Peanut68

Pictures - can you clarify what NAPM is - thank you!

Am it right in believing all have to stay in full time education until 18 now? Surely that must men that all post 16 course providers must be regulated & inspected by government bodies (eg. OFSTED) ?

OMG!!!! Well folks, reckon I could easlly utilise some old broom handles as ballet barres & call my mouldy damp summerhouse at rhe bottom of the garden a 'state of the art' dance studio.....even has glamourous views of......a cemetery!!! Any takers?

So sorry you had such an awful experience SP - thank you for sharing & forewarning others about this shoddy organisation to hopefully spare others such an awful unsafe time & from wasting money. I hope you get some recompense & good luck in your future dancing x

:-)

I used to work for Gucci years ago & we were drilled on looking out for counterfeits....would never be able to tell these days!!!!

Just to add, also got a Capezio dance bag which seems to be holding up very well. Bought online from www.danceandleisurewear.co.uk as cheaper by about 30% at the time!

Never thought to look there - great tip, thank you!

DD carried back breaking loads in cheap flimsy backpack which was in such a ripped & broken zipped state after 2 terms. I have now convinced her to keep a box of academic books etc under her bed & nightly refer to her timetable to unload & reload to take just those needed each day. By doing this she has now persuaded me to get her what to me is really a large handbag from Accessorize/Monsoon.....in the sale I must add! It is far from the dark colour backpack detailed on the uniform list but she insisted that this is more in line with what everyone has (apparently the odd Louis Vuitton may even be used for school books - gulp!!) It pained me to go against the official kit list but DD very happy to feel she 'fits in' with current trends & I did make sure it was roomy enough for A4 clip files to slide in!

I did check at time on the BMA website and there are advisory standard rates but basically it seems they can charge what they think patients will pay! Seems wrong when relating to under 18's in full time education to charge when they have been seen as nhs patients IMHO

I have 2 geography ''O Levels' - a real coup I feel....decent B at O level aged 16 then basically awardees another by in my opinion fainting the A level!!! I think back in the day A levels were marked in pass grades A, B, C, (then not so valuable but still a pass) D & E followed by being judged as bring of O Level standard then Fail & lastly unclassified!!! Remember a few history essays being marked the latter (due to being caught out shamelessly inventing people from the past & attributing quotes to them :-) Well, I was at ballet school to dance not do academics I thought!! Having failed to get places at Uni as a mature student when in my 20's, I did go on to regret my flippancy!! Ah the ringing of the parental "I told you so" s still grates!!!!

Very well explained & valid point - easy to become lured by the statistics but as you say these relate directly to individuals; it really cannot be a scientific driven decision alone when choosing schools!

Have found this to be very ad hoc....& seemed to depend on whether the rather officious Business Manager got wind of it! Doctor had said he'd write a letter & to collect it....I was gob smacked when said lady presented me with a £60 invoice to be paid before I could have the letter ! On another occasion when one was required, I mentioned it to the Doctor during a non related personal visit. The very kind Doctor there & then looked over DD's notes & read over the form from the SS then asked me the gist of what was required & penned (in typical illegible medical profession handwriting )​ a short note stating DD healthy etc for the training. I really struggle to see how they could justify the £60 before! Apparently because the doctors note had to then go to a separately paid for typist!! Sounds rather dark ages to me.....call yourself a business manager???!!!!

Oh no......what had I written???? I must've only looked again after the Mod correction (thank you that Anna C!) am guessing there was an all important r missing perhaps???? Oh dear....am just not too good with phone touchscreen :-)

Hmm might need a little edit there Peanut68

I am confused????

For something that is government funded it all seems very unclear & ambiguous. So much for transparency of use of public funds!

I agee - brand new is still far cheaper than buying second hand items for many other private schools!

Plus can get any make white shirts (such as the many supermarket '2 for £5' items) whereas many private schools specific shirts/blouses are around £38 each.

Edited by Mod to correct unfortunate typo. ;-)

Dancing 2003, I meant no offence to anyone so please accept this as a personal apology to you.

Dare I say it, this is only an issue for things you are getting free so be grateful for that!!

