Eowyn

My youngest dd who is only six and in Grade 1 (RAD) has been doing plies since primary. It is one of the exercises taught early and should have been corrected by Grade 3 I would have thought? My older dd has great turnout but has had to work hard to get into box splits, so I don't think the two can be related. Interestingly the froggy position on her back that has been mentioned was one of the first things she had to do in her vocational auditions during the physio assessment and she can achieve this with very little effort (knees flat to floor). She was offered places in all three schools we applied for so it could well be something they look for. Good luck to your dd :-)

Thank you everyone for the replies. I have read a few of your comments to my dd and they have really reassured her (and me!) We are now putting festivals behind us and looking forward to an exciting future at the Hammond x

I have just posted something similar about our experience at a festival this week. Some of the parents in the dressing room were awful and others talking loudly whilst other children were dancing. It has well and truly put me off entering anymore with my other dd Congratulations to all the dc doing through to Nationals!

Not sure if there is already a topic covering this, but I was just curious as to peoples opinions on Dance competitions/festivals. My dd has entered quite a few over the past couple of years but has never been placed. This has never bothered us as she does them for fun and because she loves dancing for an audience. This year she entered the same solo she did for all her vocational school auditions and despite the fact every school she auditioned for offered her a place, she didn’t even get 3rd at the festivals. I was in the changing room this week and mentioned to another mother that she would be taking up a scholarship place at the Hammond in September and they literally looked at me like I had grown 3 heads. They then asked me how many competitions she had won and when I replied “none” they said “well I don’t see how she could possibly be going to a dance school then” and walked off fairly haughtily! At the time I shrugged it off, but now her comment is starting to get to me and my dd who was stood next to me at the time has started questioning her ability and saying she isn’t good enough to go away because she doesn’t ever win anything Can anyone reassure me that this is not the case and that festivals are not that important? She always gets very high distinctions in her ballet and ISTD exams, but is not very ‘smiley’ which I think holds her back when it comes to competing. Thanks

Happymum I've applied for my dd as well but we haven't heard anything yet either.

I completely forgot this was on tonight. Does anyone know if it is being repeated at all?

Great news Dancing Pickles! Congratulations to your dd :-)

I know what you mean I am worried about it all as well. It's all very exciting at the start when they get offered a place and then quickly reality sets in! I am dreading my little girl leaving home not to mention the financial side :-(

Mae, I think you are probably referring to my mention in the Hammond thread that the bursary worked out better than the MDS. Without wishing to go into financial details, this is because we are relatively high earners and the MDS is awarded on a sliding scale, so those who earn less contribute less. For us we would still have had to contribute a significant amount even with an MDS, so the bursary is better for our personal circumstances. However saying that we won't get free singing/music lessons and still have to pay for the trips, uniform, and all the other extras so it's still going to be a struggle as it would be for anyone!

The one we got was very generous Primrose! We are delighted and so lovely to know the school want her that much they are willing to help with their own funds :-)

My dd has also been accepted into The Hammond and will start in Year 7 in September. It's been quite a rollercoaster of emotions as initially she did not get one of the MDS places. However the school have offered us a fantastic bursary/scholarship instead, which due to our financial circumstances works out better than the MDS would! We are all very excited and proud of dd and she can't wait to start as Hammond was her first choice school! Congratulations to everyone else with offers and look forward to getting to know you :-)