Interested Parent

What a fantastic business venture. The thing that frustrates me the most about any dance websites is the fact that even though you have paid £3.95 or so for P+P, you still have to pay to send anything back that doesn't fit or requires a replacement. This does not encourage me to choose different items and I tend to stick to the makes I know and not order anything that I haven't had somewhere else before. I would be happy to pay a little more p+p if I also received a large postage paid return address sticker and could just take it to the post office without paying more - the same way that other catalogue and web-based mail-order companies do such as Next. I realise this may work out expensive for you but it also might encourage more people to order.

Same with me in the car. Brilliant driver until my hubby gets in the passenger seat ;-))

DD took her grade 5 recently and the parents were allowed to watch one of the coaching sessions. I didn't notice anything provocative about the dancing apart from one bit where they sit on the floor and kick their legs out (don't know what that's called). Her school doesn't do Grade 6 and goes straight to IF which she is currently finding easier than Grade 5! If DD wants to take it, she can ask the school to apply to ISTD for the exam forms and take it at ISTD HQ in Old Street. My DD did this for Grade 4 and it was a very enjoyable experience.

We received our letter this morning informing us that DD has a place on Week 1 so look out for your post. When you do get your letter I would be keen to know if any other DDs going first week as my DD will be on her own. My DD is 13 and currently studying Intermediate/Grade 6.

The email that I received very soon after applying said this: Thank you for your application form for the Yorkshire Ballet Summer School 2012, we will begin processing the application forms soon and you will receive notification by early May.

Dear C4D, we have been there too and for the past 3 years. It takes my DD several months to recover but each time she comes out of it more determined than ever and, frustratingly, seems to develop even more (wish that happened BEFORE the audition). What I am trying to say is that she will get through it and I have found that you must always have a Plan B that you discuss with you DD. it could be booking a summer school, some dance days or finding new opportunities in new places for her to try. At her age all she wants is to dance with like-minded individuals and have some recognition and appreciation. The auditions gave her that so now find opportunities for her to get that through other ways. I hope some of this helps. Please PM me if you want to. Xx

I agree with 2dancersmum about the school commitments. Of course your DD will always say she can squeeze it all in because children always do when another opportunity comes up but only you know whether it's do-able based on all the considerations given above. IMHO I think you have to let her try now that she has passed the audition and then give it til after the performances to consider continuing with the next round of rehearsals/performance based on DD having been able to get the experience and your experience of juggling travel, school, dance classes, homework, family etc.

Does your family take paying guests? They could be making a small fortune!! ;-))

I'm afraid the calendar of dates can change quite a lot from term to term. You are given all 6 Sunday dates prior to the term and they are supposed to be every other Sunday. However in reality there can be 2 in a row with 2-3 weeks gap between some. I believe it all depends on what other weekend activities there are.

Hoping BALLEMUM is reading this. Having advised me 4 weeks ago that you have received the IF DVD and chasing you by PM many times, I have still not received your cheque in the post. I know you are reading my PMs so please reply to them. Thanks.

Super-duper LB! Good luck with your decision-making x

I remember reading a report for each school on the MADE website that showed a chart illustrating the distribution of awards across the means-tested range and it seemed to suggest that they like to give relatively even proportions to low, middle and high income families. Not sure if it's still on there though.

Hi Dancemad. Can you elucidate? How do you equate finance with need? If 2 dancers are equally talented does the child with the smallest income get the MDS? If so why do they have a greater need than the other child whose income is greater but still far less than the schools fees? In both cases neither child will be able to get the vocational training without the MDS therefore their needs are equal.

Having been 'harsh and objective' on every occasion, I can say that we would not have spent the money we have on travel, hotel, audition fee, registration fee (after being offered a place at the school) if we did not think our DD has a chance at gaining an MDS place. In fact, I doubt any parent would go through the whole process unless they felt their child had a chance. I've also found The Hammond far more open about your child's potential when discussing this on the phone, may be that's not the case for others, just my experience. With regards to the LEA, ours does not offer this type of funding anymore. The LEA does not transfer the costs of a child as that is not how they gain the money in the first place. Our LEA does offer group funding for dance troupes, clubs etc but not for individuals.

The MDS awardees have until the Tuesday to accept/decline their offers so there would be no need to ring on Monday. The letter also mentions plenty of time to sort out finances. Last year we spoke to the staff on several occasions throughout the week and their final offer was a 50% bursary making our contribution £11k per year. Alas we could not stretch to that but just wanted to share some info for everyone waiting.

And having given all those kind words of wisdom, I would add: don't worry, don't fuss, stay smiley and happy for your lovely little ones and then they will be unworried, not fussy, smiley and happy and will have a great class!!!

Thank you to everyone for your kind words. Just looking for a rich sponsor to offer the difference between the MDS and the bursary ;-)

Dreaded letter has arrived - no MDS (DD very upset) and we have already been down the bursary route last year Well done to all those with MDS offers and very sad to hear about those who haven't had an offer. Maybe next year?????

Spot on. Good luck to anyone who decides to audition this May! For those of you who are far away and need to 'come for the day' there are plenty of things to do. Tring is set Inbetween the Aylesbury Vale and Dunstable Downs and has some beautiful attractions..... Wendover Woods, canal walks at Bulbourne with a lovely pub, decent Sunday shopping and market at Berkhamsted although you would need to drive. Tring itself has several coffee shops and places to eat. Hope this helps!

My DD is at CBA and loves it too. There will be spaces this time as the older girls will be leaving post-16. The higher groups do an 1.5 hr ballet class and a 45 min pointe class (there are 6 classes per term). There is more than 1 audition day so if they are interested you will get letter advising you are on the selection list but you won't know if you have place until all auditions are done and you get a final letter confirming.

My DD would love to do the Northern Ballet one but we are soo far away for evening or weekend trips for this. I remember someone mentioning satellites, are there any for NB CAT?

My DD is still young but has begun to cream her armpits and started to ask about what she can do when she needs to 'modify' down there! IMO don't mess around, get it all off!!!!

My DD takes a Pilates class with her ballet teacher every Saturday for 1 hour. She is growing rapidly at the mo (13) and she says it helps her build strength in the right places with the right supervision. Teacher is trained to teach it.

And it is beautiful! The dancers, the emotion, the movement, the music and even the film production are stunning!

That's very encouraging news Amethyst! I wish your DD every success.