Justamum

Sorry, but I would encourage your daughter to go to the Prom/Leavers Party. Life is too short and we should encourage our children to enjoy it to the max. (safely of course) We regret the things we don't do more than the things we do ,do! Perhaps the teacher could understudy her part for the night? Surely she and the rest of the cast know the performance inside out by now. Your daughter has been with her friends at school full time for nearly 5 years, and deserves a celebration to end this wonderful time with many friends she has made there, before they part in many different directions. Some will part waves and never be seen again after the last day at school.(except on facebook)! There will be many more shows for dedicated performers, but it's a one off chance to say goodbye with a celebration with some good friends. Sorry if I have offended anyone, - just my opinion. J x

"The Little Owl" and "The Frog is a firm favourite with some of the pupils. Little Owl has an outdoor play area, and even the year 11's love this . :0)

Hi The coloured leotard is made by Bloch and available in all colours from Planet dance, and the black capped leotard from Dansez. They are cheaper buying online and will save you money. Jx

Hi Why not opt to sing without music at all. Just using your voice with no background music will enable you to use your own key, range, speed and dynamics. You can play with your choice of song and really show off! Make it your own, instead of trying to sound like the cover version of the song. Just a thought! J x

Hi You can buy this from Dance Direct.com. J x

To be honest! I have sewed in names , used iron on plastic labels and written my daughters name in permanent ink on clothing. But in vocational boarding houses and in school, if someone wants to "pinch it" believe me they will, and they do ! We must have had over £800 worth of school and dance kit go missing in the last four and a half years. Pupils have admitted to cutting labels off socks because they have run out or can't find their own. Get a big black pen and deface thenm underneath the sole. Some kind pupil took my daughters skirt whilst she was busy in dance class, whilst on another day took her expensive make up that she had taken in to use for her modern exam, when she came out of the exam her belongings had been gone through and items were missing. I did complain about this because of the expense , and hey ho ... it was found one week later shoved behind a locker in another block. So my advice is to write names everywhere, deface garments with your own pens and make sure it's hard for someone else not to take what is clearly not theirs. Sorry to go on , but I hate people who can't keep their hands to themselves. J x

DaDa's ? will they just cover the tuition fees? Or will they cover any of the living allowance? Some lucky children will live quite close to 6th form Dance schools and those who do not will have to pay up to £120 per week for lodgings, food and transport on top of the school fees. Ouch ! I think I may buy a house near to one of these schools and rent it out ! Jx

Well done All 4 dancers, hope you get the MDS award, this normally is sorted in March / April time for year 7 and 8, but have known others to be offered it straight away for the later years. Jx

Yes I remember quite a few upper school students having major roles in Les Mis, In fact I think only a few lower school students got main parts but did make up the majority of the cast. All in all it was spectacular. Can't wait for the next one. Jx

I believe it's Phantom of the Opera. Must admit that the head of Music - Mr Williams is awsome. The children love him to bits. Jx

The MT is for year 9 and up. Unless there are a few roles for the younger ones like Gavroche or young Cosette, in Les Mis. Jx

When my DD joined Hammond 4 1/2 years ago they had the best academic results from the 4 vocational schools, and this did sway me at the time when looking for places at the schools. But this I suppose will change year on year depending on the ability of the pupils. Russian ! Wow ! Jx

Hi Tulip. If someone moves from Classical over to Musical theatre at Tring, and they can't afford the funding if the MDS is taken away, then surely that's just another way of saying nicely that they were assessed out? Sorry if I'm wrong.

I would like to point out that I did not , nor was it my intention to judge the quality of the teaching at any of the schools. So really there was no need to defend Tring as they were not accused. I was making the point that at Vocational School, pupils did not have the choice of subjects that would be on offer at other mainstream schools. J x

Dragonlady makes bespoke Tutu's. They are beautiful. Why not send her a PM. Jx

Hammond are assessing out starting this year. But I must also say that the current year 9 is very strong from what I have seen of them. Others have tried to join this year group without success, and not sure if one or two did join this year group. Class sizes seem to differ quite a bit, and the current year eleven is enormous, whilst year 10 is very small indeed. Also you must consider the GCSE options at Vocational schools as they do not offer a great selection of subjects and the pupils normally only take a total of 8 GCSE's. Best wishes to all auditioning. Jx

Hi Sorry to hear your DD is sick, but don't fret as she is not on her own. My DD has also been off school also and I know that quite a few of the children have come down in the past week with tummy bugs, sore throats and viruses, and they too have been sent home to get better. Fustrating, but parents should not send them to school if they are clearly not well - coughs and sneezes - etc !! J x

The lady who was the Manager of the school Bistro ( Hammond not Tring) used to take in pupils from the lower school, but I'm not sure that she still works there.

Why not wash it on a hot wash and tumble dry - it may shrink a little? or you could just take it in up the side seams with a sewing machine. When my DD was in the JA's (6 years ago) I remember seeing all shapes and sizes, one parent even lined her daughter's leotard because it was a wee bit see -through. Best wishes, enjoy the experience. Jx

You can opt out of the singing part of the audition in lower school, but are encouraged to "have a go" with anything from "Happy Birthday" to Nessum Dorma ! Chamber choir starts in year 9, and sound fandabidozi! Jx

Is there any funding for this new course if a student is successful ? does anyone know if busaries are available or other Government funding available? The Drama course has bursaries but no mention of bursaries for the the Dance / Musical theatre course. J x

Frangapani that made laugh ! I too stopped growing at the age of 11 at the height of 5' 6" and a bit ! Perods came on my 13th birthday Then I stood back and watched most of my friends pass me reaching up to to 5' 10", and I also have a female cousin who is standing at 6' 1". At least we can stand where we want at a pop concert and see the stage.! J x

We stay at Feltham Travel lodge, it's cheap and easy to run straight into London from there. Do not take the steps at Covent Garden tube station! there are too many, take the lift .. there are four of them xx Enjoy xx

Yes I also heard this, I was told to add 2 to 3 inches after the onset of menstuation. Jx

Well Done to all the "Yes" letters, don't give up on the SWL, it does happen! Jx