RBS Associate Yes and No Letters

[2dancersmum]

A few years ago now I was talking to a mother at a BRB workshop who told me her daughter was at Elmhurst. DD and her friend came out chatting with this woman's daughter as DD's friend knew the girl because she did RBS Associates with her. I don't think it matters whether a vocational school approve of their students doing associate classes or not - some people will do them regardless. I agree it seems unfair and as spannerandpony points out - when does the child get quality rest?

[Moneypenny]

I tend to agree that associate classes should be for students who are not at vocational schools ... after all, I thought that was the purpose ... to be an outreach programme allowing students with potential to access specialist training alongside their local weekly classes. We gave up my dd's RBS MA place this year when she took up a vocational place and whilst we did find it emotionally difficult to give it up after going since she was 8, she wouldn't have been able to fit it in as she has lessons on a Saturday morning and I'm pretty sure dd's school would certainly not have allowed her to continue anyway! I also agree about the downtime for full time students ... let's not under estimate the sheer physical demands of dancing six days a week on top of fitting in all the academics and homework every night.

[balletla]

I know a couple of years ago there was a bit of an upset at JAs because of couple of them that fully expected to get into White Lodge didn't get in and were offered places at Elmhurst. They wanted to do MAs from Elmhurst as it was just down the road, so that they could keep being seen by RBS with a view to auditioning the next year, but were told by the JA teacher that they weren't allowed to do that.

 

I don't know if Elmhurst would have let them, but I would think it unlikely. I was told that Mr Kelly wouldn't let the students do YBDY but I would love to know if that is true or not.

[dancing10]

if the students know who has a place at lower and upper school at the RBS does that mean we will soon get the results for the associate auditions

[JulieW]

I think you usually hear by the Easter holidays or end of March, depending how things fall - so hopefully only a week to go!

[Frangapani]

Letters due any day now - it says "end of March". We are waiting on SA letter............... Best of luck to all waiting

F xxx

[Interested Parent]

Wishing your DD BUCKET LOADS of luck Fran.

[charlie4dancin]

I will second that sentiment interested parent really hope it's good news next week!!!

Cx

[primrose]

When my dd was at the Hammond full time a few years ago, she auditioned for a place at White Lodge, she didnt get that place but was given a MA Associate place instead. Sarah Durrant Head of Dance at the Hammond allowed my dd to take up that place as she knew that classical ballet is what she wanted to do. The thought was that it would enhance her training which it did, she also loved it, it also gave her a chance to see what was happening in the outside world away from vocational school. Many children at vocational schools do other things like LCB, ENB Nutcracker etc. I can understand how parents of children who arent in vocational training would feel about taking up associate places, however schools like the Hammond and Tring are not purely classical schools.

 

Edited to add that if my dd had have been training at Elmhurst or White Lodge she would definately have not needed her MA place.

Edited March 25, 2012 by primrose

[bluebell]

I believe that a lot of children who haven't gone away to vocational school (year7-11) actually end up doing more dance classes /training every week than those away at school and the class size at vocational school can be much larger too.this being the case maybe those with children away at school recognise that in fact they need to supplement the vocational training with additional classes?

[Moneypenny]

I would tend to disagree bluebell ... when my dd was an MA she was also fortunate enough to be at a senior school which offered a vocational programme in dance, was also able to forfeit sport for dance and had lessons every night after school. Even so, she still wasn't doing anywhere near as much dance training as she is now that she is at vocational school. I certainly don't feel that she needs to supplement an already intense training schedule. Just my opinion.

[bluebell]

How many lessons/hours a day does your daughter do at vocational school moneypenny compared to what she did before she went away?

[bluebell]

And how does the class size compare?

[Moneypenny]

Bluebell, I can't exactly remember, but I think she was doing around 10-12 hours a week at school, plus her ma class. Now she's doing around 20-22 hours a week, though not all ballet. She does academic lessons in the morning and dance lessons in the afternoon. Granted, the classes are much larger.

[Jete]

I would tend to disagree bluebell ... when my dd was an MA she was also fortunate enough to be at a senior school which offered a vocational programme in dance, was also able to forfeit sport for dance and had lessons every night after school. Even so, she still wasn't doing anywhere near as much dance training as she is now that she is at vocational school. I certainly don't feel that she needs to supplement an already intense training schedule. Just my opinion.

 

 

I agree that at a vocational school they do a lot, but how many hours are spent a day on pure Ballet training?I know of a vocational school that has ballet classes only once each day and the rest of the day is taking over by other dance styles and academics.

