Whiteduvet Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Any school which acted on that basis does not deserve my child or my money... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The red shoes Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 7 minutes ago, Whiteduvet said: Any school which acted on that basis does not deserve my child or my money... Or you could have a school continue to take your money for 5 years... giving false hope perhaps? There is definitely two sides to it 😊 More dancers graduate from these schools without a contract or job than do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiteduvet Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 (edited) I’m not against assessing out. I’m against taking children with the attitude “we’re not sure but hey, we can always get rid of them”. That’s how the suggestion read to me. Edited February 25, 2021 by Whiteduvet 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The red shoes Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 Just now, Whiteduvet said: I’m not against assessing out. I’m against taking children with the attitude “we’re not sure but hey, we can always get rid of them”. I get that, but that’s an assumption unless you’ve heard this from their own mouths. I think assessments is a good thing. Keeps them on their toes, striving to improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farawaydancer Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 4 minutes ago, The red shoes said: Or you could have a school continue to take your money for 5 years... giving false hope perhaps? There is definitely two sides to it 😊 More dancers graduate from these schools without a contract or job than do Depends on why you think your children are there I guess. With both of mine they’ve gone to their schools because it was the right school experience for them, and it’s allowed them to pursue something that they love to a level that wouldn’t have been possible if they’d stayed at home. For us it has never been about turning them into professional dancers, it was a way of keeping that option open to them if that was the career they wished to go for. Don’t lose sight of the fact that it is ‘just school’, not a life or death decision. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The red shoes Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 Just now, Farawaydancer said: Depends on why you think your children are there I guess. With both of mine they’ve gone to their schools because it was the right school experience for them, and it’s allowed them to pursue something that they love to a level that wouldn’t have been possible if they’d stayed at home. For us it has never been about turning them into professional dancers, it was a way of keeping that option open to them if that was the career they wished to go for. Don’t lose sight of the fact that it is ‘just school’, not a life or death decision. Yes and I agree with that too. I was just referring to the other comment about assessing out. If one clearly thinks that badly of school it makes me ask the question, why be on this thread about auditions for said school 🤷🏼♀️😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancermom Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 4 minutes ago, Whiteduvet said: I’m not against assessing out. I’m against taking children with the attitude “we’re not sure but hey, we can always get rid of them”. That’s how the suggestion read to me. I really don’t imagine that’s their way of thinking. They take the selection process very seriously as we know, the school and associates are extremely and notoriously difficult to be accepted into. I’m certain they are hopeful that everyone they choose will succeed but obviously mistakes are made in any area of life xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The red shoes Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 1 minute ago, Dancermom said: I really don’t imagine that’s their way of thinking. They take the selection process very seriously as we know, the school and associates are extremely and notoriously difficult to be accepted into. I’m certain they are hopeful that everyone they choose will succeed but obviously mistakes are made in any area of life xx Totally agree !! Xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiteduvet Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 I was simply saying that if a school had that attitude this year, then I wouldn’t want my child to be there. Not that any school necessarily does: it was hypothetical. There are pros and cons to assessing out. Take your own view. And year 7 entry is hugely about potential: body shape and proportions (“luck” as one very experienced teacher once described it to me). Reduced training won’t change that: the schools should still be able to see what they need to in order to make a decision. And any child who is not successful this year should not be at all discouraged: it is a marathon not a sprint. I’m leaving this discussion now. Good luck to everyone: I genuinely hope everyone ends up at the right place for them, be that vocational or otherwise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoDancers Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 41 minutes ago, Farawaydancer said: Depends on why you think your children are there I guess. With both of mine they’ve gone to their schools because it was the right school experience for them, and it’s allowed them to pursue something that they love to a level that wouldn’t have been possible if they’d stayed at home. For us it has never been about turning them into professional dancers, it was a way of keeping that option open to them if that