junedancer

1 hour ago, MissEmily said:

Has anyone ever heard of a Year 6 child not getting through to WL finals, but being offered Summer School? Are they separate processes, or linked? My pupil has just had a no from WL but obviously her Summer School application is still active. Thank you!

Yes - we did.  It was such a lovely surprise so don't give up hope! ☺️

2 minutes ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

To my knowledge/experience the only school that DaDas tuition and boarding fees together is Elmhurst. For 6:1 and 6:2. Our MDS and then DaDa with them was near enough the same in contribution. 
I believe RBS offer MDS at US. All the other USs DaDa only cover tuition fees, ENBS etc, and would have cost us as a family thousands more per year. This was a few years ago so I’m happy to be corrected 😊 

This is pretty much what we have been told.

Those at Elm from Lower school move to a DaDA plus a top up (bursary/scholarship) from the school which will give them the equivalent of what they were receiving on the MDS.  Not sure what 6th Form starters get but I am assuming just the DaDA.  Would be interested to know of they offer the additional funding to new starters or just those moving up from Lower school.

Royal US get MDS if they are eligible, based on residency.

ENB is DaDA and a number of scholarships but never heard of anyone actually getting one.

From my reading of the information from Tring they have a range of scholarships and bursaries most of which are for those on courses other than dance.  MDS can be offered to those other than Year 7 entry.  There have been posts over the years from those entering higher years including 6th form, although I have been told this is rare.  The MDS policy states: "In many cases the award ends at age 16 when Year 11 is completed but occasionally the scholarship may be extended for the duration of the Sixth Form. This is decided on a case by case basis using evidence from assessments and faculty consultation with the Principal." and "If a scholarship is removed at the end of Year 11, this is normal practice as mentioned earlier. All dance students will be encouraged to audition for the school’s Sixth Form Dance and Drama Awards. These are also means-tested but they do not offer additional support for music lessons, medical insurance and uniform costs."  

Having looked at the MDS and DaDA scales we would get nothing on the DaDA but a reasonable percentage of fees and accommodation covered on an MDS.  I hadn't fully appreciated that 6th From funding was less advantageous than Lower schools.

11 minutes ago, Peony said:

Claudia Dean did PDL before she was accepted by RBS didn’t she? I think they may have offered based on her performance there but can’t remember!

@FionaE vaganova, cranko and bolshoi have entered students in the past few years. And SAB 

Yes Claudia Dean was at Prix but not listed as a winner.  Audrey Freeman was offered her RBS place following her participation in Prix but also doesn't list as a winner.

3 hours ago, Waverley said:

If she’s Y5 then maybe socks would be better but I think it comes down to whatever she feels more comfortable in - my DD doesn’t wear socks anymore for any of her classes (since the RBS change) so she was loathe to go back to them for pics. 
 

I think they will see what they want to see regardless to be honest. 

My DC was in tights by Year 5 - her legs were too cold for socks.  She then went between tights and socks for the next few years depending on what was allowed in her classes hating socks by the end.  Maybe its my fear of authority figures and feeling I need to comply but we did photos in socks when it asked for socks and tights when it asked for tights.  Thankfully I am also into a good spreadsheet but getting all the right photos for each school and summer school was a marathon.

36 minutes ago, Anna C said:

 

That seems a little bit harsh.  I agree that professional photos are not necessary for summer schools/associates, but if people don’t have the knowledge/help/space to take good photos for full time training, and/or are asking for recommendations for photographers, then it’s not our place to judge. 

Reading this line back on its own perhaps I agree but, and maybe I didn’t elaborate what was in my own head enough, I wasn’t ruling out the support of teachers and the use of a photographer.  I do worry that the cost of getting photographs is possibly putting families off applying as I know it would have for us when we started out.  You only need to look at social media and the number of photoshoots some dancers have.  Audition shots are often highly posed with the body placed in the correct way but not in the way the dancer would otherwise be in naturally themselves as a dancer.  Yes it will show them at their best and possibly get a place over someone else.  Panels hopefully look past the “professional” part of the shot and at the dancer.  From what I have seen this year schools are saying professional shots are not needed and I hope this is not just to tick an inclusivity box.

