Sherbert

I didn't know Elmhurst and Hammond had gone this third party route. RBS simply allow fees to be paid monthly with no charge. 

'Mums of boy dancers fill me with hope?'

Aren't you yourself guilty of  perpetuating gender stereotypes!? ?

As the father of a DS who started dancing a couple of years younger than your son is currently I think he was always know by his peers as a dancer and never experienced bullying etc. Currently at RBS WL he regularly returns to his old school to connect with young boy dancers. 

You can lead a horse to water, but can't make him drink, make it clear the option to do ballet is there for him and let him take it up when he feels he wants to. Would be my view. 

I also wouldn't get too sidetracked by talk of being not too late for vocational school, he is 4! No need to get ahead of yourself!

good luck. 

I agree with both Primrose and Waiting, it really isn't that bad at WL!!

I'm sure each child reacts differently to the environment, fortunately my child doesn't feel the pressure, it's just one big party. They also stay in contact and meet regularly with those that have left so I do feel that most have a balanced view on the whole thing.

I would also say that it is not at all competitive, again in our experience, they are all very supportive of each other.

Amazing news WB!!!!!! You must be so so proud.........thinking of the all the mummies and DD's who are waiting for their results!! Xxx

Will the Dads still be down the coal mines ????

Shall we just stick to commenting on forthcoming audition results rather than pouring over the circumstances of those that have been asked to leave!?

I don't know about Hammond, but RBS has a calculator here:

https://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/information/fees/full-time-training-fees/fees-201617/

When my DC started in Y7 a couple of years ago, we were one of only four families across all years that paid 100%, no MDS.

Later years are more flexible. For the MDS the child must be 11 at the start of the year - September (8 for music schools).

Balletmomma. Fake news and misinformation from friends of friends is rife amongst the ballet schooling world.

Yes I'm presuming it's over 2 days as they have a lot to fit in to one day, with an academic test, a physio assessment and a ballet class.

it's the same schedule for the boys, just interesting they can do them in one day. You would think running it twice for girls would be better, as otherwise presumably a lot of sitting around.

Anyway I guess my child will be getting three days of trips this time as the current students are usually taken out during auditions.

Maybe there are less boys in finals than girls?

Very likely, and that is why I assumed they would be running girls audition twice rather than making all girls stay for two days. Especially as presumably they won't be able to stay at the school overnight as it's term time.

That's interesting as the Y7 boys are done in one day

If I'm interpreting the various comments about 2 days correctly, I don't the the audition will last two days, rather the audition (for girls) is being run twice.

https://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/train/apply/apply-for-full-time-training/

No, first round is at Floral Street. Only the finals are at White Lodge.

https://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/train/apply/associate-application-faqs/

Have you read FAQs? Quite helpful.

You beat me to it, there is nothing to be gained by over thinking this. Your child has the body they have, that can't be changed, so there is little point in trying to work out what they are looking for.

Good luck to the boys too ????

That's a very strong statement, Sherbert. From what I can gather, summer school students (here and abroad) seem to benefit hugely from tuition by leading dancers (as well as different teachers) and from multi-national interaction in terms of both dance standards and the opportunity to socialise.

I was discussing the schools motivation for running a course. You have described a students motivation for attending, not the same thing.

The price for Covent Garden is pretty expensive as it is non-residential; accommodation is included for some others for a similar price.

I think it is broadly the same price, CG is 2 weeks, £800 for tuition and £730 for the optional accommodation.

Unless I'm reading it incorrectly.

The £25 fee is at least waived for applications from WL children.

Well, every summer school is motivated by income generation, there is no social benefit agenda. Not to my mind at least.

If no interest, that's fine, but based on a per night price this doesn't seem quite so expensive as might first appear.

Not to say they're aren't great cheaper alternatives, I only have experience of RBS.

And pro-rata, pretty much at same level as other big schools.

Subtle/increasing pressure being applied to WL parents to sign up.

Just received a letter from RBS strongly encouraging WL children to participate in the new summer courses, previously not allowed to attend. Letter also provided detail of course content.

Suspect this might place a pigeon in amongst the cats.

Have you checked the link/PDF I posted above? They could also do week 3 and 4. I don't know about school years, eligibility is by age at Aug2017.