balletbean

So sorry to hear that the alarms were activated yet again. May I suggest dropping an email the Secretary at NBS so she too can spread the word to other parents that may not be on this forum. I do hope uS management take control of this totally intolerable situation. One day the alarms may well be needed but could be treated aa another false alarm 😔

Happy to help. ps. Sat midday/pm best pickup time. To enable laundry and other domestic duties to be completed before escaping, so they return clear headed sun evening ready for the new week ahead with no outstanding chores. A homemade treat from home also goes down well 😋. Enjoy.

The other option for a weekend escape is checking into Premier Inn or similar at Media City. Soak in the tub. Big double bed and a cooked breakfast can be the best remedy and avoids the repeat drive to and from home. Cost of fuel for the round trip v’s cost of hotel can balance out in the end. I actually used this method in the 1st spring term when home sickness kicked in. I thought it was the safer option than bringing them home as it’s harder to send them back afterwards. Media City is a lovely area for a walk & a chat just the two of us at the weekend as it’s so quiet. I appreciate the recent experience isn’t quite home sickness but the above is probably the best medicine anyone can prescribe when life in Halls is getting too much especially in those early days.

Please rest assured it should all settle down. Freshers week like @Glowlight said is always going to be loud. No matter where the students live. It’s not unique to Medlock just very challenging to NBS 1st yrs as they are still so young. Definitely keep an open dialogue with the staff though to ensure that after this initial week that they adhere to their policy. After-all you are a paying rent the same as everyone else. ps. NBS pupils have also been known to accidentally set off the smoke alarms due to their inexperience in the kitchen. 🤨

Perils of being a graduate. Getting lost when out and about auditioning. If my darling DD had managed to lose her sense of direction in London I could understand. But nope, my darling DD managed to get lost between her airport hotel and the terminal at 5.55am this morning in Gatwick. Calling mum for help! Mmm. My mummy skills are pretty good but that one failed me completely. Resulted in missing the flight! 12 hrs later just about to board next flight home. Bless ‘em all. 😏.

Just picking up on your last question. Some institutions are flexible. I know of one MT pupil that left her academic school post yr12 so no final A levels and was offered a place on the degree course. The private colleges could have more of a say on their application process than those accessed via UCAS but I suspect that each case would be dealt with on their own merit.

Oh bless her. I remember those days. Hopefully will settle down. The alarms used to be activated below NBS by one of the many eateries. And yup the pupils do turn heads as they evacuate in rather limited clothing huddling together on the pavement in the rather lovely northern winters. 💦🥶

I concur with everything you’ve said. Having seen friends DC head off to the big named MT colleges post GCSE’s & A levels over the past few years it’s been interesting to watch how their careers have taken off post graduation. Last yrs younger male graduate took to the Westend stage in a major new production only last week for his first ever contract! So being young upon graduation isn’t necessarily a hinderance. However……. that being said. It’s how they reach graduation day that must also be considered. The main challenges I have seen and heard about directly is that because the 16yr olds are in the minority when they start, whilst they can generally hold their own in the studio, at the bigger institutions they can ‘get lost’. Sometimes staff can ‘forget’ just how young some actually are. There’s a lot of growing up and maturing done between 16-18 both mentally and physically. As we are all probably aware, the latter being more so for the boys than the girls. Whilst classical pupils aim & focus upon graduation is to join a company be that in the UK or across Europe. It’s still a company so that becomes their extended family. The MT graduates are literally out on their own upon graduation day. For want of a better word they are ‘freelance’. 19 is a scary time to be out on your own seeking work, one contract to another from as little as one weekends events to the much sort after stability of a prolonged contract of 6/9/12 months. That’s before they have to think where the work is in relation to their home address. Not that I’m saying graduating at 21+ is any easier. The only difference being maturity and increased life experience that can help them on their way. And yup, I’m mum to a 2021 graduate, who only turned 19 the week she graduated 😱

