TBG

Thank you all for your comments. I just needed confirmation i was on the right wave length. X

My dd has found a new audition leo for upper school auditions. Can anyone let me know if the Grishco 1930 leo is suitable please, i am not sure it is. Many thanks x

Crazylifecrazykids - my dd aplied for yr7 but was poorly and not successful, so applied for yr 8 and did get a place. If you are worried about the cost of an audition then you really have to think if you can afford vocational school. The funded places are means tested ( look on Elmhurst website to work out roughly how much you will pay per year), in addition there are house funds, trips, pocket money, school uniform (and the uniform bursary doesnt go far once they are getting through Pointe shoes and demi-pointe shoes quickly). They also have leave out every 3 weeks, so once per half term, so will either need collecting Friday 2.45 and returning Sunday, or catch trains - all this is additional cost. So without putting a grim outlook on it all, it is an amazing experience for the dc, but it isnt cheap. Make sure you go in with your eyes wide open. It isnt fair to dc to go through the audition process if you cant afford to follow it through. Normally all who apply get prelims, however, i am sure due to covid they have to be more selective. There are places in year 8,9 and 10 but only when children leave, and they leave because they want to go to another school, dont enjoy the reality of living away, or fall out of love with ballet. So my dd is now applying for 6th form, so we are not just looking at UK, but also Europe, again there is a cost, but some European schools are cheaper than UK. Just a reminder to all that the rollercoaster you are on doesnt stop once they get a place at vocational school, it gets even more stressful with assessments, injures etc. On a positive note, my dd absolutely loves it and we wouldnt change it. For her Elmhurst is where she wants to stay, but one school doesnt fit all, just like all schools. It is definitely - if at first you dont succeed try, try again, it may be a no for now but they grow and change so quickly that every year is different. Good luck to all those applying. I hope this post has been helpful. Xx

Good luck everyone, hopefully not too much longer for you all to wait. Xx

Thank you. That is heartbreaking to hear, as those poor children are not only about to move schools but essentially home as well and needing to make new friendships at their new school. It does beg the question about whether RBS is run as a school or a business? Surely it is a failure on their part if children do not pass their assessment. Should they not perseverie and put everything into the training for those children. As we all know children are an unknown entity as they grow and change, at least give them a chance to prove themselves.

Dancing Kitty is that for RBS or Elmhurst? Xx Good luck everyone, xx

Thank you amos73, that is really helpful. What age/yr group do they go up from younger group to next age group. My dd is yr 8. As much as i want value for money, it should also be about having fun and in a more relaxed environment than being at school. It is a great opportunity to meet new (and old ) friends, and to share experiences.These are their holidays and dd would go mad if she couldnt dance. Having said that, dd will be expecting corrections. We will just have to wait and see how it compares to others. Xx

Place on wk 2 for dd but sadly no scholarship. Dd very excited to be going, although has heard they are usually big classes and individuals dont get much attention. Does anyone have any knowledge of this please? Xx

Well done to both your dd. Have watched your posts over the last few years and really pleased for them both. amos73 is that Elmhurst too?

Dd's year there are 17 girls ( 5 entered Sept 17), so very much if they like them they will offer, +/- MDS. Classes will take up to 30 mixed.

Yes totally agree dancefanatic. He also meets with the children on a 1:1 following appraisals, and meets with parents in a group discussion forum at open days. In my limited knowledge and experience he is everything i think an AD should be and do. Xx

Ok, thanks JulieW Xx

Hi Sue, just out of interest, what did the vocational school say. Were they supportive? Is she still at vocational school, has she gone through lower and upper school?

RBS JAs definitely worth a try, at least you will have a better idea of whether she has potential or not. My dd didnt want to try for yr4 but auditioned in yr5 as teacher kept asking her to apply. She was successful for JAs and Elmhurst associates for yr5 and yr6, got a place as MA for yr7 for a year before being offered a place at vocational school - not bad for dd who wanted to be a Dr!! The more she danced the more she loved it and still does. My other dd didnt get a JA place but glad she auditioned and knows that at that time there were better dancers. She still enjoys dancing but enjoys her other activities too, when she knows what she wants to focus on we will support her just like our other dd - not an easy feat though. If the applications have closed - email and see if it is possible to still apply. Hope that is helpful. Xx

MA results probably wont be out until late next week at the earliest as vocational finals results still to be sent out and there will be acceptances and a lot of movement between vocational schools. Once all those places are finalised you will find that there will be more MA places available . This can sometimes happen for a month or two. So those who dont get an MA place initially, and are on the waiting list, be patient places do sometimes become available. Xx

Good luck to all those auditioning in next few days. I know if not successful, associates receive feedback with a phone call from one of the panel - can be a bit of a wait for this and may take weeks, not sure if non associates get a call. Looking forward to seeing all those yes's. Xx

My dd wore her Elmhurst tracksuit to her final audition but many others were wearing RBS tracksuits. Most importantly make sure dd wears a leotard that she finds comfortable and wont fidget in. Good luck to dd. Xx

So sorry to hear this Taxi, Curious, and Loulabelle. It must have been a heartwrenching decision for them all, and just as heartbreaking for you all too. I wish your dd's success in their 'plan B' hope any injuries have healed/are healing, and thank you for all your valuable advice over the years. Xx

The trouble these days is trying to get an appointment with the same GP to follow through diagnosis and treatment!!

You can end up tying yourself in knots trying to work out who and why individuals get finals/mids places over others. Dd was JA for 2 yrs didnt get RBS final for yr 7 but got mids place from waiting list. Never made RBS final for yr8 but got a place at another vocational school - same story for 2 of her friends also. So, never give up. Things change very quickly. Once places have been offered in March/April and places are acceptanced/declined - remember some dc will be offered several places - then all the movement starts happening on the waiting lists. Places are sometimes offered from Easter Intensives and Summer Schools. Good luck everyone, xx

Elmhurst junior ss runs for 3 days end of August and is very good and not just ballet. Xx

Thank you TooTu. Xx

Dd would like to do OPES this summer but can't find it advertised anywhere at the moment. Does anyone know when they advertise the dates and open applications?

DD has a piece of string on her bedroom wall that was for hanging Xmas cards and has silver metallic mini pegs on it that she uses to clip photos/favourite scrunchies etc to it. She will be taking this to pin around her pinboard by her bed. Also her younger sister has put together a going away box containing a mirror, academic diary, battery operated fairy lights, pens, sweets, photos, Bluetooth speaker for listening to music with friends. Some books, ballet bookmark. She currently has her eye on my peppermint foot soak/spray - I think I might lose them !! We don't leave until Tues, dd first time awa at boarding school but think she will be ok , she is very excited. I think I will be the one with the hanky!!

Hi there, Ballare School of Performing Arts In Saltash run by Laura Fleet is a great dance school - ballet modern, contemporary, jazz , lyrical, stretch, Several pupils in last few years gone to Elmhurst, Also does festivals - this is only recently, but good results coming through. Also have Elmhurst associates run in Plymouth and RBS associates run at Dartington. Depends on what you are looking for. X