Peanut68

Seriously??? Wow - does that mean Lilac Fairy is booted off the cast list of any Sleeping Beauty EYB production???

What.....no mention of cake Petalviolet????

Sounds like a good name for a dodgy tribute act...The Swaybacks...playing all your favourite tunes from S'way back!!! Sorry folks!

I think we all slightly wonder about that one! I do think that maybe they wait til after the forst round auditions to inform about SS places as how awful would it be for DC's to go into the WL or upper school auditions right after receiving a rejection email from RBS Summer School?

Maybe we all just need to assume that all our kids are gonna cost us a fortune in some way or other & just get on that gravy train to earn & save as much as we can from the day they are a mere twinkle in someone's eye!

Again - I share your sentiments & concern & you have a level head as regards to knowing the possible changes that may happen along the way to put an end to any aspirations too such as loss of interest, other new dreams, change in body shape/aptitude/injury etc etc... & again - this can be reflected in so many other things such as you say as academic kids missing out maybe as parents don't believe in one type of education/university etc. We all have examples I am sure from our own histories! But like you, I just wanted to get 'a realistic handle' on the whole thing to manage dreams/expectations & perhaps even forward plan a little. Do I for instance just get back into fulltime career focussed work to negate reliance on funding? But then at what family life cost? The old life/work balance issue is even more in focus once you look at paying for al that dance & other such activities cost in terms of money & time......sigh.

Wise words Mumofthree.....there are so many factors at play. If awarded an MDS, household income is looked at with a small adjustment made for additional dependant children/those in full time education etc. However - it can never hope to reflect each individual set of circumstances. A minefield too when you look at such factors as geography as we all know that to have a very basic home/lifestyle can cost considerably more depending on where you may have to live (& we cannot all just up sticks & move based on one childs ballet dreams!). Also we parents all want to treat each offspring the same & provide equal opportunities & fair use of income. However, this is unlikely to be possible if a high contribution to fees for one DC has to be made....Could lead to sibling resentment etc. The current system does also presume that parents are willing to make a contribution. I do worry that there must be umpteen children out there dearly holding the dream to train but who are not even allowed the opportunity to try as parents not happy/not able (as may already be financially committed despite a very high income) to let them audition/take up places. I pity those families with multiple talented (in whatever field) children who each deserve additional training! Good luck & best wishes to everyone!

Katymac - as you seem to be the original 'Spreadsheet Queen' maybe you should produce some software to flog to us less organized ballet parents! A Ballet App perhaps where all summer school/audition info etc can be uploaded from one site/cloud (am trying to get with the times here..... )

I should perhaps have added into my first post that it is great that there is this government funding for dance training. I guess my main thrust was that there does appear to be inconsistencies & a somewhat 'cloak & dagger' approach to info/decisions etc. It only appears 'simple' when looking at RBS as all places can potentially be funded. This lack of upfront knowledge does make it hard to manage family & DC expectations - maybe fewer would audition which would be bad as talent may be missed who may just have got that funding (& cynically - sorry! - schools would make less money from the audition fees charged) I certainly hope all with the fire in their belly & the passion to follow their dreams carry on & try for those places this year. And as the saying goes....if at first you don't succeed, then try, try again!

