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balletbean

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  1. balletbean
    They’ve been trying to refurb Parkway for a couple of years. Obviously recent events have put paid to that 😷. The strange thing is that Parkway flats appear to be generally in really good condition but it could be based on what we don’t see rather than what we do 😉. Staff are great at Medlock. I’m sure they will look after the NBS pupils new and returning. When speaking to staff they always only gave compliments for them all as they are recognised as reliable, dependable and well behaved tenants. ☺️
  2. balletbean
    In answer to your question. Yes it is possible to be offered places at 16+ without attending any associate schemes. Just regular classes at a local dance school. I can understand your geographic position can be challenging just like mine. From personal experience my DD successfully applied two SS’s just as she finished yr10 so immediately preceding audition season. Then an audition workshop in the October 1/2 term of yr11. Graduates this year. ☺️
  3. balletbean
    They do and they have for US 😉
  4. balletbean
    If you or your DD use FB, maybe worth looking up Unites page. They post on a regular basis, mainly generic hints and tips for students across the country. Anything from safety/security to shopping/cooking on a budget etc. as well as useful info about checking in closer to the time 💻📱😃
  5. balletbean
    Absolutely, whilst not forgetting the holy grail, an EU passport! It’s a case of, if you ain’t got one forget it! To put it mildly 😕.
  6. balletbean
    After visiting friends on the 5th floor my DD mentioned how much quieter it was up there. She didn’t realise just how much a difference on the noise levels a few floors would make. Great friends and memories of her time in Medlock. ☺️
  7. balletbean
    Makes me laugh every time I see that sign. That’s great news about 5th floor in Block B. Whilst 2nd floor in A was convenient we did find the traffic noise level from the main road just below her window unrelenting. 🙉.
  8. balletbean
    That’s excellent news. Just for example Block A was about 5 floors (if my memory serves me correctly as my DD was only on the 2nd floor) with 3 flats per floor. Other blocks have slightly more floors but nothing compared to Parkway. 🏢😳 Each block has a central staircase and a generous size lift, with a sign inside that specifically requests no dancing! 😉 Wonder who that’s directed at. Lol.
  9. balletbean
    That does sound very promising. Maybe worth asking (if you haven’t already) what size the flats are that are being blocked off? I don’t know if it helps much but the mornings tend to be the best time to make contact with someone in the office or reception due to parcel/post deliveries. Well that’s from personal experience. Good luck for tomorrow. 🤞🏼
  10. balletbean
    Oh, not that it affects us this year but I honestly thought for an 8 bed flat there would be more than just 2 bathrooms. Good news about the returnable deposit though. Just to add:- For those considering the larger flats. I know they provide 2 x Fridge/Freezers for those of 6beds & over but worth checking on the ovens. Parkway kitchens only have one!
  11. balletbean
    Oh good luck on that one😉 I have one more at home who is currently in yr12 so researching unis!! 🤑🤑
  12. balletbean
    Oh bless you. Just keep reminding yourself (as many times as required) of all the money you’ve saved in time/fuel and studio fees when they were at home. 🤣 Just don’t think too much about what you were going to do with those savings🤣 Coming from an area with eye watering property prices I am probably one of the minority that actually thinks Halls are reasonably priced. (Can’t believe I said that!! Lol). Too offset the rent they can do their weekly shop at Aldi or Lidl. There’s also a large Asda but thats further away requiring return transport when laden down with shopping. They soon develop quite thrifty shopping skills incl taking a packed lunch. Then except for laundry their cost of living is relatively low (especially when it’s coming out of their pocket) they ain’t daft😉 😂
  13. balletbean
    Good Luck to all of those newbies. Exciting times ahead and sometimes overwhelming by us all. Possibly overthinking things (speaking from personal experience). The 1st yrs grow up very quickly and adapt to their new surroundings with such maturity (much to my surprise 🤣) whilst making new valued friendships.
  14. balletbean
    A message from my DD for all of those looking at Medlock. There are two more ‘Halls’ that have just been acquired by Unite even closer to NBS. If that was at all possible. Bridgewater Heights. Formerly Liberty Heights. And the brand new build ‘Artisan Heights’. There are some NBS pupils already booked in. They are apparently marginally more expensive than Medlock but they are newer so it’s swings and roundabouts
  15. balletbean
    A complete oversight on my part. Apologises. Congratulations to your DD and Welcome to the NBS family. ☺️
  16. balletbean
    Brill. We experienced that simple oversight from 1st to 2nd yr when NBS tweaked their term dates! 😉. Life lesson learnt.
