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Thank you for your replies all very helpful! I worry about a student loan dd is keen to audition for central in London, but she could easily leave with debts of over £50,000, can't imagine many dancing jobs paying very well? It seems even with a dada we as parents will have to help a lot financially? 

Hi can anyone with experience of dada grant give me an idea of the cost of boarding away at schools such as ENBS, Elmhurst, Tring? I have looked at the dada website & we fall into the middle income bracket where there appears to be no help towards maintenance only tuition? Dd keen to audition for these schools but concerned about living expenses costs especially in London! Thank you 

Hi dd is keen to audition for sixth form ballet courses at the major schools such as central, ENB, Elmhurst etc, I know with a degree course there are maintenance loans, but how does it work with dada funding? Thanks

Very stressful the pressure never goes away!

Everyone was very friendly when dd was at w/l, however they are assessed frequently in ballet classes so there's def pressure to 'keep up', to avoid being assessed out! It depends on the child some cope easily with that pressure others don't so much, add that to adjusting being away from home for first time at 11, it's not easy for some, But as I say some thrive in that environment. White Lodge is lovely but for the ones that got 'no's' it's not the end of the world there's other very good dance schools in this country.

Dd had wonderful experiences at White Lodge performing in nutcracker swan lake defile, but being assessed out felt like the end of the world at the time, the race to get a place at her local school was particularly stressful as we were told no places & over subscribed! Students that are assessed out don't automatically get places at other vocational schools even tho they're from White Lodge. Some are so upset they feel they can no longer carry on with ballet, thankfully in dd case we have very good local training & she is now a RBS SA & was offered a place at her local secondary school & now very happy being back at home!

Good luck to everyone waiting for results, my dd attended W/L from years 7-9, she joined having little experience of competitions, private lessons, had only just started pointe at 11. Looking back she now she would have benefited joining W/L at a higher grade & having had more ballet tuition such as private lessons, summer schools etc, she had to play catch up for the first year, and unfortunately was assessed out in yr 9. Which was devastating for everyone.

Getting a place a White Lodge is a huge achievement & dd loved her time there, but believe me it is very competitive and I genuinely feel that for girls especially joining the school with a high level of previous ballet tuition is a huge advantage.

£1500 for 14/15 year olds residential! Ridiculous amount of money & funding may be available to those earning £45,000 or less! I'm sorry but this is clearly for students with rich parents or internationals paying full fees. It may well be a top summer school but for many the fees are out of reach!

Mid associates wear tights

My dd went to W/L it's socks in yr 7 & for pointe, convertable tights from yr 8

Hi sorry I can understand your situation, my dd has started at a very good local high school after being assessed out of vocational school this year, we were concerned at first going from a small school to a larger school, but she has settled well & enjoying the broad range of subjects and doing PE again, plus she will be sitting far more GCSE's than at vocational school! In terms of ballet training that can be harder to keep up the hours & variety of training done at vocational school, we now have the rush of getting in from school having dinner & then dashing off to ballet! It's tough but dd seems happier being back at home & attending a very good local dance school plus RBS associates at weekends! Have you thought about associates/ summer schools if your child comes away from vocational school? Academic education is so important so I understand how you feel

RBS have always held 'be a JA for a day' a one day course to give children an insight to JA's. My daughter attended when she was 7 enjoyed the day so much she was keen to audition for a yr 4 place the following yr! She was very petite at 7 but very flexible & had lots of enthusiasm for dance, she was on the waiting list for a yr4 place, re auditioned the following year & got a yr 5 place! I'd def recommend auditioning it's a great day out & the audition is a lovely experience. Ignore the other mothers & listen to your dd teacher. Check the RBS website under associates for info on courses etc.

5 girls were assessed out yr 9 this year

Hi, if I was you I'd change school, had similar issues with my dd when she was a RBS JA her local school were not very encouraging & I felt she should have been offered extra lessons & private lessons to prepare for vocational school auditions at 11. Looking back now although dd is at a top vocational school I wish I'd changed schools before the auditions! I realise local schools have lots of other pupils to look after but I agree with you a bit of encouragement is crucial in yr 6! Just a word of caution though if your dd is fortunate to get a place at vocational school they are rarely given lots of praise and are given corrections more often especially in the early days

I am in exactly the same position, our teacher use to be lovely until my daughter started to do other things like associated programs and stepping on the audition rollercoaster, I have now decided to move schools.cause I or my daughter can not and will not take it anymore, I really know how you feel. - and yes it's a hard decision but I think it's the right one!! Good luck x

There is usually second Hand uniform for sale at the new parents day in May

My dd is at white lodge mds doesn't cover uniform unless you are on a low income.

My dd teacher did not watch any of her JA classes and rarely asked her how about the classes & her progress!

Hi I also had trouble buying my dd a pair for Xmas everywhere had sold out! I eventually bought a pair from a company called highland dance supplies on the internet. They only have them in purple red & blue though.

My dd has been featured in our local paper a few times now for dancing achievements ( JA audition success gaining White Lodge place etc) we felt it was a lovely achievement to share with our local community, local junior school etc! After all it is no different from children being featured for various sporting activities& you will have some lovely photos of him!

Congratulations suzyszoo!

It was the same for my dd last year when she did the RAD east of England awards, she was 11at the time but there were girls in the class who were at least 15! I believe she was in the grade 4 class.

Hi I applied for fortnightly lessons when dd was auditioning for a yr 4 place but wasn't offered weekly! My dd was fine with weekly classes in yr 5 the classes do start off slowly and involve centre work stretching & strengthening exercises, they teach the children to really listen to the music. We were fine with weekly lessons and looked forward to our time every sat in Covent garden! There is a section I believe on the application form that you can tick re funding. Enjoy the audition experience and if your dd is fortunate to be offered a place maybe decide then.

Hi I would also say audition for the experience it is a great day out the audition class is enjoyable and staff very friendly. My dd auditioned at 8 and was on the short waiting list for a place auditioned again a year later and was accepted! The class for years 4 & 5 at London centre started midday and lasted 2 hours, the teachers are fantastic, my dd learnt a lot and also got the chance to perform with the royal ballet company, perform at the white lodge. Summer fair. Good luck my dd loved every minute ! X

Mine charged £50 last year