DancingtoDance

Not for a school project LinMM - at least not for a school project this year. But I just thought of something - that the I information I find can definitely be useful for a future school project even if the main theme isn't ballet schools. But you never know how much misinformation there is on the Internet... I am not sure I will have to research about ballet schools if I stay in my current school. We do have to do research that is maybe more non-academic, but so far nothing about ballet. I wish we had though! The non-academic research might be useful though, because if I decide to go into a career in the "non - academic" area I had to research, I already know more than some people! Anyway thanks everyone for the advice.

Well, I believe that in the Lower School, Elmhurst only assesses out Year 9 and in a way Year 11. So if that was the case, why let ALL years audition? But then again, this time they are choosing from application forms and photographs who gets an audition, so IF that was indeed the case, I guess they could just not let any Year 7s audition. But that would kind of be cruel, and that would also take a really long time! But, maybe a lot of pupils decided to leave this year despite not being assessed out, which I hope isn't the case.

I am also trying to decide, if I got accepted to both, which to go to! I still have a couple of years before I'm going into 6th form though. As for costs, if you have lived in the UK for more than 3 years, funding will be means-tested in RBS. Not sure about Elmhurst. I say, trust your instincts, and encourage your DD to do so too. As many have said, what suits one may not suit another. You need to find what works best for YOUR DD, not what USUALLY works, because what usually works might be the complete opposite of what works for you and your DD! Listen to your DD, because her opinions matter too. She may have a very good reason for doing what she thinks she should. She might not, but at 15 probably going on 16?, it is very likely she does have a very good reason for doing what she thinks she should be doing. Talk it through - communication and support is essential for anything, and especially for a ballet career. If you are fortunate enough to have a choice, congratulations! If not, it is hopefully, almost definitely not the end of the world - there is always hope! Hopefully your DD has auditioned for other schools? It is hard to get into ANY vocational ballet school, so do spread your options open! It is a very individual thing, choosing a ballet school. But sometimes, even just attending an audition, or being in the school building can tell you something and help you decide. PLEASE don't be discouraged by costs. Your DD needs to try her best to grab the right opportunity for her. If things work out, the rest may follow. If you are resident in UK for more than 3 years and you qualify, you/your DD will almost definitely will receive funding for RBS. If you and your DD agree that going to Elmhurst or RBS doesn't feel right, don't. There are other vocational ballet schools such as ENBS which might be more suited for your DD. Remember, though, it is extremely hard to get in a vocational ballet school and become a ballet dancer later. Well, it is also extremely hard to get into a vocational ballet school at Year 7, but much more so at 6th form, especially 6.2 or 6.3. Perhaps it will be different to your DD, but something to be aware of. I do hope that your DD and yourself find yourselves in the right place!

Thanks for clarifying about this pastel. Much appreciated! ​ LinMM, is the case?

LinMM, does this academy offer boarding? If so, is boarding almost to definitely a must? And do you have any insight into its schedule? Because is there any time at all for academics - or is it like they are already fully trained so do 12 hours/day (basically like an insight to life in a professional ballet company)?If the schedule allows time at all for academics, perhaps arrangements to attend academic school outside of school hours can be made? I'm mentioning this because you state that they don't provide general schooling, but you didn't state that their schedule conflicts with attending general school. And if their schedule do conflict with attending general schooling, maybe the student can work ahead of time, or do the missed work at home in addition to general homework. What do you mean by "general schooling"? Because if you mean all academics, that is very strange because, as far as I know, most vocational ballet schools teach about history of ballet. I understand how 14 may be a risk for giving up general schooling. Do you think this applies to those who have finished secondary school, or do you only apply this to those who have not finished secondary school? But I think there are places where age 15 is the average age of entering a ballet company. From what I have read, it seems that doing that in the UK would be illegal, so I understand your UK perspective - if someone was really talented, and at 14 was more than ready to become a professional, it still would be impossible for someone in the UK to find work. I mentioned about attending another institution for academic schooling because I know about a school where they don't offer academics, but attend other schools for academics; and because of its rigorous timetable, many have to attend a school which allows them to go to ballet in the day (unlike schools where you must stay in school from 8:15am to 3:20pm or another fixed time) they reach the upper intermediate levels. And I know there are other schools which situations are similar. Thank you for writing about the possibility of having to give up general schooling in exchange for full-time ballet training in the Tanya Pearson Academy.

Thanks so much for all the information, and to everyone who replied!

Thanks, I'd really appreciate links to other threads. I guess I do want to know about differences in both the training systems and general information , but I know that's really difficult. So links to other threads would be useful - I'd try the search function. I'd also like to emphasize that I would appreciate information about schools outside the UK too. Thanks to EVERYONE who has took the time to read and reply - not only is it useful information for me, I'm sure it'd help someone else too!

I know that I don't have to be in a vocational ballet school by Year 9 to become a ballet dancer, but judging the options, I think it would be the best thing for me. However, my main question was about the training system of the schools, as well as super tiny to huge differences (yes, I'd like to hear about tiny differences such as the Royal Ballet School has a hot chocolate machine (am I correct?)! ) In one of my posts, I did state that I'm aware that I'm not able to apply/audition/get in some of the schools I listed, at least not currently, so I'd still appreciate it if someone can give some insight into the English National Ballet School Partly out of curiosity, and partly for my own benefit - this post would be way too long if I got into that though! And, I'm not talking about schools just in the UK - I'm talking about all schools across the world from the United States to Australia! The main reason I put more schools in the UK is because I thought this site is based on the UK.

My comment is partly out of curiosity, but I think it is also because I am considering going to vocational ballet school very soon - next school year! I'm also just VERY curious though. And I'm also aware I'm not able to apply for some of the schools I listed - at least not now. I started looking for auditions for schools very late - or at least I started taking action to get into a school very late, so I could only audition for very few schools. If I don't get in, I'd have to deal with it - but I think I should just worry about auditioning and doing what I should instead of worrying about not getting in. I won't like it all if I don't get in even one school as I feel as if I just have to go to vocational ballet school by Year 9 - and yes I have kind of had a think about it. Then of course, there is the possibility of being assessed out, and even if I make it there's no guarantee I'd find work with a company. I really hope that won't happen, because I feel as if I know that this is what I want to do. I think I know, too, that if I get in a ballet school, the time there will be valuable, and will not be a waste no matter what. But my main question was more about the training systems of the schools and comparisons. I'd appreciate any insight about the training systems in any one school, and any comparisons no matter how tiny they are, whether it is from a Year 7 student, a company dancer, a parent or someone else.

Well, I had started my periods at 11 and 8 months or something! And now I'm 13... So does this mean, it is likely that I have a bit less than a year before I stop growing? Interesting!

I'd like to know the difference and similarities between Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst, and English National Ballet School. Can someone explain to me their training system? Also if possible can you include comparisons between Hammond and Tring? I'd appreciate it too if you compare the schools to schools in other countries such as Canada National Ballet School, Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, Hamburg Ballet School et cetera. I'm 13 and going into Year 9 next year, but I'd like to know the training system and comparisons from Year 7 to Graduate Year (Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst), from Grade 6 (Year 7) to Grade 12 (Year 13) (Canada National Ballet School), Levels 1 (10/11) through 8 (17/18) ( Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet and Hamburg Ballet School), and Years 12 to Graduate Year (English National Ballet School). Sorry I'm asking a lot , but I'd appreciate it if someone can give some comparisons or explain the training system of a school.