Raquelle

3 hours ago, BalletBoysDad said:

I am refering to Y5 entry that was supposed to start in September 2020, but was postponed to January 2021.  That year, Birmingham took around 6 or 7 new girls (over Y4 and Y5) and my DS.  They formed their own independent group, separate to the 'existing' JA's, where 3 boys were already in the other group.  I believe those boys all became JA's in Y4.  That's my understanding.  Though due to covid, it was a very small intake that year.  They took far more boys in Y6 (September 2021 entry) as they started a specific boy-only class.

Yes I think they took very few that year. Only 2 year 6 girls, 1 year 5 and 2 year 4s in Bath....following year a lot more got in so I think maybe the pandemic affected numbers a lot....Good luck everyone...we got a no in year 4 then a yes year 6 - so don't give up if it's not a yes straight away. The audition is a lovely experience in itself we always treated it as a nice day out and who doesn't want a day off school! X 

Sarah Toner is based in London and runs a ballet school. She was a professional ballerina - she is absolutely lovely and a very nurturing teacher. She has a website and Instagram account x 

Congratulations everyone...there is a huge amount of movement with mids....we handed our place back as well as most of her year as she was vocational....was a bit sad handing it back as it was such an accomplishment (she only got year 6 JAs and most of that was on zoom so didn't really get the proper experience....) but with hindsight i can see why schools do not allow the weekend training. They're shattered by the time the weekend comes around and they need a break! Plus mids training gives other children a chance you haven't chosen to go down the vocational route. Best of luck all those on the swl that those spaces become available x 

Congratulations everyone! My dd is year 7 elmhurst if anyone has any questions feel free to pm me. She loves it there x 

8 hours ago, NotadanceMa said:

I was wondering as there are parents on here from the 4 main vocational schools could you tell me how Health and Well-being is built into your child’s vocational training schedule.

 

I don’t mean children popping off to see pastoral care staff I would like an idea of how children are supported to learn about taking care of themselves physically and emotionally through  sleep, eating, days off, down time, relaxing, overtraining etc etc 

I wanted to know if anything is on offer does it form a part of the schools timetable in the same way as a music, dance or academic class.

 

I am interested in year groups from Y7-11, LS. I would be interested in hearing from non-residential vocational training programs as well.

 

If you don’t feel happy about a public conversation could you 

I'll PM you. My daughter is in year 7 in one of the main 4 x 

Congratulations to all the yeses! A great achievement x 

Just wanted to chip in....firstly any child who gets given a place in a world class ballet school for year 7 should feel proud. This in itself is such an accomplishment.

I think regardless of what you call it, and whether you know it might happen, I can imagine being told you will not continue past year 9 must be hugely upsetting and unsettling for parents and children. Especially when the children have often left their families and friends to live away; to start again must be frightening.

My DDs ballet school (not sure if I'm allowed to mention by name!) gives a place till gcse and this really does remove the pressure and anxiety and gives the children a sense of security..they can leave on their terms, should they wish...the downside is that some may not be suitable for a classical career in ballet once they get to 16, but everyone re applies for upper school anyway. 

Balletummy18 so glad your DD found another school and to the OP it is good to hear at a lot of these talented children do find other schools and flourish elsewhere x 

5 hours ago, balletmom8 said:

When do they typically send out more info/details about the SI? Thanks!

We had an email which said we didn't need to do anything more and they'll send an invoice in May. My emails go to junk though from RBS! 

I agree with red shoes you cant measure talent from photos....

Just wondered if anyone else had a yes for week 5? My dd will be 12 x 

Just now, Siobhan89 said:

Waitlist for DD too, says to confirm place on waitlist this time? Didn’t have that for Spring waitlist? Congratulations to all those with a yes 🥰

Yes for my DD! Really pleased but been given week 5 (we applied for week 2) which clashes with something else we have said yes to....does anyone know if rbs allow you to go on waiting list for another week? Sorry don't mean to sound ungrateful x 

8 hours ago, sunrise81 said:

Year 8

Another Elmie here! It's far too much fun in school on weekends, she never wants to come home! As sunrise says, Saturday chilled but they love going to the park and Aldi!!!! Sunday all sorts of activities! X 

5 hours ago, Pas de Quatre said:

Raquelle - I am not talking about well trained young dancers who have the talent to be Associates (of a reputable institution) and gain a place at Vocational school.  I am talking about dancers who only have one ballet class a week and then their school puts them on pointe!

Yes I agree.....this is totally irresponsible x 

58 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said:

As ever, it is the case of finding a good teacher you can trust. All around I see schools putting clips on social media of dancers who shouldn't yet be on pointe - tight ankles and/or feet with knees bent so they can try to get over the box. The worst thing is, these teachers appear to be proud of these dancers! 

 

A horror story I heard from Yr 6 pupils is that a girl in their class at day school has bought pointe shoes and is teaching herself off Youtube.