Apologies if what I wrote earlier and what I have said above offends anyone as that is definitely not my intention.

For those who have to support those with eating disorders can I recommend this book

https://www.pavpub.com/mental-health/the-practical-handbook-of-eating-difficulties

I have a friend who is a mental health support practitioner in the education sector who recommended it to colleagues recently.

We must all have experienced not getting the dream job after school/college/university or the promotion we thought we deserved.  We are possibly better placed to support our DC then we think.  I have been surprised at how well DC copes when I am deep down still feeling their pain.  You just need to keep a watch for a few weeks after as sometimes they take it well at the time to be strong as part of their coping mechanism but need the support later.  This doesn't have to be much more than a night in with a pizza and a movie or a day our shopping and a good chat.  They come to it in their own time so just keep an eye on their moods (not easy when you are dealing with teenagers) so stay vigilant and you can hopefully get them through.

I agree with @valentinaon socks regardless of Year 6 JAs wearing tights.  I am sure most Year 7 and even some Year 8 at vocational schools still wear socks.  DDs legs were always bruised from some sport or other but we still did them in socks unless they asked for tights.

As for a professional photographer sorry this is all getting silly.  Yes you get some lovely photographs but some guidance from a teacher, a phone camera and taking the picture looking slightly up (essentially you sit on the ground so you are stable and the end result makes your DC looks long and lean) should give good enough pictures for intensives and lower schools and even US.  DD now uses her dance friends with a discerning eye and gets great results.  They also video each other and again have had successes getting into summer intensives and to semis and finals for US.  For graduate year then a professional portfolio is an investment.

If I recall this is organised through West London School of Dance with the YDA students dancing the main parts so maybe WLSD can help with tickets as its definitely taking place at the end the month according their social media but I can't see where or how to get tickets.  I know that are YDA parents on the Forum so hopefully someone will be able help you.

On my way home from an evening of delightful dancing.  Sorry the run has been shortened as I would loved to have seen it again.

Are you planning on applying for September 2022 start?  Both RBS and Elmhurst application deadlines are passed for this year.  The other schools suggested by @Pas de Quatrelook like they are still open for applications.

I read that all those who did last year's summer school will get a place in finals.  I don't know how many were there last year but this does appear to limit the chance of getting through to the last stages. 

Superdrug is definitely the best option and you don't have to go for expensive brands.  Look at MUA and NYX - these were recommended by a make-up artist.  Consider getting:

Primer

Foundation - if for stage a shade (or two) darker than natural skin colour maybe needed (avoid colours that are yellowy or pinky)

Loose Powder - either translucent or a medium colour depending on skin tone 

Blusher - noting too pink

Eyeshadow pallet with natural colours

Mascara - black or brown/black

Lipstick - a red is what is normally asked for

Eye liner and lip liner are good but possibly not needed

Make-up fixing spray

Set of brushes is good to have and a nice bag/box to keep it all together

A make-up mirror that can either sit on a table or hang up is usually essential for shows as there is never enough mirror space

2 hours ago, Dancing unicorn said:

You say your dd gets 5 hours training a day, you won’t get that in yr 7 here, plus they go right back to basics no matter which school you go to, so I personally think your dd would be bored!!!!! 

I was just about to make this very point.  Year 7 is a start again year regardless of experience or ability.

At least one Associates teacher teachers at another upper school and one with her own school teaches JAs and Ballet Boost (or at one time did).  They are all ballet teachers and making a living as such.  You couldn’t make a living in a few hours of Royal Associates teaching a week. 

I am not condoning the practice of RBS in making offers to competition winners but remember that they don’t all accept and are not eligible for the government funded places.  There are places funded by private donors.

I do agree that training in the UK needs to match the standard of those received overseas however it is often a very different system in terms of academic and dance training and some competition winners are not always technically the best dancers, or so DD tells me.

