Mummy twinkle toes

2 hours ago, Ondine said:

 Unless of course they have a  different perspective  on those cases, different recollections. I believe this was mentioned. It wasn't 'balanced' in the sense that each case could be refuted in detail. 

 

How can they refute these stories? Several of the girls ended up hospitalised after comments from the teachers. You could argue the teacher didn’t intend the consequence but they should not have made derogatory comments in the first place. Then same teacher praising them for losing an excessive amount of weight so that teacher knew what was happening.

1 minute ago, Sim said:

That’s the point I was making.  There are more important issues to discuss. I wasn’t insinuating that things are fine just because no current students are interviewed.  I wouldn’t expect them to be. I was just giving an overview of the programme as requested by Geoff.  

Your summary came across as dismissive even if you did not intend it to be. I know there are even darker things to discuss so any programme that raises awareness is good. It also alerts parents that they need to keep an open dialogue with their dc

7 minutes ago, taxi4ballet said:

A lot of the mental health problems that students (and professional dancers) suffer are as a result of continually being told they aren't trying, they aren't good enough, they aren't ever going to get anywhere. That happens to many dancers, and isn't necessarily to do with their weight or physical appearance. Some students are utterly humiliated in front of their peers, and demoralised to the point that they can't even bring themselves to ask for help.

 

Another big issue is fear. Fear that if they say anything to their parents, then they will be taken out of the school, or that they worry they will have let their parents down. Fear that if they complain or stand up for themselves, their funding will be taken away or assessed out. The fear that nobody likes a troublemaker and if they become known for it, then they will never get a job. The fear that the one thing they live for and have dreamed of since they were a toddler will be taken away from them.

 

So they say nothing. I applaud the bravery of those who have spoken out.

Absolutely, these students and families have been brave. They deserve to tell their stories and not have it dismissed as ‘oh it was several years ago’. When you are trying to pick up the pieces it doesn’t matter how long ago it was. 

11 hours ago, Sim said:

That's your opinion. I would say three is several.  And I really don't want to get into a debate about it.  There are more important issues to be discussed.

With respect SIM any form of abuse should be discussed and is an important issue. Current students may not have wanted to participate for obvious reasons. 

Love Covent Garden and South Bank.

If you have more time then join the historic palaces for a year. For me and the children was around £80 but you can go then to Hampton Court, Tower of London and Kensington Palace everyday if you wanted. There are some others included too.

11 hours ago, Pointe21 said:

Thank you. That's interesting I didn't know it was 3 meals on a Sunday - thought it was brunch and evening meal. My Dd will be pleased, less cooking 🙂

May I ask what your Dd does with regards to a GP and dentist whilst at Chester House. Was thinking of getting private medical insurance too?

Thank you.

Dd had a brace fitted just before so carried on with our Orthodontist when she came home. She registered with a local GP. We had a quote for AXA health as a dancer but did not buy it. LSC also do some type of health cover but we never used it. 

My Dd kept a few plates, bowls, cups and glasses in room. There is room on the shelves. They do not need much as breakfast and dinner included weekdays. They get brunch and dinner on Saturdays and 3 meals on a Sunday.

There are fridge freezers in the kitchenettes.

1 hour ago, Anniedancemum said:

They’re only in a bit of the routines - the easier sections. I think some probably end up leaving in the end. They’re very successful at comps. 

However, there are comps which are debatable in terms of their value. There are local comps which some schools do that have very variable training standards and then big comps such as YAGP. There are schools near where I live that do lots of comps but only one that I would say has good training. Several just rely on tricks. 

Exams are not always necessary but teachers from a reputable exam board need to regularly enter pupils for exams to remain registered. The shouting is not acceptable either. If your Dd does want to consider vocational or even musical theatre training at 16, then correct training now is needed.

I would suggest taking a few trial classes elsewhere and look for a good associate scheme. 

Pineapple have their own children’s classes which happen on a Saturday and Sunday. They also have PPAs which is a kids scheme and includes ballet, jazz, hip hop etc. The link leads you to their Summer course and then their Winter term https://www.pineapplearts.com/spring-term-2022

It may be easier to get to Pineapple if you are travelling from N London than Tring.

Hi Balletdreams, I know how expensive it can be so consider where she is currently. What is she doing in those 4 hours- is it just ballet? Does that school have a history of successful students eg progressing into good vocational schools?

If this is her chosen path are you spending on other hobbies that she could stop to focus on ballet instead?

Competitions can be useful but several children go into vocational schools without being in them so don’t worry about them.

At 12, my Dd was due to go to lower school but dh was made redundant so we considered other options. She joint a youth company and this was invaluable as she got to perform with professional dancers. She was an associate on a Saturday and during the week studied RAD and Legat ballet. We saved so she could attend good SIs in the summer.