was the career they wished to go for. Don’t lose sight of the fact that it is ‘just school’, not a life or death decision. Love this 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara Eschler Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 17 minutes ago, The red shoes said: Totally agree !! Xx Apologies, I did not mean that they should not be selective but I think the amount and quality of training children had this year is more variable than previous years, perhaps. Maybe this year they might give a couple more children the benefit of the doubt and see how they can thrive with their training ( I was just suggesting 15 of each would still be better than 12). The reality, from what I understand, is that they do assess out more so than other schools anyway and the lucky children who get an offer is only for a year at the time. Assuming my ds is able to attend ( as still not sure the covid tests logistics will work), it will be his first time back in a studio in ages with the pressure of being in an audition class, that joy and love of dancing they look for might not necessarily show. @WhiteduvetI totally agree about finding the right fit for your child in terms of schools. The audition process also works for both ways. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The red shoes Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 1 minute ago, Lara Eschler said: Apologies, I did not mean that they should not be selective but I think the amount and quality of training children had this year is more variable than previous years, perhaps. Maybe this year they might give a couple more children the benefit of the doubt and see how they can thrive with their training ( I was just suggesting 15 of each would still be better than 12). The reality, from what I understand, is that they do assess out more so than other schools anyway and the lucky children who get an offer is only for a year at the time. Assuming my ds is able to attend ( as still not sure the covid tests logistics will work), it will be his first time back in a studio in ages with the pressure of being in an audition class, that joy and love of dancing they look for might not necessarily show. @WhiteduvetI totally agree about finding the right fit for your child in terms of schools. The audition process also works for both ways. I have these worries too about this audition being the first time in a studio. But they are all on a level playing field at least . From what I heard RBS gave all current year 7 another year as they felt it unfair to assess when they’ve been in lockdown etc... always a silver lining! 😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrancingMum Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 There are likely as many, if not more, DCs who decide to leave vocational school, for whatever reason, as get assessed out. We all have choices to make and ourselves as parents and the schools make the right decision on the day and we all have our part to play in taking that forward to do the best for our DC. All the best to everyone starting this journey and to those already on the path well trodden. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalletBoyMumma Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 I think it’s a fair discussion to have while still in the application process - probably better now than later down the line? The way assessing out is done concerns me far more than IF it’s done (as we already know it happens). It’s necessary to think about all of these things. Dance is only one aspect. Our own major concern is our local (and this towns only) state secondary school is fantastic but always very oversubscribed so DS almost certainly wouldn’t get a place later on and would have to travel to further out to not-so-good schools - we won’t be left with many options. So the regular reminder that not many DCs make it all the way through WL is a genuine concern. If this is true then what is happening that means more DCs are assessed out (or leave through choice) than stay? Please don’t get me wrong, it’s an incredible opportunity, but we are also preparing to audition for a school we are not 100% convinced is right (yet). Going in with eyes wide open seems to be the repeated advice from experienced parents on other areas of this forum. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwirlyWhirly Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 13 minutes ago, BalletBoyMumma said: I think it’s a fair discussion to have while still in the application process - probably better now than later down the line? The way assessing out is done concerns me far more than IF it’s done (as we already know it happens). It’s necessary to think about all of these things. Dance is only one aspect. Our own major concern is our local (and this towns only) state secondary school is fantastic but always very oversubscribed so DS almost certainly wouldn’t get a place later on and would have to travel to further out to not-so-good schools - we won’t be left with many options. So the regular reminder that not many DCs make it all the way through WL is a genuine concern. If this is true then what is happening that means more DCs are assessed out (or leave through choice) than stay? Please don’t get me wrong, it’s an incredible opportunity, but we are also preparing to audition for a school we are not 100% convinced is right (yet). Going in with eyes wide open seems to be the repeated advice from experienced parents on other areas of this forum. Yes we have the same dilemma @BalletBoyMumma. State secondary is the only other option for our DS if he doesn't go to a specialist dance school. Exactly same problem if, a year or so later, we are grappling to find a local place. I know which local school(s) would have space at that point and don't fancy them at all! On the issue of assessing out mid year 7, I think I remember seeing on the website when we applied that the Year 7 place was 'Sept 2021 to Aug 2022' or some such small print i.e. guaranteed for a year, but only for a year (in the first instance). I now can't find this as applications have closed, perhaps I imagined it anyway! Good luck everyone in any case! Much as all this is an anxious time, it would be lovely to have the choice and either way it will be brilliant to have the experience! