DanceMamma

7 hours ago, Pointe3 said:

I’d advise continue with good associate program, summer schools, intensive courses instead of a yr 8 place at vocational school, audition at 16 for upper schools, from experience my dd who attended vocational school at 11 was at no more of an advantage at auditions at 16 then others who attended local dance schools/associate schemes. I’d say if your dd wants to audition for the experience that’s great, vocational lower schools do not always offer the ‘best’ training compared to intensive courses, competition experiences, summer schools etc. Good luck to your dd whatever she decides

I think this sounds like a very realistic option! She’s starting 2 associates schemes in September. I’ll look at intensives, pop ups and summer schools too. 

2 minutes ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

Upper school is 16 plus. 6:1,6:2 and 6:3.

Lower school is years 7 to 11 x

Thank you! That’s what I’d thought but had a moment of doubt! 😂

2 minutes ago, margarite said:

Children don’t just leave because they’re assessed out - two left in my DDs year 7 group as decided it wasn’t for them. 

I’d not thought about that aspect. I think she’ll give it a go, it’s all good audition experience if nothing else! 

5 minutes ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

When Ds/Dd were at ballet school there were assessing out assessments in years 9 and 11. Some left by their own choice at other times and there were one or two taken in at every year group, apart from year 11. The school I believe now tries to keep the students for the whole of lower school but I guess there is still a chance to gain a place. 
Having experienced lower school and upper school verses just upper school I would advise that if you can access a good associate program and intensives along side local training then I would opt for that and try for upper schools only. In my experience there is just as much success from those who only did upper school as those who did the whole 8 years. 

Daft question, is upper school years 10-11? I had post-16 in my mind. 

I was hoping for some insight into experiences of applying for vocational school for year 8.
 

After having a look through some of the threads on here, I noticed that lots of schools are no longer assessing out at the end of year 7 - which I think is great news! But, it made me wonder if applying for a year 8 place would be a pretty pointless exercise? Will there even be any places for year 8? I’m guessing not! DD will audition for the experience of auditioning though! She didn’t want to audition for year 7, covid made things really difficult and she just wasn’t ready - I do fear she’s missed the boat though. Perhaps continuing with associates and thinking about post-16 is more realistic? 
 

Any thoughts or similar experiences? 
xxx

On 30/05/2021 at 17:50, CRH said:

Thanks for that info . I still think it’s a shame that some get children get the opportunity for 2 such associate schemes and others are then on the reserves lists. ( as I said before I do not doubt that these dancers are brilliant- but do they really need 2 associate schemes plus their normal classes ? )

It Seems an awful lot . My daughter absolutely wants this as a profession so I am completely aware of giving them opportunities, but this amount of dancing can surely lead to burn-out and or injury . X

I think it’s a tricky one to judge. My DD has experienced being given nos and wait lists whilst her peers get multiple yeses, and it was hard to be ok with at the time. BUT, I must now admit that next year my DD is doing two associate schemes alongside her ordinary classes, so 10 hours a week. I agree, at junior level it could be too much, it would have been for my DD, but now she’s 11 we wanted to ensure DD had some high quality training after covid with a view to applying for vocational schools for year 8 onwards (a difficult aspiration but she wasn’t emotionally ready for year 7). 

On 17/05/2021 at 18:54, SJBallet said:

Oooh so if you hear can you let me know please 😁

I’ve had an email today with times for Upper Mids Hull - 1pm-3.45. 

1 minute ago, SJBallet said:

Oooh so if you hear can you let me know please 😁

Will do!

2 minutes ago, SJBallet said:

Huge congratulations. My DD will be in upper mids in Sept. There aren’t any details of classes yet but this year they were 2hrs 45mins long. We don’t know what time either, I’ve emailed so if I hear anything I’ll let you know. 
 

Although contemporary was offered previously for upper mids. Due to Covid they weren’t taking place in Hull. We have been offered two in studio classes next half term but they are on separate weekends to the actual ballet boost classes. Not sure what will happen from Sept. 

 

The info pack I received last year was approx £60 per term although fees have gone up this year so don’t know how much they would be now. 
 

Congratulations again x

Thank you! And thanks for the info. I’ve just emailed them too to ask. 

