Somerdance

Thank you everyone 😊

My daughter is due to start in year 7 on the dance course at The Hammond in September.

I am yet to order any uniform as someone said you get some money towards it from MDS funding (which she has).

Still waiting on forms so not sure whether to just go ahead and order? 
 

Also how much will she need? 
They have a dance leotard which I assume is worn each day - how many will she need? 
same for uniform - t shirt and tracksuit? 
 

Any existing dance school mums have any advice? Xxx

4 hours ago, Dancing.shoes said:

Communication has been as promised with us. Don’t want to make anyone else feel worse that they haven’t heard yet, but hopefully some other than me have had good communication. 
we were told on the audition day that she was offered a place, 2 weeks later official email offering MDS, personal replies to emails I have sent and then email this week to invite to zoom call. 
please don’t think I’m rubbing any one’s noses in it - just wanted to put a positive experience out there as if there are others like me, I felt a bit anxious that the school has got a lot of negative comments. Starting to worry about sending my daughter there! 
looking forward to seeing who else is starting in September! 
 

My daughter is also starting in September! 
we had a call offering MDS funding a couple of weeks ago after being offered a place early Feb. 
 

I think unless it’s been mentioned at audition or initial offer (a friend of ours was offered MDS funding on the day) I would assume it’s an unfunded place. 

All children are on a list and considered I believe. There is always a lot of movement so don’t give up hope! 
 

@Dancing.shoes have you had any paper work re: the MDS? How long did it take to come through after the MDS offer?

we’re still waiting for the official stuff and getting twitchy! 

My DD auditioned end of January and was offered a place.

She was over the moon! We then found out it was unfunded after speaking with someone at The Hammond as the money side wasn’t mentioned.

We were sent bursary paper work but what we were offered still wasn’t financially feasible for us so had to turn it down.

Yesterday we had the call she has MDS funding… it was an agonising wait but SIT TIGHT!

Prior to that we did call to ask where out DD was on the wait list for funding and they were happy to discuss and give an indication.

We had the same, an offer for September start but no mention of funding or further audition on letter.

My husband is very persistent 😂

and managed to speak to someone.

At the initial audition the children are given points and listed from most to least.

The top get offered funding (not sure how many) everyone else is on the waiting list. I think this is different to previous years.

We’re in the same position and the unknown is torture.

DD was so gutted to have a yes and then a not quite. We have always been very upfront with her and she knows no funding means no school but it certainly stings a little.

I’ve been told there is a lot of movement once all offers are out with some people receiving funding as late as July!! 
 

On 17/02/2023 at 15:36, Dancemum19 said:

Hey how long does it take to hear back about my daughter she had her audition Monday? And does a call back mean they have got a place? Thank you all x 

My daughter heard about an week and a half later.

This year they are not doing call backs and consider funding from the initial audition.

Good luck to your daughter! 

2 hours ago, Ballettap said:

Could they give you any idea where you were in the list?? 
Such a shame as not many people can afford it without funding.. still waiting for our email… 

The lady we spoke to didn’t have that information but I think you can ask.

Anyone have any experience of being on the MDS waiting list and being awarded? 
We have prepared D for worst case scenario and she is so disappointed.

UPDATE;

Managed to get hold of someone at the Hammond and unfortunately it’s an offer for an unfunded place.

The children get points at each audition and that is how they are ranked and scholarship/ MDS are awarded from top downwards.

 
There are no further auditions for the Hammond this year.
There is of course some movement once all offers for schools are out so we now just wait. 

Anyone have a spare £30k? Haha! 
 

We found out around a week (and a couple of days) later.

Thank you, planning on calling them today. 
Wow this really is a rollercoaster process!

My daughter has been offered a place for y7 at the Hammond to start in September. 
The offer email has nothing in it about a funding audition, however I thought all children were considered for MDS? 
 

Am I right in thinking she is likely to not have a funded place then? 
 

We’re going round in circles on the website and waiting to hear back from the Hammond. Just wondering if anyone can shed any light on it in the meantime? 

2 hours ago, Ballerina_girl said:

this is good to know, and encouraging to read as was definitely a downer to start of with a straight no

Agreed. Not the best start to it all. All a learning curve…
Good luck for the rest of the auditions! 

Daughter had her first audition for Tring last Sunday and it was unfortunately a no. This is all very new to us, does anyone have any experience of a no from Tring but a yes from other schools?