Bothballet

I’m not sure if there are any boys on this forum who have got places but if there is and you need to know anything specific to boys (like boys boarding) or anything else my son is Year 8 at the Hammond and I’m happy to answer any questions. Like others have said it’s a lovely, nurturing school and I feel so lucky he is there.

Congratulations!

The current Hammond students are wearing masks when dancing in studios so I would think that those auditioning will have to.

To order lateral flow tests

I know this won’t help those Scotland or Wales based but for those in the UK  you can order a pack of lateral flow tests and they come within 2 days so if you order today you should be just in time.

My son is at Hammond and they’re very “on it” with regards to testing so am sure they will help out if you’re stuck.

Yes. I’ve just checked.

27 minutes ago, Isabella said:

This is what I’m thinking. We haven’t heard at all so must be a no. I don’t want to look impatient for my no bu emailing though 

I emailed with the query about weekly sessions and they got back to me really quickly. I’d just drop them an email if I was you, it could be that the email just hasn’t got to you. Fingers crossed.

My son can’t attend weekly sessions either so was advised to audition for either Birmingham or London. We have decided to give it a go this year and see what happens. I figured we won’t be going on holiday so it will help fill the school holidays with something other than his Xbox!

we are yet to experience the zoom training but he enjoyed the recent taster (he also got a one to watch)

He heard within 24 hours for Birmingham.

My DS has recently auditioned and has been successful for the Birmingham team. He will be doing the February training.

I’ve been told emails will be making there way over the weekend so probably won’t have to wait until Monday x

I’ve got everything crossed for you all xxx

The current year 7 had 16 dancers and 5 drama/music students when they started. 2 have left during the year so currently 19 in Year 7.

These are fantastic! Such a great idea x

I remember this only too well from

last year. The waiting was the worst bit! I really feel for you all and really hope you get some answers soon.

School returns on Monday After the Easter holidays so hopefully they’ll start to contact people. As hard as it is don’t be too despondent if they don’t as they’re also trying to move everything over to distance learning and support the current pupils in doing this.

My DS wasn’t lucky enough to be awarded an MDS last year but there are other options. Please DM me if you want to chat. Stay safe x

My DS is year 7 and we got an email last year. It was a very quick turnaround too. 

1 hour ago, Balletmummy28 said:

That is not true. We have turned down an MDS and taken up a bursary offer instead as it works out better for us financially.  I am hoping some other lovely little dancer will now get an offer from the reserve list!

I have pm’d you. Apologies if I have misled anyone else but I am only talking from our experience this year.

5 hours ago, Farawaydancer said:

 

My dd was awarded this one I think, got a phone call on Thursday afternoon - or maybe that was a different one and someone else is going to have a lovely phone call too.

Congratulations @Farawaydancer!!! X

1 hour ago, Picturesinthefirelight said:

 

There is a new finance person. 

That makes sense. So upsetting to know things would be so different for us on a different year. But whatever will be will be

From our experience this year bursaries offered are means tested so it would be unlikely that it would work out a better option then the MDS x

Thank you so much @Pinksocks and @PenguinBoysMum. I really appreciate it. 

I honestly thought it was just us on the reserve list that felt like they’re in limbo but it seems this is the case even if you have an MDS. I do wish there was much more transparency in this system. I hope you get some answers soon @Pinksocks.

Congratulations to @Pinksocks and @Kitty rose and you DDs! Did you get the MDS straight away or off the reserve list? I understand what you are saying with regards to not knowing the contributions and there still being a chance of MDS being returned. Depending how many MDS we’re given I think my son is pretty near the top of the reserve list so we still have a little hope.... 

Just now, Mrs Butterfly said:

We have had a similar conversation today. It’s so hard isn’t it. You might get lucky if you are near the top? Wish there would be more available, it feels like there wasn’t many to go round this year? Thinking of you both, as know exactly how you are both feeling xx

It’s such a rollercoaster isn’t it?? I hadn’t mentioned to my DS that he was on the reserve list as I was waiting to know if there were any bursaries available. I’ve told him tonight and he’s taken it remarkably well.

I do wonder how many MDS have been offered. My guesstimate is about 5 which isn’t a lot at all! Many Congratulations to those who have got MDS and a genuine thank you to the likes of @Ms Sunshine who have given theirs back quickly to allow someone else’s DC to fulfill their dream. Thinking of everyone in the same position as us x

3 hours ago, Ms Sunshine said:

We have handed back a mds offer xx

Many Congratulations for you and your DD xxx

We are also on the reserve list and have been offered a bursary today but unfortunately it wasn’t enough for us to consider it. Devastated as we know my DS is pretty near the top of the MDS list.