balletbean

Oh. That’s interesting, when I did research this pathway I was told no because the applicant was too young. Another frustrating factor is that many schools/colleges offer a Diploma Level 6. As we know it’s the vocational equivalent of a BA but doesn’t carry the same merit when seeking Student Loans.

From my research, no they can’t apply fur a uni route funding as the pupils are too young. Have to be over 18 which we all know at the time of starting US pupils are 16/17yrs. Parents can’t apply on their behalf either. Parents would have to seek independent loans from a reputable loan company but obviously that then holds the usual repayment arrangements as any loan would be unlike student loans. It is incredibly hard. Try your local authority for any Bursaries available in your area for some additional support.

Not too sure where you are residentially qualified so this info may affect you differently. A DaDa (Dance and Drama Award) is a UK Gov run funding scheme in the way of a grant. But only those in the UK or the EU qualify. So not too sure what will happen to those pupils after Brexit. ENBS was £17,400 pa back in 2017 for UK/EU residents. The school quoted £11,000 for maintenance (accommodation etc). Very hard to locate actual fees like so many schools as they clearly promote funding by way of a DaDa. There are pupils that fall in between the gaps of funding ie not UK/EU but also not classes as overseas either. ie Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands). RBS - the lady I spoke to was incredibly helpful and encouraged my DD to apply. We fell outside DaDa jurisdiction but not an overseas pupil either. . Reassuring that I wasn’t to worry about the fees as ‘we have plenty of very generous sponsors who support our pupils’. Never did manage to obtain details of the fees. It will really be a matter of where you are domiciled.

Happy to help. Same age as my DD when we took the photographs. Navy strappy sounds perfect. Definitely no embellishments. My DD also wore a belt as it held the leotard snug to her waistline. Some leotards don’t always fit where they should! Oh Bless, we’ve all been there. Teenagers and photographs. That’s why I leave them to their selfies.

Just to add. Don’t stress too much about the photographs. So many do. My DD has her photographs taken at school in the corridor of the Art dept by the Art teacher! It worked 😉 A tip (in case you didn’t know) I learnt from the teacher to take the images from an angle looking slightly up at the subject (crouch down a little ) rather than taking the image straight ahead of you. (Lengthens the proportions of the body). Every little helps. Good Luck.

Morning. Leotard and tights subject to age of applicant. Younger applicants would be bare legged for those pics as normally they would be wearing socks with their ballet shoes. Keep the leotard plain and simple. Pref thin straps no sleeves. Practice clothes also happen to be fairly subdued colours. So no pillar box red leotards! 😉 My DD wore convertible tights for her photos which enable the bare feet position and then En Pointe rather than changing into footless tights . And yes, you are correct. Images left and right are in pointe shoes the others are bare feet. Presuming you are applying for that age group. Younger applicants would be the images above. Hope that helped.

I totally understand but an academic route/career path later on doesn’t have to include a Uni and therefore huge costs. There are many occupations that now offer internships/scholarships incl bursaries to enable the individual pursue a career within the private sector. There could also be incentives by the Government to ‘retrain’ for roles within the Public Sector. Our local authority have recently offered retraining for potential Secondary School Teachers and Nurses. As these skilled staff are in desperate need. Bypassing their own Regulations that would exclude some candidates from applying due to costs as they had already accessed funding for previous Degree level courses/qualifications. My previous example was of a British dancer who was a graduate of RBS and now ‘retired’. Now settles in an American medical school very close to graduating. Times are changing so It’s just a case of knowing where to look when that time does comes. And of course whichever country our darling children happen to call home by then. 🌎

