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@Neverdancedjustamum that really is great, and as it should be, really refreshing to hear. 

2 hours ago, Neverdancedjustamum said:

I cannot comment on the full time school and whether being an associate can help but my DD decided to move to Central Associates from another prestigious associates scheme last September. She was torn and couldn’t decide whether she wanted to stay for her third year in her previous associates or go to Central but after she attended the latter’s induction day she was hooked. (I would not recommend waiting until last minute like she did as I still had to pay for a full term’s fees for the other scheme as per notice period). CSB associates has about 4 separate classes within the day. Pointe is a separate class which is very good and I found that only one other scheme (I am aware of) has a separate, timetabled pointe class. They also have contemporary class. They get breaks including lunch which means they get to make friends and really bond. It was also refreshing to apply for their intensive and receive a decision within the same day, and without having to pay an application fee.  The two Saturdays either end of half terms normally don’t have classes which is so ideal for family holidays. Having worked in education for over a decade, I am very impressed with their organisation and communications. They utilise their school’s virtual learning environment for the associates’ homework and learning resources. My DD once left her jacket in one of the studios and within half an hour of emailing them, I received a response from their Associates Manager (not an admin staff!) telling me she’s found it and will keep it for my DD to collect the week after. It’s very early days and we are only into her second term but I can honestly say my DD has not looked back and is absolutely loving it. People thought she was crazy/bonkers/mad when she left the other associates scheme (and kept getting told places in it are like gold dust and she must be out of her mind to give it up) but luckily, she never really cared much about what others think and doesn’t really care about big names and reputation. She will go where she feels settled and happy and where she can enjoy her love of dance. I have watched class in about half a dozen associates schemes over the years and I can honestly say that in my non-dancing, outside observer’s eyes, Central Associates is one of the more enjoyable ones to watch, the level seems quite high, fast paced, and is not boring to watch. There is a lot of dancing as such. As I said it’s early days and I might change my mind but I can honestly say that I’m impressed with the scheme so far and my DD is happy. 

Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed reply. This is quite an endorsement! I must say the part about them being organised really appeals to me, it drives me mad when emails disappear into the ether! Good for your dd in going where she felt happy. My daughter did a one day intensive at Central last year and did enjoy. I also feel the fact they have recently moved to new premises suggests an organisation doing well, and their website is impressive. I was a dancer myself, but that isn’t always an advantage when comparing the relative merits of these schools! 

3 hours ago, JJBalletMum said:

My daughter’s in year 11 and has been an associate at Central for several years.  We were told that there would be absolutely no preference given to the associates  in their application to upper school.  Having said that, as far as I know, they have all got through to finals.  I’d certainly recommend Central associates particularly the final, pre-senior year.  It’s a full day with ballet, pointe, Pilates, contemporary, repertoire and pas de deux.  My daughter also successfully auditioned for ENBS associates this year but chose to stay at Central because of both the quality and quantity of training.

Thank you so much for this, that’s really helpful. I have heard good things about Central associates. 

Thanks for your reply @Ballet Saga! Yes what you say makes sense regarding getting to know their ways and staff through associates. Yes I’m conscious that the next 2 years will fly by, so trying to make an early start thinking about it all! 

We are considering Central for my daughter at age 16 (currently in year 9), but would be interested to know whether being a Central associate would be an advantage in regards to getting a place? She is currently an ENB associate, but we obviously don’t know whether she will be offered further training with them next year and the year after, hence considering other associate schemes as well. Any views on the 16+ course at Central would also be appreciated! It looks like a good course, and I was pleased to see that it can be funded with a student loan (from what I can gather, this is only the case for Central, Northern and Rambert). We live a commute from London, hence she could travel daily there. 
 

Many thanks. 

Yes the subject line said spring for ours, but it says summer in the email (we didn’t apply for spring). 

We got waitlist too. We only selected 1 option in terms of dates, I wonder if that didn’t help (daughter currently in year 9, and fewer dates for that age it seems). It does rather leave you in limbo. Would be interested to know if anyone has insight on likelihood of getting a place off the waitlist. 

Hello, fellow ENBS associate parent here! Just wondering what people are getting for the ‘plain, fitted black tracksuit bottoms’ for contemporary. Would something like this be suitable do we think? https://www.movedancewear.com/move-dance-desire-jersey-pant-p7404/ I’m just not sure how ‘fitted’ they will be on skinny legs! 

I agree I wouldn’t view it as a way to get into the associated vocational school, just as a supplement to existing training. One thing that appeals to me with ENBS now is that it includes some contemporary, something my daughter hasn’t done before, and which I feel will be beneficial. Does anyone know how long ENB associates has been running? I actually thought it was new, but can see that’s not the case. 

We’re in the same position, ENBS mid associate offer, and due to attend Central audition on Sat, with train strike difficulties! Haven’t decided yet what we’ll do, but the ENBS programme does sound good. 

1 hour ago, Bolshoi said:

It is an excellent programme, 2 hours Ballet plus Contemporary and Pilates, plus older students also have a repertoire/ pas de deux class. There are also extras like the induction day at the beginning of the year and a creative day, no extra charge for these! Would highly recommend.

