Mjdb

I've just had a conversation with my daughter & apparently NBS teachers do not do this any more. Safeguarding, personal accounts etc etc ? So I think going down the route of connecting future students through insta with info from parents in here is the way to go. The students do have their Facebook group but organised by the students so I'm sure once they arrive in Sept they can all be connected that way. It's actually being used at the moment for organising the Graduation Party !! 😁

Mj

48 minutes ago, NEC1 said:

NBS themselves set up a Facebook group for the year group the summer before my daughter started - I think it was used a lot for passing on information. I think she also did the summer school that year too and so got to meet a few other new starters. 

This happened for my daughter's year group too. Usually when everyone has accepted offers & Dada's have been given & accepted. 

Mj

4 hours ago, Moondancer said:

My daughter is going to go to NBS in September and would love to know that she will be with other students speaking to new medlock 

When my daughter started at NBS, they all seemed to find each other on social media!. Not sure if one of the students for this Septembers intake is happy to pass on details to  parents here in the forum. I had a few moms message me, to pass on details to my daughter, whose dd & ds wanted to be added to an NBS insta group which they formed for their year, they got to 'know' each other before they even reached NBS. It's maybe an idea? 

Mj

My daughter has been in Dwell for her 3 years at NBS & never had a problem. First year was a 4 bed flat but just 2 NBS students sharing shower room, sperate toilet & kitchen. To be honest it would have been a squeeze if all 4 rooms had been occupied. 

For her 2nd & 3rd year she stayed in a 4 bedroomed flat, this time each had their own en suit, shared kitchen/diner. The flat was newly refurbished.

The rents are eye watering & doesn't help that Dada doesn't give anywhere near student funding for maintenance. 

All the above accommodations are either next to each other or over the road & all very close to The Dance House ( NBS ). 

There what looks like is going to be new accommodation being built again right next to the above accommodations, let's hope this eases the problems of flats for students in the following years. 

Mj

1 hour ago, Becca_19 said:

I rang New Medlock as I thought this might be the case and they offered me a shared flat and non-en-suite with 7 other people, 1 being a NBS student. Unfortunately I didn’t feel entirely comfortable with a flat this large and a shared bathroom as I’m moving quite far away from home and as an only child so it’s a completely new experience but they said there was nothing else apart from that available. I understand I was quite late in the process of booking somewhere however I wasn’t able to book anything until I found out about funding the other day.  I’m currently waiting on a phone call back from Parkway Gate as they did say there was one NBS student still there but in a fully booked flat - hoping they are able to move things around a bit so I can share with them instead! 

Hi there,

I would second trying MSV Dwell as you are 18 as there are presently NBS students there so maybe this year 1st & 2nd years may stay on & a chance of sharing?

Mj 

48 minutes ago, Ballet-taxi said:

Scary, how quickly it goes! Has your DD gone for any auditions yet? Does she know what she wants? 

Hi,

Yes she has been to 'job auditions' so cruises & Disney in Manchester & London, plus agent auditions too. 

Dance, dance & dance! Lol. Cruise ships have always been a favourite job choice. 

Mj

On 03/04/2024 at 19:50, La sylphide said:

Thank you everyone for all your advice and support she has received a DADA offer so will be off to NBS in September x

Well-done,

I'm sure she will love it. 

My daughter is now going into her last term, but really only seems like yesterday that we were planning & sorting for the start of her first term !

Mj

11 hours ago, Rachel said:

Looking for info on additional funding that may be available to help with accommodation costs. Do students work alongside their studies ?

Hi there,

My daughter worked wkends during her 1st & 2nd years at NBS, really did help to pay the bills, but it was very tiring full on all wk then job at the wkends. In her 3rd now & she hasn't worked, even though no classes at wkends there have been auditions, extra work load, shows, conventions etc. There is the National Youth Arts Trust that will give certain grants, more for uniforms, equipment etc...it works in the way of if you're offered say £500 you buy what's needed then get reimbursed when receipts are uploaded as proof of purchase, so not for living but savings can then be added to the 'living' pot. 

