So-not-a-Dancemom

Someone on here said that DaDA funding shouldn't be confirmed til at least 1st March... not sure how true that is as it appears some already know. My DD is on reserve funding list. This news about no in house boarding provision is probably a deal breaker for us. She's just not ready to live semi independently! Looking at more local dance colleges now, but they only do BTEC ...

Really? So, *no one* will have a definite answer yet?

The more I think about it, the more I think they just make everyone a reserve funding offer to see if people can scrape the money together to take up the place... am I too cynical?

Yes. Another girl from my DD's dance school also got a reserve list offer. Really frustrating and a bit 'how long is a piece of string' isn't it?! It's been a boost to DD's confidence and she does have another offer from a local dance college, but really wanted The Hammond. I'm a single parent so even the boarding fees would be a stretch for me, let alone the tuition. I hate waiting games!

Do they ever ask for evidence of parental/household income, or is it just self declared? I've been 100% honest but I guess some may be more creative?

Same for us. It feels like being in limbo, not really knowing what is happening or when we will actually find out with certainty.

Is it true that rejections aren't sent by letter but by email? I don't know why they don't just attach it to an email!! I've had an email saying a letter has been sent but our post is glitchy at the best of tines. When they've done everything else by email. I don't understand why this has to be a letter! My daughter auditioned for the diploma with DaDA funding so I'm not sure same process applies? Anyone know?

Thanks everyone for their experience and advice. I'm generally feeling that I need to let go a little bit of the outcome, let her follow her dream through whatever process... Really appreciate the input from everyone. Many thanks!

Thanks @Mamaderuby I've just looked up that CDMT event in Feb and will look at booking that! My daughter has auditions booked for LIPA, Liverpool Theatre School and The Hammond so far. I'd never heard of KS Dance and that's not far either. NBS, well her least favourite discipline is ballet so I think that's a non starter, it's more commercial and contemporary that she is interested in. A job on a cruise ship or the west end for her late teens early 20's would be amazing and what an amazing journey to be on. I feel excited *for her* when I think about this and it makes me think that it's the right thing for her, rather than stuffy old A levels!!!

Thanks @taxi4ballet that's why I'm encouraging her to look mostly at The Hammond as it does the level 6 diploma over 3 years. She literally won't entertain doing A levels ... in all honesty, there's probably little I can do to sway her in any way.... so I guess I'm here looking for reassurance rather than advice!

Thanks all, I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I think a bit similarly to @mum5678, that my daughter hasn't had a great time at secondary school. She finds it stifling and tedious. She just lives for her after school dance classes and school BTEC Dance. I wouldn't want her to think I didn't 'let her' follow her dream. I'm trying to be supportive and realistic and think that if she did get into the Hammond for example, at least they can do some teacher training qualifications too, in pilates I think, so she could get a job in the fitness industry. I also think doing something you love is really important, if you possibly can. I'm a social worker and hate my job but it's all I've qualified for, so I'm pretty stuck with it til retirement now! I'm also pretty impressed that the Hammond diploma is a 3 year training from 16 at level 6 which is way better than the btec level 3 stuff other local dance colleges offer. I reckon by 19, my daughter would at least have a realistic view about what might be possible and then she's still young enough to do A levels or some other course to get a 'proper job'... haha! Of course, she's still got to get in and that may be decision made for her...

I'm the mum of a 15 year old who has danced for fun and dance school performances since she was 4. Ballet, tap, modern, jazz, the whole caboodle. She *loves* it but is a real perfectionist about it. She wants to do dance post 16 and has ambitions to 'perform on the west end'. I think she's good, certainly enthusiastic and has a great performance face. But I'm worried about encouraging this as a career path. She is fairly bright but doesn't see herself doing anything else. I guess, in all honesty, I'd like her to do A levels at the local 6th form. But she won't entertain this. She is auditioning for some local dance colleges, but is very keen on The Hammond Diploma course. Has anyone else had a DD like this and they've had a positive experience/outcome of dance college? Help please!