BalletBoyMumma

10 minutes ago, Lara Eschler said:

Oh, I was going to signed up for that with Mr D, and then got sidetracked, I have not been organized for this half-term but I guess we all needed a break. Glad your ds is enjoying. xx

Oh, definitely enjoy your break. It is needed sometimes. ❤️ 
If anyone wants to look out for future sessions it was organised by My Boy Can on Instagram.  
 

We haven’t done much at all as DS really doesn’t enjoy Zoom so not wanting to put him off completely. Trying to keep up fitness and technique without it is proving a real challenge though. 
I really, really, really hope this is our last lockdown 🤞🤞🤞 

3 minutes ago, Dancermom said:

No I believe they decide mids from the videos / finals but it would seem strange if they chose from the vids and not from who they invite to finals, if that makes sense. Also the JAs had a separate audition for MAs or at least that was what was planned, I read it on another thread x 

Oh I didn’t know that. Thank you. We applied for WL and Mids in one (DS is a current JA and we’d be over the moon for anything but mids would actually be preferable - I didn’t realise there was a separate audition, we were encouraged to do it all as one...but that could have been my mistake). 

Congrats Bunny! 👏👏👏👏🥳

It’s all rather confusing, isn’t it? I’d have thought they’d have invited potential students to the audition too even if they only applied for mids. I don’t think there’s a separate finals planned for mids, is there? 

Congratutions to your DC, Asta. How lovely! 👏

Fingers crossed 🤞 the rest of the results will follow soon. 

1 minute ago, Dancermom said:

Unless of course some didn’t apply for the school only MAs x 

For RB? That’s what I thought but I know someone who got a no for WL but told MA results will be expected later on so they are still waiting. 

DS is currently in a group Zoom session with the Head of Boys at Hammond. The teacher seems really lovely. Very precise but in a really encouraging, attentive way (usually that doesn’t come across so easily in such a large Zoom class, we tend to avoid the large classes as they can feel quite impersonal and DS feels a bit lost). 

Slightly regretting not broadening our opportunities this year. Hopefully open days and workshops can start going ahead again soon - it’d be lovely to get a proper feel for what’s out there for the future. 

Yep! It was only this eve I realised LFT are not the PCR ones. Oops! 😳😳😳🤦‍♀️😂 

Thank you, everyone. ❤️

11 minutes ago, The red shoes said:

I mean really RBS should be sending us the Lateral

flow tests. To expect us to pay for one is a bit much. You do the test then input the result into the government website and they text you your result. So in theory you could lie and say it was negative and they text you with a negative result. It’s all a bit dodgy and a lot of trust is involved 

Yes, that was exactly my thoughts too. Far too dodgy and surely that cannot be right but I’ve had two friends confirm that’s how the tests are done. 🤔 

I guess most areas have centres so you wouldn’t be logging your own results. In our area we don’t have any set up yet (we are always behind the rest of the country for everything) but you have to take a test on entering certain places, like SEN schools, care homes etc. Results are quick so it probably should have been done like that. 

There does seem to be places you can buy them but I was thinking surely taking one at home and inputting the result online sounds really dodgy. So dodgy that I’d probably find out it’s a fake test, fake ‘proof’ and we’d be turned away at the door. I’m definitely going to be having nightmares about this now. 😩🤣

15 minutes ago, TwirlyWhirly said:

So not only do we have to be video/ IT experts, but ingenious at sourcing Lateral Flow Tests via any means we can! This year's applications make me feel like I'm a contestant on the Krypton factor!! 🤣

I know, right? It’s crazy! 
 

Frazzled already and we’ve only applied to one place for DS so you guys are doing fabulously compared to us. 😂 
I very nearly gave up at the video stage. 😳

23 minutes ago, TwirlyWhirly said:

Thanks for that @Lara Eschler but that's how I found out that our LA doesn't do them 'yet', unfortunately. My LA's reply to me helpfully said that they were looking into setting up asymptomatic testing more widely in the 'next few weeks'! Argh! 😬 I will just have to impress on the school how important this is for DSs educational progress... or maybe email RBS and ask them what to do ..although I suspect they'd ask for a PCR test as an alternative, which is very expensive! Just more things to think about! Just gotta keep focussed on the main reason I'm doing any of this!

I don’t know if this will work but a friend has said they can get one for me as they have to test regularly for work anyway. I’ve been told you take the test at home then input the test result to the website, along with your DCs NHS number etc and you get an email and text back to use as proof (sounds quite iffy!?!) 🤔

Does anyone know if this sounds correct? Is that the process the schools/workplaces use? 

