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

3 hours ago, Ballet Dreams said:

My DD attends two vocational schemes I don’t think it’s a problem I think it’s down to an individual child and whether they can cope.  I know lots of children that do both JAs and YD.  I would say your DD is doing a similar amount of dance to my DD.  I would agree with BellaF I think who ever spoke to you was trying to put you off.  I would say go for it especially if your child is keen.  Good luck 🤞 

Thank you @Ballet Dreams X

3 hours ago, BellaF said:

From our experience many, many children do both and I believe the schemes are, to a certain extent, timetabled to allow for this. Makes me wonder if the other parent was trying to put you off 😂 Weekly classes sound very typical too.

 

Best of luck for results! Fingers crossed it's not too much a wait for you now!

 

 

 

 

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 🙂

6 hours ago, Balletbow said:

Yes she’s doing JEP. She’s going to apply for Elmhurst too - trouble is it’s quite far away!

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

7 hours ago, Balletbow said:

Well done for last year - did she do J.E? Fingers crossed for this one! Is she applying for Elmhurst?

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?

34 minutes ago, Balletbow said:

Eastleigh and Year 5, my daughter made SWL this last year with less than 2 minutes view too. These weren’t viewings though - looks like the link was clicked but no play time as such x

What year & centre for you?

 

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

3 minutes ago, Balletbow said:

We had very quick views last night - I think they must be checking that the videos work x

 

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! 

1 hour ago, Sandrasp said:

I have seen it too . Wonder why they extended it 

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

1 hour ago, BellaF said:

I don't think there are any year 4s in my DDs class in Birmingham, so hopefully lots of places for year 4 and 5s coming through 😊

@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! 🙏

10 minutes ago, Isabella said:

Didn’t somebody on here say it was video audition only? 

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 🤣

1 hour ago, Spamcat said:

Hello 👋 I remember you too! Good luck for this year. Which area are you applying to? I cant remember. We are Birmingham. My DD is an Elmhurst young dancer. Xx

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

5 hours ago, Spamcat said:

Can't believe I'm back here for a third year of JA audition turmoil! 🙈😭

DD trying AGAIN for yr6 this time. We really have zero hope so not taking it too seriously this time.

She did the virtual insight day today and I only just discovered that the video auditions have to be sent in with the application this year. It says not to watch the video or practice (which we absolutely didn't last time) but it is the exact same video as last year and my DD remembers it very clearly having watched her videos back many times and going over what she could improve on, so it may be hard for it not to look rehearsed! 😬

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

24 minutes ago, BellaF said:

Ohhh how exciting that it might be so soon! 

 

Having had a cursory view right at the beginning we’ve resigned ourselves to a not yet. 
 

Have everything crossed for some positive results on here though - good luck everyone 😊 

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 🍀

1 hour ago, SarahG1881 said:

We’ve been watched again this morning. Have you?

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

18 minutes ago, SarahG1881 said:

That’s isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Could have wow’d them in that short time so they didn’t feel the need to watch more. 
🤞

🤣🤣 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 😕

13 minutes ago, SarahG1881 said:

Are those of you with views all year 5? 

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

1 hour ago, DanceMum03 said:

Sorry to any not yets and well done to the yes's and SWL's. We got SWL for group 3, DD has her heart completely set on a place so praying it materialises. It doesn't seem all that likely though. Hope group 4 decisions are out soon so you don't have to wait much longer!

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!