Karen

Lessons and dance classes also stop before summer production. Not sure if it's a week or a bit longer. Dd has enjoyed this time in previous years.

Maybe there is an email glitch or someone is off sick as we heard very quickly about an audition and then a same day response to a subsequent question. Maybe a phone call would be a good idea as they seem very friendly and helpful.

Yes pictures, Elmhurst said at recent audition that RAD classes would be on Saturdays, but weren't sure what would happen if you had completed Adv 2 before starting there (bearing in mind the age minimum for solo seal).

Sorry for my previous quote but no post - the perils of looking at the forum after a lovely night out! I was going to say on Friday that we have not been informed, but today a copy of the letter on the website was emailed to us.

You are right Balletmum20 that this is what the handbook states and you are also right that many do not adhere to the statement. I have often wondered why it is not picked up and addressed by school. My dd (and some other students) were invited by school to enter the RAD Phyllis Bedelles bursary competition last year and the school also support year 11 students to enter Janet Cram awards, but I think permission has to be given fur students to attend anything else. I feel that if the policy is there, it should be adhered to. It's possibly difficult to pick up if someone goes to a one off audition but regular competitions and classses should be easy to spot. I'm not clear as to why it does not appear to be followed through.

The statement on Tring's web site says that school scholarships will replace Dada awards for 2017 entrants and in line with school scholarship policy, there is no ceiling on income regarding eligibility. I wonder if there will be a similar number of places offered as there were when Dadas were available and whether places are more likely to be given to those requiring less funding? Can't help but think this could be a possible outcome of the Dada steam temporarily drying up. Would be interested to hear others' thoughts on this one.

Congratulations to your dd Flora and see you there!

Thank you balletbean. Indeed, we must love them very much. Is your dc on the audition trail this year? Maybe we will see each other and could have a sustaining glass or two at the next one?!

Ah yes!! I think there will be plenty of that going on to get through these very challenging times! It's fine for the dd - she's enjoying time out of school for auditions, it's me who's struggling! ????????

Yes, in the post Edited to remove typo!

Congratulations Armydancer! 6th form preliminary results from 9th Nov are also out and it's a yes to finals for my dd. Very happy ????

ENBS audition date confirmed today! Was beginning to wonder if application had made it, so glad to hear from them. ????

Have sent you a pm. ????

No, the only one we've not heard from yet either. They were also the only school not to reply to my email earlier this year asking about the positions required for photos.

Edited to remove duplicate post

I wrote a post about this last night but it doesn't seem to have posted. I'll try again. There were 4 on the panel, including Robert Parker and Denise Whiteman and all appeared friendly and interested. Dd said that the class was quite hard work but not too challenging in step content. They did the expected flexibility exercises, all splits, arabesque on both sides, standing in parallel with backs to panel, back bend and lie in tummy and move feet towards head. There was a short barre, I think she said 4 exercises including a panche one and a develope one (sorry no accents!) but the bulk of the class was in the centre with lots of work from the corner. There were about 25 girls and the corner exercises were done in 3s or 4s. Parents saw 2 of these at the end. During the audition, parents had a tour of the accommodation which is modern, bright and clean. Rooms are in pods, with shared bathrooms, most bedrooms had 2 beds and were sufficiently spacious. Dd is currently at vocational school, so we are familiar with the boarding scenario, and it felt to me that this was very similar to boarding with just a little more freedom. Certainly not the level of independence that some of dd's friends have in their yr 12 provision across various schools/colleges. All meals are provided in school, students are responsible for own laundry (washing machines and dryers on site) and there are cleaners. All yr 12 and 13 students are expected to do 10 hours of academics on top of the diploma and must do 2 A levels from a limited selection although retakes can be part of this if needed. Motivated students can do self study A levels which may not have taught curriculum input if there is a teacher with specialist subject knowledge to guide them and school will try to accommodate as many subject choices as possible, depending on demand. Information about fees was very vague and even although I had an individual conversation with a member of the finance team, I am still unclear. As far as I understand, and of course, individual circumstances will also apply, one has to pay the fee top up which is means tested as part of dada award plus boarding costs, although these are included in termly fees, so it is difficult to know how much they are. School may offer some small support toward this from in house funding pots in some cases. An average payment of 12k per annum was mentioned, but I'm not sure how useful this is to know because everyone's financial position is different. So, for me, lots to think about and of course, the wait to hear whether dd has made it to finals!

Maybe see you there Flora? Best wishes to your dd

Lovely bun head pins and bun nets are usually available (mail order too) from Becky at Stardust. Unless those aliens have got there as well....? I concur that somehow the shortage has something to do with the forthcoming election!

Auditions start for yr 12 at Elmhurst next week for dd. Rest are after Christmas, partly due to badly timed holiday for husband's big birthday!

Just seen the stuff about tap water - we were not aware of this and 4 of us used it to clean teeth with no ill effects (about 3 years ago). I was split from the rest of the group and had my case searched very thoroughly at the entrance to the airport, though. They were made to go in and I did wonder if I would ever see them again, but all was fine!

Have an amazing time at the Mariinsky - I found it inspiring. Hopefully it won't be -10 with thick snow on the ground for you and the taxi driver will not refuse to return to pick you up, even when he is booked to!

My dd loves them too - they were recommended by one of her teachers. They last well, can go in the washing machine and don't need darning! Ribbons are tough to sew on, but they look lovely in performance and definitely suit dd.

Kingcabs are the company we usually use if dad needs to get somewhere from the boarding house but there are usually taxis sitting outside the station.