Ballet parent

This looks like a great opportunity. Is anyone able to give an indication as to how hard it is to get in please? Are most of those auditioning in full-time vocational training? And how many places are there for over 16s roughly? Any information much appreciated.

Hi. Just thought I would flag up that applications have reopened for male students at CSB for start this September - https://www.centralschoolofballet.co.uk/training/degree-courses/foundation-degree-professional-dance-performance/

My DD has accepted a place - and it seems more boys are required. Come on boys!!  CSB needs you!

4 minutes ago, Hopefulmom said:

Still haven’t worked out how to send a pm but I’ll try again today!

Hi Hopefulmom. You need to go to the top of the page and click on the envelope - then put in the name of the person you want to PM and send a message as you would an email. Hope that helps. There are 4 of us in the WhatsApp group at the moment - the more the merrier.  (Thanks to Love-dance for setting it up.)

53 minutes ago, Love-dance said:

Going to set up a WhatsApp group for us parents of students starting at Central 2021. I still find this difficult to explore..... Please message me your number or email so I can add you, if you wish.    

Thanks Love-dance.  I have sent a PM.

2 minutes ago, Hopefulmom said:

Hi. Do you know how many weeks this would be? Not sure if we can run to it but it looks very interesting. Will speak to Dh later.

Hi Hopefulmom. It is for 51 weeks.

We have decided on Drapery Place for our DD - she loved it and we want her to be able to cook with and have the company of other Central students in the evenings and at weekends so that she isn't too isolated.  Ideally it would be good if we could make a group booking with other students - so please PM me if your DC is interested.  Otherwise, individual bookings can be made and Drapery Place will then put your DC with other Central students of the same age if you ask them to (but this presupposes others go ahead and book too).  I'm happy to answer any questions about the accommodation - we visited yesterday.

On 13/04/2021 at 08:45, Love-dance said:

I went to look at some of them.  I am basing this on Central's current premises in Clerkenwell as I don't think they will move yet... although I really wish they will.

Walmsley is smaller and therefore felt they would be looked after more.  It is 5 minutes away from studios. Looked at 1 person, basic and mid rooms. There is a very small difference but not noticeable on sizes between basic and mid.  The lady said if they are in first year then these sizes are fine as delux/gold are too much as they dont stay in much. My DD didn't like the bathroom as extremely small, like a caravan, all plastic where things would get wet.  Very friendly and clean.

 

Drapery Place formerly Plaza.... again by Unite.  A lot bigger place overall.  Saw single rooms and they are a bit bigger with table for food and table for working. Bathroom much better also. However its 45 minute walk and they do have long days at Central. Tube we didn't do as walked, but tube would be Farringdon to Aldgate East, 3 stops, 8/9 minutes plus a little walking time. Again friendly and clean.

 

Paris Gardens.  Saw this but didn't go in as they emailed to say they are not taking bookings for 2021/22 due to refurbishment.  Looks nice, a quiet area and only 25 minute walk.

 

My DD prefers Drapery but I would like to see if there's anything closer. Hope this helps specially if you live outside UK.... would be interested in other people's thoughts and places. 

I visited the Paris Gardens site and explored various accommodation options yesterday. My thoughts in case helpful to others:

Paris Gardens

Spoke to builders at Central's new premises and they thought they were on course to complete by September (or thereabouts). Next to the new premises is 'iQ Student Accommodation Paris Gardens'. They aren't booking for 2021/22 as they are going to close for the year for refurbishments. They are directing students to 'iQ Student Accommodation Bankside' which is a 10 min walk from the new premises - but prices start at £400 a week!!

Homes for Students Surrey Quays Landale House

Most rooms are not en-suite. We saw a flat of 5 bedrooms with one separate loo (no sink) and one small shower room with sink. The kitchen was small with seating for two at a breakfast bar.  We were quoted £193/199 a week.  Three stops on the Jubilee Line from Paris Gardens.

Unite Students - Drapery Place (formerly Drapery Plaza and, before that, Liberty Plaza)

Popular with existing Central students - they currently occupy four flats. The flat we saw had 6 ensuite rooms plus a shared kitchen with a table and 6 chairs and a corner sofa and TV.  Fixtures and fittings were high spec and the place was very clean.  There is a gym, a large dance studio and a laundry room with multiple machines - looked like they were brand new.  Five stops on District Line to Blackfriars, then a short walk over Blackfriars Bridge to Paris Gardens.  We were quoted £303 a week.

Unite Students - Walmsley Studios (formerly Liberty House)

Grade 2 listed building.  Rooms are all studios - each with own small kitchen.  As with Drapery Place, the fixtures and fittings were high spec and it was spotlessly clean.  A small gym and small laundry room - 3 machines only.  Two stops on Thameslink from Farringdon to Blackfriars, then a short walk over Blackfriars Bridge to Paris Gardens. We were quoted £320 a week.

8 minutes ago, Love-dance said:

I went to look at some of them.  I am basing this on Central's current premises in Clerkenwell as I don't think they will move yet... although I really wish they will.

Walmsley is smaller and therefore felt they would be looked after more.  It is 5 minutes away from studios. Looked at 1 person, basic and mid rooms. There is a very small difference but not noticeable on sizes between basic and mid.  The lady said if they are in first year then these sizes are fine as delux/gold are too much as they dont stay in much. My DD didn't like the bathroom as extremely small, like a caravan, all plastic where things would get wet.  Very friendly and clean.

 

Drapery Place formerly Plaza.... again by Unite.  A lot bigger place overall.  Saw single rooms and they are a bit bigger with table for food and table for working. Bathroom much better also. However its 45 minute walk and they do have long days at Central. Tube we didn't do as walked, but tube would be Farringdon to Aldgate East, 3 stops, 8/9 minutes plus a little walking time. Again friendly and clean.

 

Paris Gardens.  Saw this but didn't go in as they emailed to say they are not taking bookings for 2021/22 due to refurbishment.  Looks nice, a quiet area and only 25 minute walk.

 

My DD prefers Drapery but I would like to see if there's anything closer. Hope this helps specially if you live outside UK.... would be interested in other people's thoughts and places. 

Thanks Love-dance. That's really helpful.  I will report back too after our visit tomorrow.

39 minutes ago, Love-dance said:

I've never posted to this site, so not sure how to PM you.  Would be interested to know how you got on visiting them.  Are they a little bit further out?  

Hi Love-dance. We are due to visit Drapery Place and Walmsley Studios the week of 12th and I will let you know how we get on (I too need to work out how to PM!). Both are a relatively short commute (by London standards) from the new premises - Walmsley Studios are a bit closer but it seems Drapery Place is the more popular from the info my DD has gleaned from attending associates (although this may change with the move). With Drapery Place students can have their own room with ensuite within a flat of 4 or 6 students which my DD likes the idea of, but we need to find others who are up for sharing. Also haven't ruled out private rental. 

Thanks Jan - and Anna C.  Much appreciated.

Hi everyone. I am new here, although have visited the forum a few times over the last few months and found the comments very helpful.  My DD is a Central associate and has an offer for Central full time for Sept 21 too. She is keen to be with other Central students so we have booked a visit to Drapery Place and Walmsley Studios as these are mentioned in this thread. She would also consider private rental with one or two other girls as this seems significantly cheaper.  If anyone else's DC is definitely going to accept a place in Sept it would be really good to hear from you - as DD doesn't know of anyone yet.