If so, it looks like the school should be able to help you @TwirlyWhirly - fingers crossed! 

I hope you find a solution too @TwirlyWhirly - fingers crossed the school will help. If I find anything out about how to get one I’ll let you all know. I’m guessing this will affect quite a few.  (I assumed this would be easy enough so submitted our attendance confirmation already, oops!)

43 minutes ago, balletboy8 said:

Are RBS accepting LFT?  The intensives want PCR (as need certificate - not given with LFT)... and the testing needs to happen over Easter weekend - which is quite unlikely to be possible. 🤪

Yes that was my confusion. I don’t know enough about the tests but didn’t think the LFT came with proof (as in they tend to be done in a workplace and you see results there and then) but wasn’t sure. 

@Lara Eschler, yep, went via gov.uk too - unfortunately ours only offer to employers with 50+ staff, so I’m guessing no LF test sites here yet. I know our schools under this LA aren’t testing either (they opted not to).  

Will need to find a way to get one. Or ask if a paid for PCR test will be ok. 

What is everyone doing for the lateral flow testing? It appears our LA don’t do free testing for anyone other than workplaces with 50+ staff. Do others? 

19 hours ago, Lara Eschler said:

Hi everyone, 

I just  have a question out of curiosity, I see that WL confirms offers for the following year to existing pupils at round this time. This would be too late to apply to other schools, so I was wondering what do families do with the uncertainty, do they apply to schools before Christmas just in case? And for children not given a place for the following year, do they stay until the end of the school year? This is just a a curious and naive question not meant to upset or annoy anyone or make a judgement on a school. Thank-you. 

Gosh, I hadn’t even considered this. So do all the students generally apply everywhere else as a ‘just in case’? Every year (barring GCSEs)? 
That’s another potential headache (and financial burden) to consider.

Do they see who the potential incoming students are based on the applications and prelim auditions and then decide who of their current students to keep based on that??? ☹️ That’s the only reason I can see for this timing. I guess this is the downside of highly selective schools but it’s good to know about. 

Also have a ‘slow burner’ here. Praised for musicality but struggles to keep up with technique. 

A yes for finals for us too. DS has just done laps of the living room. Not seen him that excited in a long time. 💙 
 

Congratulations to those with invites to finals. 👏 xx 

29 minutes ago, SissonneDoublee said:

I always get the impression that DD has more downtime than her non-vocational but serious dancing friends, as her classes fit into the school day whereas they are dashing from school to the studio and trying to squeeze homework (where teachers often don’t understand the demands on their time from dancing) and dinner. She definitely has time to relax every evening, and at weekends and school holidays too. (There is class on Saturday morning if not an exeat weekend, but by lunchtime they are done.)

At her school they are outside a lot, there is a big grassy area where they sit and chat, and they are encouraged to eat outside at picnic tables when the weather is good. 
This year they have been asked to take ‘essentials only’, due to increased cleaning and the risk of having to suddenly pack and return home, but normally she takes an absolute car load of her favourite things! The school encourages them to take lots of photos etc to make their living space personal.

The last assessing out point at all the lower schools (as far as I know) is in year 9. If they get into year 10 they are there until the end of their GCSEs. Similarly, they don’t assess out until year 8, to give children a fair chance at settling in and working with them. So it’s only really years 8 and 9 when they do, and not all the schools have a policy of assessing out at all. You would hope that the warning signs would be there beforehand, but I’m not sure that that is always the case. I have known a couple of families that have been completely shocked by the news. I think maybe always being prepared for the fact that it could happen is a wise approach.

Ask all the questions that you need too! We have all been there, and been helped by parents further down the line than us when it was our turn xx

Oh thank you!!! ❤️
 

So helpful. I can imagine your DD does have lots more free time than non-vocational students - that’s definitely a big positive. Rest time is so important for them. Also to just be kids.  Being around friends so much must be lovely. 

Burnout worries me - also peer pressure in a state school, I worry DS won’t continue for long. We know a few boys who’ve quit ballet while still in Yr7 of our local schools.  
 

The COVID restrictions must be tough but great to hear that she gets to personalise her space well. That must make such a huge difference. 
 

Really good to know about the assessing out being only in yr8/9. Thank you. I’ve heard some horror stories but they’ve been rumours and not any direct experiences (apart from on this forum, which has been far more helpful, both on the positives and negatives). I can imagine the schools still deal with all the issues a normal school does, like bullying. And you are right, they are selective schools so there’s always the chance of being assessed out. But if it’s dealt with kindly and with the student in mind, then it’s fair enough. We live not too far from a selective school that assesses children out academically each year. It can be brutal! 
 

