balletbean

That’s great news. So pleased New Medlock came through for you. Great place to start your DC’s new chapter of their life at NBS.

Apologies @Rachel I did edit my post slightly but appear to have missed the save button. My comment was really directed as to those living away from home (Halls). However, there are some pupils at NBS that do work at the weekends but they tend to be the ones that are living at home with their parents & commuting in daily to NBS. Therefore they are able to continue with the same employer during term time as they worked for during the holidays.

Hi. Additional funding maybe available depending on your geographical location. Trusts/Bursaries and other scholarships could be on offer through your local education/arts council, theatre or your local church it’s amazing where some benefactor's can be found. Well worth making enquiries. In answer to your second question. There’s just not enough hours in the day or energy left to work during term time whilst being a full time pupil at NBS. Many do holiday jobs though.

3rd yr already! Gosh how time flies. Best wishes to your DD as she embarks on her final term at NBS and her future wherever that leads her post graduation.🌎 🤩

That is good news. Pleased for you. New Medlock is so convenient for NBS. As we know the majority of students on a 3yr degree course graduate the yr they turn 21, so that’s nearly all of the uS students/tenants. Bless uS staff. Can’t be easy for them. Its not just the NBS pupils for their age but also religion, single sex or alcohol free/vegan only flats and then of course international uni students who want to stay together. all to accommodate. 😉. You are doing well. Keep that dialogue going. Paid off so far Checkin day a tin of biscuits for the staff goes a long way 😊

Hello, I don’t have a current student at NBS but do have experience with uS, at New Medlock and Parkway Gate Is their website saying full or have you spoken to staff directly? They do block off flats once there is at least one NBS pupil accommodated, which might not be reflected on their website. Rooms can become available on A level results day as some students may not receive the grades they need to attend the uni of choice however, that would only provide a room in a flat of other older uni students not NBS. Possibly the same could be said for another 1st yr NBS pupil that doesn’t receive a DaDa but did pay a deposit for a room. Could be worth maintaining a dialogue with the staff directly. I appear to have deleted New Medlock’s direct number but I do have the number for Parkway Gate if required. They are literally next door to each other. Rather than the generic uS number. Good Luck.

First of all. Congratulations to you daughter on a fantastic audition season Stella Mann - Eldest DD trained at SM 18+Found Bedford budget friendly for food shopping as there are many options, however the only accommodation on offer for SM pupils is in private rental. Many rents don’t include in council tax, utility bills, Wi-Fi, TV license etc. so please research these additional cost very carefully. NBS - Youngest DD trained at NBS from 16yrs I acknowledge that the accommodation may initially appear not exactly budget friendly however, the price is fully inclusive of all of the above costs incl a weekly cleaner in the common areas as well as the kitchen/living room of each flat. There is also 24/7 security, maintenance and welfare checks as and when required. Helpful and reassuring when your DC is “home alone” due to sickness. Staff (Unite Student/uS ) will pop in and check during the day when everyone else is out. If you are seriously considering NBS it is best to reserve a place in one of the Halls as asap. Closest is Artisan, then New Medlock and next door is Parkway Gate all operated by uS. Reception is staffed during the day to collect parcels and to answer any questions/queries. The latter two are about 6/8 minute walk from NBS. Can’t offer any comment on those operated by Dwell. There is high demand due to the significant number of uni students in that particular area of the city. Hope that has helped, even just a little bit. ☺️

Congratulations to all the NBS pupils who performed at this years MoveIt. Just watched the wonderful performances online, hoping that you are all proud of your achievements🤩 👏🏻👏🏻

The uS staff openly admitted to me that they would prefer to have all their flats filled with NBS pupils. Quieter more disciplined, considerate, polite. To name just a few. They were also in awe of the level of dedication. Out with the lark in the morning. Well turned out and not returning until early evening. Not quite the same for their other tenants😉. Hence why they are so accommodating (excuse the pun) to help out NBS. We acknowledge that like all teenagers and young adults no one is perfect and they can all have their moments but it’s reassuring to hear feedback from others outages the dancing bubble 😊

