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I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear, something I'm very guilty of! DD had already taken A levels before she started at Ballet West and you are correct there are no lessons in maths etc.

Yes she's taught by Jonathan, Sara and I believe Kelly. I'm not sure of every teacher but she thinks they are all wonderful and loves her lessons. DD already taken A levels at 6th form. We desperately wanted her to take A levels but in the end she had to drop one of them - Biology a tough subject without 26 hours of dance/week. There are many threads on here voicing the pros and cons of A levels. If you attend Ballet West you will have a HND after 2 years and if you stay for 3 years then you will have a Degree. As pointed out in these various threads, you can take A levels at any point in your life. I suggest you search this forum to get a more balanced opinion, as I am only voicing my thoughts on education

Good luck for today Everything crossed.

Started last September and loves every minute!

My dd is full time at Ballet West. It was such a good performance that we bought tickets for the Sunday as well, but could only stay until Spanish as we had a flight to catch. Silly me had thought the Sunday performance was in the evening Wanted to see it all again!

I wondered if you were in Nutcracker Pasdebourre, saw it in Stirling and thought it was amazing!

sorry tulip your post came in between the one I was replying to. I know that ballet/dance is tough and we have supported dd all the way and if she doesn't make it then my feelings are that at least she can look back in later years knowing that she gave it a go. I was also inadequatley triying to say that it's tough for all our kids. Umforunately non-dd doesn't want to follow the teaching route, wish she did

The thing is that it's tough in every walk of life. Non-DD with a Degree in English cannot get a job. My feeling is that if DD can get a job when she finishes her training, however poorly paid, as long as she is enjoying it and is happy in what she does then I am happy. Far too many people work in jobs that they hate.

I have taken advantage of all this wonderful information, thanks everyone. Does anyone know of a dance physio near to Glasgow or Stirling? We can get into London during DD's holidays but one up north would be useful during term time.

Regarding hours of dance, when DD was at Legat she was doing 26 hours/week of dance over 5.1/2 days plus 3 A levels, although she dropped Biology in the 2nd year. I think they are still offering the same hours of dance but with a BTech qualification.

Unfortuantely my DD was not successful at Central but has done training days with them and found them excellent. I believe their teaching is excellent both in the main school and the associate programme. Wishing your DD good luck.

There is, but it's not big and if I remember rightly there isn't anywhere to get refreshments. If you are waiting during an audition you should have time to walk to Exmouth Market where there are coffee shops, restaurants etc. Walkit.com will give you directions.

Can't seem to get interested in a book at the moment so am going through old Country Living mags and finally chucking them out. Did come across an interesting article on Yahoo regarding Louis VII and the contoversary around his death so I might look for a book in the library. Can anybody recommend a book about his short life? Edited for spelling

Ooh I think passing Grade 1 Piano is a great thing. I failed it first time round. I was very pregnant with non-dd. It was a grand piano which I hadn't played before and i couldn't find middle C. I failed by two marks. Think the examiner might have given me those for the fact I had to stretch over my enormous stomach to reach the keys. Well done to your son Pups_mum because I can still remember how nervous I was and when you are nervous your hands shake!

Merry Christmas to everyone. DD comes home on Friday - can't wait to hear how the first term has gone! I shall be the mad mom at Euston at 17.15 pacing up and down waiting for the train to come in! Hope you all have a truly wonderful festive holiday xx

Today we all received chocolate advent calandars. So chuffed, i've never had a chocolate one before, although I don't really need chocolate - perhaps I'll sneak the chocolate home in my sandwich box and send to dd

Well dlone to your PSVD. I actually know a young lady who is already at Glasgow studying to be a vet. We flew to Glasgow when dd auditioned in Scotland. Not bad from Gatwick.

First day over. Have temped at this company before so not too daunting. 5 weeks of work on offer. Non-dd starts on Wednesday. She's only got 8 hours/week at the moment but as we think she broke her toe the other week, that's probably enough.

Thanks for all the good wishes for non-DD. She had her induction today and starts on Wednesday, she is such a happy bunny now . Next does seem to be quite good, maybe she can get on a graduate programme with them All my on-line tests last night paid off. I have been into the Agency today, taken an audio typing test and I start work on Monday The downside is that I will not be on the forum as much but ooh the money is so welcome. I could skip round the room with glee except my dicky knees won't let me. Fiz my non-DD also has a 2.1 degree, 3 A levles and I can't remember how many GCSE's - 9 I think. I sometimes wonder if this is the reason she hasn't been getting jobs. Wishing everyone's children luck in looking for jobs

Non-dd has got a Christmas job with Next. She's so pleased as she was getting really down. It's not many hours but it is something and she weill be out and about and meeting new people. I've spent most of this evening doing on-line tests and fillilng out various forms so that I can join yet another temping agency! Lets hope all the effort is worth it and they find me some work!

I have just watched the BBC interview with Mathew Bourne and the snippets of the ballet. It looks absolutely amazing and I'm now off to Google their tour dates, I just have to see this!

Congratulations to your daughter, it is a very hard and long road to travel to become a vet, well done! Hope she hears from the other schools soon, there is one in Edinburgh isn't there? Exciting times! Non-dd seemed at a very early age to want to follow the vet route but that fizzled out. We were informed at her first parents evening at senior schoold that we had the next JK Rowling or Tolkien on my hands! Unfortunately that particular teacher left the school and non-dd disappeared into a black hole. She has a 2.1 in English lit, had wanted to do a Masters but that all went pear shaped (boyfriend, couldn't earn enough to support herself etc etc). She is now back home which is great for me as dd is off at vocational school but she is desperate for a job and just can't seem to get one - not even in Waitrose!! She still writes but nothing published yet. She has had as many knock-backs in a non-dance world as dd has had in the dance world. I think it is so much harder for our kids than it was for us. All career paths seem to demand so much, and there seem to be far fewer places/chances than there used to be so it's great to hear of someonme following their dream. Keep us posted please

Finally did it, filled my cup of coffee up with cold milk instead of hot water. I have come very close to doing this quite a few times recently. We don't have a microwave so had to heat up in a saucepan, more washing up. It was a nice cup of coffee though, I've not had a milky coffee for years.

Fiz - I've never understood the purpose of wasps! I run around like a headless chicken when they come near and as far as I am aware I'm not allergic to their sting, just can't abide them. In fact most creatures beginning with an "S" give me the shivers, spiders, snakes, scorpions, I can feel my skin creeping now!