[BankruptMum]

My daughter would usually do 1.5 hours a day, 5 days a week doing ballet with 1 sometimes 2 x 45 min pointe classes each week with 1.5 hours RAD on a Sat.

[bluebell]

Thankyou Bankrupt Mum!This confirms what I had been told about the ballet lessons at ballet vocational school in the UK.

I know of some girls (non vocational) who not only double up on a particular ballet grade but sometimes do 2 or even 3 different grades as well in addition to associate classes and private lessons.

And they do the same for jazz,modern and tap!

They also attend more than one dance school to enable them to "dance the same number of hours" as students at vocational school,so that when they audition at 16 they wont be behind.

But in fact it would seem that they end up dancing for more hours than at a vocational school-which seemed bizarre to me!

[Dancingtaxi]

Bluebell, my daughter does exactly what you have said - she doubles up in her ballet, tap and modern classes and also attends an associate class at the weekends. She has friends that have sucessfully auditioned for vocational schools but it is not something she wants to do yet ( she is still only 10) - and at the moment we find this is the best way forward for all of us.

[BankruptMum]

To be honest the amount of classes some girls do seems a little worrying to me - after all its the quality of teaching which is just as, if not more important as the quantity.

 

Having a variety of teachers is a great opportunity which is why Associate classes are worth their weight in gold. Being taught by the same teacher can often be detrimental, they miss corrections which another teacher quickly picks up.

 

Vocational students have a much reduced academic work load and to try and 'keep up' with their peers in this way seems impossible - its a different pathway, I dont see you can replicate it.

 

Those not at vocational school will have greater tap/contemporary/moder/jazz/gymnastic skills (whatever their preference) which will, together with their good classical foundation, produce a different skill set, most are likely to have a greater sense of performance and confidence due to experiences which are not open to vocatinoal students.

 

As has been proved many a time on this forum there is no set specification by 6th forms for a 'type' of dancer I dont see why you need to carbon copy vocational schools.

 

A non vocational dancer is taking a different skill set into an audition - whilst a suitable physique and basic skill set is required, arent the schools looking for students they can teach rather than those who have already learnt and need to have techniques undone to suit the schools teaching?

[Moneypenny]

As parents of a committed dd, we have always tried to access as much training for her as we realistically can, with classes most days, associate class at the weekend and summer schools. However, given where we live, work commitments and another daughter to consider, it simply wasn't an option for us to do any more than we already were. Therefore, I'm personally happy that dd is now at vocational school as that's what works best for her and our family. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not sure whether one is better than the other ... voc versus non-voc ... you just do what you can within your own means/limits and what feels right for your child.

[BankruptMum]

I agree Moneypenny but for a lot having the "choice" of a vocational school is not a possibility due to the lack of spaces and funding. I personally think for those who train at home it isn't the best idea to get wrapped up in the number of hours vocational students do and feel they need to replicate it. Quality and variety is more important.

[Moneypenny]

I agree back Bankrupt mum ... and you're right about a lot not having a choice ... as I said, you do what you can within your own means/limits.

[KathyG]

My ds has said that at Elmhurst he has done more dancing than when he was at w/l. If he hadn't gone to vocational school he would never have got as much dance as classes weren't available for boys

[Luckyshoes]

to all those waiting for the associate yes or no letters that are hopefully due out the end of this week....is it just me or does this week seem to be the longest in history ????!!!!!

[dancing10]

which audition did you do frangapani, we were at London on the 7th February 5.30pm

[Frangapani]

which audition did you do frangapani, we were at London on the 7th February 5.30pm

Hello! We were in Manchester - can't remember the date but think it was mid-January?? Seems SO long ago now!!! Not holding out much hope tbh, but until that letter arrives you never know do you???

I am going with tomorrow for what it's worth

F xxxx

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lildancer96]

Good luck x x

[charlie4dancin]

Yeah good luck I hope the letter is positive

Cx

[Pups_mum]

Good luck to all those waiting. They really do make you wait a long time don't they - it must be agonising.

[dancing10]

postie just been and no letter today

[Luckyshoes]

it is agonising..no letter again today..when they said we wouldn't hear til the end of March, they really meant the end didn't they !!! lol

im really hoping we hear tomorrow or saturday, my daughter is texting me every lunch time to see if the letter has arrived, i'm trying to manage her expectations but i know she will be really disappointed if she doesn't get offered an associate place..keeping everything crossed for her

[charlie4dancin]

Oh dear

Cx

[swe]

We are waiting SA letter-and you're right-the wait is terrible!! Are the MA letters also due out now too??

swe