Astrid

Just messaged you about this 🙂 

@BattementBatty I think maybe they realised adding the numbers of places vs number auditioned was fuelling the endless debate and decided to put us out our misery by removing that section  😅🤓

@Fairydust Birmingham..Realised that if we get the second date it easier to make it work than to try and get to another centre. There are two choices of dates which are two weeks apart (because of that extra BH on May 8th). So if anyone else Birmingham we will be there 🙂@Spamcat possibly? xx

27 minutes ago, Fairydust said:

hello @Astrid 

thankyou xx

You are welcome 😅 Like a moth to a flame @Fairydust🙈...Lols..

I just got excited as I know the answer to this! have no idea where the post is, but I do remember reading it at some point - the info that is being talked about is on the royal ballet school annual report from a couple of years ago..I have linked it below - you can work out the percentages quite easily? However, this is obviously old info, numbers will have changed considerably since then I would have thought? I don’t know if this link will work. 

https://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/RBS_AnnualReport_201516_Final.pdf
but my summary..It’s on average an 11% chance of getting a place, that’s an 89% chance of not getting a place, (which gives it more perspective) 😅 if they want you they’ll find a place and if not keep trying 💁🏼‍♀️🤞🏻🌈 (and if you are a boy in Eastleigh it seems to help 😆)??

On 28/12/2019 at 02:53, annaliesey said:

Astrid - not sure my post will be “pearls of wisdom” but it’s just an opinion based on moving around a fair bit of dance schools with clashes and other things.  

 

at 8 I think the schools you’re currently at have seemingly done a good job as she sounds happy and friendships and teaching styles and relationships make a big difference to the future. 
 

the clues are how many advanced/vocational grade classes do they both have on their timetables as this will give you insight into the demand they have at both schools and whether dancers stay with them and onto further education in dance or fizzle out. If neither of these have them then look for a third option  

 

I personally wouldn’t worry about modern (hindsight is wonderful) because your dd will always catch up later if need be and there’s things such as jazz associates or contemporary associates you could pick up instead for a while. If the teachers want your business they’ll find a solution (Even if it’s the occasional private lesson)  

 

I’d be wary that the grass isn’t automatically greener with a larger school. If it were me I would be cautious and do some open classes, guest/drop ins, and a trial. 
 

I honestly wouldn’t worry about syllabus grades for non vocational grades and try to get the best teacher you can find with a great reputation and preferably professional experience alongside a recognised teachers qualification. 
 

Also, I’m a bit jaded. Loyalty is over-rated. Just do what’s right for you  

 

Hi Annaliesey thank you for this and happy new year to you! we went to the new dance school and did a trial day which she really liked. I found everyone to be really nice and welcoming. We know the dance teacher already as we have had lessons with her previously at the existing school (I forgot to mention that before). I’d say where we live, it’s a choice of these two  (unless we want to travel a substantial distance, which currently we don’t).

The new school is probably the one where most people go if they want to do dancing seriously later on, but even then there is a real lack of extra training at a younger age where we are, which is why things like the associate classes are so valuable to her - she is just getting so much out of it which she wouldn’t have got previously.  
I think the thing that I noticed the most is the amount of classes available at the ‘next level’ as you say, they seem to offer quite a lot at an ‘inter’ level where as our current one she would just be doing one ballet class. I guess if she carries on with dancing she would eventually have to increase her hours which she could only really do at the new one. I know the teacher at our current school is very well regarded, so it’s hard to know what’s best here so we sort of have to go on gut feeling? 
I have also realised as you say that there are options for classes outside the ‘grades’ which has been helpful. 
It’s been a good exercise for us just to review things and see what else is out there. She is only 8 so trying not to over think it. I mean she could just jack it all in next year 😂 I think we have got a good plan now which everyone seems positive about - thanks to everyone on the forum for your help! 🙃🩰 xx

18 hours ago, Katia05 said:

Hi Astrid! No great pearls of wisdom, but just to say that we changed dance school twice before my dd found the dance school where she now thrives and gets excellent teaching across the disciplines. She didn't know anyone there at first but it didn't take long to make new friends and now she would never go back, even though she can see positive things about her old dance schools too. My only suggestion is to do a trial at the alternative one, and be open with your director at the current one. Age 8 is quite a good time to move in some ways, as they still have so many years ahead of them. Good luck with thinking it through!