Hi. I invited my DD’s Dance School Principal home to have a chat over a cuppa. Away from distractions of the school and listening ears 😉 Very informative and helpful conversation. Weighing up going at 16 v’s 18 (post A levels). More importantly was it a viable option worth considering. It’s one thing to successfully gain a place at a vocational school/college but did my DD have the characteristics that would take her beyond the training and into the Performing Arts industry. It’s one thing to be a technically beautiful dancer (we’ve all seen them) but to have that drive ambition and sheer determination incl a very thick skin to survive. Obviously, ‘thick skin’ can grow over the years but worth knowing if the roots are there. We also had a conversation with a supportive teacher at school to gain an academic perspective on the situation. The Uni route was a serious contender as far as her predicted grades were but as far as a Degrees subject my DD hadn’t got a clue. Even choosing 3 A levels that didn’t interfere with her dancing was a challenge so it wasn’t that difficult to see where her mind was. Career teachers still do not understand that Performing Arts in all its genres is a career. So I would tread that path very carefully. Then there’s the question of:- 1) Do they want a regular pay cheque every month with a job of regular hours, stop dancing completely 😱 or keep dancing just as a hobby and a way of staying fit. or 2) Travel the world, love what they do and get paid for it but not have the stability of long term income beyond their current contract. There were many conversations over a period of time to ensure there was an opportunity for us to both think things through before making any decisions and counting the pennies 😉 We weighed up academic route and for my DD and we decided that she would ‘stock pile’ the best GCSE grades possible for a later date, if required either by choice or by circumstances beyond her control. Exams do not have an expiry date. There’s a life span to a dancers career but unlimited life in a more academic career, whatever that maybe. Friend performed in different European ballet companies for 8yrs and is now in Medical school, but takes ballet/Pilates in her spare time (as if medical students have such a thing😂). You can have it all, just have to prioritise what has age limitations and what doesn’t. Just don’t go through life with “what if mum had let me” coming back to haunt you in years to come. Good Luck with whatever you both decide on Ps My DD was also 14 when we started looking at dance as a career possibility after attendance at 2 SS’s.

I was going to add courses at the RCS worth looking at as Scottish schools break up earlier than the English ones therefore the SS’s are earlier . NBS in Manchester Wont hold their SS until August. Obviously not helpful fit you. So hopefully this link will work 🤞🏼 https://www.rcs.ac.uk/short-courses/summer-schools/ Glasgow is lovely and has great railway links as well as an excellent International airport. RCS is fairly central as well.

I’m with you all the way on that one. Whilst waiting for major surgery on my shoulder injury I collapsed (pain related). Result. Left knee in brace, a week later post surgery I was completely lopsided with my right arm in a sling Not the Winter seasons best look. 😉 Pain, no matter what part of the body affects the whole of you. Even sleep there is no respite. I wish you all the best xx

Back in 2017 after the SS I was introduced to Mr Robert Parker as the AD of the BRB however it transpired he was their former Principal of the company having moved to Elmhurst bHe had been involved in the upper age groups of the SS. Lovely gentleman and so supportive. He tried his best to secure funding support (an emotive subject for so many) but sadly as we don’t live under the geographic boundaries of the UK, So his hands were tied. I appreciated that a gentleman of his standing would get involved in such administrative but still important matters.

A frozen shoulder develops over time when the joint is not exposed to its full range of movements. ” The bones, ligaments and tendons that make up your shoulder joint are encased in a capsule of connective tissue. Frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement” My injury started off as a niggling pain/discomfort after a fall. Started off at GP then the Hospital ortho team. As I too didn’t think it could be that hugely serious but it wasn’t until I saw a Specialist Shoulder Consultant that he diagnosed the full extent of the damage. The general ortho team has missed it for over 10 months. Sorry to sound so negative but after what I have experienced over a long period of time I can’t emphasise enough about seeking specialist advice care and attention for any injury.

Hi. Your lack of movement sounds as if you’ve developed a Frozen Shoulder. A GP can’t help except refer you to the Ortho team at your local hospital. 2-4 months is a fairly conservative time frame for a recovery. Can be more like 6months, however that’s if treatment is consistent otherwise symptoms can go on for years 😢

So sorry to hear of your injury. Painful. I totally understand and sympathise. Have you seen an orthopaedic consultant for the injury prior to engaging in physio? It’s unclear from your post. It is imperative that all other injuries are eliminated before any further activities are entered into. When I injured my shoulder in a similar fall but on dry/warm land the hospital only treated the location of the pain which actually masked the the true source of the injury that I had sustained. It’s taken a very long time to get to where I am today. Physio will reduce the risk of developing Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder). This condition can sometimes result in more pain than the original injury but the physio must be full aware of the extent of the injury and to what degree. Superficial will recover over time without surgical intervention. Severe tear could require surgery. Not all physio exercises are suitable for injuries to the shoulder. Please Please Please see a qualified Consultant preferably a specialist in shoulders to ensure a full and accurate diagnosis.

Hi. We know of at least 6 pupils currently at Birds across the year groups as full time students. Two went at 16 the remaining four started post A levels. With about another 5 friends having attended SS at Birds but are either still completing their A levels or attending another MT/Drama college. Loved the SS. Challenging and exhausting whilst pushing them to their limits to see what they can actually achieve in a safe supportive environment. They were pupils attending a fairly traditional dance school in their home town so Birds was their first experience of what an MT college was all about. They all rose to the occasion and learnt so much. One of the pupils had been purely classical beforehand. They all came away from the Bird SS saying yes to a Dancing as a career 😉.

