Tiaramum

The intensives are still going on so maybe not announced as yet. 

20 hours ago, Evangeline said:

Hi, does any of you know if the participants of the summer intensive that would like to be considered for full time programme get a feedback or not at all? My daughter said she saw a lady taking notes one day but not sure if we will receive any feedback. Thank you 

It doesn't happen a lot but they will see potential and offer a place based on what they see. Maybe one from the summer schools every year. Sadly there is no feedback - this is the same if you have a vocational space there!

There is limited signal at WL (and the 4g signal is horrendous) so don't worry too much if you don't hear from them. Any problems and the houseparents will be in touch. 

Just speak to reception and they can guide you towards ordering a taxi for picking up 

1 minute ago, NotadanceMa said:

How very odd indeed and how desperately unfair for those Y9 students. It makes absolutely no sense to me at all doing this I’m sure it cannot make any to you either. It must feel so much worse.

im being careful with my words as I really want the thread to stay open so we can discuss these areas.

Yes I have friends with children in the new Y7 cohort and yes it definitely is a 3 year program. 

It does really make me wonder if other training in the U.K. might change in line with this.

I find the contradiction from the AD of RB a strange one; there is a new video release from him talking about not wanting students they select to pursue competitions here or abroad and yet I am assuming it is the PdL and similar competitions that international students are selected from to fill the assessed out spaces. 🫤 

Yes, exactly this. The video of him talking about comps is a few years old now and is as you say a big contradiction. I've tried asking the question but have not had a reply!

So the new programme started in Sep 21, all existing students moved onto the new programme regardless of where they were in the old programme. The old programme ceased to exist. 

So the current year 9's were not assessed out (this has been made very clear by the school), they "graduate" from the foundation programme tomorrow. The ones leaving sadly do not have a place on the pre development programme which starts in year 10. This year 9 group have been the guinea pigs for the new structure. 

Does that help? 

I believe that the new year 7's that started in sep 21 have had it made very clear that they are only there for three years. 

14 hours ago, Neverdancedjustamum said:

Aren’t the current Y9s the first to be under that new set-up? In which case someone on this forum had previously mentioned that about half of the girls were not offered a Y10 place and of those staying, only 2 are British. I could be wrong but I seem to recall reading this on another thread, perhaps the one that was locked. I’ve heard of

14 hours ago, NotadanceMa said:

No they’re not. The program started in Sept 21

9 girls and 3 boys were assessed out for Y10.

we knew many of them and lots of them will be starting new vocational training places in Sept. 

the numbers for Y11 too but would be hesitant to put on here as it’s been pointed out in the past that I don’t have a child who’s gone to that school plus this thread might get locked if it gets too specific. 

The programme started in Sep 21 which makes the current year 9's the first cohort through this process. Only 2 of the girls staying are British and british trained. All places have been filled by internationals. The AD didn't attend his own spring intensive. The AD stood there on parents day when our cohort was in year 7 and PROMISED us anyone leaving would be aware there were issues and they would keep us fully informed. This is categorically not true. All of the girls leaving had received excellent reports, high praise and all had Exceeding for Professional Application and work ethic. We were told on more than one occasion how strong this year group is. Those leaving who wished to say in vocational training have all been offered places at the top schools in the uk. There has been a lack of support for the dancers and their families from RBS. 

I'm more than happy for anyone to PM me for more details. 

In saying all of this I would not take these 3 years away from my own dd and she would be the first to say she would do it all again. Oh its a rollercoaster but on the whole she has loved every minute of her time at WL. She has made life long friends, created some amazing memories, danced in the best studios, her education results are great, its given her more maturity then her counterparts who have remained at home, we;ve had more quality time as a family with her during her down time. Just take each moment as it comes, take the reports with a pinch of salt as they don't mean a jot. The AD will choose international students over homegrown talent more times than not. Can I change this? No. Have I highlighted this to the powers that be? Yes. 

I will continue to make sure families are aware of what this journey entails and try to make sure no other family suffers like ours. Will I continue to champion my dd and her friends. Hell yes! I will carry on working more than one job to fund this journey. Whether she makes it as a professional or not we have given her the best opportunities in life and those lessons learnt along the way will help her in the future. 

There is a talk on All things Ballet by Ballet Boost tomorrow at 4.30. I'm sure this will be helpful and beneficial to all. 

14 hours ago, Kate_N said:

 

Different training styles suit different people. The British style is to work very slowly and steadily to create a clean pure technique. This shows in RBS trained dancers. And it's observably different from other national schools.