  17. balletbean
    I understand your turmoil. NBS pupils are highly praised by staff at Medlock as good tenants, so they do try their best wherever possible. There are 2 bed flats with one shared bath/shower room. Obviously the larger the flat the more bathrooms there are. I appreciate it’s not the same as an en-suite (which are actually teenie) but as they are all NBS pupils sharing it sort of feels like no different to sharing the family bathroom at home. If that helps. Good Luck. Ps. Whilst the DaDa is still in the processing stage I would think that Medlock would accept an initial booking with just a deposit to secure a room. There used to be a delay before a tenancy agreement had to be signed and therefore locked into a financial commitment. After-all they know they will be full after results day in August for the uni students as Parkway looks to be unavailable. There’s the demand there so they won’t lose out. Oh, one last thing. Wherever you do book please check the dates of the agreement. NBS finish later in the summer than a uni. Some leases fall short by a week or two. Which can be overlooked at the time of booking. 😉
  18. balletbean
    Hi. Just jumping in here slightly. From my personal experience. We couldn’t view due to our geographical location but another student with her parents did and sent us a video. It wasn’t the particular flat that they would be sharing just a general view of one flat as they are all much of a muchness. Just varying in size and shape. There is an ‘early bird’ rate so many do book early. Including those that were awaiting a DaDa confirmation. I feel for you. NBS (unless specifically requested) will be accommodated together. There was an issue once when it was discovered a male uni student had been placed in one of the bedrooms in a flat of NBS girls. Quick phone call by just one parent was enough for the poor chap to be moved before he even before he got his key in the lock! Simple oversight on booking system. The staff are so supportive of the NBS pupils. Whilst there is a centralised booking system for Unite, Medlock & Parkway have their own direct telephone numbers with very helpful staff prepared to step up and sort any issues not just the students may have but any posed by a parent 😉 Staff are available 24/7. Either at the reception desk or when that is closed their security staff that patrol the complex. This was my first experience of ‘Halls’ so neither my DD or I have anything to compare it to. Nothing is perfect but as far as my experience of Unite I have no complaints. Yes, the kitchen units are a tad tired but they really are put through their paces by the sheer volume of students year on year out. However, the white goods are replaced when they think they do or when requested! They even replaced the mattresses when the girls mentioned that they were too lumpy (Princess and the Pea, springs to mind 🤣). Bless them all☺️
  19. balletbean
    Happy to help. I do have an old video I took of the kitchen/living room in Medlock if that helps. They are all much of a muchness. On the plus side the bedrooms at Medlock are generous in comparison to others.
  20. balletbean
    Ps. My DD did enjoy her stay at Medlock, the staff are great, however with hindsight we would have requested a flat over in possibly Block D or E and preferably on the higher levels. Having not visited the building we left it up to the staff 🙁 Block A where she was overlooked the main ‘Mancunian Way’ flyover. 2nd floor was a tad noisy to say the least 🙉.
  21. balletbean
    Hi. Just jumping onto your post if you don’t mind. My DD stayed in Medlock for her first year. There are 2 bed flats available with a shared bathroom. The larger flats do have 2 or even 3 bath/shower rooms. Especially when up to 7 are sharing. The early bird rates for bookings normally run until April time. With Parkway closing I can see why there is such a demand for Medlock. They were supposed to close Parkway last year fir refurb but for obvious reasons that never happened. En-Suite is obviously personal choice and budget. An en-suite is obviously handy. As it does mean there’s never an issue on having to wait to have a shower! I’m sure those that share would create their own rota that meets their needs. My DD and her flat mates are used to having their own shower rooms now but the same could be said if they had shared from day one they just would have got used to that as well. The NBS pupils don’t share (unless requested) with uni students. Unite accommodate NBS pupils together. So if there aren’t any en suite available they do share a flat and therefore bathrooms with like minded students, if you get my drift. Dwell is also used however from what I’ve seen the flats don’t always have a living room just a small kitchen then the bedrooms. So no communal chillaxing space. If I can help any further please just ask.
  22. balletbean
    Hi. Congratulations to your DD. My DD also started at NBS at 16. Currently in her 3rd and final year there. Happy to answer any questions you may have. ☺️
  23. balletbean
    I’m so sorry to hear about the rejection emails for your DD. Whilst the emails may say no thank you, rather than seeing it as an end to the dream, how about taking it as a no thank you at this moment in time? Rejection can be hard but one that can open up many more doors rather than shutting it all down. Just a couple of questions that don’t require an actual answer but ones to consider. Were the applications for schools of similarity? ie Purely classical route Or Have you considered looking/applying for schools/colleges offering a wider curriculum but still with a strong classical focus. ie NBS/LSC/RCS These schools also don’t have such a strict age criteria as the more traditional voc schools, as in they welcome dancers from 16 many going at 18 and even older in some courses. Maybe consider taking a breather from the pressure & disappointment to regroup and rethink then reapply at 18. Using the additional time to broaden ones training if deemed necessary and treat this experience as the dress rehearsal for the big event at 18. I wish you all the best.
  24. balletbean
    I was actually surprised and impressed that my DD kept the momentum going along with her flatmates. I think they all rubbed off of each other. Never wanting to be the first to ‘cave in’ and consume ready made/junk food. They often commented about the amount (junk food) Uni students bought whilst watching them (discreetly, obviously 😉) out the corner of their eyes at the local supermarket. Their motto Heathy food = Healthy engine (aka body & mind). ☺️
  25. balletbean
    Hi. Very good bullet points. I can relate to nearly all of them as my DD is currently in her 3rd yr at NBS. Unite have been very good. Ensuring only NBS students share. They made an error once and placed a 3rd yr male uni student in one of the flats vacant bedrooms. They were so apologetic when it was brought to their attention. Poor chap was moved before he could even put a key in the lock! Oh your number 7 struck a cord. Staff were fabulous both at NBS & Unite. It’s so hard after the long Christmas holidays spent amongst family whilst being pampered (meals/laundry as they seem to reverse to type once home🤣) to return to having to be independent all over again during this long dark Jan/Feb days. Bless ‘em all.
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