DD got a place, she’s very happy. Upper Mids. Does anyone on here know the class times? How long etc?  And how much is it to add on the contemporary option? I couldn’t see this info anywhere so point me in the right direction if its easy to find! 

40 minutes ago, In at the deep end said:

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

My DD is a bit older, soon to be leaving the JA age bracket. I would say to do what works for both your child and your family! We’ve had lots of people over the years telling us that DD does too little or too much, there’s always someone to annoy it seems!
 

I don’t think it sounds too much, as long as the quality is good! My current year 6 DD will be doing associates plus 4 hours a week of ballet classes, 1 private class fortnightly, plus tap, flex and Pilates. We’re hoping to add in a second bi-monthly associates into the mix too. BUT she would not have managed all this a year ago, she’s built up to it. 
 

Our rule is if it’s still fun then she can carry on, if she’s not enjoying it then we drop it. She recently dropped a contemporary class for this reason! 

3 minutes ago, Berlioz007 said:

Yes at lunchtime today.

I forgot to say Well Done! Xxx

No news yet here either. 

20 minutes ago, Mildred72 said:

Not yet! I might email them today as it's nearly a week since my other ones heard.

I’m thinking I might do the same. 

Has anyone had any news yet? 

That’s good to know. I’m still not sure if she’ll get a spot though, it was Avery cobbled together video and her photos weren’t great! I had assumed lower mid if she got a place but I didn’t really know the levelling. Hopefully we’ll find out soon. It’s definitely something we’ll look at again next year, with a bit more prep! 😂

1 hour ago, Mildred72 said:

Thanks for the replies. Yes all 4 were given a place, although the 2 that haven't heard are slightly older.

My DD is 11, RAD inter found level in local class. I’m not sure what class she’d be placed in but I’m guessing maybe not the lowest group? Perhaps they’re still deciding on the Mids? I guess there are fewer spots? 

39 minutes ago, Mildred72 said:

Hi, just wondering if anyone else has not heard from Hull Ballet boost? I had 6 audition and 4 heard on Saturday but 2 are still yet to hear.

We’ve not heard anything yet. I’m not convinced my DD will get a spot though as our video was very last minute! Did the 4 that have heard get a yes?

Thanks again everyone. It sounds really top quality! Hopefully our last minute video will be enough! 

Thank you everyone, it sounds like a great scheme! 

1 minute ago, SJBallet said:

You’re very welcome, I hope you hear soon. 
 

The lower mids class have been asked to bring in pointe shoes and soft blochs if they have them (DD is very jealous she doesn’t have either yet) but haven’t used them yet. 

Thank you, DD is hoping to be on pointe September/December but in no rush thank goodness! 

10 minutes ago, SJBallet said:

Hello DD is in BB in Hull. She really enjoys it. We submitted an audition video last year and heard within a few weeks although a friend heard much sooner. We were

told of a place but didn’t hear about which class until after the audition deadline. I think from the deadline it was about a week and the current associates heard about their classes a couple of days before. 
 

The classes are on ability I think but age also plays a part. DD is in lower mids and is in yr 5 at school and the class has a mix of year 5, 6 and 7 with some already on pointe. 
 

DD has a year 6 friend in upper mid. 
 

The lower mid class is 2hrs 45 mins long and they don’t get a break as such, I think juniors is 2hrs 15. 
 

The class compliments her regular classes and other associates. DD does more advanced stuff in BB than she does in her exam classes but with her current teacher it’s not as back to basic technique focussed as her other associate class. 
 

Hope this helps. 
 

Good luck. 

That is incredibly helpful, thank you! DD is 11, not on pointe yet but doing RAD inter foundation and prepointe. It’s only been a week since I sent the video so I’ll be patient! 

Just now, Jan McNulty said:

Hello DanceMomma and welcome to the Forum!

Thank you Jan!

Hi there, 

I’ve been browsing this site for a few weeks and decided it was time to join and ask my own question. A simple one I hope? 
 

I couldn’t see anything recent about Ballet Boost, specifically the Hull centre. I’ve heard really good things. DD has recently submitted an audition video and I wondered if anyone knew when we might hear back? And how they place them in groups, is it by age or ability - I’m not sure if DDs video was that great but I’m hoping it’s enough to get her a place. Or is it really competitive and difficult to get in? 
 

Thank you!