Lara Eschler

27 minutes ago, valentina said:

Although there is much criticism of assessing out, I’m sure it would not be any schools policy or in their interest, to accept more students, due to Covid, simply so they can assess them out several months later. Most schools have a limit on how many beds are available in any case.

I really just meant that as they have the capacity to take 15 or even 16 of each, (but usually take 12), that this year might be a year where more children (16 rather than12) get a chance. It was more a reflection following the discussion of whether more applicants might have made finals this year.  Apologies again if I have offended anyone or if my comment has been perceived as a criticism of the school system. xx

2 minutes ago, The red shoes said:

Whoop whoop 🙌🏼 

The tone of their email cheered up too. 

No covid test for ELmhurst!!!

34 minutes ago, TwirlyWhirly said:

Yes we have the same dilemma @BalletBoyMumma. State secondary is the only other option for our DS if he doesn't go to a specialist dance school. Exactly same problem if, a year or so later, we are grappling to find a local place. I know which local school(s) would have space at that point and don't fancy them at all!

On the issue of assessing out mid year 7, I think I remember seeing on the website when we applied that the Year 7 place was 'Sept 2021 to Aug 2022' or some such small print i.e. guaranteed for a year, but only for a year (in the first instance). I now can't find this as applications have closed, perhaps I imagined it anyway!

Good luck everyone in any case! Much as all this is an anxious time, it would be lovely to have the choice and either way it will be brilliant to have the experience!

Yes, they do guarantee a year but they find out in February whether they are progressing to the following year. It seems like a difficult situation with most children not having the resilience to stay until the end knowing they have been assessed out and for families to find another suitable school in February where deadlines would have past. 

17 minutes ago, The red shoes said:

Totally agree !! Xx 

Apologies, I did not mean that they should not be selective but I think the amount and quality of training children had this year is more variable than previous years, perhaps. Maybe this year they might give a couple  more children the benefit of the doubt and see how they can thrive with their training ( I was just suggesting 15 of each would still be better than 12). The reality, from what I understand, is that they do assess out more so than other schools anyway and the lucky children who get an offer is only for a year at the time.

Assuming my ds is able to attend ( as still not sure the covid tests logistics will work), it will be his first time back in a studio in ages with the pressure of being in an audition class, that joy and love of dancing they look for might not necessarily show. 

@WhiteduvetI totally agree about finding the right fit for your child in terms of schools. The audition process also works for both ways.

36 minutes ago, Balletmumlife said:

Last year it was 15 girls and 15 boys. X

Hopefully, they take more than 12 of each this year too since children did not have the usual studio training and as they can assess them out by February anyway. 

1 minute ago, The red shoes said:

Individually but that would take about an hour as roughly 10 minutes each so that would be happening whilst other 7 are dancing .

So do you think more boys are attending finals this year like 45 instead of 30 or so?

Just now, The red shoes said:

Depends on how long the audition is. I would guess if only 7 dancing at a time 60 minutes would be adequate for the audition whilst the other 7 see the physio then swap so that’s at least 2 hours for 14. So say starting at 9:30 till 11:30 then clean & lunch 13:00 - 15:00 for next 14 students 30 minutes clean then 15:30-17:30 for another 14 perhaps???

Is the physio assessment in a group or are they seen individually?

1 minute ago, Weloveballet said:

That’s what I originally thought but then someone said they had spoke to them and they were accepting these ones aslong as they were registered online. Are these not the same tests they do in school anyway? What’s the difference if a school does it do they register it instead? I’m wondering if I could take the test I’ve been given by a friend into school to be done if that’s the case 

I think people had confirmed it is fine, when I called they also said to try to source it from a secondary school (though I thought the test would be administered  by staff.) 

My concern would just be people self-reporting results and self-interpreting the test results.  

Just found out  Dumlers Pharmacy in Richmond  offers rapid antigen tests and they are 69 pounds.   

The stress of sourcing a test has at least distracted me from the the stress of ds attending an audition class at such a prestigious school.  

