mimi'smom

The centre for economic and business research have just published their independent report commissioned by the arts council on the economic contribution of arts and culture. The main findings (pasted from the arts council site) are rather interesting! arts and culture make up 0.4 per cent of *GDP – a significant return on the less than 0.1 per cent of government spending invested in the sector arts and culture is a sector of significant scale with a turnover of £12.4 billion and a GVA** of £5.9 billion in 2011 arts and culture generate more per pound invested than the health, wholesale and retail, and professional and business services sectors the arts and culture sector provides 0.45 per cent of total UK employment and 0.48 per cent of total employment in England at least £856 million per annum of spending by tourists visiting the UK can be attributed directly to arts and culture the economic contribution of the arts and cultural sector has grown since 2008, despite the UK economy as a whole remaining below its output level before the global financial crisis The full report can be found here: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/arts-council-news/economic-contribution-arts-and-culture-report-publ/ Let's hope those in charge of future funding decisions take the time to read it

Hi there My daughter broke her arm in a fall in the snow when she was in year 4 - she was allowed to dance both at her local dance school and her associate class whilst in plaster, obviously selecting what she could safely do (for herself and others in the class!) She was in plaster for 6 weeks, once the plaster was removed a consultant told us that it could be weight bearing in another 6 weeks. We waited patiently for this period to pass and then, the first time she put weight on it it broke again!!! We were devastated! Having healed beautifully straight the first time I was paranoid that this time the mend would be less than perfect and that it would affect her chances of gaining a place at vocational school. Also whilst in plaster the second time, she was due to audition for JAs so the surgeon allowed her to have a removable cast for the final two weeks. She even took part in a dance festival with her removable cast! She got her JA place and is now at vocational school so thankfully even the second immediate break didn't have a long lasting impact. But please exercise caution before attempting weight bearing exercises again - I wouldn't wish that awful. heart wrenching moment on anyone! x

The number of JAs at each centre can be found on p11 of the RBS annual report (2011 - 2012) http://www.royal-ballet-school.org.uk/media/dloads/RBS_Annual_Report_2011-2012.pdf xx

I'm sure they would accommodate you - they are always very helpful xx

It started at 9:30 and the actual induction was over before 2:30 as this was the time the summer show began (which is optional - we didn't stay for that last year as my dd had her school 'prom'.) xx

Hi dancing feet Found my letter from last year and there was also a welcome assembly for children and parents where we were introduced to key members of staff and the children had their photographs taken for their swipe cards. xx

Hi Dancingfeet Elmhurst induction day last year was on a Saturday (I think possibly the last Saturday of term but would need to check that!) It was a very informal day with a relaxed atmosphere. The children went off in groups to get to know each other and house staff and had uniform fittings. Lunch is provided and there is the option to stay and watch the summer showcase. I don't remember any parent/teacher consultations so that could be a new thing this year or maybe because your dd is joining a year other than year 7. Will try and find my letter from last year to see if I've missed anything! edited due to my clumsy fingers!!!!

Junior and Mid associates of the Royal Ballet School - they have classes in the studios at the Hippodrome. Do hope you get to see some of these amazing creations - the attention to detail is phenomenal for costumes generally seen from a distance.

Kathy and Don Q Fan - you should try and befriend someone with a Birmingham JA or MA as they change in a room that's often crammed with BRB costumes (as well as walking past rails of them on the way through to studio) - they are truly exquisite and wouldn't disappoint!!

My fault Ribbons - sorry!

Hi Nana Lilly Moneypenny and Ribbons Thanks all for your prompt replies - it really won't be a huge amount but every little helps!

Apologies in advance as this is about MDS not DADAs but I was wondering if the parental contribution is re-assessed annually? Our income has dropped slightly this financial year (probably less than 10%) but I actually have no idea!) due to fluctuations in my husbands call-out/overtime and we were hoping that our contributions might change next year to reflect this.

Fiz have the hospital checked out the possibility of a stroke? My father, who sadly passed away on New Year's Day had vascular dementia caused by a mild stroke - so mild that he didn't show any of the usual stroke symptoms and we had to insist on a brain scan as we too had initially put his confused state down to an infection but it just persisted. If we had perhaps got the stroke diagnosed more quickly, more could have been done to minimise the effect. Sorry I don't wish to alarm anyone or make a difficult situation more so but I had no idea about vascular dementia until it affected our family. Hope things are improving for all of you on the forum going through difficult family times - life can be very hard at times xx

Elmhurst do offer unfunded places also so maybe (and I have no idea this is just me surmising!) if MDSs become available through children accepting other offers they are offered to those children.

Elmhurst preliminary auditions consist of a basic ballet class in one of the studios in front of quite a large panel - class last approx 1 hr 15 mins and parents get to watch the last 10 mins or so. During the class, parents have a brief talk from Miss Ward the principal and a quick tour of the main building. Final auditions are a whole day affair. The children are split into groups and rotate between another ballet class, this time in the school's theatre, their individual physio assessments and their academic tests. At some point in the day,parents can return to the school and join their children in a tour of the boarding facilities.

Hope you both have a wonderful time - it truly is a spectacular production!

Last year the letters arrived on the Saturday - 11 days after the final audition. So maybe just a few more days of anxious waiting! Good luck!

Congrats to your dd - you'll have to change your name now JA_dad - how about WLdad?

It is indeed and a timely piece of news that will encourage and inspire those dancing children and parents receiving the dreaded no letters. Congrats to your son Beljul you must be thrilled!

Hi Tutugirl It is my understanding that Elmhurst don't have a set number of places in each year group and this can and does vary - so in terms of available places I don't think there is an answer. If they want you I guess they will offer you a place and if needed have a jiggle around with the boarding arrangements! However, there is a set number of MDS awards available and I'm not sure how this works for children applying for years other than year 7. Hope both of your pupils have a wonderful day!

Have a lovely time - it is actually quite a relaxing day (it's the wait afterwards that's agonising!!) and Elmhurst are wonderful at making everyone feel welcome. The year 7s are very excited about showing off their rooms (let's hope they're tidy!!)

I completely understand you sentiment Ribbons - it mus be soul destroying. But in a way maybe the schools need to see that their 'first choices' for places are having to turn them down due to the new funding arrangements?

I really liked the head and shoulders shots - they seemed to really capture the moment! Good luck with the photographer Celb - hope you are successful as I agree with you entirely about capturing those precious times

Thanks both x

Hi there Sorry for a triivial post at what can be a stressful time for ballet parents but I was just wondering if Elmhurst do school photos. I know that there are photos in the summer show programme and the format of these have changed recently from individual to group and I'm assuming we have an option to purchase these but do they have any others taken eg in formal uniform? Thanks in advance!