 

I don't think it's reasonable to deduce that on the basis of 1 young pupil's point of view & experience, the RBS is not a world-class ballet training school.

It maybe a world-class ballet training school but look at the data. Those UK trained dancers entering in Year 7 very rarely make it to year 11/upperschool. Our homegrown talent is getting bypassed and replaced by internationals - these internationals are then passed off as been RBS trained. 

22 hours ago, Theodore19 said:

I have always remembered  a phone call that my DS son made from WL. A boy from Japan had been taken into his year group after an overseas competition was asked to stand in front of the other boys and pirouette. 

He did several turns, and when he finished the teacher than shouted at the class. Why can't you do that?

My son replied because you haven't taught us!!!...

Why are talented driven, children picked from hundreds spending hours learning charactor dances and then assessed out and replaced with dancers trained overseas and them passed off as being Royal Ballet Students 

Yes this!!! And those in positions of authority at RBS won't answer the question. 

12 hours ago, Pas de Quatre said:

The personnel at RBS Associate scheme (usually Sylvia Hubbard) have always been very helpful in giving feedback to teachers of applicants, but they don't to parents.

Sylvia has retired. Victoria Collinson is the Associate Programme and Primary Steps Artistic Manager now. 

I agree with everything above. Enjoy these moments. Congratulations to you and your daughter. Start looking at vocational schools. Read the threads, if vocational school looks likely start saving NOW. Be prepared to ride the rollercoaster of emotions. Getting in is one thing, staying in (for WL) is another thing, competing against internationals, home sickness, etc etc. My advice enjoy been a JA, save every penny whilst you can, but let her take part in anything and everything that can help her - YBSS classes, ballet boost workshops, summer schools etc etc. Keep every door open. Try not to be sucked into the world of dance mums and remain true to you and your daughter. Enjoy the ride 

I can put you in touch with a mum of a boy starting Year 10 at Tring if that helps

2 hours ago, Kerfuffle said:

It’s totally a brand and not one that is particularly loyal to its customers from what I’ve heard! 

I love the wording of this. The customer experience has been far from ideal BUT I wouldn't take our adventures with Royal away and would do it again but with my eyes wide open perhaps

16 hours ago, Theodore19 said:

I can't help think that The Royal Ballet School is now a money making exercise. Every year they bring out more and more auditions world wide. On-line associates, for those not a JA etc. More and more JA sites. My son attended WL and it was hard enough then to get in, now they seem to let hundreds of children audition and attend  at a cost to parents when there are still 12 girl spaces and 12 boys. 

Its becoming a Brand rather than a school for the talented 😞

On 14/04/2022 at 16:44, No Pink Tutus said:

Have you had any luck? I’m also in need x

No luck for us I'm afraid, We've taken another school x

10 hours ago, Peanut68 said:

It sounds like an ‘International Scholar’ opportunity…(am I right in guessing your travelled from overseas? 

Congratulations to your son who must’ve shone at the Easter Intensive. 
 

Not directly relevant but….

I do personally question the constant desire by the RBS to seek overseas talent when they seem unable to train their own ‘talent’ to a suitable level to offer them a chance to continue up through the year groups at White Lodge or to join RBS upper school after perhaps several years training at White Lodge…suggests they think other training is better than their own…??🤔🤔🤔

 

Exactly this!! Nothing against internationals and firmly believe they should be included but not at the expense of UK dancers. It should be about talent, not where your from. 

My dd and three of her friends all start in September, they are all staying in the homestay option and cant wait.

The teaching is fantastic, so supportive and really focuses on each dancer. They all graduate with a place to go which is just amazing. We've had questions and its just been a quick phone call or email to the school and they always answer. 

I agree with Pinkpip100 - a hidden gem. I wish more schools were like this. 

Any questions please feel free to PM 

21 minutes ago, tutugirl said:

I do hope you get some accommodation. YDA is a wonderful school - Josephine Hollins is an amazing teacher . Good luck .

Aw thank you. We are really struggling at the moment and we have fallen in love with YDA. 

Good evening all.

We are desperately seeking a Homestay option for two dancers who will hopefully be starting year 10 at YDA in September. If anyone has any contacts with potential/current homestays we would be exceptionally grateful for any information.

Many thanks

54 minutes ago, Whiteduvet said:

@Waverleyit’s such a hard choice. But looking at the success rates for the current year 9’s which have been quoted here: Where have the new year 10’s trained? Is the vocational training in years 7-9 fit for purpose and worth the risk if so many are replaced by those who have trained elsewhere? Of course it works for some, but the odds are very much against you (at every school). 