I wonder if 'Decoupatch' (think that is a brand) or similar glue would work? It dries very hard & clear - an added advantage as I recall a hideous rusty brown stain on living room carpet from spilling shellac many years ago - sorry Dad :-) ! Also water resistant (?) I think so less chance of treated shoes sticking to tights when in use!!!) Widely available in craft shops.....

I can empathize with this....one year my daughter was not allowed to audition for any of the specific parts in small Primary School Xmas Show because she was "too good" & others should have a chance!! She was only hoping for a small part which had a one line solo in a song & let's just say being in tune did not seem to be a selection criteria one realised upon seeing the show  ! She was really devastated & also the 'setting her aside' from the audition was worse than just not giving her the part after auditioning! Not so much cronyism at work more a PC attempt at inclusiveness - fine on one hand but actually a little patronizing & molly coddling & lets face it, not really reflective of the big wide world.....still, a lesson of sorts I guess!

Ah yes - bruises! I was worried that the examiner would call in child protection after seeing the state of my sons legs during his Grade 2 Ballet exam.... It had been a particularly brutal match 3 days before for his under 10's team!!! Pleased he does both though ballet interest waining :-(

Is there a definnitive list (or maybe some clued up Forum memerb could come up with one???) of Pointe Shoe makes availabel in UK. Brands seem to have changed since my day (ok - talking c.1985 for last pair I bought )​

Whatever happened to Gamba? & I see my favourite brand Porselli is still trading but in Norwich. Does anyone know if this is the same as the old Covent Garden brand & are their current pointe shoes made on same lasts? I had several memorable fittings with a wonderful old lady (90+ I seem to recall - ah, the ever youthful world of ballet....here's hoping some of it's magic has rubbed off over the years on us all!) who used to fit Anna Pavolova!! My favourite shoe was a very narrow beautiful one....it always had an 'N' stamped on the bottom which I think denoted it as their 'Nicolai' (or might have been something like Nicolletti - anyone here remember better than me? named shoe....apparently the very design AP herself wore! Sadly cannot find a single old pair to clarify details as wore them to death as demi pointe shoes.

DD has almost identical feet to me so am sure she too would love these shoes......does anyone have any more information of these or similar shaped shoe?

Thank you as ever!!

My 10 year old son who I thought was a fully rounded culturally aware individual said to me the other day...."Mum, you do know the only reason I let you take me to the ballet with you is because I know you'll buy me sweets & ice-cream?" Well, I plan to save the cost of the ticket & said sweets & ice-cream next time & pay for a babysitter instead!!

Maybe he needs to start bribing me with bacon butties to go watch his rugby matches......ok....I'm there...doesn't take much to get me!!

Seems a very logical way to do it - like industry specific recruitment fairs I guess!

Makes you wonder if similar could be done re: school auditions. Maybe the 4 MDS schools could jointly hold several first round audition days around UK, each seeing same dancers then holding perhaps a final round at each centre then making their offers. Those with multiple offers can then select their first choice. This would surely speed up the whole process & remove some of the angst & awful wait for those on reserve lists. Also reduce the huge expense to families

attending often 2 rounds of auditions at one or more schools with several days of school for children, days off work for parents, huge travel & often accommodation costs too.

Also could mean that there perhaps be independent advisors on panels too creating a more fairer feeling to the awarding of government funding.

Wondering if any additional contributions towards your pension made by an employer have to be counted in - is this what perhaps is being referred to? Along the lines of taxable benefits such as car allowance/computer/mobile phones/healthcare paid by employer etc. A monetary amount for the benefit of these is added as if earned then you pay tax on this amount. Whilst you do not have to pay tax on the pension, perhaps any extra is still added onto Gross pay as it is an amount one does ultimately receive. However, as you can't get at it until 55 in most cases it would seem harsh to include this in MDS calculations as it is not actually money you have access to use towards fees. I am merely commentating & have no finance knowledge, expertise or experience....as said speak to school Bursars & there must be a central MDS governing body to talk to I imagine.

They encourage current parents to go too. It's one of the few chances to get to see them dance/sing.

Just wish they could hold any Open Days on a Friday of an exeat weekend when most parents are collecting boarders which would mean those of us from further afield could visit too. Even if it were a Thursday before an exeat Friday one could justify the expense of staying over one night as have to be there the next day anyhow -  would be lovely to be able to go too!