My big issue with MDS funding....it seems that the 4 schools each have a certain number they can give out each year. This is not at all transparent - though I very much think it should be. It appears that at RBS - & perhaps Elmhurst too? - all who qualify for school year 7-11 entry (roughly ages 11-17) & based I believe on Euro/UK residence qualifying period of 3 years, will be awarded an MDS. They will then be means tested & the amount the government pay will be on a sliding scale so the more affluent a family the higher the contribution towards training they pay. With the other 2 schools they will then have a handful of MDS to award across the age groups. Seems fair so far? BUT, we all know the more affluent a family does often mean the more prepared/experienced/trained the DC's may be. They may have benefitted from one to one coaching, lots of course/associate schemes/summer schools & the support of parents who can afford to drive them around the country to train. So a DC with raw untrained talent/ability/potential may not be the 'best' at audition due to circumstance & lack of opportunity. Now, I have no problem with the places (& even the funding) being offered to the best first. This is as it should be. BUT, if many of these then attract very little funding due to high family income, then this money 'saved' by the government should go back into the funding pot & be able to be re-offered by the schools to other candidates. There could well be some years when RBS for instance may be sending the government a comparatively small bill for funding for one intake year as that year the most talented by & large were fairly well off. another year, there may be more variance & so the bill to the tax payer is much larger. This seems a bizarre way to offer funding & must make it impossible for a school to predict cash-flow/manage costs (& thus possibly rely on offering a certain number of places to those who can pay full fees & accept a place pre-funding auditions) . Surely the fair thing is for the schools to have a set amount of funding each year that can be allocated - the more higher fee paying pupils should just mean they can then offer more funding places to lower income families too. I think it unlikely that one year all accepted would be affluent.....I think better that no offers can be made until after funding auditions. So all 4 schools should operate a 2 round audition cycle with places being offered strictly on talent/potential . The schools will know their 'income' is guaranteed as they have a set amount that can come in via funding....if more MDS are awarded to lower income families. I bet the 'flex' from year to year would be very minimal. The other thing in my opinion is that this needs to be 'policed' much more stringently as stories abound of people 'hiding' income/partners/fathers etc to reduce their household income threshold & thus lower their personal bill & get more paid via MDS. Again, gossip may not be founded in truth, but whilst everything is misty as far as funding, then this will long continue. Why all the secrecy? All the stories of 'well, boys will get funding over girls' etc etc? Lets face it, it deems currently just 4 schools worthy of support so the maximum really they are looking at as possible recipients is what 12 girls/12 boys across them per year? That's less than 100 children per year. Unlikely that all 100 will be UK MDS qualifiers as several of the best kids accepted will be from overseas. So, taxpayer bill is lower already. Then sure, one year may see the demographic mix is higher proportion of lower income families requiring more MDS money but I bet my bottom dollar that in another year this will be offset as it just so happens that more talented kids hail from richer families so the bill to support that group annually will be less. Surely this is the only way to offer funding fairly? Or maybe go to some sort of talent competition & award the money in principle to the child first who can then with knowledge of level of funding available to them then audition where they can afford/are best suited (as this may entail things like location too) & it can be more of a joint selection process between the government, the schools & the individual dancers too? This could possibly open up funding to be used at other worthy establishments also (though I do think all training institutions/programmes should meet set criteria & certain standards). I think key to all this is to make more funding in schools etc available for all children to have the opportunity to try dance (& this same principle I think could be applied to funding for music/sports etc) to find those naturally talented individuals & nurture them in a fairly funded programme whilst young to try & create a more even playing field where talent speaks louder than cash! Apologies all...this is rather a long (& possibly muddled) statement, I by no means wish offence to anyone, just interested in discussion! One Q maybe someone can answer....does the government publish data on the MDS funding year on year? Also, do the schools? I am sure this is information should be available in the public domain (& available without the secrecy & subterfuge it appears - at least to me - to currently have?). I do commend families who find the money 'come what may' & also all those other funding bodies such as the schools own bursary schemes, other charitable fund providers & benefactors who make it possible for our DC's to be working on achieving their dreams!

Used Airbnb when needed to be in London for DC last year...only caution is, there is always the risk of them 'changing' your accommodation. The flat we had booked - & paid huge sum for as was in Covent Garden - several months before suddenly became 'unavailable' but we could have another close by....one of the initial ones we rejected when looking at all options on the site! Very disheartening & I suspect a ploy...hook you in with a beautiful looking place, take your money, then right before when they know you are going to have no option, push you to the (in my opinion) less attractive/quality flat. I think I might be tempted if I were you to go with the good old trusty Premier Inn option. Book early enough & prices good - even in London. Or maybe look at an option just outside (though budget in then the cost of travel in....) I have stayed often in Hemel Hempstead West. Really good - nice staff who all seem to have been there the 2 years I have been visiting. Food good too. A short drive to Hemel Train Station then train to Euston. Or apparently you can use on the train Oyster/travelcards from Watford Junction short drive on so cheaper for travel.I think there is actually a Premier Inn there too - so perhaps could work out cheaper there & your car would be able to be left in car park. Another I have used for this purpose is Premier Inn at Edgware. Free to leave your car in their car park (you have to ok it & leave reg no) then short walk to Edgware tube. Seemed full of builders & their vans so less 'family' & as we arrived late did not want to enter the at that time very bawdy bloke bar/restaurant I must say, but it was very easy for in/out of London & again you might get a cheap rate in advance. Good luck & hope your DC enjoys the LCB tour!