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalletBoyMumma Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 (edited) Yes, definitely! That’s where we are too - try to focus on enjoying the experience. ☺️ Good luck everyone. ✨ Still struggling on the testing front here too. No luck so far. Hoping that with the recent announcement that our area will open a test site soon. Or the schools will help (they are currently organising testing for secondary students which they didn’t offer before). It’s all bit of a waiting game. Edited February 25, 2021 by BalletBoyMumma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara Eschler Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 34 minutes ago, TwirlyWhirly said: Yes we have the same dilemma @BalletBoyMumma. State secondary is the only other option for our DS if he doesn't go to a specialist dance school. Exactly same problem if, a year or so later, we are grappling to find a local place. I know which local school(s) would have space at that point and don't fancy them at all! On the issue of assessing out mid year 7, I think I remember seeing on the website when we applied that the Year 7 place was 'Sept 2021 to Aug 2022' or some such small print i.e. guaranteed for a year, but only for a year (in the first instance). I now can't find this as applications have closed, perhaps I imagined it anyway! Good luck everyone in any case! Much as all this is an anxious time, it would be lovely to have the choice and either way it will be brilliant to have the experience! Yes, they do guarantee a year but they find out in February whether they are progressing to the following year. It seems like a difficult situation with most children not having the resilience to stay until the end knowing they have been assessed out and for families to find another suitable school in February where deadlines would have past. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara Eschler Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 No covid test for ELmhurst!!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballet Dreams Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 (edited) Just seen this also although now I am worrying about trying to get a covid test for WL when we could be at DD Elmhurst audition! Edited February 25, 2021 by Ballet Dreams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The red shoes Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 11 minutes ago, Lara Eschler said: No covid test for ELmhurst!!! Whoop whoop 🙌🏼 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara Eschler Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 2 minutes ago, The red shoes said: Whoop whoop 🙌🏼 The tone of their email cheered up too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The red shoes Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 Just now, Lara Eschler said: The tone of their email cheered up too. Yes indeed!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquelle Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 11 minutes ago, The red shoes said: Whoop whoop 🙌🏼 Hooray!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquelle Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 On 22/02/2021 at 12:08, TheDanceDad said: Last years finals everyone saw the pyshio, it was part of their 2 days. My DD said they made them do a few movements, nothing out the ordinary, i think it's to make sure there is nothing glaringly obvious that will impede their training. My DD wasn't a JA either, she's now at WL. I know for elmhurst and royal we have been told we can't as parents enter the buildings, which i totally understand given the circumstances...however it is going to be very difficult to make a decision on whether to send a child to board if we haven't seen the school? Virtual tours aren't really the same and you don't get a feel for the school...my daughter hasn't even been away from school as all residential trips for ballet and school were cancelled...I'm just not sure how to make the decision if she does get in anywhere if I haven't even visited the school and she hasn't even tried a trip away?! Stupid covid! X 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunrise81 Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 (edited) So for Elmhurst finals you don't to have had a test? Are they doing them on arrival at school? Interesting when the school will be full again by then. Edited February 25, 2021 by sunrise81 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalletBoyMumma Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 2 minutes ago, Raquelle said: I know for elmhurst and royal we have been told we can't as parents enter the buildings, which i totally understand given the circumstances...however it is going to be very difficult to make a decision on whether to send a child to board if we haven't seen the school? Virtual tours aren't really the same and you don't get a feel for the school...my daughter hasn't even been away from school as all residential trips for ballet and school were cancelled...I'm just not sure how to make the decision if she does get in anywhere if I haven't even visited the school and she hasn't even tried a trip away?! Stupid covid! X Same. This is also why we didn’t apply to anywhere else. At least with WL we have the JA experience even though I know they are two entirely different things. If, big IF, it’s a yes, we are going to really struggle on making this decision. I feel like we’ve all lost a lot of control on discovering that all important ‘right fit’ for our DCs (that we keep being advised to do). