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Neverdancedjustamum

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Posts posted by Neverdancedjustamum

  1. 11 hours ago, Bondmum said:

    Hi,

    my daughter is turning 6 years month and already has the performance bug!
    I am looking into my daughter starting Tring associate classes on a Saturday. 
    I have registered her but heard nothing back as yet. 
    She will still do her normal week day after school classes at her own dance school . 
    Does any one else’s child do this and if so is it worth it ? Also, anyone know when we will hear back ? 
    thanks in advance x

    Just to add they’re very good with comms normally. Emails usually come from a lady called Tamara.

  2. My DD also started TPA on Saturdays when she was young - I think she was 7 - so this is going back a few years now. To this day, she has nothing but fond memories of it. Sadly, their Head of quite some time now had just left but hopefully the atmosphere and quality of it will stay the same. Although it’s called “associates”, it’s not like say RBS or CSB associates. I don’t think you have to audition until you’re 9 and even then I think the audition is more to gauge the level the child is in therefore finding out which classes would best suit. Most kids we knew back then took multiple classes on Saturdays, I’ve never seen a better timetable elsewhere - RAD and non-syllabus ballet, ISTD modern and tap, PBT,  contemporary, jazz, street, pointe, etc, all in the lovely Park Studios with proper flooring, mirrors and barres. From age 7 for about 2-3 years, my DD spent many happy Saturdays there from around 9am until mid-afternoon. She made lots of new friends as they all hung around the waiting area in between classes. As a parent, it’s a lovely place to wait too. Tring has a great high street, not too busy like London but enough cafes, restos, (pubs) and little shops to keep you occupied for a few hours. There’s a free parking area within the school too so no stress about hunting for a parking space or paying lots to park. I think it changed a bit during the pandemic so I’m not sure if it has stayed the same in terms of kids and parents being able to hang around. We only left as my DD got an associates place on Saturdays otherwise we would have stayed. The quality of the classes are good, exams are regular, so kids do progress well. Class sizes aren’t too big or small either. Regular parent watching days at the end of each term. Very transparent and well run. Best of all, in all our time there, we never experienced or felt like there was competitiveness, or drama or favouritism which is quite often present in a lot of dance schools these days. 

    • Thanks 1
  3. 1 hour ago, Peanut68 said:

    I actually think intensives that are NOT aligned to a school perhaps a better option as the competitiveness perhaps a little reduced? Although it’s always there let’s face it in some form or other in this game!! YBSS years back had the while ‘this is the Royal barre’ thing going on which was rather intimidating to non RBS kids but at least it wasn’t seen as an audition for any school place. Malvern I think a happy balance between great training & happy & friendly downtime! 

    We noticed this too at another intensive recently (not RBS) but I guess it’s natural for them to stick together as they go to the same school (and live together during term time). It is also quite obvious that the focus are students from certain schools even when doing interviews and filming/photography for social media. Again, quite possibly normal but it is quite strange when advertising a summer intensive to focus on the school’s full time students attending their school’s summer intensive but perhaps that is the way marketing goes. 
     

    Like @margarite ‘s DD, my DD found the RBS intensive fine but again this is probably because my DD was really just there for the experience and didn’t want it as an audition as such. But, however laid back and chill she was about the whole thing, she did notice it does have a competitive environment in some of the classes and we reckon this is because she was in a group that had mostly international students, a good number of whom were YAGP finalists, and full time vocational students. She said it was quite interesting to observe as she can tell most if not all treated it as an audition. My DD isn’t full time and doesn’t do a lot of hours of classes, training and all the extras so didn’t really know a lot of the other kids there. She’s not really in the usual circuit. Thankfully she got on really well with a couple of students from the US and so had a good time being away from home and eating lots of food.  She’s experienced it now but as others here have said, there are other SIs that might be more suitable to other DCs. Certainly, of all the SIs my DD attended, it probably won’t be the first one that will come to mind if she were asked to recommend one to others. It’s undeniable that given RBS’s name, I guess it would always be a source of pride to go to their SI but equally, I’m sure DCs can have as much fun and fruitful experience elsewhere. 

    • Like 1
  4. 5 minutes ago, Peanut68 said:

    Ironic really that often the ones getting all the attention are the best….& often they get to be the best because they are supplementing their training with loads of extra private coaching (often kept quiet from schools/teachers/fellow pupils) So the schools & teachers pat themselves on the back thinking ‘wow, what good teachers we are to get such great results’ and then if there is general mediocrity it’s kind of hidden…. 3 monkeys approach….

    If you or a funding body is paying for premier training you should not need to pay for extra outside of it… indeed, young bodies require care & rest time too & training hours should be enough in full time vocational training & more could cause burnout/injury not to mention the money drain….