Thank you. So grateful for all of this info. Please always share the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of vocational training and boarding. The honesty is so helpful. 
 

What have DCs found down time to be like at each school? Do they get to spend much time outdoors? Can they bring their favourite things with them or is it very limited? 

Also, assessing out when it happens? How do the schools balance this with not disrupting formal studies too much? Is it done as kindly as possible or is it quite abrupt? 

(I hope you guys don’t mind all the questions 🙈 We haven’t really had any chance to find out about these things yet - a bit late for us this year, we may be back next year, but could help others paint a picture). 

48 minutes ago, Balletmum2021 said:

Definitely not today then! It’s going to be a long weekend! Anyone had Elmhurst either?

No, sadly not. Though I doubt WL will tell us until Boris’ has given info on pathway out of lockdown on the 22nd. Really cutting it fine for making arrangements. 
 

We didn’t apply for Elmhurst but there is a thread (and sadly nothing yet apparently - I’ve been stalking the threads while waiting for progress on this one...going slightly loopy with the not knowing if we need to plan things or not). Fingers crossed for everyone it’ll be today for Elmhurst. 🤞

12 minutes ago, The red shoes said:

Hmmm no results.... do you think it will be after half term

now?? 😩😩😩😩

Surely not if they’ve said results are ready to go out - that would be very cruel! 

43 minutes ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

If anyone is curious about “extras” this is an example of what appeared on our 6:2/6:3 Dada invoice termly. I can’t find an old MDS, must have burned 🔥 them 😂

It shows the total full fees prior to the Dada discount so don’t panic 😟 
There is no uniform/pointe shoe etc allowance with a Dada as there is with an MDS. 

The 6:2 is boarding and the 6:3 is a day student, then you pay rent and bills. It is not my intention to frighten anyone, I wish I had known a bit more before entering the vocational world. 

https://ibb.co/PtsDxQF
https://ibb.co/ZmqRPCG

Thank you for sharing these.
No, it’s definitely important information. The fee lists are on the school websites but it’s good to know what ‘additional charges’ can actually look like in reality. 
 

I guess there will always be the ‘keeping up with everyone else’ financial pressures too (extra tuition, music lessons, extra curricular activities, school trips). It’s all important to know about beforehand. 

I agree @Lara Eschler, the audition video process caused undue stress. It played a big part in why DS then put his guard up about applying to anywhere else this year. And at one point really put his guard up on continuing in general (it’s not been fun!)
The initial message was the video wasn’t overly important, and likely won’t be looked at but that changed to actually it will and will determine who gets into finals(!!!) The video guideline changed too, which I didn’t realise till after I’d submitted our video (we’d done the far more vague version they’d asked for in the beginning). 🤦‍♀️
I don’t blame them in any way as it’s been out of everyone’s hands but it’s not been a good process at all. 

Gosh! Mandatory contact sports sounds particularly stressful. The ballet on site definitely appeals here too (DS really doesn’t like the travelling). 

I hope you get your first preference. Your DS is looking really wonderful and he works so hard - he’ll go far! 💙 

29 minutes ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

In our vocational journey we had 4 different insurance companies through the school. BUPA was the first one. It was not included in the MDS or Dada, it was added to the bill 😂 Some parents set up their own for their child. 
There are lots of other expenses to be aware of, our huge mortgage

reflects this 😂

Also, there is discount if you have two Dc on MDSs but not on an MDS and Dada or two Dada’s, it is the fee doubled 😢 Just to be aware if ballet is contagious as it was in our family 😂

See, these are really important things to know about before applying. I understand they don’t want to put people off but a lot of people applying will have a fine line to balance financially. It’s not worth getting in debt over because the pressure is then on to pay lots of extras if/once accepted or decline the place. 

I have three DCs who dance but thankfully only one who wants to do it more ‘seriously’. It already burns a hole in our pockets - I often question my sanity on why I say yes to these things. 🤣 
 

2 minutes ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

Just to be aware that your child’s private health insurance is paid by you but the school, in our experience, try to control what it is used for. We were told that the BUPA insurance we paid over £900 a year for would not cover mental health. It did. 

Oh gosh! That sounds very stressful. And another expense (I hadn’t considered that one).  

1 minute ago, sunrise81 said:

I definitely learnt so much this time last year......even down to which hotel was best tonstay in for WL finals 🤣

I’m sure some of us on here will be asking about that soon. 😆 (fingers crossed!)