Thanks, sounds great! Think we’re def going to apply. 

Thanks, silly question, but what did you search? I wasn’t having much luck. 

I couldn’t find a thread on this, so apologies if I’ve missed one, but just wondering whether anyone has any experience/views on Central School of Ballet associates? Looking for my daughter, who’s going into year 9 in Sept. Many thanks. 

I agree that wait list just leaves you in limbo, my daughter got wait list for Royal too for the same week as YBS, obviously I’m not expecting either to come up, but you just don’t know. 

8 minutes ago, Zara said:

Hi, my daughter is at Vocational School and she is on the waiting list! 

Ah ok, thanks for replying! I guess all these intensives are so popular now. 

My dd got waitlist, bit frustrating to hear so many seem to have been offered the same, seems like a way to fob you off and give false hope. Does it seem they favour those at vocational schools? My dd isn’t at one, but when I attended YBS, I was, and lots went from White Lodge (not me!). 

My dd got short wait list for London. She goes into year 9 in Sept. Can I ask those of you turning down places, or who know of places becoming available, where they’re for and for what year? I realise there are no guarantees of anything. 

I’m also wondering about this, when do we think they mean by ‘Easter’?! Do they break up today for the hols? I know they normally send out WL results first, but it looks like they’ve been out a while now. 

On 28/06/2021 at 19:00, Knh said:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/royalballetschool/albums/with/72157711045940538
 

RBS didn’t post pictures from the spring intensive this year here, but you can see many pictures from the past intensives on this Flickr account. 

This is brilliant, thank you so much! We’ve had the list through from RB, and they specify to bring waist elastics, but I can see lots of girls aren’t wearing them, which is good, as my daughter’s leotards don’t all have them. Will pack a few regardless, just in case! The soft shorts seem like a good call @Balletmum55 so might get her some of those. 

On 27/06/2021 at 23:20, Balletmum55 said:

A zip up or wide neck jumper is good to quickly pop on to help keep them warm between class and doesn’t risk knocking their bun. Some wore dance school or associate ones but equally dance / none dance clothing was worn. Otherwise leggings, joggers or soft shorts of a dance or non-dance brand are absolutely fine. An all in one warm up is also good but absolutely not necessary and most kids just wear  very comfortable clothing. She definitely won’t feel left out xxx 

 

I’d take a couple of skirts and belts to compliment leotards if you have them but as long as she wears something that you know fits well and importantly she’s comfortable in she’ll feel at her best and most at ease xxx 

 

Hope she has a wonderful time. 

Thank you, this is really helpful!

3 hours ago, BalletBear said:

Hi, I’m older than your daughter so this might not be too helpful! I’m sure at that age that some girls might wear skirts and some won’t. Places like Ballet Skirts by Lucinda, Freda Silk and Seraphina Steps all sell beautiful skirts (I know they are all on Instagram too, so you can see designs). Also shops like Just Ballet and Devoted to Dance (both are also on Instagram and very helpful) sell a variety of brands that you could look at for leotards, skirts and warmups. For warmups, I’m not sure what girls would be wearing as it is summer, but Grishko has some nice thin sweater type things (devoted to dance has a lot). I do know that warm-up boots are very popular, but you have those anyways. To be honest, like Balletbean said, your daughter has done so well to be selected and I think at her age all of the dancers in her class will have a large variety of different warmups and leotards so I’m sure what ever she likes and feels comfortable in will be fine  

Thank you @BalletBear that’s so kind of you to respond! ☺️ I’ll check out those recommendations, thank you very much indeed! 

1 hour ago, WhatsThePointe said:

The school have posted a few photos recently from the Spring Intensive, you could have a look and see what people have on in those? I guess more likely to show dancewear than warmup though.

Good idea, I did see some with skirts, which was something I wondered about (as in ballet skirts over leotards). 

20 minutes ago, balletbean said:

Besides the inevitable ‘kit list’ from RBS. Besides that just celebrate your DD’s achievement in being awarded a place at White Lodge. Awesome achievement.
That alone shows that she already ‘fits in’. 

 

Anything else could be deemed superfluous. 
 

Congratulations and best wishes to your DD. ☺️

You are right of course, and I’m hugely proud of her! ☺️ It’s just for quite a while she’s only done private lessons, and she’s never done an intensive, so we’re a little out of touch! 

My 11yo daughter will be attending the White Lodge summer intensive this year. We have yet to receive a list of items to take, although obviously we can work out the basics. But in the interests of her feeling like she fits in with everyone, I’d be interested to know what sorts of things other children of her age favour, in terms of leotards, skirts/no skirts, shoes etc. Also in particular I’d like to know what sort of warm up gear they wear, as there are so many options! She already has Bloch booties, and I suppose it ought to be quite warm anyway, but would be great to know what’s popular at the moment! We’ve ordered a RB t shirt, so she’ll have that too. 
 

Many thanks!

2 hours ago, coniger said:

my DS was offered a mids place off the wait list in August - rbs associate office  is closed for a month over the summer

Thank you, that’s really helpful to know. I would have assumed by August it was a no go!