Congratulations to your DC on an amazing audition season. I can only comment on NBS accommodation. New Medlock is operated by uS (United Students). Used to be open to all higher education students but in recent years (since refurb) all tenants had to be a student of one particular university. Can’t recall which one. If they have done away with that criteria and open to all students. 1) As NBS students are younger than Uni students as soon as one NBS student reserves a room the flat is blocked off. Maybe not all 1st yrs but more often than not that is the case. No choice on a particular flat just the type of room ie en-suite v’s shared bathroom etc will determine which flat you are allocated. They might already have a flat blocked off with an empty room. 2) They have a duty of care (age), errors do occur but if you maintain a dialogue with the staff any errors can be remedied promptly. ie Uni students placed in the same flat. 3) Early bird rates used to run until April 4) Contact them directly not through the main contact centre, as they will know the demographics of their upcoming tenants and understand NBS pupils needs better. . 5) As you didn’t mention Parkway Gate which is another uS property next to Medlock, not sure if that’s because it’s full or you weren’t aware of the property. 6) Book now, they understand the funding issue for NBS just as much as some new Uni students might not make the grade on results day and could lose their conditional place in Aug. The advantage is that NBS funding is confirmed before results day. 7) Artisan House, mentioned is even closer to NBS not that any of the others are far away. Newer build so the costs are reflected. As there are 100,000+ students within Manchester all seeking to find accommodation it’s best to reserve asap. With uS properties it is possible to pull out of a tenancy agreement (especially as this will be before the Aug exam date) especially if the decision is based on lack of funding not being available than to wait then try to source accommodation later on. You then might find the only accommodation available is further out and requires daily public transport. Due to the demands in the area. Hope that has helped a little. 😊 Happy to answer any more questions where I can. Ps. All new tenants are to sign a tenancy agreement. However, as your DC is under 18 you should be the one to sign the agreement. Sometimes, the agents require a gentle reminder. 😌

I’m not sure, my DD required a visa for China. The full work up. Which was repeated again upon arrival in the country. Incl the dreaded blood tests (she doesn’t do needles).😬 😅

I thought the audition medicals was just the standard additional cost to factor in. But wait until the graduate requires medicals for visas. They are on another level (cost) entirely. Blood tests/x-rays/ECG to name just a few. On the plus side, it’s like having an MOT so you can wave them off with some peace of mind 😊

I can’t see any reason besides the pupils own abilities that could prevent them from taking the exam. Each pupil is judged on their own merit for exams at NBS. Might just take a little bit longer for those that have trained in other boards ie ISTD/IDTA to be become more acquainted with the terminology and slight tweak in technique as the examination boards may vary slightly but by the advanced level I’m sure pupils would take that in their stride. I’ve had a quick look at RAD but can’t see any restrictions from their perspective either. 🩰😊. Hope that has helped.

Sounds like my DD’s experience. Walked into NBS for her audition. Greeted by big smiles from other pupils and staff alike. She came away from the audition saying she didn’t want to come home!! Loved her time there despite its challenges 😷. But definitely agree. Not all schools suit everyone. Just like how students select one University over another. Research and then stick to instinct. If it feels right it is right ☺️

With exam classes being even smaller. If I recall my DD joined 3 others for the final pre exam lessons. Pupils are only entered for exams based on individual merit rather than as a cohort. So each pupil has some control over their pathway. 🙆‍♀️

A few years ago, we were told by my DD’s ballet teacher not to apply as demand is so great. This mum never listened (oops). DD applied and was offered a place the summer she turned 15. So in answer to your question. If you don’t apply you will never know. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

This is a tough one. My DD didn’t choose GCSE as she personally felt it just duplicated on her RAD/ISTD training. She chose Drama instead as its a supporting skill to Dance. The students that did select the Dance GCSE & A level loved it mainly because they ended up teaching the teacher. The ‘dance’ teacher just happened to adopt the course by default as she was head of Drama. Her new cohort were already RAD Grade 6/7 and ISTD intermediate. I’d suggest to look beyond the written curriculum but also look closely at what training the teacher has for Dance before making any decisions.

