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

56 minutes ago, Dancing Kitty said:

 

This was for RBS as far as I recall as that was what the thread was referring to at the time.  She has recently told me that she in aware that a number from Years 7, 8 and 9 have unfortunately been unsuccessful in this year's assessments.  Sad times for a number of families.  Hoping that places can be found at other schools for those who wish to continue with vocation training.

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. 

On 07/02/2019 at 22:05, Dancing Kitty said:

DD knows someone with a finals place for Year 10.

Dancing Kitty is that for RBS or Elmhurst? Xx

Good luck everyone, xx

On 24/04/2018 at 10:22, amos73 said:

 

Hi TBG

 

DD went last year. She was in the younger group then - she thought there was too much free time, although she had lots of fun in the free time, but she wanted to be dancing more (this year she would be in the next group up age-wise and they seemed to have less free time if I remember from the schedules).

 

She didn't mention the class sizes being too big. Other summer schools she did were similar size. She did feel she got corrections and thought some of the teachers there were outstanding and she learned a lot from them. She had great fun and made loads of friends. It is a fab opportunity for kids at vocational schools to meet kids from other vocational schools. Lots of running around on the grass in the late evening sun etc.

 

She got awarded a scholarship this year but unfortunately wont be able to take it up, but would still def apply in the future. I would be really interested to hear from anyone who does go, how this year's format compares, and if it has changed a lot under the new directorship.

 

Hope this helps.

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

6 hours ago, balletmum20 said:

I know it’s very strange, just shows don’t give up!!  Well done @amos73 proud of both our girls 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. 

2 hours ago, dancefanatic said:

I feel the AD at my DD’s school knows all the students, even though he does travel a bit too. I know when he is in school he often watches classes through the windows, is at all prelim auditions & finals, fills in teaching if a teacher is off ill, is st school performances etc. In fact my DD says he knew her name before she even became a student. I know this doesn’t means all other parents would agree with me but I think he does a good job and is trying to get the school’s name out there worldwide which can only help future graduates when looking for contracts if the school has a good reputation. 

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

10 hours ago, JulieW said:

I find think you'll get an answer TBG - I just clicked on Sue's name to look at her profile and she hasn't visit this site since 2016!

Ok, thanks JulieW  Xx

On 04/11/2014 at 15:05, Sue Brett said:

Anyone with that diagnosis has my sympathy! My DD has scoliosis and we have been through the mill with it. One problem is that advice differs according to what area you are in and who you are talking to. She was diagnosed at 14 and her consultant wanted to put her in a brace (in their view she fell, just, on that side of the borderline in terms of curvature). We found out that other consultants in other areas (eg Edinburgh and Nottingham) would not have advised the brace, which is pretty barbaric and has to be worn 23 hours a day. The brace only prevents worsening, and does not straighten an existing curve.  Bearing in mind the psychological effect that this might have had on a teenage girl, we took advice from a number of others, from Alexander technique to sports physio and even the own hospital's physio, and decided not to go with the brace. The consultant was a bit reluctant but on a second viewing, said he thought it was not too aggressive a curve, particularly as her growth appeared to be slowing. She continued with her ballet and exercises and they agreed at a six month check that the curvature had stopped worsening. A year later and they think it has actually improved. I'm sure ballet has helped, along with specific exercises.

However - it was quite frightening and our experience showed that it is a common condition, esp among girls, with much probably going undiagnosed. It does seem to 'affect' ballet dancers as we came across a few others, some via this forum, with the same condition. Some people have even asked if ballet might have contributed to it. I suspect that it is more visible and more likely to get spotted in ballet-dancing girls, but I'd be interested in any views on this.

 

On reflection it should have been caught earlier - her y7 teacher at vocational school constantly complained she had one shoulder higher than another yet did not think of referring her for physio or considering it might have had a physical cause. 

 

And Daria Klimentova is another dancer with the condition - when she retired this year she said she would continue to do pilates and yoga due to her scoliosis.

 

Anyway, we are lucky it does not cause great pain, unlike some, (fingers crossed) and she can live with it - but will always have to manage it. 

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

5 hours ago, lspendl828 said:

DD at Elmhurst finals on Thursday. Any thoughts about wearing her JA (Royal) tracksuit on the day? Easy to change in and out of but maybe not appropriate??

 

Definitely not wearing her JA leotard - got a nice leo in a colour that suits her.

 

Be glad when this is all over and I can stop obsessing about every little detail! My hubby is so grateful I've found this forum......

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

On 13/04/2013 at 16:23, Anjuli_Bai said:

The medical art at that time was to treat the entire patient - and that's where a good GP even today is an important part of medical practice.

 

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

On 14/02/2018 at 12:25, lspendl828 said:

 

I must admit, that I thought the Mids places were more likely to go to the DCs that got Finals but I'm happy DD's still in with a chance.

 

Well done to your DC.

 

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