WL - assessed out and No’s received. What to do?

[Bonnie2011]

I am so sorry to hear your sad news hbbm. I have a daughter at white lodge and your situation is one that we all worry about and try not to think too much about at assessment times. My daughter has been lucky enough to be offered a further years training which means that she will complete her time there. She has been very happy there too.

However, I also have another older daughter who was a Royal Ballet School JA but was put on the waiting list for mid associates as she did not want to go to vocational school at eleven. A place never came up for her and her RBS journey ended which seemed like the end of the world at the time. We decided to audition for Northern Ballet CAT scheme and I must say that it was the best decision that we have made. She blossomed there and was very successful at upper school auditions last year. She did nor audition for RBS again as she felt that it was just not for her which is fine as it is not a school for everyone. However, she is incredibly happy at the fantastic school she has chosen to train at and is doing incredibly well. In fact, we have just returned from New York where she took classes with ABT school. The teacher there was very keen for her to join the school which is incredible looking back at where she was six years ago. A complete turn around. She has chosen to stay at her present school though. New York was just a bit too far from home.

I am just telling you this to show you that things happen for a reason and sometimes, at the time, you cannot understand why but things always come right in the end. Just because the RBS does not think that your beautiful daughter is right for their training at the moment it does not mean that she never will be or that she is not perfect for training elsewhere. If she truly loves dance then a way will be found for her to succeed. Good luck to you both for the future and I am more than happy for you to pm me if you need any information re the CAT scheme.

[Hazel]

If you are near London you could try Emma Northmore’s Academy of Balletic Arts @Emma northmore - I believe they’ve had a successful year and the model of how it’s run sounds great if you’re close enough to get to it!

[Emilycharlottebronte]

Your story made me feel so sad.  I know it's a cliche but I do think that everything happens for a reason.  Although this is rubbish for her at the moment it will, in the end, make her a stronger and more resilient woman.  I feel that the ballet world can be very cruel sometimes and my heart is breaking for her but don't let this define her.  When my daughter experienced rejection, we both found Melissa Hamilton's story very inspiring.  As the proverb says, where there;s a will there's a way! xx