Lemongirl

balletmum13 - TPA is much easier to get into than CBA but it depends on what your dd wants to do. My dd was at TPA for about 2 years and had only done ballet previously. TPA gave her a chance to take up tap and modern and I have to say the teaching was really outstanding. She went from complete beginner in tap to passing Grade 4 (with distinction) in under 2 years. In my experience it's quite hard to find such good quality teaching for tap and modern. There are also plenty of ballet classes to choose from both syllabus and non syllabus, however they have recently changed their timetable and a lot of the Saturday classes are now mid week after school so unless you live locally it doesn't work.

That's really helpful taxi, thanks a lot. I will look it up.

CBA is only ballet, Saturday associates offer lots of other dance types in addition to ballet, they can pick and choose what they want to do.

Thank you, that's so helpful. A lot of reading to be done! Good to hear there are opportunities at 18 too if it doesn't work out at 16.

My dd is currently in Year 10 and is thinking of auditioning for full time training at 16. I am a bit clueless about the various schools and the process and hope to get some advice on here from you knowledgeable people! Ok so firstly when should she start looking at schools and when are the auditions? Do the schools have open days? She has done ballet since the age of 3 but has also added in modern, tap and jazz in recent years and enjoys these as much so she would like a school which teaches dance other than ballet. She is thinking of Ballet Theatre UK and Northern Ballet but I have no idea about these schools and what they offer. Where else should she look? Do schools offer A levels alongside dance training? What is the quality of education like? She's a bright girl currently in at an academic school and I would like her to get some A levels too. How competitive is the process at this stage and is there anything special she should be doing now to prepare? And finally if it doesn't work out and she doesn't get in anywhere, are there opportunities for full time training post 18? And would Dance A Level be useful?

We've been married 42 years, and three children and 5 grandchildren later, I am still totally passionate about ballet I thought this was going to say you are still passionate about your husband! Although I'm sure you are as well!

If you can get to Southend, I would highly recommend Just Ballet. They stock loads of different makes, dd had such a thorough fitting there and they really took time with her. We used to go to Covent Garden but you end up traipsing around all the different shops and then forgetting how the different makes fit. At Just Ballet everything is all in one place!

There is also the Rex cinema in Berkhamsted. I've been meaning to try it for ages, haven't got round to it yet.

Interesting, that looks like the foot stretcher is out then! Still not sure about this pirouette board going from the mixed reviews above.....

Dd's classes have just finished for the year and she's wondering what she's going to do with herself for 4 weeks! Does anyone know of any winter courses in the London area? She is 14, intermediate level ballet and also does tap and modern. Tring Park did a fantastic Christmas weekend a few years ago which she loved but they're not doing it this year.

That's what I was thinking of celib. Bought dd a flexistretcher last year which she loves and uses loads. She had her eye on a foot stretcher this year but £100 for a scary looking instrument??! Then she saw this pirouette board so thought I might get that instead.

Does anyone's dd or ds have a turning board called a Pirouette Master? Dd has her eye on one. Would you recommend it? Also, is it ok to use on a wooden floor, I'm worried the floor might get damaged.

Even if there isn't provision at the university, there is nothing to stop students finding a local dance school in their university town which offers adult classes. Not sure how easy they would be to find though.

Thanks Anna, I am always so impressed how you find these threads so quickly!

Brilliant thanks, will get the medium. They are 25% off from the RAD shop today if anyone is interested

Does she have growing room in them chloe or do they just fit?

How do they come up? Dd is a 5 so should I go for S (4-5) or M (5-6)?

I like the old fashioned Mr/Mrs/Miss Reminds me of when I was a summer girl at John Lewis. I don't know if it's still the case now but in each department all the staff members and section managers were referred to by their first names. The only exception was the department manager who was always Mr/Mrs/Miss. Department managers had their own staff room too!

Bloch lace up tap shoes with taps on toe and heel. Marked size 4 but they are tiny, probably more like a size 2 if you are familiar with the sizing. Only worn a couple of times so new condition £15 plus £3 postage

Taxi, what a great claim to fame! You have to go now. It's a lovely museum, I love looking at all the breeds of dog.

Or, if you like stuffed animals......Tring Natural History Museum The time will pass quite quickly once you've had a bit of lunch, shopping, mooch around etc.

There's a lovely art gallery in nearby Berkhamsted.

There is also a new shopping centre in Victoria station about 10 minutes away. Has cafes and Costa etc too.

I've found it cheaper on Planet Dance, thanks Jane The size options on there are s, m and l. I've looked on their sizing and I think a s sounds about right, corresponding to dress size 8-10 which dd is. Unless it comes up very small...?

I am buying a Freed adults Jane leotard for dd from the RAD online shop and I have no idea how the sizes work. The options are 3, 4 or 5. There don't seem to be any size charts on the website. She is about 5'1" and slim/medium build. Does anyone know?