As said before check your local charities/ council etc as they sometimes give to students following an arts career rather than a ' conventional ' academic path. 

Mj

On 28/03/2024 at 20:32, balletbean said:

3rd yr already!  Gosh how time flies.  
Best wishes to your DD as she embarks on her final term at NBS and her future wherever that leads her post graduation.🌎 🤩 

I know we really don't know where the time has gone! It really has flown! She has enjoyed her time there & now lots of auditions, agents/ cruises etc. It's such a busy (expensive) time for the 3rd years now! 

Mj

Congrats on fab results.

Daughter is currently 3rd year at NBS & has loved every minute of it! She is in dwell MSV, ( been very happy here ), but now believe they're not offering accommodation to under 18's.  Can't comment on US but daughters friends have also been happy in those accommodations. Dada's can be offered at any time ( very very late for us! ) Don't ever give up ! 

If you have any questions about NBS please don't hesitate to ask.

Mj

I would definitely contact dwell direct to ask about age, my daughter was 16 when started in her first year & so was her flat mate ( only 2 of them in a 4 bed flat all year ). Then going into 2nd year all 4 were just 17. We have had no problems in the accomodation & we are almost at the end of her 3rd year! Can't believe it has come round so quick!. 

I will look for the email we have used for contact for MSV. 

Mj

Emails I have used ;

msv@dwellstudent.co.uk

colm.leonard@dwellstudent.co.uk

Hope this helps! 

On 29/02/2024 at 21:13, La sylphide said:

Can they still do the RAD exams if they have studied under a different board? DD has advanced 1 but all her exams have been done with IDTA could she still do the RAD at NBS do you know? 

 Hi there,

I have asked my daughter who is a year 3 student & she has said it is possible to take rad after studying a different exam board. Obviously it would depend on ability as to what grade. 

Mj 

19 hours ago, jenalexandra78 said:

Hi good to hear, DD had her NBS audition this Saturday. 

 

So hoping this will open her eyes to other options out there. 

 

But obviously it's a gamble with time game with booking tramways now for hammond with optimistic hope for funding. And or wait  for NBS after audition and also have stella man audition end of match all 3 are our favoured 3 year diploma dance. 

 

Mind slightly blown 😳...

 

I am low income as is her step dad so we would defo be awarded help if dada offered. 

 

Hopefull and optimistic but it's hard to know what to do with accomidation etc 😕 xx

 

 

Re accomodation, 

My daughter attends NBS in her 3rd year now, most of them are now just 19 & started at 16. Some more ready than others but all doing really well. You will be surprised at how quickly they learn & just routinely get on with sorting thier own stuff. 

Hang in there for funding it can take a while for people to accept / decline & for the ' pot of money ' to be organized! 

Daughter had a very late offer of funding 1st September!!! Never say never lol ! 

Mj 

32 minutes ago, mum5678 said:

😊 They're a lovely bunch at NBS aren't they.  I've genuinely lost count of the number of times I've felt so grateful that that's the school he chose! 

 

If anyone is struggling with applications for there this year, I've heard that the BIMM admissions portal is not being particularly cooperative so it's worth emailing the school directly and they will help. 

They are a great bunch ! My dd has loved every minute of being there. In-between all the  learning & doing hard work they also have fun, which for mean  means a lot & is important too. 

Their last outside venture at the Denise Walsh charity gala was a success & again good time had by all. 

I'm also grateful it's where her path led her to. Can't believe it's her last year. Can't wait to see what the future holds ! 

Mj

I agree with mum5678, don't discard NBS just because of its name. There are  two path choices when students go into 2nd year. First year all students do the same classes then for years 2 & 3 either follow classical or jazz. My daughter is in her 3rd year & loves where she is. She started at 16 but each year can have a varied mix of ages. She was also very academic but her heart was in dance. 

She is where she wants to be & very happy.