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raquelle Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 10 minutes ago, BalletBoyMumma said: Same. This is also why we didn’t apply to anywhere else. At least with WL we have the JA experience even though I know they are two entirely different things. If, big IF, it’s a yes, we are going to really struggle on making this decision. I feel like we’ve all lost a lot of control on discovering that all important ‘right fit’ for our DCs (that we keep being advised to do). I know feels like an impossible task! She might not get in anywhere anyway in which case decision would be made for us...🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalletBoyMumma Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Lara Eschler said: Yes, they do guarantee a year but they find out in February whether they are progressing to the following year. It seems like a difficult situation with most children not having the resilience to stay until the end knowing they have been assessed out and for families to find another suitable school in February where deadlines would have past. This makes me sad. And yes, application deadlines would have passed. I’m sure I read somewhere on this forum that many students apply to other schools each year ‘just in case’. I would be really grateful to hear any experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeafterballet Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 40 minutes ago, BalletBoyMumma said: This makes me sad. And yes, application deadlines would have passed. I’m sure I read somewhere on this forum that many students apply to other schools each year ‘just in case’. I would be really grateful to hear any experiences. In our experience students don’t apply to other schools just in case. If they are told that they are not able to continue their training at the school ‘then’ they apply to others. If this had happened to our Ds or Dd we had already agreed that they would be coming home. Also, again in our experience, very rarely do students, especially girls sadly, when assessed out of WL gain a place at Elmhurst. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruby Foo Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 7 hours ago, Lara Eschler said: Hopefully, they take more than 12 of each this year too since children did not have the usual studio training and as they can assess them out by February anyway. Although there is much criticism of assessing out, I’m sure it would not be any schools policy or in their interest, to accept more students, due to Covid, simply so they can assess them out several months later. Most schools have a limit on how many beds are available in any case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara Eschler Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 27 minutes ago, valentina said: Although there is much criticism of assessing out, I’m sure it would not be any schools policy or in their interest, to accept more students, due to Covid, simply so they can assess them out several months later. Most schools have a limit on how many beds are available in any case. I really just meant that as they have the capacity to take 15 or even 16 of each, (but usually take 12), that this year might be a year where more children (16 rather than12) get a chance. It was more a reflection following the discussion of whether more applicants might have made finals this year. Apologies again if I have offended anyone or if my comment has been perceived as a criticism of the school system. xx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalletBoyMumma Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Just now, cotes du rhone ! said: In our experience students don’t apply to other schools just in case. If they are told that they are not able to continue their training at the school ‘then’ they apply to others. If this had happened to our Ds or Dd we had already agreed that they would be coming home. Also, again in our experience, very rarely do students, especially girls sadly, when assessed out of WL gain a place at Elmhurst. Thank you Cotes du rhone. I think the decision will be made for DS as we’ve heavily limited ourselves anyway (and he’s fine with that). The testing is proving a major a barrier too and with WL knowing about the postcode lottery on LFTs and not allowing affordable/reasonable alternatives, there’s a high chance we might not even make it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancermom Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 1 hour ago, BalletBoyMumma said: Thank you Cotes du rhone. I think the decision will be made for DS as we’ve heavily limited ourselves anyway (and he’s fine with that). The testing is proving a major a barrier too and with WL knowing about the postcode lottery on LFTs and not allowing affordable/reasonable alternatives, there’s a high chance we might not even make it there. They did say though that if you can’t make it there in person it won’t take your child out of consideration and they’ll decide another way x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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