I would just like to add that from my experience (also an NBS graduate mum) that any school that doesn’t schedule A levels into their timetable it would be incredibly hard both physically and emotionally for students to find the time (incl sourcing a tutor) & energy to study A levels in their own time including finding the funds for those additional costs! Not forgetting then requesting time off school to sit the examinations. Schedules between the two institutions may well clash. My DD found that the diploma created enough written work all on its own! It is after all the vocational equivalent of a BA(Hons). 👩‍🎓

For anyone that attended the 2 day intensive at the beginning of the summer checkout NBS FB page. They’ve just posted a short video clip of the students in action ☺️🩰

I understand. We are in the Channel Islands so another island community albeit smaller than Cyprus. Manchester is a busy city I can’t deny that. However they do stay very close to home and only tend to go out with others even when it’s just to the shops. It’s so difficult to know what’s right but just be rest assured that whatever you decide as a family will be the right one for you. I supported my DD throughout the audition process whilst being open and honest with her that if she was successful she was still able to change her mind right up until the beginning of the term that she could say no and stay at home for her A levels. Needless to say she didn’t but found that open conversation reassuring. Auditions take place so far ahead of the start, a lot can change in between. You know your DD best we can only offer info from our experience through this forum. I wish you all the best. 🤞🏼🍀

Hi. NBS as you said, isn’t boarding but the accommodation on offer is less than a 6min walk from the school. The fees for NBS reflect that it is not residential. The cost for the accommodation is competitive in relation to what a regular Uni student would be paying. There are already a couple of students from Cyprus in what now will be the 2nd & 3rd yrs. Definitely not MT though they do schedule singing lessons into the timetable, just to enhance their overall training as a supportive skill whilst allowing the pupils an opportunity to be able to read sheet music proficiently. The flats are allocated to NBS pupils. Staff on hand incl 24/7 security and maintenance crew. All in blocks that are only accessed with swipe cards. Shops for food incl pharmacies are nearby. We too don’t live in the Uk and I was apprehensive with my DD being away and independent just 2months after she turned 16. It is challenging for them, there’s no point saying it isn’t but wherever they go the change is significant but the friends that they make and the domestic skills they acquire (in their own little way!!😉) has certainly helped my DD mature and prepare for the outside world but still in a protective bubble of both school and her flatmates. Though they are classed as living independently, I’ve always found that the girls that share the flats work together as a team. Be it the cooking, the cleaning and the laundry🙂Call it team work. The convenience to Manchester Int’l airport was also an added bonus.

Hi. I’m not too sure where you are based so another school to potentially research is the Northern Ballet School in Manchester. The school is a short drive by cab away from the international airport or accessible via the regular bus service that stops right outside the Dance House(NBS). Not all pupils start at 16yrs, they have a more flexible approach as some apply after taking their A levels at 18yrs, however all pupils study a variety of genres through their first year including taking RAD & ISTD exams where deemed appropriate then split into Jazz or Classical focus for the remaining 2yrs on a Diploma level 6 course. I appreciate your daughter is ballet focused but NBS might just be another option to consider. Despite its name there are no academic examinations ie A levels on the curriculum unlike Tring and others. Small yr group of about 27 so overall the school is close knit with a full register of just under 90. Funding is offered in the way of a DaDa but as that is operated by UK Gov, pupils from outside the Uk jurisdiction are reliant on their own finance scheme . About a handful of pupils in each year are from Europe ie Spain & Cyprus. There are also a number that live within a commuting distance of the school. No difference within the school of where anyone lives. The remaining pupils reside in their own self-catering flats within ‘Halls’ used by the very large number of university students within the city, literally around the corner from the school. If you would like to know more please don’t hesitate to ask. DD has just graduated from NBS 🙆‍♀️🩰☺️