I thought one of the concerns was reading the result yourself from the test kit? Is that how the lateral flow test kits given to staff work? 

I really hope they accept all the different variants of the test, and supply their own if people need them and hope all the children stay healthy and symptoms free. 

1 minute ago, Weloveballet said:

Glad you got sorted 😀 I’m back panicking again now I’d sorted getting one from a healthcare worker friend (has a barcode so can be registered online) but I’ve now no idea if that is correct. Think I’ll have to ring them tomorrow 

It is really hard with all the uncertainty, hope it works out, let us know if they confirm administering the test at home is fine. 

Thanks again , I booked one at Stansted for the 10th now, I hope it works, they need passport and  email confirmation and it says flight details if applicable. 

Just now, Mrs Tea said:

so sorry but hes our old GP who has gone private.....the hospital we are going to get it done are Spire Healthcare, they might have a branch near you? Or come up to us and I can ask him to do yours too! x

 

Thank-you. I will try, we have a Spire Hospital very near. 

33 minutes ago, Mrs Tea said:

yes the doctor can do it and process it there and then. Can give us a result in 15mins xx

Do you know if they different bracnhes? 

2 minutes ago, rowan said:

Lara, could you borrow an address? My local council in London is offering lateral flow tests and you don’t need proof of address. It does say it’s for those who live or work in the area, but they don’t seem to check. All it says you need to bring is:

• confirmation of your booking - the confirmation email on your mobile device or printed out 
• a mobile device to scan a QR or bar code on the test. There will be devices available if you don’t have your own

2 minutes ago, rowan said:

Lara, could you borrow an address? My local council in London is offering lateral flow tests and you don’t need proof of address. It does say it’s for those who live or work in the area, but they don’t seem to check. All it says you need to bring is:

• confirmation of your booking - the confirmation email on your mobile device or printed out 
• a mobile device to scan a QR or bar code on the test. There will be devices available if you don’t have your own

Thank-you, I actually have a flat in London but have tenants in but I paid council tax over the summer so have looked at that but the borough wanted proof of address and council tax bill for current tax year which I am not sure it was going t work. Could you message me (privately if you wish) if you know of a borough who does not require proof of address? 

Thanks again.

1 hour ago, Justkeepsmiling said:

Can you get one at your nearest airport? Just a thought, as some of these centres have sprung up to allow people to test before travel.

thanks will try, though not that close to airport.

1 minute ago, Returnofthejedi said:

Have you tried your primary school? I called ours today and explained we need it for vocational school and they've agreed to do ours. Fingers crossed for you 🤞🤞

Yes, I called our school who has their own machine for PCR tests and  has lateral flow tests for staff and year 7 onwards and they said no. Did you use your own dc school or another primary school? 

Just now, Mrs Tea said:

no the lateral Flow as they requested. I tried the local centres here but they dont do under 16's 

 

So do they take the sample? I can't find a place like that. Still looking though.

Thank-you to everyone who has shared suggestions, etc. I really appreciate it. xxx

1 hour ago, Mrs Tea said:

We have had to use a private Dr to get one done 

Are you getting the PCR test? 

3 minutes ago, The red shoes said:

I’m going to send you our meeting code via insta message... just to check it’s not the same lol 

It is different,

Just now, The red shoes said:

Why have we been given the same time??? 

Maybe they are interviewed  by a different person. I assume they are interviewed individually?   

Just now, The red shoes said:

Ours is 10:20 on the Friday lol 

LOL same on the 5th

4 minutes ago, Weloveballet said:

Has anyone had their interview times through? can you confirm you had it in hour minute second format? I wasn’t sure if it was a mis type and whether I should clarify the time? 

10:20 00AM ?

4 minutes ago, Ballet Dreams said:

Have you tried your primary school some are testing teachers do they may be able to help.  Also what about the rapid antigen tests they are similar to the rapid flow and around £85 I am sure someone else posted to say that the RBS had said they would accept a pcr or rapid antigen if you could not get a lateral flow.  

Does anyone know where to find a test for 85 that guarantees results within the time frame? thanks