 Ah this is interesting - I had always just thought we would stay where we are but think I realise if she wants to do other types of dancing (which she does) she might have to make the move. I think 8 is too young for her to have to stop doing all the other types of dance she likes so she can do more ballet. Surely it also has to be about fun! 🙂 Anyway we have a trial class this week so we will see! x

On 10/12/2019 at 21:13, TKT said:

Hi @Astrid - My DD is 10 & only started dancing this year but has thrived & has a real passion for ballet (although she’s a fab little dancer across the genres). How old is your DD? We’ve just started signing up to workshops & an Easter intensive with her current associate. I just have an intuitive niggle that she needs more regular / local ballet classes & another set of eyes. She would love to go to vocational school in YR 9 so we’ve only a couple of years to get the foundations right! Xx

Yes it’s a bit like going down a rabbit hole isn’t it, the further you go the further you have to keep going 😂. DD is 8. She is quite opinionated in her plans in what she wants 😅. We have a try our class this week with the new dance school so I guess we will see how that goes! 

2 hours ago, Confuddled said:

I know it feels like a huge move, but my experience was that it was right to go. If the school is no longer giving your dd what she needs, then that’s the right time to move on. My dd felt huge loyalty to her old dance school and her friends there, and took well over a year to make the decision to go (and it was very hard, and involved a lot of tears) but looking back she’s clear that it was the right decision, and that (if anything) she wishes she’d moved sooner.

Thank you for this, this is just how we are feeling! It’s good to hear from people who have done the same..xx

On 09/12/2019 at 09:52, TinyNEDancer said:

I was going to suggest looking at the possibility of her taking the modern class at the other dance school, Astrid. That way I guess you can dip your toe in, try it anyway, before making the move for ballet too. Also, it will solve the modern class problem in the meantime. It would be difficult for the original ballet school to argue given they have moved the class, which now makes it difficult. Good luck though, it's never nice having to sort this type of problem out x

Thanks Tiny - got a feeling the new school wouldn’t like us just doing that, but gotta try I guess! 🤪

21 hours ago, TKT said:

Hi @Astrid although I’m not able to offer any pearls of wisdom, it maybe comforting to know you’re not alone... I have different reasons for contemplating seeking another school locally which concentrates more so on Ballet. My DD dances across the genres & has festival / performance opportunities with her current school etc but we recently auditioned for Trings CBA & unfortunately my DD received a no. They kindly spoke with me (& without going into too much detail) my DD has all the credentials apart from an understanding pelvic alignment which requires more training. My DDs current school doesn’t promote associate programmes, vocational schools etc as I’m sure they’d prefer to keep it all in house (which is absolutely fine &

understandable) but we feel like me & my DD are going it alone. I would like to think my DD could stay at her current school & practice Ballet at another but I don’t think that’ll go down at all well! Please keep us updated! Xx

Hi TKT! 
yes I do understand this too! As our little journey has progressed I have found that we seem to come up against obstacles to thinking outside the traditional box so to speak...it’s so hard isn’t it! How old is your DD? There are lots of other opportunities for more ballet out there depending on where you are or what you can manage? good luck with your thoughts..it’s driving me a bit bonkers! haha...xxx

21 hours ago, Crystaltips said:

Why not ask to do a couple of trial classes at the new school? Also if you think dance might become serious in the future take a good look at the credentials of the new school before you jump ship. That should include the schools track record into getting students into full time training. Don’t feel bad about moving schools it’s quite normal 

Yes thank for this actually it’s a good idea and we are going to do it - think that would be flood all round! 
Going to speak to her current teacher also, I feel like they won’t let her do both schools unfortunately but it’s worth a try...it would be fab if she could do both it would solve it all in my head.. xx