 

I appreciate however that these may be theoretical questions based on money and availability to top teaching at home. I wish everyone all the best in their individual decisions. 

Very fitting questions. The new Year 10's look like many of them are from outside the UK. In that case why isn't our training good enough. Sadly we will never get that answer

20 hours ago, Coffeemum said:

Just to add, my dd wasn't at all unhappy at school, she had fabulous friends and was generally having a good time. But the result was an unexpected, unpleasant shock- not seeming to relate to her reports or teacher comments, so that's something to be aware of. Her very articulate questions weren't satisfactorily answered or explained in her zoom meeting so she feels a sense of injustice which a 13 year old shouldn't have to experience. If she had known there were serious issues, she would have worked on them, or worked differently. It's been explained clearly by her new/old teachers though, which makes me wonder about the communication of teachers at the school... Whiteduvet, you're right that vocational school isn't necessary if you live near other good training programmes, as we are lucky enough to. In fact, if I was armed with the knowledge I now have, I would have chosen this over vocational school. I feel for people wo don't have this on the doorstep though. My lasting impression is that the Schools aren't invested in each and every child in the right way. And I have experience of two, top vocational schools. We'll be leaving them well alone until at least year 12 now. 

I'm so pleased to hear she is doing well CoffeeMum. My own dd too feels a sense of injustice and as though she is now just a number in a political game of who can bring the money in. 

To those taking up a year 7 place at this particular school - enjoy the ride, enjoy the moments, just be very aware that no matter how amazing the reports are along the way, you will NOT be able to predict the results of the year 9 auditions. The chances are your child will not get a year 10 place and that needs to be part of your decision making. 

1 hour ago, ally6684 said:

Yes, but for Yr10 entry, so a bit of a long shot! Just want the wait to be over 😂

Us too - I hate the waiting

2 hours ago, Balletmummy18 said:

As a parent of dd who was told at the and of yr 9 that the AD felt she had no future in classical ballet and would not go on to upper school at the end of year 11 but she was not being assessed out .( it transpired the rest of the assessment panel strongly disagreed with  this opinion) We were given 1 week to decide whether she wanted to stay on as she was told she would be given little / no performance opportunities- I just wanted to say that the assessing out process/ end of programme  is not as straightforward as it appears .There was no indication 3 years ago that it was a new start for a new phase in 10/11 and the AD was true to his word regarding lack of opportunities and upper school  . It was hugely traumatic for my dd at 13 to hear his opinion and confusing for her to be allowed to stay on after the assessment…she felt like a total failure  especially given the naturally competitive environment of the school. 

I hope this is a unique experience - no other person in her year had this meeting and I desperately hope that the new programme will be transparent and accountable to stop this from ever happening again. 

(incidentally she chose to stay and gained a place at another prestigious upper school at the end of year 11)

It remains traumatic, stressful and often comes as a shock despite the promises. The differing opinions between staff remains a confusion for the dancer. We can all sit here and debate the ins and outs of children being let go at the end of year 9. As a parent I knew what I was signing up for but it doesn't take away the hurt, the disappointment, the anger, the shock. 

Yes the kids do see it as been assessed out, but thats where we as adults have to keep them going. We have to slowly change the way of thinking. There is two programmes of dance education at RBS Lower school. The general consensus of this wont change unless we all help correct these views. These young dancers have completed the 3 year programme successfully and will graduate from that programme. 

9 hours ago, Neverdancedjustamum said:

I’m sure I might be mistaken because I don’t have first hand experience but I assume at Y10 some of the main contenders would be from overseas. They’re at that age where their families would probably be more comfortable with their DCs boarding far from home and I’ve seen some exquisitely trained international dancers(who often come over for SIs here). I look at competitors at say YAGP, Prix de Lausanne, AGP, etc similar age to my DD but seem on a different level all together. If I were to hazard a guess, the ratio of UK vs international DCs inviter to a certain school’s finals for entry to Years 9/10/11 would be heavily skewed towards internationals. Correct me if I’m wrong, as I said, this is simply a guess. Perhaps the UK is slowly going that way and I’m noticing that every year, DCs who seem very extensively and intensively trained get those highly coveted Y7 places. 

Exactly this. The year 10 intake is much more internationally based. 

1 hour ago, Farawaydancer said:

That’s just assessing out with a different name. I doubt the year 9s who aren’t staying into y10 see it as anything else. (Unless of course they’re choosing to leave for their own reasons)

I appreciate your view, these kids have not been accepted into year 10, they have NOT been assessed out, they successfully completed the three year programme and you can't take that away from them. Yes they will be upset they are not able to stay on but they should equally be exceptionally proud of themselves