    100% true. I am quite shocked at how much money and time is being spent these days by young dancers, whether or not they’re in full time school already. Often teachers and schools also prioritise those who have private lessons with them. I also find that in many occasions, associate places and/or scholarships for intensives go to those who are already in full time vocational schools anyway. These days also, just because someone goes to full time vocational school  doesn’t mean all the additional privates and all sorts of extras end. 

    • Like 1
  5. 22 hours ago, DanceMamma said:

    DD is auditioning for RBS senior associates - prelims next week.  I’ve had a look on here for info but I couldn’t find much on seniors. Few wonderings …

     

    Are there places available for dancers who haven’t been JA or MA?

    Does anyone have experience of the audition class? What’s expected, pointe, flexibility etc? 
    I ticked the box for both SA and WL prelim, I don’t think she’s WL ready but I figured it’s best to let them say no, will the audition be any different to just SA groups? 

     

    DD is already in 2 well-known associates classes and attends summer intensives etc, but she has never tried for anything with RBS.

     

    Any advice, tips, info xxx

    There are definitely places for those who haven’t been RBS associates before because MAs need to audition for SA places, it’s not a given. We have no experience of SAs but something to keep in mind is that class is often just 2 hrs 15 mins and you have to take this into consideration if you’re travelling from quite far away. You mention your DD is already in a couple of associates schemes and I’m sure you’ll find this is less hours than other schemes and if it’s like MA or JA, there are no separate classes timetabled as such. In our experience, in MA for example, the class didn’t do pointework every week and the duration of when they did varied from week to week. So it’s not like other schemes where there are clear classes timetabled (eg Pilates for an hour, pointe for an hour, an hour contemporary, 2 hours ballet). Class sizes also aren’t as small as I thought they would be. As Ruby Foo said, if your DD is looking for something extra and special, then a private with an established and qualified teacher would be more beneficial than another associates scheme. It is undeniable that the RBS name is very attractive but it very much depends on what you’re looking for. If the ultimate goal is full time RBS, do check the numbers of MA/SA who get offered places from associates to WL or upper school who aren’t full time students elsewhere already in other vocational schools. Also to add that MA students do sometimes leave the programme which means less from certain centres auditioning for SA places. 

    • Like 1
  6. Central’s associates programme has a brilliant timetable if you’re willing to travel to London. You can see their timetable online on their website. Well worth the travel to London as they get good hours and have separate classes for pointe, ballet, Pilates and contemporary. I know quite a few people who travel in from Lancashire and further.

  7. The liberal arts system has been and still on occasion discussed by the higher education sector here. The other side of the argument that often comes up is that the U.K. educational system specialises too early. And then when students go to university, it’s not as easy to move around courses should students change their mind. Their choice of 3 subjects at A levels can sometimes limit what uni programmes they can apply to.  Often you have to extend your overall undergrad registration over the standard 3 years or repeat year/years if you want to change courses. There are pros and cons to both sides. At first, I found it hard to sympathise with my DCs when they complain about how sixth form can be “so hard”, discussions would often end with me quipping “But you’re only doing 3 subjects!”. I am more understanding now, thankfully. I went to a liberal arts university where students had to take, amongst other things and whatever course they are doing, at least 3 terms of maths, 2 terms of philosophy (!), 2 terms of English, 2 terms of history and…3 terms of foreign language. University undergrad standard duration is 4 years and in the first 2 years, a lot of people I knew changed courses, often after experiencing subjects they particularly liked and realised they would prefer doing it than the one they originally chose.  I myself changed courses after my second year after having to endure 7am calculus and lunch time anatomy and organic chem classes twice a week. I just happened to pick an optional subject that I ended up majoring in because I enjoyed it so much. A friend of mine took an interdisciplinary route after the first year taking as many optional subjects she liked and as permitted within her course. By the end of it, she had obtained enough pre-requisite credits to choose between going to  law or medical school and she eventually went on to obtain, after just a few more years of postgrad, a double MBA/MD degree.  I don’t say I favour one system or the other but both definitely have their own pros and cons. 

    • Like 2
  8. 20 minutes ago, Emeralds said:

    He’s on the right track, @Neverdancedjustamum! Best of luck to him! It’s just practice, practice and practice - you know this of course, and the solutions at the back are a great help. And a lot of it is also down to technique (eg timing, not dwelling on one question that is tricky for too long). I am sure he’ll do well, especially with support from a wise mum ! 👍

    Ah thank you @Emeralds, that’s very kind of you. Unfortunately for my DCs, I’m not very patient when it comes to academics or exams.  Terrible, I know. I can just be their emotional support and hype mum (and financier of books) 😂 

    • Like 1
  9. 14 minutes ago, Emeralds said:

    If it’s the American SAT, @Neverdancedjustamum, I can reassure you that British students who have done well in GCSEs tend to do well in their SAT tests as well. A friend of mine works in the careers department of a school  and oversees applications to foreign (and British) universities for the sixth formers, and she has never had a sixth form student taking any combination of A levels who did well in GCSEs come a cropper in the SAT. In fact, a lot do better, being able to receive offer from more sought after universities in the US than in Britain, because GCSEs are such a good foundation and testing set of exams. (European, Canadian and Australian/New Zealand universities don’t require British students to sit additional secondary level exams, so am assuming that’s the test you mean.) The key to success is to practise a lot of past papers (you can buy books of these in the usual book retailers with the answers/solutions). So don’t worry- GCSE English and Maths is enough. (I also have relatives and friends who have taken it who didn’t do A level English or Maths and still attained high scores). 

     

     

    That’s such a relief @Emeralds, it is indeed the SAT. I bought him a few books from Amazon, it’s the same way I prepared for it many years ago (I also didn’t come from the British or American educational system).  

    • Like 1
  10. I haven’t caught up with the news today on this and taking aside vocational institutions, we’ve recently encountered the challenge of being in the British educational system. My DS is intending to apply to universities both in the U.K. and overseas. We are having a hard time explaining to admissions offices in several other countries why some students here, in the two years prior to applying to universities, wouldn’t have necessarily studied English or maths or sciences. My DS is also about to sit a standardised exam for some overseas universities that assumes he would have been doing maths and English up to the point when he applies for universities. We don’t know how it’s going to pan out.  Nothing to do with vocational training and studies but I guess it’s just to present the other side of it especially for those who want to pursue higher education overseas. 

  11. 4 hours ago, alison said:

    I'm getting the impression that quite a few German universities are doing much teaching in English these days - although that may be just for technical subjects, and I don't know whether that extends to exams. But yes, still a good idea to consider learning German - although it's getting difficult to find schools which offer it these days, I understand :(

    Quite a few still do, thankfully. Both my DCs go to state schools. In my DD’s school they all take 3 languages - Spanish, French and German - from Years 7 to 9. Year 10 and 11 they pick the 1-2 they want to do for GCSE. Same with my DS’s school, with the addition of Latin and Classics in Years 7-8 (so they basically take 5 subjects classed as “languages” in the first 2 years of high school). I remember in year 7 joking with my DD that she should pick German for her GCSE so she can look into going there for vocational school as we know someone who did go to one of the bigger schools there (who, incidentally, I’m pretty sure didn’t know any German before they went there).

    • Like 1
  12. 39 minutes ago, LinMM said:

    I think if it really was a choice of a family holiday or sending one of the children to an intensive week of ballet I’d go for the family holiday every time!! Unless you can somehow combine the two!! 
     

    Do the RB intensives offer any scholarships for this week?  
    I seem to remember YBSS do this for their summer intensive weeks though don’t know how many children actually get offered them. 
     
    I think any more than two intensive weeks in one summer is pushing it a bit never mind the money!!! 

    I’m not sure if they offer scholarships, if there are any I suspect it will be to competition winners. They do offer direct entry to the next year’s intensives which I guess saves on application fees but those also often go to internationals. Not all, lest I be accused of generalising, but definitely the two offered direct entry from my DD’s group were both competition finalists from overseas.  I suppose RBS would have some means-tested bursaries but I don’t have any knowledge of this myself.

    • Thanks 1
  13. 14 minutes ago, LinMM said:

    There’s one with a high reputation in Prague but not sure if that includes boarding 

    It doesn’t include boarding for the junior group (13-15 years) but has the option of accommodation in a nearly hotel for the senior one.

    • Like 1
  14. I don’t think it’s too bad for a week although a previous poster is correct - it’s not really 5 full days of classes. I do think it’s okay for a week. I think if it was 2 weeks I will have to think VERY carefully as I would prefer an actual family holiday for the money and I really don’t know how anyone can afford 5 weeks intensive with boarding at the upper school SI! I think I’m in the wrong job or maybe have different priorities…

    • Like 1
  15. 45 minutes ago, Ruby Foo said:


    I’m afraid that is not true. The degree is through Roehampton but it’s unique to RBS.

    In third year, much of the work is done in the studio and therefore you cannot finish it anywhere but RBS.

    This is what we we’re told by RBS

    As someone who’s always naturally curious about anything and everything higher education, that sounds spot on. The RBS website is clear that whilst their degree is validated by Roehampton, it’s bespoke to the RBS training. A quick cross reference between the content of the Roehampton and RBS degrees shows a majority of different modules. An FD is most useful if it’s very relevant to the degree you want to do. I’m not sure how easy the first two years of RBS’s programme, and the subsequent FD Certificate, would count towards a full Bachelors degree elsewhere unless it’s a very classical dance BA. 

