ElllieP

Only talking lower school here, but we got an offer of a Y7 place off the reserve on 1 July. So hold on! Quite a few did get offers from the reserve list and many at a fairly late stage. I think a number of those offered the places for lower schools decide not to accept once they have taken some time to consider and have worked out the realities. They may turn down a place due to funding, distance, not wanting to board, deciding to try again at 16, as well as accepting an offer elsewhere.The late offer made it a very rushed decision for us, so not ideal.

Wow thanks everyone, that's really interesting and helpful. Pups_mum - your DD sounds very impressive and dedicated and this will stand her in very good stead. The work experience she is getting now will be great for teaching.

It's also interesting about the UCAS points - it's confirming for me that it's definitely better to get your points from academic studies, although as Fiz says A level courses themselves might not be better as an experience.

It also seems  that intermediate is the key stage in the vocational exams. 

Maybe overall it would be good for my DD to get that Adv 1 (maybe miss AF?) but perhaps as a goal for some point in the next 2.5 years before she leaves school. Exactly when is a good time is another whole question as I know from experience with her older siblings that the pace doesn't exactly slow down after GCSEs! Luckily her dance school would be fine with that and not insist on her taking exams - by this stage the classes now have a mix of some adults and university students.

Can anyone give me some practical guidance on the benefits – in theory or practice – of RAD Advanced Foundation and Advanced 1? eg do you gain UCAS points for them, and if so do universities or courses really consider them for any course other than drama/performance/dance? And do you need either, in order, say, to teach dance?

My DD is not going down the vocational school or dance college route (been there, done that, with voc school). She has Intermediate and now just likes to do ballet for exercise, enjoyment, and to put her early training to use. We are lucky to have an excellent dance school which offers all vocational grades, but we live a fair distance away. The advanced classes are always late in the evening and the can knock out homework for an entire evening. Exams always mean more classes to fit in, too. With GCSEs looming, followed by AS, A levels etc we’re wondering…what is the point?  She could carry on taking class but not take the exams, but would she be missing out on something? Maybe having got to this level she should have something to show for it?

Any views? 

Agreed, Dea - a great experience and confidence-booster for my dd - who now has withdrawal symptoms! - and a really vibrant, enjoyable and entertaining show for the audience. Just listening to the positive comments of the matinee audience as they were leaving was lovely. EYB know how to put on a great show, never mind all they do for the children. 

We were surprised at the class sizes in vocational school. We got the impression it would be about 12, and although it started that way, numbers rapidly rose to 19 for the girls. Saturday RAD classes were even bigger - the funny thing was that when my dd left, she was lucky enough to be taught by the same teacher that did the RAD voc school classes - except this time there were only 12 in the class! Now 6!

When will the switch to the new syllabus take place? My dd is due to do AF next spring, so will that be the old or new syllabus?

Would agree with the above re Just Ballet - really quick delivery and helpful service!

_{Great - thanks for all the help. Both the glues suggested are available on Amazon.} 

What sort of glue should be used for sticking the suede patches onto pointe shoe tips?

I remember going through this for Elmhurst - we were lucky and the local independent electrical shop did it for a small charge. I think Elmhurst said that they would confiscate and test any items that did not have the right PAT label and as I recall they would have charged more. in the event i don't think I heard of this happening though.

My DD said only 4 of the girls in her Y7 class at her voc school had never been on pointe before they started. Within a week of starting in September, the rest were told to get pointe shoes. It was a fairly gentle introduction but they were certainly doing pointe work at the barre that term. Also at the RBS summer school that summer (ie after end of Y6) a number of the mainly foreign girls in her class were on pointe and had little sessions in some classes - quite accepted. 

The general acceptance here is for 13+ or when feet stop growing - which is very sensible. Yet the reality  is different at some levels. At vocational school  nearly all of the Y7 girls were already on pointe (at age 11+) and all the rest were expected to get their pointe shoes and start right away with no real individual assessment as to whether were ready. Same at EYB when there were 10/11 year olds on pointe and no questions raised. 

Meadowblythe I had to sign in just to like that comment! I remember my DD saying one of the Elmhurst boys was off to join the army a few years back so maybe it is not such an unusual career path! Can see why the Forces might like these fit, disciplined young people. I wonder if Army scholarships might extend to those at vocational school (if you are successful they pay half the fees for sixth form, I believe, and allow you do to any degree you like. All you have to do is, er, promise to sign up until the age of 25).   

Hi

If you can/are prepared to travel, I would highly recommend the East Oxford School of Ballet. 

http://www.eastoxfordballet.co.uk/

Trains and buses possible, although don't come into the right side of Oxford for most classes. A good range of senior classes with excellent teaching including one who is also RAD examiner and teaches at two of the vocational schools. Also has a Sunday dance school by invitation/audition. But depending which side of Reading, and schools etc, in terms of logistics you may be as well heading for London...best of luck!

Thank you DrDance -  that is reassuring especially about dancing in the brace!  Will report back on progress. 

