your dd