WhatsThePointe

My daughter is y12 and still does Ballet boost that she started in y11. 

At Elmhurst you can only choose from Art, Geography, Eng Lit or Maths.

I'm sure I've said it before, but I really don't understand why whoever is in charge of the MDS scheme doesn't seem to 'check up' on how well the providers are performing. The turnover of kids in these school in some year groups in particular is massive. The amount of money that has gone into funding the ones who then leave must be huge. I know they can't guarantee everyone will stick it out, but these aren't just an odd child here and there who decides it's not for them. There are sooooo many.  If I was handing out hundreds of thousands in grants to schools and everyone was quitting before the end I would be looking into why. How come that doesn't happen?

On 07/09/2023 at 23:09, DancingWellies said:

 still seems to be you have to be so grateful you got accepted into a vocational school instead of the school realising how lucky they are to work with such talented kids and how big a responsibility it is for the school to get the best out of each of them.

This!!!!! So much this!!!! It's just numbers into the machine and if one leaves, no matter,  another takes their place.

It's so difficult but you have to try not to get sucked into trying to "keep up" with what others are doing. Rest is very important and also I think the holidays are a perfect time to explore other skills. My DD has just spent a couple of weeks working on a full scale musical. No ballet to be seen, but she's keeping up her fitness and flexibility doing something a bit different. Of course for some ballet dancers this wouldn't appeal at all, so it really is what suits each individual. But family time and rest should always feature. 

I don't know if I can post a link, is it allowed? I'll try, but otherwise it's called "Ballet Boost Associates"

https://www.facebook.com/groups/180923712418365/?ref=share

On 29/07/2023 at 11:37, TinyDancerLondon said:

Please could you message me the details of this facebook group? My daughter is joining as a junior in September. Thanks so much!

I tried but it says you can't receive messages 

It's really common for dancers to attend more than one scheme so I wouldn't worry about that. Also Ballet Boost are very reasonable with their attendance expectations so I don't think you will have an issue there. I can't comment on Hull, but my two DDs have experienced several different teachers at the London branch and it's absolutely brilliant, so I'd highly recommend it. 

It's the best place to kill time. You can walk for ages either way along the Thames, but towards Richmond will mean coming across shops etc sooner. Lots of benches, terraces etc to sit. Head up to Richmond Park if you fancy deer-spotting.

Definitely just a demo, and none of you will be missing much. It was very repetitive and each dancer had a very small bit to do to get through everyone. 

For anyone anxiously waiting, my DD was offered a place yesterday after being put on the waiting list. so it definitely does happen. Also we've just emailed to turn it down so hopefully it will wing it's way to another lovely dancer soon!

I've had two go away and it's not had any negative effect at all. I will say though, when things do go wrong and they are upset, it's very very tough to deal with from afar. Thankfully it doesn't happen too often, but even with the most settled and laid back kids, at some point they will be tired or poorly and something will upset them and that's horrible when you are miles away.

I would say though, try not to let her see your wobbles, I've seen a few girls who've really struggled and it's been clear that the parents anxieties had a huge influence on their ability to cope.

I've sent you a message but in our experience academics were poor. My child lost both confidence and attainment while there and has quickly regained both since leaving.

They really do help each other out and it's wonderful. They'll probably try each others out, get recommendations from friends and message you whatever they decide they want you to buy 🤣 send with a small washing liquid and then if they do have stuff they don't want to put in the laundry they can wash it in the sink. 

Laundry pen and/or stick on labels as even if the school specifies labels must be sewn it, they're useful for non clothes things like books, pencil cases etc. If it's not permanently attached to your child's body, label it 🤣

Mattress topper definitely.

Over door hooks to give extra hanging space for coats, bags, dressing gowns etc. 

Laundry liquid in case they want to wash small items in the sink.

Card reader if they have a bank card!

Absolutely worth it, all shapes and sizes. They also allocate classes based on ability more than age, so that opens it out to more dancers without diluting the standard of the classes. I've had two DDs go, one went in y6 and then went to vocational school y7, the other was at vocational but left and started BB in year 11. Both enjoyed it so much, more so than other associates. There's a really refreshing openness about it all, they talk to the dancers about different routes into dance careers and provide really positive but helpful feedback through assessments. 

When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2

1 hour ago, Ballet_dancer2020 said:

Does anyone know usual number of applicants versus accepted and whether  it's mainly for children at vocational school? I saw this was a question on the application so now wondering if it's appropriate for my daughter. Thanks for any insights! 😊

It's quite hard to get a place, I know of plenty of vocational students who have got waiting list (often getting a place after all). I definitely wouldn't let that put you off applying though, you never know!

Bristol Russian do a lovely one but also non residential.

Incidentally, everyone I know of who left mid way through, for whatever reason, has been so so happy with their decision, so if it does come to that, don't fear it, it can be fabulous. My older one left mid y10 and is living her best life, always out with her mates and enjoying freedom 🤣

From what I have seen of my daughters' friends who have been homesick, the ones who sometimes feel a bit sad and otherwise love it improve and stay, but the ones who are constantly upset tend to leave in the end. Of course it will be different for every child, but there were some who were desperately unhappy for months and even years before finally leaving and becoming happy again, and I found that quite heartbreaking to watch. I think you need to be led by your child. If they insist that it's where they want to be, try and find ways to help them feel happier, but if there's a sense they really don't want to be there, don't make them go. They only have one shot at secondary school, and who wants it to be miserable.

We bought a stretch of bannister and attached it to the wall with large shelf brackets. Super cheap but obviously more permanent!

My DD is at Moorland and another used to go to Elmhurst so I can give you info on how it differs etc. Feel free to message.

Swindon CAT still has places for this academic year. 

https://www.facebook.com/1617932908452494/posts/pfbid0CveW12ttKF1LrPt8e6r1yMTZLhsaLwYXPUhG4Lf1oUJZqq5aBMN91qy6nUm86EUsl/

If she is struggling because there's so much hair to wrap around, she can split the ponytail in two and wrap half into a rope and twist it roubd into a bun shape, then do the other half the opposite way round.

If they want a flatter bun, once it's coiled round, put a bun net over it and then let it loosen (allow it to unwind slightly) and shape it into a flatter shape before pinning.

Pins can go in at an angle, pointing towards the outside of the bun and then kind of fold back on themselves to pin inwards. No idea if that makes sense, it's hard to describe!