I am very interested in this as my DD has been monitored for scoliosis and has now been told she should have a back brace. This will have to be worn 20 hours a day, not sure for how long but potentially until she stops growing. She is 14. We are rather knocked sideways by this. She was at vocational school for a couple of years and scoliosis was not picked up (though she did always seem to be being told one shoulder was higher than another). It seems that it has worsened recently, presumably due to a growth spurt, so I guess it was not yet an issue at the school. She is still dancing but not as much as at voc school of course. It seems the curve is still fairly mild but they are concerned about progression - has progressed 5-8 degrees in past six months (taking it up to around 28 degrees). I have spoken to our very good physio and she has spoken to her dance teacher who are supportive but both think it is worth 'embracing the brace'. The brace looks pretty awful - esp to her - but I was assured they are not too cumbersome by the lady who just called to make her appointment at the orthotics dept. Just sharing this really, and apologies if taking off topic more, but if anyone has any advice or experience I'd be keen to find someone to share this with! I think she will be given exercises and am told that she should definitely continue to exercise including dance, which will undoubtedly help, + pilates and swimming recommended. It just seems very tough on a teenager and I know we will have to give her all the support we can. 

Great news BankruptMum, Well done to your DD, I know she will be fab. Hope she gets a good part!

Gaynor Mindens seem to be very controversial. My DD always wanted to try a pair and was encouraged to by a London fitter - she loved the feel and look of them but when she presented them to her dance teacher, he had a fit! He called them 'American dress-up shoes' and was definitely not impressed. After he calmed down he explained that they were just not right for her feet, which needed particular elements. He is a very experienced teacher and RAD examiner. She is now in Freed (an excellent fitting experience) and everyone is happy! But it was an expensive mistake. I know others will endorse this - get advice from your teacher.

Would you send your child to a school where you had not looked inside a classroom and barely met an academic teacher? We did – and I still find it hard to believe!

PippinPointe’s comment that a vocational school is choosing your child, not the other way round, rings a lot of bells. It can be hard to remember that you have a choice, too.

If you only get to look round the school at the time your child has got to final audition, it’s very hard to keep a cool head atnd assess it like any other school. Your child’s enthusiasm and your pride in their achievement takes over and can cloud your judgement!

Most people are making great sacrifices for their children to go to the schools – not least having them live away from home – and for nearly everyone, MDS or no, this is a more expensive option than any other school. You will be paying for your child’s experience there in some way, so you are the consumer, and you are making the choice, not the school.

We also went down the try it and see approach. This seemed to lead us unstoppably down the path from a "have-a-go" audition for an associate place, to a "just for the experience" audition for a Y7 entry... to two years at vocational school. A bit like Meadowblythe, though I would say in our case maybe heart ruled head!

I think overall we would still all say that we had no regrets, even though ultimately we came to recognise that it was not the right place for our daughter. We are all faced with the thought of the road not taken. Our view was that it was better to try, than regret having turned down an opportunity.

I've just remembered a friend saying that she was still not sure if she had made the right decision to let her son go to WL - at this point he was some years into his professional career as a dancer!

My DD started vocational school at 11 having only done RAD grade 3. Grades evidently didn't matter to the school, as they chose her and they don't pay any attention to grades. Buy others in her year had done G6, and Intermediate Foundation, and it did make her feel she was behind. It shouldn't have - but it did. She was generally less experienced I guess - others had also done dance festivals, been JA's etc which she had not. It's not great starting on the back foot but for some it can be the spur to greater determination and achievement. By Y9 all the girls were on an even playing field and doing Intermediate - those who were ahead initially had to mark time a little. But grades play little part at vocational school really - it's one quick class on a Saturday.

My DD recently had an x-ray. The paediatrician commented in his report that she was "Risser 0". I hadn't heard of this. I turned to Google of course.... the Risser scale as I understand it is about the growth plate of the pelvis, and how it changes from cartilage to bone. The scale goes from 1-5, with 5 being where growth is complete. And the process from 1-5 takes 2 years. So presumably 0 is just before 1....Anyone else know anything about this - and able to confirm? Sounds fascinating so I thought I would throw it into the discussion.

She is nearly 14 and has had periods for about a year. Here's hoping it means she has at least two years more growth!

Anyone starting at Elmhurst next term looking for uniform? Even if your MDS covers uniform it’s useful to have some extras just in case!

I can offer two lots:

1.

3 x Y7 leos – Wear Moi size: children 2

3 x Y8 leos – Wear Moi size: children 2

Everyday uniform: 1 x v-neck jumper, age 9-10; 3 x polo shirts age 9-10; 2 x track suit bottoms age 9-10.

The leos have been worn but they do wash well and are in good shape. The everyday uniform is worn but wearable. £10 for the lot, to cover postage.

2.

Formal uniform for Y7/8 (girls):

Skirt Wear Moi children’s 2;

Wear Moi jacket children’s 3;

pink top: children 3.

The formal uniform is in very good condition and was barely worn. £25.

3.

I also have 3 Y7 skirted leos and one Y8 (completely unworn) as they changed their uniform policy just after we bought it. I believe they are no longer a requirement at the school but maybe a dance teacher might like them for costumes? Pale blue, and turquoise – children’s size 2.

All are for a small slim girl. PM me for any more details.