My Dd found out yesterday she will be having her first pointe shoe fitting (organised by her vocational school). She is 11.5 years and was over the moon - they've been working so hard to build up their strength doing a lot of pre pointe work and for the initial few months will be doing mainly just rises and releves at the barre. Like another poster mentioned there can't really be hard and fast rules...a lot of her friends had pointe shoes in year 6 however they were doing associate schemes and a lot of training/strengthening x 

2 hours ago, Pas de Quatre said:

Years ago they had an Associate centre in Poole with both JAs and Mids. (Now they just have JAs in Eastleigh). It was a pity they stopped Mids as there isn't one in the South West at all. When dd was a Mid, dancers came over from the Isle of Wight and a couple even flew into Bournemouth airport from the Channel Islands.

Our closest and first choice centre was 1.5 hours away and our second choice was 2 hours away... would be great if RBS had an associate centre in Wales! 

6 minutes ago, SJBallet said:

My DD is quite the opposite. Long legs, short torsos, long neck and small head. She’s not naturally flexible and has to work very hard on both this and her feet. Her turnout is ok. 
 

She is in her 3rd year as a JA.
 

I agree musicality and showing a love of ballet is also good. 

 

I’d say if she’s keen. Give it a go, the auditions themselves are lovely experiences and you won’t know unless you try. 
 

Good luck. 

Very few have every single attribute they're looking for.....My dd who was a JA was told she had a great facility for ballet (whatever that means) but she had to work on her flexibility and turnout. As SJ says the auditions are lovely whether you get a yes or a no or a waiting list. Good luck x 

19 hours ago, tutugirl said:

The degas is 12a and is coral - 9501

Is this still available? (Obviously please pass on to those who commented first though...😀) - x 

1 hour ago, Bookish said:

Thank you. We did the same and let her miss her Friday local class. Have said she has to be brave and go back to Elmhurst today though.

 

Bookish I know very few young dancers made finals last year so she won't be the only one xx

2 hours ago, Crazylifecrazykids said:

Yes the fee of £160 is payable before the funding final I am pretty sure. I believe its a registration fee. Give them a call to clarify though, they are very approachable and helpful 😊 They will say for sure.

 

Yes we paid last year. Hammond was a serious contender for us so we thought it was worth it to go. She loved the final audition but ended up going somewhere a bit closer. As Crazylife says they're so lovely if you ever have queries etc x 

Hello! Applied for the first time for summer intensive (not expecting a yes as we did the photos ourselves and I'm not a dancer....). Anyone know when we will get results? Also where it asked whether you were interested in being considered for a place in the school I said no (as she is in another vocational school). Does this question have any bearing on their decision do you think? 

1 hour ago, jossbisson said:

Hi it’s about 10 minutes in a taxi from new street and is about £8 

there’s a Costa nearby or the MAC both are perfect to shelter in 

Agree Costa is a good bet...it is within walking distance (about 5 minutes)...last year we weren't allowed in due to covid not sure if any different this year. The car park in elmhurst isn't huge and we were cutting it fine for time so when we pulled in there were no spaces (luckily someone left in order for me to park)...so get there early if you can x 

2 hours ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

The more you earn the more you pay. So those extra shifts you could work to pay for SS and pointe shoes when your allowance has run out will all get sucked back the following year. But don’t despair the DaDa is just once at the beginning of the three years 🎉 

It does sometimes feel like that I agree! We worked out it is still worth earning more (you do get less mds) but you don't lose it all if that makes sense...so I increased my hours 

Just now, SJBallet said:

Hello, just a general MDS query if anyone can help. 
 

If you get awarded MDS do you resubmit financial information each year to determine that’s years parental contribution? 

Hello! Yes you do. Its based on the previous financial years accounts/Income...so if you earned less one year you would get a higher award....we weren't sent the mds forms till quite late last year and only found out what our award was in August! The online calculators are very accurate though. X

Reading all these comments with interest. My DD is 11.5 years, dances in year 7 in a vocational school and hasn't started on pointe. They are very careful with their young bodies and they are doing lots of pre pointe work and strengthening and conditioning....I must admit that when I see children the same age from around the world doing several pirouettes on pointe it does sometimes feel a bit like she is already years behind her counterparts in other countries...having said that, I'm glad they're protecting the long term health of my daughter. 

1 hour ago, MrsMoo2 said:

Just a word of warning, my DS had choreographed his own solo, he was 10, and although he felt comfortable in it he said some of the others had been choreographed and rehearsed by their teachers for weeks leading up to it. Worth bearing in mind. DS said if he were doing it again he’d get someone else to choreograph it for him, and practise, practise, practise!!!! 👍👍

My dd choreographed her own as well...we don't do festivals and she had never been taught a solo! It was a lyrical style dance....she ended up getting in. I don't think it was perfect by any means...but it meant something to her and she could perform it with feeling so it was obviously enough. X 

I think as a previous poster said they're sought after for auditions as they help create the illusion of longer legs as they're high cut.....Sizing is quite off though. My daughter was a small, very slim 10 year old and we had to get an age 12....x