Karen

Yes, you are correct for 11-13 one for sure. We sent application and photos at the end of last week and heard today that dd has been offered a place. She's looking forward to it already! Anyone else's dc's going? Would be good to meet some ballet.co.ukers!

It's called 'The sticky Walnut' and we have had a lovely lunch there several times.

There's a lovely restaurant in Hoole opposite the uniform shop if you want a birthday treat! We had to drop dd off for the start of yr 7 on my birthday last year and it's the same again this year! At least 2014 start is later so I can enjoy having her at home for the celebrations

Our local festivals are willing to consider advance requests for specific classes or ages not to take place on a certain day if a dancer is unavailable. They don't guarantee to be able to fulfil all requests but will try to help if possible - maybe we are lucky? Also, dancers are allowed to dance out of class; this generally means they cannot be placed but receive a mark and a report and All England qualification is still valid if the mark is sufficient. Karen

Hi, sorry don't know induction day date - last year we didn't hear till quite late and the date was at the end of June. Yr 7s are not currently allowed out unaccompanied at any time. This year, I think quite a lot of yr 7 girls have gone into town on Saturday afternoons after morning school always with supervision. My daughter has occasionally gone into town on a Sunday and has also participated in the occasional Sunday activities organised by the boarding house staff. Plenty of books, DVDs, knitting, colouring or whatever your daughter enjoys will certainly be useful! Hope this helps Karen

Welcome! My dd is a current yr 7. Happy to share experiences either here or via pm. Do you know how many yr7s are joining in September? Karen

Ballet shoes are canvas with 2 elastics crossed - don' have to be brand specific. It's pink socks at the start, moving to tights at teacher's discretion. Tap shoes are black Oxford with low heel - we took existing ones. If your child has pointe shoes, take what you have as there will only be pointe work in RAD class to start. We were told that one teacher dislikes Grisko so we did buy new pair as this is what dd had! Happy shopping!

There will be an induction day - probably quite late in the summer term if it is the same as last year. You will have plenty of free time as a parent but your dc's is likely to be tied up for the whole school day. If you are going to buy from recommended dance shop, you may find it helpful to know dc's measurements so you can go in without them and order. We did this last year as dance shop was only open for half day on induction day and we couldn't get dd there. We provisionally selected shoes and went in with dd just before start of term to confirm fit. We did go in person to uniform shop after induction but be prepared for shop to be very busy. If you need any more info, please post or pm me. Karen

Horse box on M6 had written in the dirt, 'especially for Tesco' hmmm!

Thinking of you, Fiz. Have been in a similar place. I feel better for remembering that I did the best I could within my situation and personal circumstances and however sad I feel about losing my mum, the one thing I don't feel is guilty. Keep true to yourself and what you believe is right. X

Dear Petrova Fossil - your username evokes many happy childhood memories! X

For those of you trying to decide between vocational school and Mids, we were in the same position last year. We went for voc school and it has been very good for dd who has thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 terms. I have seen a change in her flexibility and I am sure this has to do with ballet 5 times a week as well as all the other dance. We are glad we made the choice we did although we do miss dd when she is away. All the best for your decision making xx

At her physio assessment my dd was told that she had tight hamstrings (never been commented on previously by a range of teachers). However, she was offered a MDS place so even if something is commented on, it doesn't mean you won't get in. Good luck to you DC! Life at voc school has some down sides and some challenges that we had not considered, but dd loves the dance and the academics.

Last year's Hammond MDS results arrived on Easter Sat- well after school had broken up. It was a torturous, long wait!! Good luck to all waiting.

Congratulations - hope she is very happy there Karen

I think Premier Inn has a London deal on at the moment if that's any good to you? Also had some decent offers from lastminute.com.

I often work in Essex so make sure you tell us when the new shop is up and running!

Don't worry about them- they are quite straightforward and the atmosphere for the 'on the day' ones was supportive. You might want to have a word with your dc's primary school about the ones that are sent there. We warned school they were coming and how important they might be so they supported dd to do them by choosing a good time and letting a teacher that she was fond of supervise. Good luck!

I think you could be lucky depending on the pianist on the day- we used a song from sheet music/cd book that dd had done for song and dance in festivals but dance teacher had lowered cd by a semi tone. I wrote 'please play one semitone lower' on sheet music and dd said it was as she usually sang it, so I think pianist did as asked! Dd is very happy at the school and singing lessons are amazing. Good luck- dd may speak to your dd in the canteen at lunchtime as she said she was looking out for auditionees as she remembers how it felt last year!

Sorry to hear she is so poorly. Is she well enough to get to a theatre to see a performance? If you contacted them and explained your situation, then maybe a backstage invite or similar treat might be offered. Hope she feels better soon.

I couldn't agree more Jess. We felt that vocational school would offer 5 years (all being well) of excellent education and dance training and was what dd wanted to do. When the time comes to make choices and decisions, you can only look at what is on offer at that time and make the best choice for your dc/family from that. We encourage dd to make the most of chances and opportunities on offer now, knowing that the future is not planned or guaranteed, but that choices and decisions will need to be made again at the next transition point.

How exciting! My dd was equally thrilled to be presented with festival junior ballet championship trophy that had previously been won by Lauren Cuthbertson. Have a fabulous show!

My dd has done these - they are great. They are taught a dance from the show being performed so when we went to watch, dd was able to identify the piece she had learned - ribbon dance from La Fille Mal Gardee last time. Jenny Murphy has taught the classes my dd attended and she is fab! Well worth going!

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will research the links and I have a feeling that the one that involves the least sewing will win!!

Not strictly a dance topic, but I know there will be lots of members who will be able to help with this! Has anyone found a system of labelling dance and school clothing that can survive dd's roughness and stays on through vocational school washing machines? I thought that sewing woven labels would be the answer but several have just disintegrated after a few months! Also, any advice on getting labels to stay on socks would also be gratefully received. Thanks