Jewel

I don't really think it is fair to compare a vocational ballet school with an academic (often academically selective) fee paying school.  

We did find at a different school that mixed ability classes of larger than 20 did not work very well for maths and science but it was fine when the class was split into two and set by ability.  

Good luck if they are made by Sansha, (which they do appear to be) as their customer service is terrible.  We once went to their (now gone) shop in Covent Garden and it was dreadful.  One shop told me they had stopped stocking any Sansha products due to their bad customer service.

This link will give you some idea of what your expected contribution might be. 
 

https://www.menuhinschool.co.uk/school/admissions/fees-bursaries

There have been major changes of Management and other staff in the last few years. Covid slowed/made some of the changes not so apparent straight away  but things are being done very differently now by the look of it. 

I think it is acceptable to offer a place on the day as long as it is clearly explained to both the child and parent that the place offered so far is unfunded with decisions on funding to be made later.

In previous years under the previous management  it was always made clear at audition that places offered were initially unfunded.  

My child was never an Associate but she had 8 years of full time Vocational Training. 
 

For the 1st 6 years it was fantastic for her. The school put my other child’s academic school to shame. It wasn’t easy, it never is when you are autistic, but the school were so supportive and put lots of reasonable adjustments in place. 
 

Unfortunately things changed and the last two years were horrendous. My child suffered discrimination and their mental health deteriorated. The wonderful SENDO left during this period and it became a case of sink or swim. My child sank and never really recovered mentally. 
 

So it can be great, and it is possible. But be aware that things can change. 

Students are also under no obligation to share this information with their lower school.

MDS awards are given to the Hammond by the government - no-one knows the exact number they have across the school.  There are rules about which children are eligible, but the decision on who to give them to rests with the school.  They are given to those with the most potential in classical ballet, are means tested and you have to meet the nationality and residency requirements.  

They are means tested, so those on very low incomes pay no or almost no fees/boarding costs and those on higher incomes pay more.  Anyone on an income over a certain level is not eligible.  There is also an annual allowance given for dancewear.

The school's own bursaries are given at the discretion of the school to whoever they like.  They can also be given to theatre arts students.  They are usually worth a lot less than MDS and don't include uniform/dancewear etc.  

Provisional usually means as long as you are entitled to it eg you earn within the means tested income and qualify on residence/nationality etc basis.

We’re you not in this meeting?  One place my daughter auditioned age 16 (so obviously much more aware of the issues) offered places on the day but the parent was invited into the meeting and funding or not was explained to us both. 

The school used to have the wonderful Janet Starmer who knew everything there was to know and more about funding and gave detailed explanations about the process at open days and audition days.  I wouldn't know who to suggest you ask now I'm afraid.

It is a completely separate course to the Trinity diploma with an entry requirement of 104 UCAS points from A levels or Btec, not dance exams. From looking at Chester's website the contact hours appear to be around 11-12 hours per week.

So much has changed in the past 2-3 years it’s impossible to say. It used to be the worst kept secret that under the previous Managment  50% bursaries were routinely offered to those not eligible for MDS but I believe that has changed now and far fewer are offered with those that are not as generous. 

“Isn’t the stereotype of ballet so funny?  Quiet, compliant, female muses (usually in an old fashion, gender-stereotypes plot lines) trying to please a ‘usually male’ choreographer/director who judges them 50% on looks and 20% on connections/favoritism.  If you think about it like that, no mom would say “Great career choice; go for it!””

which is why I love this 

On 21/02/2023 at 16:55, Farawaydancer said:

It’s permanently difficult on the communication front. It’s my main frustration with the school, and parents tell them over and over that it’s an issue but they seem unable to fix it. However, dd is extremely happy there, as are the vast majority of her classmates, so it’s just an annoyance we put up with. 

That is very sad to hear. When my child was there communication was excellent apart from the final year when it seemed to break down entirely. Sorry to hear this has continued. 

If you are looking at her moving away then it is possible that her teacher only has knowledge of local, low standard Level 3 dance courses run at perhaps an FE college.  I know that locally to me there is a dance school running the L3 Btec and they provide very high standard classes.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/extra_curricular_activities/4716260-spring-23-music-thread

Actually, I tell a lie.  There is a long running, very active, music thread on a popular parenting forum.  Lots of us on there with a range of ages from primary to degree level, beginners to JD to specialist school to conservatoire and every level of recreational inbetween.

I am not sure if I am allowed to mention the name on here but it is one of the most well known forums.

sorry, I don't know any similar music based forums (I have one dancer and one musician)

I know several people who saw it during its regional premiere run and they said it was really good. Plus it’s written by the very talented Pippa Cleary. 

https://frontlinedance.co.uk/community/

Both NSCD & The Place is direct application to the schools, not through UCAS so you can apply to both.

BIMM is now it's own uni with degree awarding powers.  

BIMM own Northern Ballet School so could in the future very well decide to offer a degree there.  

On 31/08/2022 at 10:21, Peanut68 said:

Does anyone on here have any experience of ‘topping up’ a Trinity Diploma to BA Honours degree?

Several of my child's friends have done this.  IT is something we think they will do in the near future.

My non dancing child applied for BIMM this academic year although they turned it down to accept a place elsewhere.  BIMM's music colleges have always offered a range of courses which include degree and diploma courses at various levels so and they already had degree awarding powers so I don't see why anything would change in the near future.  I'd guess that they may offer a degree option at NBS in the future as they already do at Performers.