BalletBelle

She did 3hrs of ballet a week at her dance studio (she also did modern, tap etc on top of this). From the middle of May (Y10) she did 1.5hrs a week of private coaching (term-time only) as audition prep. We stopped this at the end of the audition process (March of Y11) as it wasn't something we could afford longer term and it had already served its purpose

My daughter started at Elmhurst Upper school today. She has had no vocational training so far. She hasn't auditioned or done any associate programmes either. She auditioned for 5 upper school places and was offered funded places at 4 of them. Going into the application/audition process, she thought that she would be at a huge disadvantage due to not having been at a vocational lower school. In our experience, it didn't seem to make any difference.

If it helps, Elmhurst has a fees calculator on their website. We have found it pretty accurate. During the parents' meeting at the finals, the principal said that it was very accurate (as long as you put in an honest, accurate amount as your household income). We have recently received a letter detailing our fees for this year (Y12) and I can vouch for the calculator. It was spot on!

I can give the dates that my daughter had this year, if it helps.... Elmhurst: Preliminary video, photos, application form. Results emailed on 23rd Dec. Semi-final - 18th Jan. Results emailed on 1st Feb. Finals - 15/16th March. Results emailed on 25th March. Tring: Application form and photos. Preliminary audition - 13th November Results emailed on 17th November Funding audition - 19th March Results emailed on 23rd March Northern Ballet School Application form and photos. Audition - 14th Jan Results emailed on 20th Jan (Only one round in process - which is quite nice if you have to travel!) Hammond Application form and photos. Audition - 9th Jan Results emailed on 16th Jan (although also given to my daughter during her interview, on the day) (Only one round in process - which is quite nice if you have to travel!) Royal Ballet School Application form and photos. Preliminary audition - 27th Nov. Results emailed on 30th Nov. But she totally messed up in her audition so I can't help with further dates 😂

We've just been through the application and audition process. We chose to get professional photos done (we used Kate Frost too and were very happy). For us, using a professional took the stress away - I didn't have to struggle to find a blank wall, worry about whether my photos were of good enough quality/in focus etc. and it took away the risk of arguments! We have always done our own photos before. But, for us, it was the right thing at this stage

Congratulations!! Yes thank you, we had very good news too and I have an incredibly happy daughter 😊

I am happy to be totally wrong about this - we received our email this afternoon (even though it is a Saturday!)

Really? On a Saturday? I was expecting to have to wait until Monday at the earliest...

Nothing yet - although we did have to complete the initial funding paperwork the other week. Hopefully we will all start to hear soon

We have waiting list too

They are out for upper school (6th form) too

My daughter (also auditioning for upper schools/16+) really likes her Degas leotard, if that helps. It has camisole straps and looks very simple but flattering

I'm really impressed at the quick turn around! I hope those waiting have had the news they hoped for 🤞🏻 And for those who might be feeling disappointed; just remember that there is more than one path and things often work out just the way they are supposed to 😘

Wow! That is very quick! Is that for Y7? Are they out for both girls and boys? (Girls only had their audition on Friday, so that is incredibly fast, if so)

If you don't mind me asking, what was the format of the two days? (Just trying to second guess what might happen this week, with upper school auditions!)