balletbean

Agreed and so does my bank account!

Morning all, I may have spoken too soon. After having such a positive meeting just a few days ago. I asked at the school if we could use the A level photography studios for the obligatory photos for SS. Approx 30 mins after school one day Ooooooooo Nooooooooo 'health and safety' and no police check...................... Photos of my own daughter at my old school with own equipment and they said NO but hey 'we support your DD fully' yeah right. Words of advice to others, take what schools say with a pinch of salt, time might past but we won't forget especially when thanking people for their support. Morning rant over, off to have more caffeine!!!!

Thank you Sarahw, That's exactly the situation I have found myself in. Delightful colourful books but for the very young, then the adult books with no or very few images. Nothing aimed at the teenage pre vocational school age. So frustrating and costly to date. Maybe I have found a gap in the market and there is a possible business enterprise for me!!!

I feel very guilty now. My eldest just graduated after 3 years at college and I only ever sent parcels containing missing belongings left over after the holidays. Probably because everything was cheaper where her college was than at home. Or that is what I will keep telling myself. Total mummy failure. Oops. My school report always did say: "Could try harder" Never a truer word written! PS Well done to all those mums that send a tuck box. Will try harder in future.

Are we still talking about the children or the mums!!!! lol

Sorry can't offer any suggestions but whilst on the subject of books I have a question (if you don't mind me hi-jacking your post) I'm looking for a book for a young teenager about the classical ballets incl synopsis, characters and a brief history etc, nothing too detailed. Some books appeared too detailed and complicated. I've looked on Amazon and far too many too choose from which could result in a costly purchase if I don't chose correctly. Already bought one which turned out to be wrong. I've even contacted WL thinking they could recommend an age appropriate publication, another unsuccessful exercise. Any ideas gratefully received. Thank you

Thank you, as it happened the timetable also highlighted the voluntary work that my DD gives, in her own time at the studio to help the 'baby class' early on a Saturday when most teenagers are buried under their duvet! Thanks again to all

Out of interest, what Grade was your DD when her regular teacher mentioned Pointe? Thanks

Spurned on with new inbuilt confidence after reading so many messages after the original question, I arranged a meeting with my DD Mentor and Yr head at her academic school this week. Armed with her dancing timetable I asked how WE were going to support my DD to reach her goals without dropping any subjects as she is in yr10. They took copies of her studio timetable and are off to speak to other teaching staff to put a plan into action. Without reading these many messages on this post I would have never had to courage to stand proud and confident to approach the school. I would have been inclined to keep quiet and hope with fingers crossed that DD was able to maintain her academic studies and dance lessons through to GCSE without collapsing in a heap under the pressure. Trying to balance her grades both in both the classroom AND the studio. Now feeling hopeful Thanks everyone especially as it was never my post

Does the colour also apply for upper school auditions or are they all expected to wear black? Maybe a simple hair/bun accessory? Thank you

Hi Frost, More info, great, can never have too much. We were at Ballet West for the last week. July was rather challenging to schedule all the events in. Birthdays, school activity week, DD Graduation and a SS. Needed the whole of August to recover!! Really keen to return next summer, ideally for 2 weeks according to my DD. Just trying to sort the diary out as her academic school are finishing a week later than they ever have before!

Welcome to my world and we don't even live in London! Grrrrrrr

In there dreams!

Thank you. Explained it beautifully. Slightly different here. Funding for HND would be classed as a different level of qualification to a BA (Hons) so funding would be available should decisions change. Thankfully. Thinking of no retirement anytime soon though. Even if DD is funded travel costs won't be!! Eek. Life was so simple when they were babies.

I have the packet in front of me, no mention of Grishko. www.tendu.co.uk if that's of any help.

Interesting, I think there is an issue during the early teens however after having performed numerous stage productions as an adult in the confines of backstage with 30 seconds to spare the expression "don't care!" springs to mind. He He He

Thank you Picturesinthefirelight. Armed now with this further information is helpful. Local student education dept were clueless. And that's being polite! We aren't in the UK so have access to completely different type of funding. Fortunately, by the looks of things - at the moment.

Thanks Kinola67, My DD also attended the Ballet West SS this July. Absolutely loved it, Would have stayed given half the chance!! I think the wild deer trotting across the driveway as she walked back to her chalet, sealed the deal!!! Going back to HND, if my DD completed 1st and 2nd year and completed her HND then decided either it wasn't for her or the decision was made for her (you just never know). Would an HND be sufficient for entry to a Uni for some courses? As BW do not offer A levels like other vocational schools I was wondering if this was because they were in Scotland and I wasn't familiar with the educational system. Thank you

I'm sure I read it for RBS but then I've read so much lately my brain is going to mush!!!!! Emma Northmore (who is a member of this forum) is a past member of the ENB and runs audition tuition classes includes in her lessons, guidance on wearing the correct leotard for vocational school auditions. Absurd that a leotard could sway an audition panel, but in my book not worth the risk. Would definitely still go down the route of comfort but not brand new without the tried and tested lesson to see if the pretty little thing continually rides up or down. Best guidance to me is, what style the school favour for their full time students. With that in mind you can't go far wrong.

Look very closely at the individual schools for audition requirements. Some actually stipulate 'straps' on their dresscode.

Thank you. I totally understand, I also try to buy local but as a DD mum we have to be thrifty as the ££££££'s soon go on other items of dance-ware. Pointe shoes is one thing we can't economise on!!

O M G!!!!!! What age?

Can I ask, how much do you pay for a pair of Tendu convertibles? Locally or online?. Thank you

Hi Kinola67, A couple of things, a fellow student at my DD dance student is preparing to apply to Uni's for a joint degree. Not sure which uni but it's for geography and dance. The culmination of which will give her sufficient degree to be teach both academic and dance as subjects. Manchester was mentioned. After research for my eldest UNI courses do not offer as much studio time as a performing arts college or ballet school. It's purely down to personal preference. The Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow looked amazing. As you come from Scotland I'm hoping that you may be able to answer some questions regarding the educational qualifications. HND - Is it the Scottish equivalent to English A Levels and with that qualification recognised for Uni entry? I'm a tad confused but can't seem to find the answers I'm looking for. Ballet West offer HND for the first 2 years of the 3 yr course. And, just like you I'm trying to research as much as possible for the "just in case" scenario. Incase of injury, change of personal plans or changes beyond their control in the future. Our darlings ( we were like them at their age) only look at the here and now and now necessarily 5 years down the line and beyond. Thank you.

All I can add to this post/thread is that most schools appear to favour cotton leotards and not the new microfibre fabric that most girls wear on a regular basis. Plain, simple cut with no embellishments including mesh. Discovered this on research through multiple sites. Definitely the belt. The other point to remember on coloured leotards (which are gorgeous) is to consider whether your DD has a tendency to perspire. Auditions are very stressful at the best of times but even more so when huge sweat patches appear on a beautiful leotard and your DD is the only one! Might show how hard they have worked but not the best for looks. Best of luck