Karen

I have no personal knowledge or insight (other than from news reports) into the most current, dreadful situation, and do not feel that I can offer anything other than the expression of sadness and horror (and an element of relief that my dd made the choice she did). I am very surprised that there are no forum members out there who feel the need to say something about this. Open and honest dialogue, within the forum rules, is one of the most valuable aspects for members. I do feel that in the 9 years I have been a member, sadly, the debate about more controversial topics has diminished and something has been lost as a result.

I’m guessing you already have the generic email administrator@thehammondschool.co.uk but if not, it might be worth a try. They are usually very helpful at passing things on.

This is interesting to me - I had a telephone conversation with my GP at the start of lockdown and he called me 2 weeks later to say that he had been thinking about our conversation and felt that he should have given different advice at the time.

Since my previous post mentioning the lack of auditions, dd has just received the first opportunity of an on line audition from her agent! Maybe a small glimmer....?

My dd is graduating from the Hammond - so sad that after 8 years there that this is how it has ended for her. We’ve heard there’s going to be a video conference prize giving/ graduation, but no details yet. The Hammond has been proactive in supporting graduates to be taken on by an agent and zoom classes will continue for this final half term. From September dd will have to source her own classes to keep audition ready - goodness knows when auditions will start again - I’m thinking probably not until close to the end of the year.

I bought a Darcey Bussell for a ballet friend at Christmas and it has just produced its first bloom. You might find that the plants are only available at certain times of year. Good luck in your search.

‘Devoted to Dance’ has some great contacts and is very generous in sharing these. DD has had school based classes, so has not been able to join in, but there are some fab opportunities.

Congratulations to your dd - great to hear positive news

Becky at The Dancer’s room in Lichfield is fab and they definitely stock GMs as my dd has them from there. Dd used to have a special order, but Becky found her a more standard pair which are fine and take less time to come.

We move our living room furniture every day to create a space for class! We live in an upside down house and my office is underneath the thuds from contemporary and jazz. Thank goodness tap is yet to go on line😀

This comment is not coming from any ‘insider knowledge base, but if my child had been offered a place without MDS funding, I would contact the school in question and, regardless of any information previously given about potential fee support, ask what they could do at this time for my child. Over the 8 years that my dd has been a full time vocational pupil I have heard of many families who have asked questions, challenged decisions, asked for audition tapes to be reconsidered, negotiated payments etc etc and received a response that was different from the first one. I know that not everyone will achieve their desired outcome, but if you don’t ask, you don’t know, and it might make a difference. We are in unprecedented times, and I think that decisions could be made by schools which might surprise and delight some families, but the schools might need a ‘helping hand’ to think about specific individual situations. Good luck to all who are hoping for places.

Balletbean, not sure where you’re located, but careers folk are still working and your son’s school’s careers guidance person should still be available by phone or video link to talk A level choices. If you are struggling, please pm me - both my husband and I are qualified careers advisers. I am running on the same fuel as you, btw! 🍾

Bex, have sent you a pm, but delighted to say that tonight dd has received an offer from a second agency

DD has received her first offer of representation from an agency after submitting her show reel and a Skype interview. More Interviews to come, but a fabulous start and she loved the agent and his attitude, so it might well be this one!

Hammond has cancelled graduate showcase performance (open to public) and agents’ performances in Chester and London. They may be rearranged if possible in future. Message from school said that the decision had been made to cancel ‘some’ events.

Hammond upper school show performances have gone ahead on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (and were fabulous) but we’re not sure if the graduate showcases will go ahead w/c 23rd March. Many auditions have been cancelled for the next few weeks too. So disappointing for these fabulous dancers completing 8 years of training and seeking an agent and their first job. An uncertain time has been made even more uncertain for this group of young people. I do hope they will get their chance somewhere down the line.

I have 2 tickets for the Hammond’s senior school show on Friday 13th March, Row D, 13 and 14. I bought them for family who are now concerned about travel from Europe, so not coming. If anyone would like them, please let me know and I can give you the confirmation before the show. its the first time for a number of years that the Hammond has split it senior and junior performances, and it will be interesting to see how it works out.

I think the young people graduating this summer and currently involved in shows, agent showcases and auditions are going to be hit hard by coronavirus restrictions. I hope that where events are cancelled there will be other opportunities later on. More pressure in what is already a stressful time. Stay well dancers and families.

My husband’s first visit to ROH next Saturday. I’m very excited and hope that the good luck fairy is about and my usual misfortune of sitting near those who lack theatre manners won’t be the case!

I think Rowan, that where vocational schools are inspected by OFSTED for their academic programmes, this would apply. There should be a career related learning programme in place in any 6th form. Where vocational schools/ colleges have no OFSTED link, ie, no academic inspection, there is no statutory obligation as far as I’m aware. Would still be good practice to follow this though,

Academic schools do have a statutory obligation to provide a career related learning programme for students from year 7, which should be led by a named career leader, who, along with the programme offered, should be detailed on the school’s web site. There should also be 1:1 guidance provided (by an internal staff member or bought in) by a suitably qualified practitioner (L6 career guidance qualification) for every student who needs it. This is inspected as part of the new OFSTED framework and in my professional experience is being taken seriously in many schools across the country. I wish vocational schools would consider the support students need to understand the labour market, recognise where they might fit and provide appropriate individual support for the student to get where they would like to be. There is so much more that could be done and it makes me very cross that not everyone gets the help they need.

The Hammond has a BA Hons in musical theatre performance in conjunction with the university of Chester. There are close links with the school and the BA students spend a lot of time on site with the Dada students. All details are on the school’s website.

I’m also sorry to read this. I’ve tried to send you a pm, but it is telling me that it’s not possible. Very best wishes to you and your family for the future.

Capybara, I agree that it is not appropriate to give names that were not announced (the original post suggested to me that they were). However, I’m not sure why you think that the dancers would be known to the majority of the readers of the forum.

Would be interested to know who danced from RBS if you can find the names, PDQ.