She went to upper school at 16. It is not easy and lots of her peers have lots more money than we do but there are opportunities for scholarships and grants along the way.

At 11, 4 quality hours plus associates can be sufficient. If your Dd is older then try to see if you can increase the hours. Helping out with junior classes may be a way.

Good luck.

My Dd has accepted a place and would be grateful to hear from anyone else who is going. 

My Dds did the BT one simultaneously with a different scheme and enjoyed it. If I remember rightly it was once a month on a Sunday and included contemporary. They both then attended Balletboost in London and my older one did their vocational focused ABA scheme. Both good schemes-ABAs was a Saturday and Bb a Sunday. Not sure if they offer ABAs in Hull. Bb includes contemporary.

As others have said just be open with both schemes.

Hi all,

My Dd is 18 and going but doesn’t know anyone else going. She was looking to see if anyone wanted to share an Airbnb or even a hotel room?

On 12/04/2023 at 17:18, Zara said:

How likely is it that you will get on the Yorkshire Ballet Seminar Summer Intensives if you are put on the waiting list! My dd has been put on the waiting list and I’m just wondering wether or not to book elsewhere for summer

We applied fairly late last year and joint the waiting list. Dd then got a place so there is movement.

You can also get duvets and blankets with your photos on. These can be a nice addition. Here is one site that offers: https://www.photoblanket.co.uk/personalised-duvet-cover?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19885558053&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_matchtype=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiZqhBhCJARIsACHHEH_uoO6ycb6dLp3sPLDG_h7x2CoE-Av6t1vBkBeb0agTdHPeb8HT6hEaAq5mEALw_wcB

RBS also offer JA for a day workshops so worth looking out for. It allows the children to try it to see what they think. These are throughout the U.K. Dd2 did it in Wales where there are no JA classes.

Elmhurst do an occasional day of dance workshops in Birmingham-these get booked very quickly. 

At both schools children will do ballet, contemporary and jazz. Hammond also do tap. Both schools offer RAD classes. Hammond aim for people to do their Advanced by year 11 in ballet and tap. Elmhurst, a couple of years back, entered 4 for their solo seal.

Hammond has the option for some children to just study academics and others to study theatre arts. 
Elmhurst has a smaller campus with limited outside space. There is a small green next to the car park and it is on a busy road. The boarding for lower school is on campus. Hammond, by comparison, is a bigger campus and the children get picked up after classes and taken to the boarding homes which are about 10 minutes away by car.

The course must be registered with SFE to be eligible and if it is then yes they will fund foundation degrees for 16 year olds. We had an offer for a school that was eligible for Scottish funding but not SFE or SFW. 

LSC take some older students as do many MT schools. DD’s classmates at LSC ranged from 16-21 when she started. The majority start at 18 there as they only recently accepted 16 year  olds.

There is also YDA, Moorland and the Hammond at year 7. It depends where you live as to what is available. Dd1 couldn’t go to vocational school in yr7 as my dh was made redundant and even with a good fee remission we couldn’t afford it.

Instead she did Elmhurst associates and in yr8 joint Bristol Russian youth co. The latter gave her show experience and working with professional dancers. 
She did lots of summer schools and during the week trained in Legat ballet and RAD. She went to upper school at 16. We didn’t do festivals but did do GDO and DWC. 

On 14/03/2023 at 16:38, Evangeline said:

Thank you. Year 7 …It’s a little bitter sweet knowing that even if she can get in to year 7 only very few remain for the next stage - year 10  and on. But for now we are of course very happy for her

Congratulations 🥳 At least you know that it may not be for 5 years (although it could be). You could view it as a middle school which typically end at year 9 and look at alternatives in beginning of year 9 and try summer schools yr8 at other ballet schools. That way it is not as daunting if you need to transition for year 10.

Good luck to you and your Dd.

They send it out but I think it was run by Unite. NBS arranged rooms with them.

On 15/06/2022 at 17:48, Peanut68 said:

Really sad that the dates do not work for DD....in fact, anyone know of any high level dance courses/masterclasses suitable age 18+ at end of Summer?? UK or overseas....

Masters and Bristol Russian courses are very good. Kings usually do a back to ballet SI at the end of August.

On 13/03/2023 at 17:03, sillysally said:

Hi all,

I'm interested in the 2023 summer offerings.  does anyone have experience of this course?  I think its non residential, where do the students stay?

 

Dd did last year and reapplied this year. She really enjoyed the course. Several of the students stayed in the recommended student halls. It has a gym and students have access to a kitchen. All rooms are en-suite. I think it was about £85 for the week.
Over the road is a Tesco Express and there are a few restaurants about 5-10 minute walk away. It took about 20 minutes to walk to the dance studios.

On Facebook it says that their BA will now be delivered in partnership with Chester University.