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Have you thought about the Cechetti Summer School 'ATPositive'?

My DD went last year and really enjoyed it. As it isn't residential, which is a real shame, they just needed basic dance wear. Try and remember a water bottle and a good snack for lunch.

We have some council workers doing some road works outside our house. It is only 1pm and they have had three tea breaks before 12 and have gone for lunch for an hour. Sorry I'm a cynic on occasion! Seriously though children should not overdo it at such a young age but in reality I'm sure there are a few days where are DC do more than 5 hours of dance per day. It just shouldn't be done regularly. I believe and trust that most vocational schools/summer schools are very aware of the law and know how best to look after fledgling dancers. I wonder what the rules are in other leading countries like Russia/China and the US?

DD very excited about the teaching programme. It mentions hair up does that mean the girls have to do their own buns. At Tring the older girls helped out. Also noticed sewing kit! eek! What does that mean?

You could try gel spray but there are pump hairsprays on the market but not many. We haven't heard yet but I bet the list is quite simple for the young ones. We heard from the cechetti school two months prior to the Ss this year. It is a comprehensive booklet so we feel well prepared for anything now!

Well done that is brilliant newsx

Is this competition invite only based on RAD exam results? thanks

Some really good advice thebutties. Our teacher will often want to assist with photos as she knows what they are looking for. We took over 70 photos before she approved 4. Apparently the photos are very technical and are looked at in great detail. We got into our choice SS so very pleased with her help!

My DD always wears split soles and three weeks prior to the exam I make her wear full soles in class and around the house as slippers. We are having an older examiner this year so it is full soles for everyone.

quote from the RAD website. Can split-sole ballet shoes be worn for RAD examinations? Split-soles may be worn for Graded examinations. The RAD Examinations Board has reviewed its policy regarding the wearing of split sole shoes for Vocational Graded Examinations. The new policy, effective from 1st June 2012, is that split sole shoes may be worn for all Vocational Graded levels at the candidate’s/teacher’s discretion. This applies to soft ballet shoes, soft pointe shoes and pointe shoes according to the Specification requirements. Whilst this is a change in policy, the RAD does not advise that split sole shoes should be worn for examinations or during training, and their use remains discouraged.

My DDs teacher will not allow split soles for RAD exams although in class she is not too bothered above grade 4. You should read the RAD report about split soles.

That is just awful but it does happen in every school. Whether she was leaving at the end of the year should have been completely irrelevant. Some schools are just not good at dealing with problems as it can often result in having uncomfortable conversations with parents who often see their children permanently through rose tinted spectacles. I suspect she was probably very talented and some of the other girls found her a threat due to their own insecurities. I hope she finds somewhere else to shine!

I think that was what I was wondering. When it all ends in July do only the girls who are progressing get asked back for the next session whenever it may be? The teaching has been excellent and my DD has loved every minute of it. We are coming up to RAD exams very soon and I have seen a big change in my DDs confidence. Well worth it if any mums are in doubt.

My DD is doing the four month RAD Associates and in July will do her last class. She has loved every minute of it and has met lots of lovely new friends. Does anyone know what happens at the end of this programme? Do we wait again until next year or is there a plan to run a yearly programme? Many thanks

I dread the cost of sending my daughter to vocational ballet school if she is lucky enough to get into year 9. I lie awake at night just wondering where the money is going to come from every year. Her dream is to become a ballet dancer but children really have very little idea what things cost and probably at the age of 10 shouldn't have to worry about it. I know many dancers who are very intelligent and have achieved well at school but if my daughter was in the same boat looking at the current system of funding I would not continue to encouraged her to be a dancer. Instead my DD is very dyslexic and struggles at school coming bottom in most of her subjects and often gets teased as they think she is stupid. The one thing that keep her bright eyed and bushy tailed is the fact she knows she is a lovely dancer and as the years pass the harder she works at ballet the more she achieves. All her teachers at school say she works the hardest of any of the pupils but the results just aren't forthcoming and will probably never will be. I think one thing the government (which I appreciate is tightly stretched as I work in the NHS) does not understand is how committed these young children are and how hard they work. They have the most powerful work ethos of any children I have ever met and I'm sure are like young swimmers/gymnasts. They dance hours every week and often travel miles to get to dance programmes. They give up parties, school trips, sleepovers, television, video games and cram in homework whenever possible. If I were in government these are the types of attitudes I would want to support rather than all these airy fairy half bakes degrees people go on where they only have 10 hours of study per week. I'm sure I read a thread somewhere recently about a oxford student who works in a surf shop - this would not surprise me?! I know some people think that dance is a luxury but the dance industry is huge all over the world and bring in millions and millions of pounds to the UK economy. For my DD dance offers her a shining light which for her may one day be possible unlike many careers which will always be out of her reach. I'm not saying if you are academic don't follow your dreams to become a dancer - go for it! For me personally looking at how much all these mums/dads struggle to find funding and how the funding can change so rapidly I cringe at the thought. I think about that Welsh family who sold their house and then had to pull him out of Elmhurst. How dreadful! I read the other day about one of the BRB ladies leaving to become a midwife after all the training at Elmhurst. Although I'm pleased for her and it is a wonderful and rewarding career ( I work with many MVs) but I felt for the parents and wondered did they struggle to send her there for years and what did they give up to do it? Anyway after a long ramble good luck to all of the girls/boys who are struggling to make a career in dance or even just get to a training school. Your perseverance is a credit to you and your parents and those who work hard will always get there in the end even if the government just doesn't quite get it. Our dance teacher often works seven days a week and then teaches at summer schools during the holidays. These are the type of people you will become and our country should support your determination and work ethics.

I would agree with swanprincess, I would prefer my DD to have one main dance school and one additional week-end activity like associates or a small ballet company should be enough. I don't think the more the merrier as children can be torn at far too early a stage in their life as they also have homework, school sports, singing etc. My DD's school comes first then her dance school then her week-end ballet activity. When she is a little older and she is still serious about a dance career I will let her take on more dance. We are doing 2 summer schools this year for instance as she is now nearly 11. Next year it may all change! For grade 2 I would also recommend 2 x 45 mins and perhaps one more for grade 3 as it steps up quite a bit.

My dance teacher encourages you to have other teachers as long as they are from recognisable organisations. If a dance teacher truly wants their students to progress then they usually have a number of options up their sleeves, like Associates/ENB/NYB/MTB/ or summer/easter schools. My DD is very lucky to have such an excellent open minded teacher even though she operates from two small village venues she produces very good dancers. Someone mentioned corrections. My DD gets them all the time but I always say to her at least you are being noticed and the teacher probably knows you have the potential so is pushing her that bit harder.

Does anyone know whether there is a set uniform for the Elmhurst SS or is it like other SS where the requirements are quite loose? We have had the details for Cechetti and the only slight oddity is a Greek Style leotard although DD excited about the prospect of learning a new style dance.

Is your dd going this year taxi4ballet?

Thank you afab found the link to last years summer course. The course is July 27th until the 2nd August. DD is only 10 so it will be a big week for her but she did do the Easter 5 day course at Tring which she loved. DD is also going on the Junior Elmhurst Summer School although we haven't had any details yet but that isn't until the end of August so plenty of time.

Hello this is my first post! I've really enjoyed all your posts as have been reading them while off work for a few weeks. My DD is going to the Cechetti School for Young Dancers in July. Although she is RAD I was told at the Tring Easter Course that Cechetti is very similar to RAD except for a few glossary words. Is anyone else's DD going on this course or have experience of it. We received the info pack today and it sounds very organised. may thanks