Jellybeans

I agree with Drdance. I have made several comments both on the forum and by pm to moderators about this in the past and I feel very very strongly that the best source of advice in dance or other injuries should be medical practitioners who can see the patient face to face.

I don't want to get into any heated debate about this, but there is one school that normally offers almost everyone that applies for lower school a place. Of these, 50 or so of the most talented CLASSICAL dancers are asked to attend an audition for funding and a very small few will be then offered an MDS. I asked my original question because i was keen to find out if this also happened at 6th form level and it seems that it does not.

Thanks, that gives an insight on what to expect - it all looks rather complicated. It is encouraging to hear that places are always awarded on talent at 6th form level. My dd will be auditioning for 2014 entry if she decides to go that route.

thank you for all the quick replies! Do I take it that if you don't get called for a physio at Rambert you are unlikely to be offered a place? I know that one of the schools operates in a similar way for lower school auditions. Edited to make more accurate

tulip, do you mean, therefore, that it is either yes or no to a place and some of the yesses will get DaDas? could all the yesses therefore theoretically attend, even if they didn't go on to get a Dada?

is there a "hierarchy" of offers for 6th form places in the same way as there seems to be for lower school places? for example, I assume the classical schools that offer Dadas offer a DaDa to those they perceive to be the most talented, then put the next level down on the waiting list for one. Do they also offer places straight away without the offer of a DaDa, i.e. to those that they would never consider for a DaDa? Are those on the waiting list for a Dada able to take up a place if they can afford the fees even if the offer of a DaDa never comes? how are offers made in the schools that qualify for student loans? Do they just offer places to the most talented and waiting list places to the next level and it is up to the families to sort out the financial side of things? do these schools also offer scholarships etc to the most talented? Obviously everyone can apply for a loan but whether everyone can afford the balance is different and presumably for many it is still too much. I know that funding is changing at the moment and this question isn't about the intricacies of the funding or how it may change but rather about the way in which the offers are made.

Is a physio exam part of the audition process for 6th form entry? If so, is it generally at the first or second audition?

Um, I do understand what soft blocks are used for and why. My point was that I didn't see the point of them if they were made to be too soft - for the very reasons stated by hfbrew and taxi!

I must admit to being a bit confused by this thread! What is the point of soft blocks if you make them so soft that they can be little different to slippers? My dd hasn't used them much but when she has she has found them to be fairly soft after one wearing anyway!

Good!

I would also be interested to hear what sort of feedback you get. Do they talk people individually and tell them if they think they should audition or not?

I wonder what rules the school uses to determine residency in Scotland? Could one move there at the time of the auditions, for example, or simply rent a property in Scotland, or have a second or holiday home on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond?

I would say that the quality of pastoral care is what I would look at first and foremost! Children are very adaptable and would probably be happy almost anywhere as long as the adults looking after them are sympathetic and approachable.

Is it possible to tell without an assessment by a physiotherapist or similar what it is that is limiting those with less than perfect flexibility and if there is potential for it to be improved? Would you say that generally speaking it isn't really possible to improve flexibility much beyond the age of about 12?

Well, I was kind of wondering how you know these things are happening by looking at the shoe and/or the dancer while en pointe!

Can you tell by looking, either at the dancer or the shoe, if the shoe is giving too much support, and if so how? Is this what is meant by sinking into the shoe?

I can't see a problem with going to the WL audition, although presume you would have to tick both boxes. If your dd did end up being offered a WL final, you could always turn it down if thet isn't what she wanted. The school would be happy to help you, though, as they are very approachable, so if you want a definitive answer it may just be best to ask!

Anjuli, I was particularly interested to know if there are any particular technique issues that cause the shoe to break in any particular way.

This is a spinn off from the thread about how long shoes last as it was probably lost in there! What is it exactly that breaks a pointe shoe? I know that poor technique can make a shoe break/wear out in certain ways, but what causes what, exactly? Does the way you dance effect the life of the shoe as well as the amount you dance? Does the fit of the shoe have anything to do with it?

And I have another silly question!! What is it exactly that breaks a pointe shoe? I know that poor technique can make a shoe break/wear out in certain ways, but what causes what, exactly? Does the way ou dance effect the life of the shoe as well as the amount you dance?

I did not mean that it is not worth considering a career, I meant that it is probably not worth making major, life changing sacrifices at that stage. it must be remembered that while funded places are few and far between, so are jobs, and, perhaps, it is a vocation best followed only if the path is ready paved for you! this may mean that young hearts may be broken, but they mend easily at that age as well!

People do go to extreme lengths and there was another story a while ago about a family who sold up and moved in with grandparents. I think this is a very personal decision as it would put incredible pressure on other family members and also on the dancer who would feel under pressure to to be successful. I think the quays made a good point in saying that a truly talented child would not have to make such sacrifices as funding etc would be readily available and for others it is probably not worth considering!

I have just heard through the grapevine that a new girl arrived at Hammond at the weekend. I do hope that that means Famcandance has had good news!

Yes, a bit clearer! Many many of the threads on here change direction but I am sorry if I upset you, lildancer, by asking question.

Well, I was right about one thing - it is complicated!! It's a good idea, though, to teach by ability rather than age as I know they are not always parallel. What of year 10 (presumably 4th form) ? Could they also be in with 6th formers?