amanda-w

Hi southerndancemum, I can't recommend Trings CBA program enough my dd auditioned last November and started January this year alongside doing a program at elmhurst too. The progress she's made by adding these associate programs alongside her local ballet classes this last year has been amazing. She's so much more technical and confident in her abilities now. She found the audition class for the CBA quite basic, not too challenging and very enjoyable. I'm sure your dd will be fine. Good luck for November, I find the audition process so exciting x

My dd has accepted a MDS place for year 9 and she was on the reserve list :- ) so it does happen

She'll be starting year 9 and I think the new starters arrive Sunday am and then the other boarders arrive in the afternoon. I might be wrong but that's what a gathered from reading the email today with the term dates etc..she can't wait to get her uniform list :-)

That's really sad that they would say that , we had a similar situation where when my dd was coming up to year 7 she was told by her old dance school only to apply for royal ballet. Talk about narrowing down your chances :-( I'm so glad we moved dance schools last year, if we hadn't then my dd wouldn't be starting Tring in September. If the associate program is anything to go by and the teachers on the Easter program then I would say the teaching is amazing :-) I would ignore them and good luck for September x

Group E is dark blue... Purple is Group F. My daughters in E (dark blue)

Angel .. My daughters in group e

The main ballet class is 1 1/2 hours then they have a small break and have a 45 minute coaching session. I think they group them in ability/level rather than age as in my dd's group there's probably a range of 10-13 year olds. Dd does grade 6 ISTD lessons at home to give you an idea of her level. Her group starts at 10.30 but the higher grade group start later, I think about 12ish but it might change from September. Tring school is just off the high street so I think most people go off for a wander and a costa coffee which is very close. I don't know that much about the area as I tend to stay on site. Someone else might be able to tell you more about what's on offer in Tring.

That's about the same distance away as us, I don't mind the drive as it's such a nice place to visit it's worth it. I'm sure you will get an audition, I didn't see a cut off date on their website :-) good luck x

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I seem to be the only one who hasn't had an update all I got was a ' night night' followed by 'Group E'.... So frustrating :-)

If you are within travelling distance then I would recommend it, it's well worth the journey for us as they do some good work there and DD loves it. The work is challenging and DD gets lots of corrections which she likes :-)

Have just dropped DD off for the Easter course, she also does the CBA and have to say I am so impressed with the teaching and the enthusiasm they put into their associate programs. From what I've experienced of Tring so far I think it's amazing and can't wait for her to start in September :-) My DD is without a doubt a classical dancer but as she loves all dance styles I think Tring is going to be the best place for her and she loved the accommodation :-)

Dd doing it too, she's 13 and this will give her a taster of life to come from September so it'll be a good experience for her and a nice peaceful week for me :-) we weren't planning on taking character shoes or skirt as it didn't mention it in the letter but now I'm wondering if we should ...uummm!!

My DD was on the reserve list for another school and we were offered a MDS, not at Hammond but I'm sure they all operate the same and if an MDS is given up and taken elsewhere then someone else on the reserve list will get it. Don't give up hope yet :-)

Oh lovely, thank you

On exeat weekends do they leave on the Friday after lessons or the Saturday morning?

Thanks Tulip, I think I can handle 3 weeks if we can still have contact on the phone :-)

Lovely, thank you I'll definitely pm you my number. I hope this month of no contact isn't true...aargh!!! This will be so hard for me, I'm sure DD will be fine it's me I'm worried about :-)

Is there anyone on her with a DD in the current year 8 at Tring on the dance course. My DD is so excited to be starting year 9 in sept and we just have a few questions we would like to ask someone with experience of the school like how often they're allowed home etc, Is it true they have no contact with parents in the first month (or is this just a rumour). We have many questions so maybe I could pm someone in the know :-)

Thanks everyone, we are indeed celebrating :-) we were beginning to feel like her dream was slipping away. She will be going into year 9 so we have left this vocational school journey quite late anyway and I was very conscious that she would only get one more try before GCSE's started. Kiwimum6 .... We love the term Tringiling ...love it :-)

After the original disappointment of msking it through Trings funding audition and getting to physio and then a No email .... We are delighted to have had a call yesterday and my DD has been offered a MDS award at Tring. We are absolutely buzzing right now :-)

Congratulations for the WL yes's... Massive achievement you all must be so proud. So Sorry for the no's but you have to remember how talented your children are to have gotten to the finals as I know not many made it that far

DD said they said in the audition the end of the week ...oh no I hope it's not going to be 3 weeks

Was anyone else at the elmhurst finals yesterday. DD was group 3 and auditioning for yr 9 and said she had a great day and met a group of really lovely girls who were also auditioning for years 8 & 9. My DD wants to say Good luck to all of them x We absolutely love elmhurst and this is the letter I'm dreading opening.

Thanks mad house, she took it well, then it sunk in and she got a bit down but now she's looking forward to the elmhurst final :-) I'm sure we'll all have a few more ups and downs over the next few weeks