I do think Camisole is a very generic way to describe a strappy leotard. To avoid having to use no turtle necks no long sleeves no cap sleeves etc etc etc. Both leotards would fit the bill. I would certainly go for the one you personally feel more comfortable in. Straps that don’t slip and leg area that doesn’t ride up (hair spray on tights helps). If you feel comfortable in your clothing it will transcend into your performance on the day. Good Luck. ps. Best to avoid embellishments of any kind.

MyDD has attended the SS at Elmhurst and ENBS the summer she turned 15. So it was just before her audition season. ENBS was physically challenging but learnt so much as they placed her in the older set. No social down time as the course is not residential. Accommodation is expensive if staying nearby in Chelsea. We used TripAdvisor. Their audition work shop in the Oct was invaluable. Would recommend it to anyone embarking on auditioning at any of the other schools. Skills are very transferable. Elmhurst was too much within her comfort zone. Wasn’t pushed enough. Great social down time. Friends of DD have Birds, Laines and NBS SS’s. All reported as being Ab Fab but these SS’s do not offer pure classical unlike the others mentioned. LSC offer SS’s. Which was on our agenda but dates clashed with other courses.

Sounds like a fantastic service offered by CRY. Sadly we don’t have anything like that in our area. Consultant (general) Paediatrician or the Consultant Cardiologist that covers all ages. Our Health Dept (authority) haven’t quite fathomed out that Prevention is better than a Cure and therefore more cost effective in the long term. Our system is so far overloaded with genuinely sick people and understaffed they have no room for preventative measures but then that dept is a whole subject all of its own of which I dare not get started on 😉 😂. Except..... they have just spent £48m trying to find a suitable location to build a new hospital. Yup, £48m in an area measuring 9 x 5miles 🤷🏼‍♀️ ps they couldn't agree so they’ve written the money off and started again 🤦‍♀️

I’ve sent you a pm as I thought that might be easier. ☺️

Those are very impressive tests. Even though our GP’s are private (but not covered under medical insurance) they would not be able to conduct such a level of examination. An ECG would require a Private hospital appointment with a cardiologist. Which just wouldn’t happen. Does beg the question though of how one would respond or react to a diagnosis they weren’t expecting and the implications on their life/family/career. I appreciate what you are saying. Thank you.

Hi. I do recall the GP form as it was asking if ‘‘medically fit’ (to undertake intensive dance training) and to list any underlying medical conditions ie diabetes, blood pressure issues, heart etc etc etc. Our GP receptionist (bless them all) said that the GP couldn’t sign any form without seeing the patient, if that patient hadn’t seen the GP recently. As it turned out my darling rather healthy DD hadn’t seen any GP since 2011!! So I had to book an appointment. Where we live all our GP’s are Private so it cost me £45 just for him to say ‘Hi, how are you, yes you are fit and healthy, thank you and good luck’ 5mins later out the door form in hand and all signed. By the sound of it your process for signing forms appears slightly different. Not too sure if my experience helps much. 😉

Hi. Most rental agreements are for 310 nights which works out at 44 weeks for full time students. The same length of time as a standard school year. There appears to be a standard ‘moving in date’ of the 31st August on the rental agreement but this is more for administrative purposes to ensure the flats are vacant after the summer rentals and general cleanup/maintenance. NBS summer term over run the dates by about 5days but the staff have been very understanding. Which could be because the pupils aren’t exactly staying FOC as they don’t arrive until at least the end of the 1st week in September. If that makes sense. The rental agreement terms do appear standard for most providers of ‘Halls’, as I know of uni students who finish as early as May but still have to pay for the full term of their agreement.

