In at the deep end

Thank you for all your replies, they are reassuring! We can just about fit it all in around our son as well, who is a competitive swimmer, so also requires a taxi service 😂 (though personally, I long for school holidays for a rest!!) Both children are happy and I'd never thought of this as a potential problem until this weekend. I'm glad you all think a 2nd associate scheme (should she ever be accepted) is OK. I also thought it would be a good experience for her, and she could enter any future auditions having had her eyes opened to what might be available. X

Thank you @Ballet Dreams X

Thank you @BellaF 😊

Hi. Does anyone here have children that attend weekend classes at more than one vocational school? Is it possible? Would you recommend? The reason I ask is that my DD is an Elmhurst YD. She got SWL for Birmingham JA last year. We were hoping if she got accepted this year (I know this is far from guaranteed!) that she could do both YD and JA. But this weekend I heard via another parent that they were told not to apply for both as it was too much? They had been told to choose one school only. They were also surprised at the number of classes that our girls attend. My DD does 2x ballet, 1x modern, 1x competition/Performers. Her friends do this plus 1x tap. Can I have others opinions and experiences please? My DD teacher recommended all these and my DD is happy Thanks

Still no views for us yet (yr5 Birmingham). Hoping we don't have to wait too much longer! It's good to hear the videos are being watched thoroughly this year 🙂

Good luck 🍀 It's far away for us too, we live near Bristol!! But worth the trip, in our opinion x

Thank you! She's already at Elmhurst and loves it, so we turned down JEP as the times clashed. I just hope that doesn't count against her this year, as there was a tick on the application for JA if you were a current JE dancer 😕 Is your DD doing JEP?

Congrats! Fingers crossed for you this year 🙂 My DD is also entering year 5, but for Birmingham.

Last year my DD was offered SWL after less than 2 minutes viewing in total. I thought they must have disregarded her, or were planning on watching again. So you can never tell! They must really know what they're looking for 😉 Which year group and centre have you applied for?

@SarahG1881 I was told last year that around 10% applications are successful. In previous years, around 1000 children applied, so that means only 100 places are available across years 4-6 in all centres. Most yr6 clases are separate, I believe. Leaving a mix of yr4/5. However, this year more places might be available as they took so few last year due to Covid? That's my understanding. It still means JA is a hard group to get into!

I'm guessing not as many people appear this year??

@BellaF that's interesting to hear! My DD got a swl for yr4 Birmingham last year, so was offered an online JEP place (which we turned down). I knew places/numbers were reduced last year, but I'd assumed some were available...... Fingers crossed for better luck this year! 🙏

I'm not sure, but RBS website certainly implies that the videos are just preliminary: The dates for JA auditions 2021 in each centre say 'tbc'. So it looks like they might be holding some final auditions in person this year??

Hi @SarahG1881 I remember you from last year too! I'm also not mentally prepared for this right now 🤪 I think we'll be doing photos and videos towards the closing date! Good luck this time 🍀

My DD took part in the insight day again this week. We were told that places available for 2020 intake much lower than usual due to smaller class sizes, studio availability, social distancing etc. But they were hopeful that numbers might be back to normal by Sept 2021? I read that as more places being available this year than ever?! Perhaps a little optimistic of me 🤣

Hi! Birmingham as well (even though we live near Bristol!) My daughter is also a YD in yr4. I think I remember your DD is yr5?? We're looking forward to being back in the studio! Good luck to you too 🍀Xx

Hello again @Spamcat! I remember you from last year 😉 My DD is also trying again for JA this year, I'm not looking forward to the roller coaster ride again 😬 She was SWL last year, but we turned down the JEP classes. I just hope they don't hold that against her!

After no more views, my DD got a SWL 🤩 She's yr4, June birthday. I'm pleased with that! Massive congratulations to those of you with a yes and commiserations to those with a no. Well done to all the young dancers in difficult circumstances this year x

We've still had no more views here either. A total of four minutes watched across the three videos. My DD isn't bothered as she's really happy at Elmhurst YD, but I'd have hoped for a few more minutes of viewing! Still, it's good experience. Fingers crossed for everyone here 🍀

No, not yet. I'll keep you updated!

🤣🤣 you never know! It could be the complete opposite!!!

I've still only had 2 mins of 1st video, then 1 minute each for 2nd and 3rd videos 😕

No, I have very short views of each video, yr 4 DD.

Well done to your DD, fingers crossed for her! Which centre was this for? I know of two SWL for yr 4 girls in Bath. I wonder how many SWL they have?

2 mins on 1st video, and 1 min each on 2nd and 3rd here 😳 I'm guessing this is either really good or really bad 😕😂 It wasn't my DD finest performance, but so hard for the children online at home. Good luck everyone!