Neverdancedjustamum

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.

All sold 

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. 

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) 😂 

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).  

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. 

I have a few Claudia Dean leotards to sell, all are size adult small and are in excellent condition. Fully lined. All come from a smoke and pet-free home. 
 

£35 each including first class signed for postage already. 

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).

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.

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.

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…

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.

The deadline isn’t until the 29th I believe. We just turned down a place yesterday so I think offers might still go out. 

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. 

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. 

15 minutes ago, expatballetmom said:

My DD loves Virtisse (and she's tried Bloch, Capezio, and Freeds)  but where do you find them in the UK? We buy stock when we are back in the U.S. would love to just purchase them here if possible. 

Devoted to Dance stocks them, although I’m not sure how many of the styles he has.

8 minutes ago, Betty said:

Thankyou - I won’t get my hopes up. It’s a bit of an expensive difficulty. I’ve been reading about these online type fitters but I can’t see how they can assess the fit properly without seeing the feet in the shoes etc.

I can totally sympathise. We had a nightmare finding shoes that suited DD. I don’t even want to think how much money we’ve wasted on shoes that felt ‘fine’ in the shop but turned out unsuitable once worn in class.  It’s been such a long and painful process that once we found the two that suited her, she now refuses to try others! I remember feeling like I was at the end of my tether and was seriously considering having custom ones made. Thankfully after one last attempt at Bloch, we chanced upon a brilliant fitter. That’s how my DD found her second fav pointes. I then contacted Scott of Devoted to Dance (on Instagram) and told him that my DD loves this certain Bloch style and he recommended a similar one. He sent over a few pairs and my DD found her current ultimate favourite pair. Devoted to Dance is brilliant, it’s just a shame we live too far to drop by his shop to have an in person fitting. 

15 minutes ago, Betty said:

Oh dear this is shocking - thanks very much for the warning. Will try Dancia

Be careful with Dancia too. We’ve only gone there twice and both times I felt like we were rushed and that the fitters were determined to only let my DD try on a couple of different pairs. When we went there for her first pair, the fitter insisted that if it’s for a first pair, my DD should only try the Grishko 2007 and a Bloch pair I can’t remember the style name of.   This was before they even saw her feet. It might just have been our experience but I’ve never felt like the fitters there were committed to trying to help us find a good pair, perhaps both times the ones we got were tired as they were distinctly unenthusiastic and didn’t offer much in way of communications or advice. 

22 minutes ago, Ondine said:

 

Rather a sweeping assertion, many many state schools have dedicated staff, are supportive,  and give students opportunities.  Otherwise, no-one would leave school and go on to achieve anything in life.

Quite! Both of mine are in state schools and based on what I’ve read here, the state schools we’ve experience (albeit with over 1000 students each) seem to offer more opportunities and support. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the opportunities are more varied. Last year, from one of my DC’s school, at least two went on to vocational dance schools. The others on to university to pursue medicine, law, dentistry and whole range of other programmes, some went on to degree apprenticeship programmes, took gap years overseas, gained worked experience before going on to uni. Additionally, despite the overwhelming difference in number of students, I’m certain the Heads of my DCs schools know my DC’s names and faces. I was shocked at @Ruby Foo’s experience of her DD’s head of school calling her DD the wrong name despite being in the school for years already. 

8 minutes ago, Ondine said:

Yes but it's a long haul isn't it, for possibly traumatised 18 / 19 year olds whose life so far has been mostly spent on the practical skills associated with a dance career, for performing, being trained for that, and that's assuming they have parents able to carry on paying for them / supporting them to study post 18 / 19. Access courses then A levels then... whatever.

 

I wonder how many currently being groomed for the elite schools audition process have any idea of the dropout rate, how few actually make it, and the years after before they can begin to make a life outside of ballet.

 

As I said above, it's a real gamble.

 

 

I think most would be well aware. Of those I’ve spoken with, they all say they are realistic and know the stats but would still go for it because it’s their DCs dream and ambition. And I guess as a parent, you can just hope that your DC will maybe be one of the minority who actually makes it into a big company.