Interested Parent

Yes afab, they follow RAD for classical ballet (both grades and vocational) and ISTD for Tap, Modern etc. As Spanner mentioned there are also non-syllabus classes for jazz, singing etc and they are looking to do a contemporary class on Saturdays. All classes are either after school in the week (6.30 onwards as the main school uses the studios up to 6.30) and also all day Saturday.

Hi C4D - I remember that we had a tour of the accommodation and a chat with the housekeeper, which took us up to about 10.30/11am. We then had to leave and not come back until the end. If you are driving you can of course go into the city centre for the rest of the day. Your other option is to take the bus from outside the school - I am sure other parents have taken this option and could advise on bus numbers, pick-up/drop offs etc.

Capezio is open on Sundays - I think from 11am. I think going early on a Sunday morning is lovely. We took the tube to Covent Garden (which was empty at 9.30 in the morning!) and had some breakfast until Dancia opened. We then did Bloch and Capezio and back to Dancia (TWICE!). After our purchase we needed coffee and cake and went to Valerie Pattissierie just around the corner from Bloch. I always think food and shopping go well together and makes for a lovely morning of Mum and DD/DS time together.

The Tring Summer School is linked to Tring Park Associates and not the full-time school. It is run by Mary Schon and was piloted last year. I don't believe it was residential, although that may change this year.

My DD went to the Yr 7 finals 2 years ago and we needed to be there by 9.30 latest and I remember picking her up at 3.30 although they had said it could be 4pm. Hope that helps!

Very sorry to hear this Miracle, your DD is a credit to you, such a nice girl. My DD auditioned same time as yours and sadly she had the dreaded 'No' letter as well. Hey... onwards and upwards........

Marvellous news ballet mad. What year are you going for?

Well done to your DD Lildancer and good luck for the journey ahead.

I have to say that the school principal at Elmhurst did mention that they can take more than they usually do take because they only pick the ones they really want - this surely means that there are always beds available and that its not necessarily that they do not have the funding for all the ones they want. I suspect this may only be for Year 7 and that beds are a bit of a problem as they go up through the years but I am sure that if they saw a dancer that they desperately wanted, they would find the space some how. I am sorry if that sounds negative but whilst we are on a dose of reality.......

Ours was a 'No' too sadly but onwards and upwards, as they say. My DD used to the 'no's' and doesn't seem too dejected this time. She recently got into the Aylesbury EYB production of Sleeping Beauty so I reminded her of that and what she has to look forward to. Now wishing lots of success to all those Yes's for Finals........xxxxxxxxxx

Hi c4d, they certainly didn't need to when my DD auditioned last year and none of the other children in her group did.

For those of you still waiting or not opening (and that includes me and my DD) - thin, small envelope is probably a NO and thick A4 envelope is probably a YES for Finals. I only base this on my own experience - my DD got Finals at Y7 but wasn't offered a place and NO last year. My heart goes out to you Miracle, I know exactly how you will be feeling right now, but take heart and listen to all the good advice from those who have been there, it does feel easier as the days go on and your lovely DD carries on enjoying her dancing. And who knows, there's always next year (oh and the RBS letters!!!)

My DD has auditioned at RBS in previous years, was approached by a member of the panel to lift leg higher, show a tendu on right foot etc for each audition but sadly was not offered a place either time. So I don't think you should read too much into this.

A little bird tells me the wait for the 13th will be 8 working days - so I make that Wednesday - now who wants to start a tote, all bets on and any choice of a day next week

Just wanted to add my congratulations to you all now that your dancers have their wonderful results. And a special mention to spanner's DD who is clearly a little trooper and managed a fantastic Merit whilst being so poorly. Well done! x

I was there with my DD on Friday 13th. Really enjoyed the day, however very busy and a big audition class. We were in group 2, my DD auditioning for Yr 9 place and there was about 8 other Yr 9's in the group (plus Yr 10s, couple of Yr 11s and boys group too). Really great to meet Frangapani, Gingerbread and Miracle! It was also great to see Robert Parker on the audition panel. Keeping all body parts that can be crossed, crossed!

Wishing all of you and your DD/DSs some great results in your vocationals - keep us posted. My DD takes her IF first week of Feb and is very nervous, knowing that the marks will be harder to get. The only consolation is that the new IF syllabus exam can be taken at her local school and so we will not have to travel to RAD HQ.