Flower

I know a man who trained at vocational school from age 11. He did get a place in a major foreign company but was disgusted by the lifestyle that it seemed to revolve around. (Drugs etc). He left dance and is now a priest. 

Go and read all their Inspection report feedback. It should be accessible from their websites. One did have a bad one saying how emotionally harsh and critical it was and as a result they are supposed to have put lots of mindfulness etc in place. It could be that it’s excellent now - I’m not knocking it as a school on that in itself. If they’ve had follow up reports done  -  go back to before and see why. At the very least it will give you an idea of what to look for at all the places. Things you might not have thought of. But again one person will say their child thrived under the competitive atmosphere of a place and another will say their child was crushed by the teacher’s comments and the (seemingly) overly confident other pupils. Yes it’s a minefield!

Asking the right questions is one thing, but honestly no school is going to say “The boarding staff won’t answer their phones or let you know if your child’s ill. We leave bullies alone unless it becomes an inconvenience for staff and we prefer the kids who are a laugh and not the homesick ones.”  I mean they aren’t are they? If they can’t give the “right” answers they wouldn’t have their jobs. So I guess what I’m saying is *do* listen to the people who private message you - but that will probably mean you want to rule out all the schools!

Thank you both x

Hi All.

Does anyone have the low down on Tring’s last two or three years exam results please? (Or any of the other main players)

Thanks. 

25 minutes ago, Happyfeet84 said:

Mu daughter sapphire is going into year 8 carly x

Hi Happy Feet. We’ve ‘met’ before haven’t we? Glad to know who the other yr 8 entry is. I’ll send you a message x

1 hour ago, mabel said:

Yes I will do. Do I pm you my phone number to be added to the yr 7 group?x

Yes I think so. I’ll send you mine. X

5 minutes ago, mabel said:

Thank you! A current yr 8 mum has been in touch and said they have a yr 8 parents whats app group, which I will definitely join.  I'm happy to join the mostly yr 7 what's app group too, as a new starter it will be nice to speak to others in the same boat! Thank you. 😊

Could you please ask for me to be added to the yr 8 parents group ?

41 minutes ago, mabel said:

Hello. My dd will be starting yr 9 dance at The Hammond in September, and I wondered if there are any year 9 parents on here (current or new starters) that she can chat to? 

Hi Mabel. My dd will be starting yr 8. There is a chat group of New (mostly yr 7) parents on WhatsApp if you aren’t already on that. I’m still on the look out for the other yr 8 starter. 
x

39 minutes ago, Coconut Popcorn said:

Sorry I meant she’s going in September to be a boarder and will be doing the full time Theatre Arts programme but she’s a dancer and wants to keep up some of her dancing so has applied for the dance associates too x 

Great idea!

17 minutes ago, Ashnads said:

We are seeing if any of the other boarding y7’s applying for the Associates program as well. 

Ah - do you mean drama kids doing the Saturday dance?  I hadn’t thought of that. 

5 minutes ago, Coconut Popcorn said:

Yes my daughter has, she was torn between the dance And the theatre Arts 

Not quite sure what this means?

I think I heard that they will be stocking it themselves. 
could be wrong 🤔

20 minutes ago, margarite said:

Pretty much anything goes as long as the main colour is white. My daughter has worn big chunky Filas and also Nike Airforce One. They wear them for commercial dance lessons so just need to be comfortable. 

Thanks. That’s helpful as I do need to start buying stuff. X

Seems like white trainers are part of the uniform. What make / type is allowed? What are the rules?

Ah 

2 hours ago, Calea said:

Sorry for the misunderstanding but assumed it would be for your dd to join - the current y7 group was set up by the kids for the kids! Thought it would be a good way for her to try to get to know the others!  I’m not aware of a group chat for parents! 

ah I thought there were 2 groups!! 1 for current yr 7’s - will be 8’s with my dd to chat to. And another group for the *will be* yr 7 mums, that I might have joined. Sorry must be me confused!

9 hours ago, Calea said:

@flower - there’s a current year 7 group with the children!  Do you want to be added to that?

Yes please if it’s going to be helpful for starting and people don’t mind a yr 8 mum on there x

Can I be added please? Or is it only for yr 7?

16 minutes ago, Mrssuperbug said:

Could you possibly send me the list - it's driving me mad not knowing what I need to sort out !

I’ll send you what I have but it’s not an official list!  

On 01/05/2021 at 16:00, Happyfeet84 said:

Does anyone know if their is a specific or useful list for boarding starting getting a few bits thanks x

Will message you

Thanks for all the answers everyone x

It’s so odd not having had a proper open day. How many are in each year please? How many boarders?

Does anyone know what date next term starts please? Trying to make it feel real!

On 30/04/2021 at 13:19, Calea said:

On 29/04/2021 at 18:31, Mrssuperbug said:

Thank you

1 hour ago, Mrssuperbug said:

We got a thortful card printed with a picture taken at the audition with congratulations underneath - how  have you managed to keep it to yourself 

Wow that's a great idea. I wonder if I have time to make one tomorrow morning. hmmmmmm