Hi. Nothing unusual in your question at all. We were like you when my DD’s reached about the same age as your DD. They both attended a lovely local dance school in a purpose built studio where their Auntie taught. Perfectly lovely for those pursuing dance as a hobby/pastime. They reached an age where they wanted more out of their lessons. First my eldest moved and before I could blink my youngest wanted to move as well. I must admit emotionally it was challenging as we were heavily committed to the first studio due to our family connections . However, as I was paying the fees and I could see my girls were outgrowing their studio we made the move. Never looked back. They have both thrived. The opportunities just fell at their feet at their new studio. I say new very loosely. It’s the oldest dance school in the island with a building to match! But the teachers skills and knowledge far outrank the appearance of the studio. Performance opportunities /festivals/competitions and more importantly there was a routine schedule for exams. Not solely based on their age/class but in their individual ability. No regrets at all. DD’s have thrived and have both graduated their respective choice of US & MT college. Which we didn’t know would happen at the time they moved. Just evolved but with hindsight there were possibly big hints at the time that I didn’t pickup on. My message to anyone that is considering a change. If you are considering a change then it’s the right time to change. Just remember, which I’m sure you will to have that conversation with your DD about additional friendships, travelling time and homework etc. As well as the impact on family (siblings if any) life if it will take up more time on the ‘commute’ Whilst also doing some discreet enquiries on space availability at any potential studio before raising your DD’s hopes only to find out that there’s no room at the inn 😉 ps. Don’t forget to factor in the notice required to be given to your current studio or you may have to forfeit a terms worth of fees 😕oh and of course the additional expense for the change of uniform! 💸💸 Good Luck in whatever you decide. 🍀.

Fantastic news. I’m so pleased for your son 🤩🤩🤩

Thank you. ☺️

Well our time at NBS drew to a close yesterday with an amazing showcase and graduation ceremony. Despite a significant number of pupils still in isolation with just 10 days to curtain up, many would have thrown in the towel and decided that the show could not go ahead. But nothing was going to stop them. I’m proud to hand over the baton to the new intake of pupils this Sept, safe in the knowledge that no matter what life throws at them whilst at NBS the pupils are supported and encouraged by the staff to never give up. A valuable lesson not on the timetable. 💃🏼🕺🏻🤩

Thank you. Very positive experience. DD was happy and that’s what counts, which obviously helps with confidence going forward 🤞🏼

Thank you. Made it to the 2nd day and then was cut at the last round. So close yet so far. Loved the experience though, still smiling. Onwards and upwards as they say.

Thank you, so kind of you. Crazy couple of days. DD’s birthday was yesterday! Other non DD has an job interview tomorrow. I don’t think there’s enough tea in China that will keep me going today 😂🫖🫖🫖

When your DD attends her very first pro audition on your birthday!! 😱 You are so nervous you polish the entire house top to bottom and even the cat, if you had one. 🤣 Oh my days this is worse than auditioning for US 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I do hope so. My son lives in Perth and we have to be very careful when sending him parcels.

I understand how frustrating it must be but it’s an issue that Channel Islanders have had for years with goods coming over just from the UK. Not that I’m trying to make Brexit any less frustrating or painful for those affected. We have to declare the value of all items being sent to the UK (last time I checked the limit before tax was £30!). It’s a nightmare to ship students belongings back and forth as both Uk Gov and ours try to claim tax on all their belongings. Even the much loved and rather fragrant old dance shoes!! Tax on new goods ordered are based on not just a single parcel but taxed on the accumulative value of several goods if they happen to arrive all on the same day? Ordering costumes over a couple of days to ensure you avoid the tax allowance, doesn’t work either as you discover that the goods all arrive on the same day! Customs eyes must light up as can claim their pound of flesh! 💷💷💷 Sneaky and unwelcome tactic. Our Tax can also be on-top of the UK VAT as there are still so many companies that don’t remove the VAT.

Oh wow, that’s great news for your DD. 👏🏻

Besides the inevitable ‘kit list’ from RBS. Besides that just celebrate your DD’s achievement in being awarded a place at White Lodge. Awesome achievement. That alone shows that she already ‘fits in’. Anything else could be deemed superfluous. Congratulations and best wishes to your DD. ☺️