Just wondering if anyone has any pearls of wisdom..DD is 8, she has been at her dance school since she was 3. We have always been really happy there. It’s quite a small dance school she is pretty much doing everything she can there. She recently started at elmhurst as a young dancer and is loving it, but now that she has, things are starting to clash. because it is quite small, there aren’t really any alternatives, so for example, she has recently had to stop modern, which she loved. 
There is a larger dance school which does a lot more, and can be more accommodating, and offer more opportunities (and have been fab at offering all sorts of solutions)  but while it makes sense on paper, we both feel a bit sad about leaving our current one - we feel a sort of loyalty. I think I know if she wants to continue doing more then we have to make the move, but it makes me feel bad!  DDs view is she is worried she won’t know anyone. she wants to do more dancing but is scared of not having friends..I don’t want to be a pushy mum who does things she is sad about, but she is too young to get it at the moment?

anyone got any good advice? 🙂 x

Ok fab if I message you my email could you send me pics, am interested in them if the person above me doesn’t have them! could you also send me pics of the degas ones too? Thanks so much 🙂 x

Hello I am interested in the collections by Claudia ones too - roughly what age is child medium would you say? I’ll just measure her anyway..

Hi @Fairydust! I reckon it would be fine? The waist is pretty big and sits on her hips more so think it would be ok? The bottoms are also zip up. The top is also quite baggy? I did try and PM you a picture but I can’t work our how to do it 😂...

@Spamcat yes the jazz shorts are the boys shorts, I needed help with that too! 

the ballet shoes are satin Bloch if that’s any help as well? 

we got the lace up ones because she has such narrow feet I thought it would mean I could pull them in more - which has actually helped as they would have been a bit baggy on the sides otherwise! They are Bloch as well. 

DD loves it all! I have to say it’s all really good quality. she can’t wait to get going! 💃🏼 Xx

Hi @Spamcat ours arrived today! I went for 8-10 and it fits just right (6-7 would have been way to small in length)! 

Tracksuit is a bit baggy but she will grow into it - the bottoms are quite big round waist but don’t fall down. We got 7-8.

ballet shoes we got the narrow fit and they fit about the same as her current ones and are ok (we got size 3, she is a 2 in normal shoes). 

Jazz shoes - she is a 2 and we got a 5 (website said to). They are a bit big as she has such narrow feet but they are alright. 

We got 7-8 in jazz shorts and they are great with a bit of room to spare. 

Hope that helps?! DD is 128cm. 

exciting! 🙂

@TinyNEDancer this is going to sound random but have you had any email confirmation of your order? I haven't..but wondering if that's just the way they do it? does it just turn up?🤔 xx

It didn’t say the brand but I have a feeling they could be Bloch? There was a choice of width and the size chart said Bloch on it. Usually Bloch was have been to wide for her but as there is a width choice it might be they are alright. I ordered 8-10 leotard as she has got a similar one which is 8-10..again a stab in the dark 😅💁🏼‍♀️ Feel like she would be too tall for the 6-7? 

I have to say I love ordering kit..😅 must be a throw back to start of term new stationary and school bags or something? 😆 pretty expensive for it all though! 😬

@TinyNEDancer I was wondering same when I just went on the site to order it... DD exactly same as your DD - 128cm and slim! Reckon Ill go for 7/8 as anything bigger usually hangs off her..I guess can always return and get different size if its too small.. just got in a pickle with shoe sizing as well as used to getting her measured because she has such narrow feet? just gonna take a stab at it 😂

@Pinkpip100 thank you so much that is really helpful! 😊 xx

We had our email with the uniform list 🙂 - does anyone know what the hair should be  (is it bun or plaits or does it not matter)? Also I can’t see the black jazz shorts in the elmhurst section on the dance shop website or am I going blind..and finally does anyone know which strength band you get? I’m presuming the littlest one? never bought one before! 

apologies if I have just missed this info and it’s all in the email, I couldn’t see it! 

x

Hi @Spamcat we are going to give the jazz class a try 💃🏼! x

Nice idea @TinyNEDancer - has anyone heard anything else form them yet since accepting? wondering when they send times and stuff. 

@Ms Sunshine has your DD enjoyed her time at elmhurst? Mine can’t wait 😆 did she do the jazz and the ballet or just the ballet? Xx