  16. All this is a contentious topic too - even separately from the original topic of this thread. In addition to funding concerns, another thing to consider is the government’s plans in relation to setting an independent regulator as a result of the Augar Review. It’s a discussion one can have for days but basically the government has been accused of devising a plan that attacks arts and the humanities. The review recommends U.K. HE courses should be “better aligned with the economy’s needs’ and ‘certain courses which lead to disappointment for a minority of students should be limited”. This is more to do with universities but is reflective of the kind of government educational policies we can expect to see in the future.

    • Like 2
  17. From what I gather, it’s not impossible but obviously not as easy and straightforward as the usual (more traditional) fresh application to higher education. It is understandably more limited once you embark initially on another qualification.


    The number of years that you can get a Tuition Fee Loan is normally calculated as:

    Length of current course + 1 year - number of years of previous study

     

    source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/going-back-to-uni-or-repeating-a-year

     

    There is also a list on there of examples of commons reasons in applying for an extra year of tuition support, which could be acceptable. However, these are quoted as those that won’t be normally accepted:

    • financial hardship
    • not liking your course
    • reasons within your control

     

    It’s that last point above that will be very hard to evidence against.

    • Like 2
  18. From:


    https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies
     

    If you’ve studied before

    You’ll usually only get student finance if you’re doing your first higher education qualification - even if your previous course was self-funded. You may still be eligible for limited funding in certain circumstances and for some courses.


     

    If you already have a degree

    You may be eligible for limited funding in certain circumstances.

    You may get limited funding if you’re ‘topping up’ a higher education qualification, for example you’ve finished an HNC, HND or Foundation Degree and now want to do an Honours degree.

    You may also get limited funding if you hold an Honours degree or a higher level of qualification and start a new course. This could be a part-time Honours degree, a joint Honours degree or an Integrated Master’s degree in one of the following (or 2 if it’s a joint Honours degree):

    • agriculture and related subjects
    • architecture (if it’s a MArch RIBA Part 2 course)
    • biological sciences
    • computer science
    • mathematical sciences
    • medicine and allied subjects
    • physical sciences
    • technologies
    • courses leading to qualification as a veterinary surgeon

    You could also be eligible if you’re starting a healthcare course on or after 1 August 2017.

    • Like 3
  19. 37 minutes ago, Ondine said:

     

    She danced with Christopher Wheeldon's company from 14 and now she's gone to uni in the US full time,  she was doing academic work online via Skype while dancing at the RB.  She's from the US.

     

    She was very successful at the RB, first soloist, maybe would have made top rank, but clearly, felt she wanted something different.

     

    Quite an interesting ballet / academic journey.  That includes her with mother and brother moving to Paris for a while to attend POB school.

     

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatriz_Stix-Brunell

     

    Quite an achiever.

     

     

    Absolutely. And not just any university too, she’s at Stanford doing what sounds like the most fascinating yet intensive interdisciplinary major (almost like a combination of medical sciences and computing). Ironically, it was after seeing an interview of Bea and reading an article about her going to university that inspired my DD to focus on academics and prioritise her studies. My DD has had the pleasure of meeting Bea a few times and she’s just as smart and funny in person as she is on her Instagram posts. She’s just a joy, a wonderful dancer of course but she always gave the vibe of being chilled and not taking life too seriously (in a good way). 
     

    https://news.stanford.edu/report/2023/03/08/act-ii-beatriz-stix-brunell-25-leaps-faith-life-beyond-stage/

     

     

    • Like 6
  20. 23 minutes ago, Swanwings said:

    Do you mind me asking how long they took to inform you of decision acceptance/waiting list etc Im wondering whether to email to check they received everything as its been nearly a week.

    Ours was about 3 weeks but I sent the application in the middle of summer when staff were on leave. The email did say that they were a little behind because of staff leave and the fact that the Artistic Director and Short Course Coordinator review applications together.

    • Thanks 1
  21. 1 minute ago, expatballetmom said:

    How does that work in terms of ordering if they are in IG? Sorry, I have never purchased this way before..lol 

    Just direct message him and tell him what you’re after. He’s very good at giving suggestions. And he stocks WAY MORE brands and styles of leotards/shoes/accessories/everything than any of the London dancewear shops. If you’re after something that he can order in, he’s very helpful with that too. 

     

    • Like 1
  22. 1 minute ago, WhereToNow said:

    I’m hoping the more popular they become the more he will stock! 😂

    He sent a couple of pairs for my DD to try and I thought they looked absolutely beautiful on her feet. Sadly, she’s so attached to her Blochs she didn’t want to risk it as apparently they felt different 😂 Scott did recommend the ones that’s her favorite now so I can’t really complain. 

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