DD just wore non-dance brand t-shirts, joggers, leggings and hoodies and has never felt out of place.  Take her warm-up boots and she will have the t-shirt.  A new leotard and skirt is nice for a well done on getting in present but I wouldn’t go all out with new kit.  Hope she has a lovely time.

Congratulations to all getting a place.  We would have loved to apply but had already booked and paid for another summer school before this was advertised.  Look forward to see how NYB goes forward after this summer.

3 hours ago, PrancingMum said:

So one of DC’s friends has a place but the other hasn’t said yet and we don’t want to ask - wondering how any places were available and if there was is a wait list.

Those on the 2020 waitlist were made offers but I haven’t heard of any waitlisted from the current applications.  We know of two very happy dancers who have places so hope your DC’s friend was also offered a place.

I give my DD an allowance and if she was using it to fund a smoking habit I would not continue - she is aware of this.  We can't afford for her to smoke never mind it being unhealthy.

6 hours ago, Ljmk said:

My daughter had until 25th and my friends daughter too. I am not sure how long until we hear anything, or if they do give offers to anyone in the second round. Auditions is new to us so it’s a bit of wait and see. We only auditioned for the one school too - but that was mainly because it is my daughters choice of school which she loved at the open day and for me this year has been hectic enough we settled for one audition. 
I imagine we will hear something by the end of March?

I read here last year of some very late finals offers so I am sure they do review and consider all applications.  DD's friend was a last minute application a few years back and was offered a finals audition and wait list for scholarship.  Just unfortunate that there was no call with an offer.

15 minutes ago, The red shoes said:

Good question and one I have been thinking too. The logistics seem tricky but something to think about as not every year is guaranteed . The plus side of Elmhurst is no assessing out so not as cut throat every year. 

Elmhurst does assess out but not in the same way as WL.  They have a clearer assessment and improvement system where you have a series of "warnings".  Tring also only guarantee funded places for a year at the time so effectively assess out also.

4 hours ago, Lara Eschler said:

Hi everyone, 

I just  have a question out of curiosity, I see that WL confirms offers for the following year to existing pupils at round this time. This would be too late to apply to other schools, so I was wondering what do families do with the uncertainty, do they apply to schools before Christmas just in case? And for children not given a place for the following year, do they stay until the end of the school year? This is just a a curious and naive question not meant to upset or annoy anyone or make a judgement on a school. Thank-you. 

 Current WL pupils were told yesterday if they have places for next year: in the case of Year 9s it will be a place for Year 10 and 11 and for those in Year 11 it will be a final audition for Upper School.  Those in lower years will be "helped" (not sure how officially)if they wish to get finals auditions at other schools and those going to Upper School will have been applying elsewhere anyway.  Not all choose to stay and will have planned to leave at the end of the year from all year groups.  Some decide to leave the school before the end of the summer term but most appear to stay on and finish the year.  We know personally of those who have decided the school wasn't for them and had planned to audition elsewhere, those who have been assessed out and found places elsewhere and those who have decided dance is not for them and left.  The same will happen at all vocational schools.

9 hours ago, balletbean said:

@junedancer, such an upsetting experience for your DD’s friend. 
NBS in Manchester are still considering late admission for this Sept. Whilst not a BA the school offers a 3yr Diploma Level 6 for both classical and jazz focus. 
Enquires with regards admission can be sent to enquiries@northernballetschool.co.uk. 
Term starts on the 14th but staff are available online. 
Checkout their FB page, they’ve taken the opportunity of the extended break to redecorate and relaunch the school. Exciting times ahead for the small but perfectly formed very friendly school

 🤞🏼😊🙆‍♀️🙆🏻‍♂️🩰

ps. I’m a tad biased. You might have guessed 😃

Thank you so much - this maybe a better match than Elmhurst - we will definitely pass this on.

28 minutes ago, glowlight said:

@junedancer - has your dd's friend seen the press release @Jan McNulty has posted about Elmhurst late admissions.

 

If Elmhurst are offering late admissions it is possible other schools may be in the same position. 

 

This may be a ray of hope for her.

Thank you -  saw this posted and past it on.