Yorkshire Pud

If it were my daughter I would listen to the advice of the doctor.

In the mean time have a word with his current teacher and perhaps a few of the other parents and let them know how your son is feeling. Trust me in a couple of years the girls in his class will be fighting over him.

Thank you Janet. My dd will be interested in this.

Congratulations swan princess. Feel free to brag all you like!

I agree with Moomin. What part of the country do you live in SarahW? There is an excellent kids shoe shop in Ilkley West Yorks called Shoo Be Doo that do shoes up to adult size 6.5 to fit all shapes of foot. They always managed to find something for skinny feet.

I second what Cherry and Angel have said for non-vocational students too. Most of the students at my DCs dance school have all of the same pressures plus a 2 to 3 hour daily commute to their dance class. I do not know how they do it. They are so dedicated. Good luck to everyone doing GCSEs.

Students start at Level 1 in years 6 or 7 or even year 8. They then move up a level 'generally' with each academic year although each student will be given an individual timetable. Most students seem to do Intermediate around school year 9 at Northern.

The CAT students do not do exams although an extra optional Intermediate class and exam is usually offered by Northern when students reach Level 3. Students are free to continue with exam classes at their local dance schools if they wish- and if they can fit it all in!!

I too am happy to PM you my name and contact details if required, thequays. However, you could just compile a list of what he was doing and when from this thread without any need to identify other forum members. The police will certainly look at that list of events and you wouldn't even need to say it was compiled by using this thread as an aide memoire.

 

Thinking of you and sending you virtual hugs! Please take care and involve the police, this is very abnormal behaviour and he may take 'inaction' from you as a sign that you enjoy what he is doing - ugh.

I have just been for a walk in our stunning local woods - just me, my badly behaved dog and a huge beautiful Stag watching us from the other side of the stream! I have returned home with mud up to my knees thankful for what would have been my old Gran's (born 1890 and died aged 102) Room 202 item - the automatic washing machine!! I think I have to agree with her!

Katiemac and Janice and Ellen - are you talking £25 for all meals for 7 days a week? If so then your dds must have some seriously good budgeting skills!! Perhaps they can write some tips?

I agree with Sunrise TQ you need some moral support. Speak to your next door neighbours and his neighbours TODAY!! If you are all overlooking each other like you say then you cannot be the only person to have witnessed this unacceptable behaviour. It is amazing how much more confident you will feel in confronting him if a few of you complain together - and DO speak to his wife!! She might just be the one who can put an end to this. If this doesn't work then you must report him to the police. He is sexually harrassing you in your own home!!

And for the little ones don't miss Northern Ballet's Elves and the Shoemaker on CBeebies, Easter Monday at 11am and 5 pm. This is Northern's third short ballet specially for children. The Ugly Duckling will be repeated at the same times on Tuesday 7th April followed by The Three Little Pigs on Wednesday 8th.

Places do become available from reserve lists. NBT also run open classes that students don't have to audition for. I don't know if you're dd already attends these? Might be a way of seeing and being seen for next time. In the meantime good luck with the reserve list.

I totally agree Lottie. My dd was a RBS JA, did not get a White Lodge audition or an MA place. Three years later she was offered a RBS SA place. All credit to her current dance teachers - and her determination not to give up!!

Hi Bunhead and Balletdancer22. Last year my daughter was put on the 'very short waiting list' for SAs and I didn't expect to hear any more. She was offered a place at the end of July. Places do get turned down for SAs as not everyone can commute to London or Birmingham so fingers crossed!! More waiting...,,,

You definitely still have to put in the time and the money,and learn all of the technique - you just don't need to sit every exam or have the pace of your dds progress dictated by an annual exam

Hi Annaliesey. I can understand yours and your daughter's frustration if she feels that she is constantly having to repeat things with newcomers entering her class.

However, there is no requirement for any child to have to take exams at the end of every grade or even take any exams at all until Intermediate Level which I understand is required if you want to become a ballet teacher.

Most dance schools do enter children for all of the graded exams every year but there are many dance schools who do not enter the children for exams at all. It makes no difference when applying for vocational schools whether or not a child has taken exams as long as they can show in the audition that they can dance at the required level and standard.

My daughter did her Grade 1 RAD exam and then didn't sit another until Intermediate. Her dance teacher moved students individually from level to level as and when she felt they were ready rather than holding any back / pushing any too fast just because exam dates were looming. Having previously attended a school where progress was dictated by exam dates I thought this approach was excellent!!

If you feel that your daughter could progress faster then have a word with her teacher. Perhaps she could skip an exam and move up to a more challenging level?

Congratulations to everyone with good news. It must be such a relief!!

Just to clarify the Northern Ballet School in Manchester is not connected to Northern Ballet Theatre based in Leeds who were performing at Saddlers Wells this week.

What stunning photographs posted by zxDaveM. The second photo also made it onto Page 22 of today's 'I' newspaper.

Hello Mae898, Alexa and shygirlsmum. This is my first posting on the forum but I thought I would take the plunge when I saw your thread as I am an actual Northern Ballet CAT mum.

My dd is on the CAT scheme and absolutely loves it. It is a big commitment in terms of time and travel. Students are required to attend intensives most holidays, including a 3 week summer school, and all students are required to go back to basics when they start the scheme. On the plus side the fees are affordable (all intensives are included in the annual fee which is means tested) and I get to see my dd every day, a big bonus (for me anyway) over vocational school.

Since starting the scheme my dd's strength and flexibility has improved enormously, along with her confidence and organisational skills! Homework is always done on time!

Classes are held in the amazing Northern Ballet building and students often get to watch the company rehearse during the intensive courses. They also watch the company perform. This month my dd has attended both Romeo and Juliet and the Northern Ballet Sapphire Gala held at the Leeds Grand (please see thread on Performances Seen).

It is a while since she auditioned but as I recall she attended first of all for the Associates Audition and then for a 2/3 day Easter Intensive before final decisions were made about the CAT scheme. She didn't have to prepare for anything special - just turned up and enjoyed the experience of attending classes. She had a great time.

I would be more than happy to meet for a coffee and a chat at the final CAT auditions if you would like to send me a pm.

Tell your dds to enjoy the audition days. They are quite relaxed and the teachers are lovely!!