LoobyLou

My DD is in yr 9 and PE is compulsory for all years, 7-11, at her secondary school (not academy). She has just started her GCSEs as they run a three year KS4 and she was dreading continuing PE, however luckily for her they give pupils the option of doing GCSE/BTEC dance in core PE time so essentially an extra qualification for these students. She was over the moon as not only did this give her 5 options she now does more dance which she loves! 

Authorised absence at both state primary and independent schools for my dds. I didn't know about educated off site before reading on here. 

That's what I thought, seems late for auditions when classes start that month! I thought it might be a mistake...?

Duchy Ballet not associates program as such but they do run auditions for productions, based in Cornwall. 

Not sure you're this far west though? Whereabouts in South? 

Well done to your DD princessballerina! 

Looks like they've changed the date of the Plymouth auditions...now saying 10th September (was 2nd July). Anyone know anything about this??!

Fake tan ? so funny Dancer123! Sounds like American Dance Moms ?

I guess the bottom line is that there's roughly a 1 in 10 chance of a place for girls which is tiny so have to keep that in mind. What will be will be!

55 minutes ago, Dancer123 said:

yes when we got SWL in Year 5 no place came up at London. But if its your destiny then it will happen!! Does anyone have any inspiring stories to lift my disappointment after a NO?? Do you still just keep plodding along & trying. Just can't even work out now if its worth applying for vocational schools. DD is totally fine, not sure whats wrong with me but not sure how much rejection I can take!!!!

There are many girls who never get into vocational school at 11+ but then go on to vocational training at 16+ and do very well!

Can I ask how much dance your DD is doing per week? And has she got the coveted long-legged proportions that they seem to be after? Wondering myself whether it's worth bothering to go to Elmhurst associates audition if proportions take precedence...

Came home from a busy few work days away to DD2's Totnes result - an unsurprising no! She is absolutely fine and  very happy she can carry on with her regular Saturday morning class with friends. I am the one feeling disappointment...knew it would be no as she's all long body/short legs but all the while you're waiting there is always that tiny glimmer of hope...?

Hi TBG, do you have a dc at Totnes JAs? Is that 30 places in total across all years this year or for next year? And do you know how many children currently in each yr group? Thanks ?

Do the results come out all together at the same time or centre by centre in date order?

The New York City Ballet workout dvds - I've had these for years and they're still my favs. Great floor barre exercises!

It says quite clearly "year 9 upwards" on their website...?

Thanks!

Another photos question - are pics with bare feet or with shoes and socks? 

Thank you MummyTwinkleToes ?

Hi all, I'm still confused about the photos required - feet easy, but are arms in first position or bras bas for the first photo? (Assuming arms in 2nd for 2nd!). My guess would be both feet and arms in 1st/2nd positions...help please! 

Which does your dd prefer? We toured all 3 local secondary schools (state comp, state grammar, independent she was in prep at, none vocational) and helped our dd choose but ultimately the decision was hers and she made absolutely the right one.

Do you have the chance for another tour of both to help decision? My advice would be to go back, look with different post-audition viewpoint and let her choose.

Is this how MDS works too? In the same rank order way?

Why does Tring only take 7?

And girls can't be physically 'developed' either. They are really strict about all the rules/requirements. DD1 was disappointed a few years ago when she wanted to audition for The Sound of Music - too tall and too developed at 11 for a child role but not old enough for Liesl ????

Thanks Sarah. My eldest DD has similar issues - roll in feet and core all over the place. Each time she manages to gain strength she has another growth spurt and loses core strength again. Any specific exercises you'd recommend for core? It's affecting her pointe work at the mo, she's fairly new to it and had strengthened feet and legs nicely but struggling since recent growth spurt to hold core together.

I'm pleased in a way that they did say the same as the JA teacher has been telling us. We only started this journey because she thought my DD should at least try. Our JA teacher is lovely, she has such a mixed capability in her class yet she still makes sure she advised parents as much as she can. She has given us lots of advice regarding hypermobility but did say that it may be an issue at auditions.

Hi Sarah, interested to hear about advice for hypermobility and why this may be problematic at auditions.

And something else to add to the mix...

A friend spent 5 very happy years at WL, was a beautiful dancer, but chose at 16 to go to her local 6th form to do sciences, then uni to study medicine and is now a brilliant doctor.

Plans and pathways change. They are impossible to predict or control. What will be will be ????

Thanks all. So pretty similar for 6th form but are younger ages more varied?

Can I ask a quick question - what is the general level/grade you should be at according to age? So, what grade should a child be at on average at age 8, 10, 11 (vocational school entry) and 16 (upper school entry)? Is there a consensus?