Oh dear - I am totally spreadsheet phobic....but I do see the benefit; particularly if I could present one to Hubbie with a cost/needs/benefit analysis to highlight just why a DC at vocational school still requires dance in the school holidays! I need to speak his language for him to perhaps understand ours? Any advice appreciated.... & if anyone wanted to share with me a spreadsheet template/example that would be just fantastic....please PM if anyone is happy to assist - thanks in advance!

Has any one else 40+ ever been brave (or just plain foolish) enough to use the communal changing room in Primark? I have to say the open looks of horror & the giggles were awful....wish I'd been able to just hold my head high (or better still - looked great in the same clothes they were trying....but enough of fantasy.... I promise I had picked only the frumpiest offerings to try on!). I have learned the thing to do is pick up items in 2 sizes & 2 colours - take home to try on & decide then return what's no good! Guess it got me thinking how I behaved to 'old dears' when I was young & (I like to think!!) gorgeous!!!

My just turned 10 year old son is seriously planning to be a top rugby player (& at 5'3" seems built for it!) but has also just done RAD Grade 2 ballet & intends to keep up dancing alongside rugby as he knows it gives him strength, suppleness, great jumping, speed, co-ordination & balance - key skills needed for both of these sports! Good to see clips like this - thank you!

I think you mentioning morals & principles is really key - there are always some in all walks of life who seem not to share the general accepted standards. & sadly they often 'get away with it' as those who suffer from this do not want to make a fuss or be tagged as a snitch or trouble maker. I do think though schools need to make it very clear what will & will not be tolerated & also kids & parents need to know how to & to whom to communicate about such issues & just what the procedures that will be followed are. Good luck with resolving any troubles for your DD - stay strong! I am a believer in what goes around comes around....we can move away from a nasty individual...they will always have to live with themselves & the knowledge of what they have done....I do believe that everyone does have the same moral understanding, just not always the same manners.....but deep down, they will know they have done wrong & quite probably will suffer inwardly for it long after we have all moved onwards & upwards!

Bullying in any situation is awful....a stop needs to be put to this as otherwise she will continue to be damaging to others & will also be a very damaged individual in the long-term. My DD's time at a Voc school was completely ruined by a manipulative & nasty child. Her behaviour included doing /saying mean things then accusing my DD & others od doing just the thing she had done....& she seemed always to be believed by staff! Whilst no proof, I undoubtedly believe it was her who left a very sharp map pin under the duvet on my DD's bed - the steel pin pointing up right where one would sit down....I was only glad that I found it whilst placing a teddy in her bed rather than my DD finding it - either by sitting on it/finding it in her bed & any resultant injury that could have happened. Or even if no physical injury occurred I do think this sort of thing is what could cause mental scars & trust issues. The Houseparents frankly were inadequate in my opinion - suggesting it 'must have blown there'....what? Under a duvet???? & there was no board & no pins in the vicinity of DC's area.....but the nasty kid in Q had a board & map pins in hers...hmmm. I requested my DD was not told as I did not want to traumatize her...frankly, I did agonize about whether I should even leave her there that night or ever again.... A meeting was apparently had with the dorm (excluding my DD) telling them that a pin was found in a bed & letting them know that a parent was worried it might have been a deliberate act but really I think they should've gone in hard line to try & get a confession from the culprit (pin just blew there....& the duvet blew over the top of it.....yeh, right) Kids should be in fear of being chucked out of any school for such bullying behaviour/assault as my DC & yours have suffered. I would like to add that this child in question even continued after my DC left the school by extending into social media bullying. My DC like yours received backing from others - former schoolmates posted comments saying how mean it was of this girl. My DC swiftly 'blocked' her & I think wised up quickly to the dangers of stupid online tagging. I wrote a hundred letters to her parents in my head, but life is too short to waste time on these pitiful non-entities. I only hope she one day realises just how mean & cruel she was & hope that that moment has already come & her current dorm mates (if she is still at voc school) are not similarly suffering. DD left that school without a backward glance....& is now extremely happy elsewhere. No - that was me ranting as have never got it off my chest before! Apologies all! I think the way a school - whether full time or part time - deal with these issues of bullying is key....you must go to the teacher. She must deal with it to YOUR satisfaction. Good luck!