Most of the NBS pupils stay on Accomdation provided by UniteStudents. About a 4/6min walk from the school. Flats vary in size (amount of bedrooms) communal living room/kitchen space per flat . Many offer bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms or smaller flats provide shared bathrooms. Each flat is allocated for NBS but the overall building houses uni students. Staff are fantastic and very caring especially when students are unwell and conduct ‘welfare checks’ Prices vary depending on flat size. Average is about £146pw. Incl all heating water electric WiFi and an ad hoc cleaning of communal living room/kitchens. Laundry washers and driers are in the basement. Students download the Unite App and add credit to their laundry. All machine operate using a smart phone. No cash. Apologises can’t recall how much each wash is. Even though I’ve done enough of them when I’m there!! 😂. The pupils tend to double up share a load once a week as the machines are commercial size. As well as their overall general dislike of domesticated jobs. 😉. The app also provides updates incl parcel delivery and maintenance requests. Unite also offer 24/7 maintenance and security with reception covered 8am-6pm approx. Additional costs really relate to food. Aldi at the Arndale is popular but about a good 15/20min walk away. Asda is walkable but requires a taxi ride back once laden down with shopping. Plenty of other ‘express’ stores around. Incl numerous chemists. Plenty of GP’s also in the area with a walk in centre about 8mins away in the A&E dept. Travel costs are negligible as the pupils are within walking distance of everything. Pupils that haven’t already do acquire a Student Rail Card in the 3rd and final year to reduce travel costs for auditions especially those in London even though many are held in house. 1st yr pupils can apply singly and the Unitestudent Staff will place them all in one flat or pupils in other years who have applied at ‘EarlyBird’ rates but maybe have a bedroom unallocated will have a 1st yr join them. Boys and girls can be mixed but generally only if the rooms are en-suite. ie This yr one 6bed flat has :- 4x2nd yr pupils and 2x 1st yr international pupils. Previous yr the 5bed flat was all 1st yrs. Initial costs to set up require a deposit (returnable at the end of rental that can be transferred from one yr to the next so refund is at the end of 3rd yr). They do provide furniture for living room and bedrooms. Also Cooker fridge microwave toaster and kettle. Everything else the pupils have to provide for themselves. Staff replace furniture items and white goods when ever required. Incl the odd lumpy mattress. Very helpful. At the end of the summer term it’s the big pack up. As they all move flats each Sept. maintenance and summer students take over during Jul/Aug. There are multiple companies that offer survival rates for two month student storage. At an additional charge will even collect and return their belongings in-time for the new term. A service invaluable as it avoids having to take everything home. Pupils do tend to acquire so much!!! Except for the odd pupil who commutes from home all other pupils reside in properties provided by Unite Students. Mainly between the two addresses in Chester St. ps. Oops no idea why quote is placed mid post.

My DD has just turned 15 when she attended Elmhurst SS back in 2017. When we applied we had no idea of anyone else also applying as it does appear to be a lottery. Much to our delight she was offered a place and subsequently we submitted all the residential paperwork. Not knowing (or so she thought) anyone else she just requested a room with another pupil that would be in her group/class. Just a couple of weeks before attendance my DD discovered a friend she had made at another SS from a different school was also going to be there they quickly requested a room share. We were delighted to hear that the school reallocated the rooms to allow the girls to share. We had checked with Elmhurst if my DD could checkin on the Saturday as we don’t live in the UK and were booking flights. Understandably they couldn’t offer that option as it is the one day off for the staff between courses. We stayed in a hotel overnight in the area. Registration day (Sunday) is busy but well organised and friendly. Staff showed us to the allocated rooms (small but perfect for the week) not en-suite. But as the boys and girls are on separate floors there’s no issues with the shared bathrooms. We were encouraged to leave them to shortly afterwards. The staff laid on a BBQ one evening (even though Birmingham summer evenings are not exactly the warmest!!) , a masterclass and presentation night incl a Q&A from the BRB. evenings fly by. Elmhurst is designed like a U on its side. The school/studios are at the front with the residential block at the back. The two are linked by a covered walkway with a grass area in the middle. Very secure and well lit. Set well back from the road. The school is surrounded by a high wall and gated. All doors are secure and opened with a swipe card of which the staff are available to help the pupils out when invariably they forget their cards!! my DD back then was rather ‘selective’ with her meal choices (we had packed for those ‘just in case’ moments but she was quite happy with the meals on offer. Classes were much larger than what she was used to but the studios are light and airy so can handle the bigger groups very well. She thoroughly enjoyed her week at Elmhurst which was only one week after her attendance at ENB SS. Happy to answer any further questions if you think it may help. 🙆‍♀️

Northern Ballet School (NBS) also offer the opportunity to study for the DDE/DDI (due to have a name change) which is vital if the main aim is to pursue a teaching career later on. Not too sure which other schools/colleges offer these qualifications. However, NBS do not offer the BA(Hons) re funding. Which is odd as a level 6 Diploma is the vocational equivalent of a BA(Hons). Their courses classical focus or jazz focus are Diploma Level 6 with the opportunity for funding by a DaDa. There are fee increases each summer. Currently stand at about £13,800pa for UK/EU pupils. Will be interesting to see what happens post Brexit. More funds available for UK pupils?? Or is that just wishful thinking 😉 Ps Pupils at NBS are expected to sing if they are on the Jazz Focus but there’s no requirement to sing at their audition.