Rocco

That would be amazing but I think from the 25th July  studios have already been able to go back to as ‘normal’ as they’re going to get. 

That's really helpful, thanks for taking the time to let me know!

Pretty sure last year it was only a week after the results came out. So could have been and gone! 

Thanks Faraway, I've seen what a massive difference lots of strengthening (she has a personal trainer now) has made to my daughter, but she still has pain and weakness in her wrists and ankles. 

Definitely something about the big toe that worried her! I guess it's not like wrists or ankles where you can build up the muscles around the joints in order to support them

Sadly there's no time to experience any summer schools etc if in year 6. Such a shame!

Thanks for the reassurance re hypermobility - I know that hypermobility is often desirable in ballet but I think joint hypermobility is a different kettle of fish. I worry because my older daughter started suffering from terrible joint pain/ weakness in all her joints when she was 14 and (not that she ever did dance) and there's no way she could ever be a ballet dancer as it can be quite disabling. Hoping against hope that my son doesn't suffer as badly as he goes through puberty but no way of knowing. I did take him to a local physio before lockdown who said most of his areas of hypermobility could be hopefully improved a lot with strengthening exercises, but that the main worry would be the hypermobility in his big toes! She said there isn't any bone there that could be strengthened, and that it would make it difficult when it came to landing after jumps etc. But she didn't say it was a deal breaker. Especially with boys I think, so much depends on how they grow during adolescence. 

Has the closing date for accepting places passed?

Thanks so much for all the replies - really helpful. I definitely think we’ll also treat it as a fun thing to do, and assume he’ll be going to a local school! 
 

I didn’t think of that re the core strength and 10yrs olds but excellent point! There must be something that looks ‘weaker’ in his posture if it was picked up though. He does have joint hypermobility syndrome so that could mean he would fail a physio assessment anyway! 
 

I don’t think he or we would want him to board - we live in London so a few places to try for, all with very realistic expectations. He knows that with WL pretty much every place is taken by a JA, so is lowering his own expectations! 

It’s also interesting that even those children who got offers at lower schools aren’t necessarily advised to apply. I always assumed if you didn’t get the nod there was probably a reason, and that when my son’s associate scheme head is saying ‘definitely give it a go’ she just wants to spare our feelings! 

Thanks Pas De Quatre and Farawaydancer. Farawaydancer  - did anyone recommend your children should audition for lower schools? I don't want to think that we're absurd for even trying! It's a huge relief that private lessons aren't necessary as that would be a big financial hit for us. I've been told that my son 'ticks most boxes' but needs to build his core strength.

Thanks very much for that! Really helpful!

Hi, I don't know any other mums whose children do ballet so I hope you don't mind me asking here. My son has got SWL for RBS junior associates two years in a row now and we're wondering whether he should audition for any vocational schools, and if so, how he can best prepare. One great thing about getting into JA's would have been excellent preparation for auditions! He does another associate scheme but they offer no help or guidance in this area at all. How can you assess if your child has the ability to make it worthwhile giving it a go? And do other children have private lessons beforehand? Thanks in advance for any help. I feel totally at sea! The last thing I would ever want to do is set him up to fail. 

4 hours ago, Dancermom said:

Obviously I don’t know for sure but in my opinion they will have a definite numbered waitlist and won’t need to watch the videos again. 

I’d guess you’re right. 

Oh my goodness - not such short waiting lists! 

There aren’t many yes’s on here at all, but possibly not representative in any way 

I hope you’re right but I seem to remember there are always a lot of children given SWL. Do you think it’s still possible for dance teachers to phone for feedback? It’s stressful not knowing whether it’s worth applying for vocational schools now that year 6 is only a couple of months away. I was hoping my son’s current associate scheme would give pointers/ advice but no! Big decision to make 

Thanks, will have a look! 

I was kind of hoping there was 😁. Emma Northmore’s ABA starts from year 6, but that’s the only one I can think of 

4 minutes ago, glowlight said:

There could be many reasons why someone wouldn't take up a place

• They  may be offered a full time vocational place somewhere
• Family circumstances may change - if mum/dad looses their job they may not be able to afford the course and the travel involved any more
• They may get injured or ill
• They may have conflicting offers and realise they cannot fit everything in
• They may decide that they no longer want to be a dancer.

I know of at least one person who got an offer from SWL.  Mum was so shocked when she got the phone call she thought it was someone playing a prank.

Thank you for that. I don’t think there’s any full-time training from year 6? But any of the other things could happen. I know all the boys who started at Ballet Boost in the youngest group last September dropped out within a few weeks!

9 minutes ago, Dancing Kitty said:

Our reading of the situation is that London may move to a Sunday and Birmingham may move to another venue for some of the first term back and that some Birmingham classes may have to move to a Sunday.  This is so the Associates are not in the centres at the same time as the school pupils.  Other venues will still be on a Saturday.  There is also the possibility that if the venues are not open or have to close due to local lockdowns they will have to offer Zoom classes.  This is arrangement they are currently looking at for the first term.

Thanks v much! 

I didn’t know about the Sunday change - is that for all locations? Thanks 
 

If it’s the same as last year the wait list stays open until October 1st and then no matter what happens no one new can join. 

Congratulations to all those who have yes! 

Do you think anyone would ever give up a place after gong to the trouble of auditioning?

Yes they only do associate programmes 

We got SWL for London too! Same as last year...

Congrats, that’s quite an achievement in itself! 

Congratulations for the SWL and for Moorland 👍. Have results only come out for Dundee? 

The results for London (all three years) came out 3 weeks later last year and there were hundreds of kids but I guess they were all seen in big groups