Just our experience but AXA has worked for us over the last cpl of years. My dd is going into her 3rd n final year fingers crossed she doesn't need to be using the insurance this year. First year we had physio but 2nd year she had to sit out & needed MRI scans consultant & a 2nd opinion & more physio no problem being seen within the matter if a week or so. So no lengthy waits. I feel we had excellent service, which is why we chose them again this year, yes premium increased but that's the same as everything when you claim it was to be expected. 

Mj

Hi there,

My daughter is with AXA. The insurance was taken out in my name but dd is the only insured person.

So glad we did this as we needed MRIs, consultants & physio appointments last year so it was a very good investment.

Make sure whatever or whoever you chose to go with that everything you think you will need is covered. Lots of things can be added & different levels of cover taken out just make sure it all works for you. 

Mj

I agree with the above,

I wish to thank you for info on not just NBS threads but also other subjects too. I think without past, present & future parents/carers others may not get the help & info requested. So glad to hear your daughter is now enjoying her journey & doing what she has trained for. My daughter started her 3rd & final year yesterday, don't really know where the last 2 years have gone but have had some really good advice from this forum & hope might be able to help others too. 

Mj

Hi there,

My daughter did EYB 6 years ago ( Cinderella in Hollywood ) & as Anna C has said it was a group audition...warm up & then split into junior / senior.

Listen well & follow instructions. They will demonstrate the moves but they will also just explain what is required & expect the students to know what is to do. They take a large group of students as there are many parts to play....mainly group dances. 

As always a smile goes a long way.

Rehearsals then tend to be in school holidays / half terms. You may have to purchase certain items. But things like white satin shoes ....ribbons etc depending on what group they put into. 

There are fees but have no idea what they would be now ....but that will be given to you if audition is successful.

Most of all tell them to enjoy the experience! 

Mj

Thx for that .

Good advice & something I hadn't thought of ! We only bought the 1 La Duca bag as she has a cpl of other small draw string bags but I will tell her to put them in the same one each time so she knows at a glance which is which ! 

Mj

Hi there

We have just had our trip to London for La Ducas.

We went with the mind set of getting all that she might need / want! As they do vary in fit...widths etc. DD ended up getting blk / nude character ( Alexis)  & nude taps. She has a broad foot so the Alexis were recommended by the fitter as these tend to be a wider model. Before we went she wasn't overly keen on the boots, but has been fitted so we will know her size if it becomes a need to have them.

DD was amazed by how they felt & fitted, she too had heard how great they were from other students & she agrees they feel so different & comfortable. She will be going into her 3rd year & at almost 19 we thought it was time the right time for her to have them. 

Mj

I'm also available to answer questions as my DD is a year 2 student. 

My daughter is loving her time at NBS.

I agree that it's a combined decision for the year 2 path choice as it's not just about wants ...students have to be realistic about their choice.

Again agree yes a varied time table.

My daughter does have a part time job....wkends only. 

My daughter has been in Dwell MSV ( over the road from Medlock) for both her first & second year & is staying there for her final year.

I don't have any other schools to compare teachers too. Daughter is very happy with her teachers & again the results of the shows says it all. The school is very approachable. 

Something I will add is about health insurance.

My daughter has had a few problems late last school year & begining of this year. Without insurance I don't think she would be dancing if we have had to wait for available NHS appointments! 

The school were very supportive of her & didn't push her into dancing. Until we knew it was safe for her to do so she sat out but still attended every lesson. 

Mj 

Just wondering how everyone is doing & if you all have your final plans sorted. NBS is a great school & Manchester a good place to be. School is busy at the moment with their end of year show preparations, can't wait!  Hope accommodation is all falling into place too.

Mj

Please note that offers will go out but not everyone accepts as may have other offers too & may choose to take those. So offers can go back & forth for quite a while. 

Take it from a parent who knows....an offer can be given very late ! 

Mj

Just wondering if there are any updates. Everyone managing to get suitable accommodation ? 

Mj