balletla

I was going to say the same! I would think it would be a great way of offering training in all sorts of disciplines where its not currently available. Although state funding wouldn't support the depth and range of teaching that is available at vocational ballet schools, it would probably support one or two top quality ballet teachers who could certainly do enough work with children to make them ready for 16+. And it would all be FREE as part of your child's education, and they wouldn't have to board! Shame it's too late for my DD (we are one of the seriously struggling families trying to get her through vocational school, even though its a "funded" place). If she were younger, I'd definitely be looking into it!

How many spaces do they have for girls at ENBS 6.1?

Thanks Spanner. I have now tried everything, with the help of a techie friend and it really is just me I have filed a Facebook report but the chances of them replying are virtually nil. I will just have to wait to see if it is a glitch that gets fixed if they fix something else later on. It does feel a bit spooky though - the fact that I can't see something that I know is there!

'Free schools' are a recent introduction by the coalition government which basically allows anyone to set up a school in response to need. See definition: "Free Schools are non-profit making, independent, state-funded schools. There is not a ’one-size-fits-all’ approach. They are not defined by size or location: there is not a single type of Free School or a single reason for setting them up. Free Schools could be primary or secondary schools. They could be located in traditional school buildings or appropriate community spaces such as office buildings or church halls. They could be set up by a wide range of proposers – including charities, universities, businesses, educational groups, visionary teachers or committed parents – who want to make a difference to the educational landscape. They might be needed because there simply are not enough school places in a local area and children have to travel too far to the nearest school.The thing which unites all Free Schools is that they are being set up in response to real demand within a local area for a greater variety of schools, they meet rigorous standards and they are all absolutely committed to providing young people with the best possible chance to succeed." You can set up schools on the basis of gender and religion, but not race. I think the idea of one for boys which offers dance is a great idea. I think I also read about one that is going to set up on the basis of military discipline for parents who think that current state schools offer little in this area. Free schools are about responding to requirements of parents and children and increasing choice, moving away from the 'one size fits all' comprehensive state education, controlled by local authorities.

I have now realised that it must be a glitch on my account. Some of my friends have liked the RBS page but when I go on their wall to look at their 'likes' it doesn't appear. When other people go on their wall to look at their 'likes', the RBS page appears. How weird is that? I can see all other public pages e.g. RAD, Genee etc., it's just that one!

Thanks Spanner. I figured that it would probably be the 24 Jan as that is the day they announced it. However - the mystery deepens. There is no link on the ROH page that I open on my Facebook account. This is the ROH page link: https://www.facebook.com/royaloperahouse And there is a post at 11.26 about an interview with Sir Thomas Allen and then the next one is at 17.07 about Ermonela Jaho replacing someone in La Traviata. There just isn't a post with a link to the RBS Facebook page. Sorry to go on and I know you are probably wishing you had never got involved with this post, but it is really frustrating. I really want to see the RBS Facebook page. It is such a departure from their usual 'closed ranks' approach. You have been more than helpful, thank you.

I'm beginning to think this is a joke. Spanner - have checked every post on the ROH Facebook page back to the 1st Jan and can't see a link to RBS page and its also not in their likes. Is there a date and time on the link you clicked on? This is so weird. Not just me though. Same situation for other friends as well.

Thanks John, but it still doesn't work for me. It just takes me to the Facebook log in page or the Home page if I am already logged in.

I notice that on RBS website in the 'News' section, it announces that they have finally set up a Facebook page and give a url address. I can't seem to make it work - when I copy the url, it just goes to my Facebook home page. If I search Facebook for THE-ROYAL-BALLET-SCHOOL as suggested in the url link, I just get a list of the numerous rogue/spoof pages that already exist; sadly it looks like several thousand people have been conned by one of them. Anyone any ideas? You would think they would just put the link as a little 'f' sign on the homepage of the RBS website like most do?

The letters for the finals go out when all the auditions are complete, so you should hear if you've got to the final for full time at White Lodge in the first week of February. SA and MA letters don't go out until the finals have been done at the end of Feb and they know who's going full time and who isn't, so they will go out sometime mid March. Approximately 5 children get asked to the final for each year for years 8, 9 and 10. However, all three years audition together in the same class so there are about 15 or so in the finals audition class.

I wouldn't take too much notice of what they say about available beds. If they really like you they will find a space by shuffling around or even moving you up a year. I know of a girl who got in when there were supposedly no beds.

Pointe work is not done at the RBS preliminary auditions but it is done at the final for Year 8 upwards! Good Luck to all auditionees.

Hi Passionforballet, i used to think that you either have it or you don't for RBS and other schools but I now know of so many children who have been successful following repeated attempts that I would say keep trying all the way up to SAs. Children change and develop throughout the years and you just never know.