Some might say that it sounds harsh but for many schools and colleges turning up is a sign of resilience. An inner skill & strength that dancers have to possess . Unless obviously it’s contagious or a messy illness 🤢. Not to say it’s ideal at all but their actions do indicate their attitude and aptitude that can’t be recorded on a cv, going forward into training and the profession itself.

Northern Ballet School Jazz Focus springs to mind. Ballet remaining at the core of their training but pupils train in other genres are in a wide and varied curriculum. The school are not fixated on age but rather the potential of applicants/their pupils. If interested @MrsMoo2 please look at the schools website for information on auditions.

Re NBS. They don’t specify a deadline for applications. Used to be first come first served for choice of auditions. Dates have been posted on their Instagram page. First one after the holidays is on the 20th January. One round. Results normally posted an about a week afterwards. Dada’s aren’t awarded until sometime after all auditions are held. Which for 2024 is the 2nd March. 🙂

So pleased your DD had a positive audition. Letters/emails tend to be sent out promptly, about a Week. DaDa offers are later. 🤞🏻

Aww bless you. I hung my dance shoes up more years ago than I can recall. I thought those days had left me but when the company invited me to have photos with them they all asked afterwards if I had danced in the past due to my posture and foot position. So sweet. 😊😅 xx Thank you for your kind words. I shall leave my account open. Happy to respond to private messages if I can be of any help with my experience as a parent of post grad audition process outside of ballet companies but won’t actively be following the forum if that makes sense. @Fiz, @Ballet4Boyz @Streetdancer, @Pixiewoo@meadowblythe, @Pas de Quatre @Mjdb I wish your daughter all the best. 3rd yr is amazing. Just remember those Kleenex. Xx

Hi all, I just wanted to come on here to say goodbye to everyone before closing my account down. I joined this forum back in 2017 (if my memory serves me correctly) when my DD auditioned for post 16 training. Through this forum I connected with a mum whose DD was also successfully offered a place. The girls shared accommodation throughout their 3yrs developing a strong bond that has seen them through many ups and downs along the way. As mums we’ve laughed and we’ve cried and celebrated together becoming good friends throughout this whole process, despite the distances between us. The girls graduated in the summer of 2021 and have been successfully employed as professional dancers since then. Due to the nature of her contracts it wasn’t possible until recently that I was able to book a trip to finally watch my daughter perform (which worked brilliantly as a surprise for her 21st). So the time came this last week, the distance was long the journey was tiring but it was all so well worth it. And yes, like all dance mums I didn’t forget to pack plenty of Kleenex😉 So as my journey on this forum seems to be complete I couldn’t go without saying a goodbye to one and all. To thank you for your support and wealth of knowledge has been immeasurable. I wish you all the very best in your journey through all of this and with whichever path may lead. ☺️

Ps. Have a drink at one of the many bars in Leadenhall Market where they filmed some scenes in Harry Potter, from there you can Walk across Tower bridge (glass floor messes with your senses if you choose to walk up inside the bridge 🫨) and eat your way around Borough Market including their famous Strawberries with chocolate. or Catch the Uber boat from Westminister which can take you to Greenwich to explore but would require more time. However just taking the Uber boat along the Thames would be pleasant way to escape the congestion. Last suggestion is to visit Camden Market Might have gathered what I got up to on my recent visit to London😉😄.

Activities I undertook whilst in London during SS’s. Buckingham Palace Tour, cup of tea out on the lawn. English guided tour of the Houses of Parliament 90mins. There are other options but this one is Well worth it. ‘Back stage’ tours of the Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, also other theatres within Covent Garden. All well worth it. Groups are small and so informative. Diva exhibition and the V&A museum. Fab-u-lous darling 🤩😄 can take walk ins but booking in advance is advisable. 😊