DC given a terrifying verbal verdict from a (non dance specialist) Podiatrist - "oh well, if you've got this then forget ever thinking about being a dancer long term". NOT very helpful. However, actual physical advice was much more helpful; rolling on frozen filled plastic small coke bottle (shape esp good) + spikey foot massage balls & taping up with special tape in certain way which kind of 'cradled the foot & heel' which seemed to hold foot & train body into better positioning to reduce pronation (rolling). After a short period of this it improved dramatically & you can even see much better arch raise in regular standing/walking since - corrected bad gait/stance habit. Occasional minor flair ups since - have noticed these seem to coincide with growth spurts. I do think some GP/medical advice can be less than helpful when they do not know of or understand the specifics of dance training. Also, the mental damage they can inflict when they say 'give up' try another sport' etc.is quite soul destroying. I think many do not differentiate from a regular kid doing an activity once a week to DC's who lets face it are full-on training athletes!

The Mexican Flea Wedding Couple (!!) were a big hit with the waiting younger brother back in regular visits to Tring days!!

Not Bournemouth but not too far away....Ranger School of Dance in Swanage. Open Adult Class Tuesdays 9.30am & RAD Major Grades Wed from 6pm attended by many of us 'adults'. Have pm'd also

We were in the same boat on this one & it really caused family upset as we kept that week free just in case the hallowed call from RBS came to say that there was a space. DH really wanted to use that week for the family holiday.& maybe we should've done....We did have luck getting selected for Elmhurst SS which being near the end of school hols didn't seem to clash with other SS options as much though at 3 days was really too short IMO. It looks as though they give majority of places to Foreign Applicants (it is an international SS after all) but I imagine that the wait list is most likely comprised of British based as logistically they would be most likely able to take up any last minute spaces not having the headache of needing to arrange visas/flights etc. Have thought the thing to do is to apply for foreign courses for DC but sadly do not think funds or happy family support available for this! Will dutifully fill in form & hand over the £20 again this year though....!

Are you saying by this that the no doubt well meaning regular visits from family & trips home made it harder to settle for that DC? From personal experience, I think this is likely - it also makes it harder for those who live very far from home (or even overseas) who cannot have these visits & go home. Cruel comments don't help. AT DC's school last year one particularly insensitive child (who went home every w/e & who was taken out for supper midweek every week also....why board????) said to my very young DC "well your parent's can't love you very much or they would visit you too" My blood boils just remembering the trauma we had over the phone from that one.....When I asked what my DC responded I am proud to say they stayed strong & truthful "My parents love me very much - that's why I am here. & I love them very much too & know that it costs them a lot of money for me to be here so they can not spend anymore to make extra visits" This does not mean of course that it didn't affect them inwardly which was then no doubt reflected in behaviour & settling in.....In my experience (now of 2 voc boarding schools) I think the less contact home the better & I think it would actually help all the kids & rest of their family members if visits were restricted to the expected exeats/term ends & when shows/events are on. Maybe sounds harsh, but less is really more - the time allows better settling in without being reminded maybe of what they are missing which can make them confused about what they want & where they want to be. Good luck to all Dancing Families!!

I think this is a really good point to raise...I always feel dreadful straight after the clocks go back & sense a lack of interest in doing things from my kids too...this mujst come through when they are at voc school too...If you come from a part of the world without this extreme daylight reduction it could be affecting your DD & if a new sensation, could manifest in thinking .other things are bad. The eating issue is of course one to really keep abreast of - good luck.

I kept thinkng that there was this one kid called DD (Dede / Dedee ....US girls name) & boy was she busy on this & other show is forums!!

Wow - they do sound amazing....just wonder about the cost for a child!! Can they be remoulded to adapt with growing feet or is it a case of buying again? If the evidence really supports their use, maybe a link with the vocational schools could be made to offer discounts/onsite fittings etc....

or you could read that backwards....ie. wtf are we all doing spending so much of our lives on this mad panic