Northern Ballet School (Manchester) 2021

[balletbean]

5 hours ago, Mjdb said:

Sorry another question for you. Have any of you looked into health insurance yet. I have had a cpl of quotes varying from mid to full cover. I know it's a personal choice thing but what would your insurance need to have included? 

The obvious one for any dancer would be physio with no restrictions on amount of appts per injury as some providers don’t appear to understand a student dancers life. Emphasis on the word ‘student’. Also check that the policy holders can provide care near to NBS. Seems unfair on a sick or injured teenager to have to travel across the city to access the care they need as well as one that would carry care over to your home district if treatment is split over term time and the holidays. The school are also excellent in ensuring a pupil never has to go to appointments alone. Not necessarily with a member of teaching staff but with a friend from their yr group. 

BUPA has an excellent hospital at Didsbury which I’ve used myself, it’s on a direct bus route from outside Medlock or a 12min taxi ride away. 
 

For more immediate care, before the call ‘Mum, I don’t wish to worry you, but.......’ 😉  There is an A&E a short walk down the road from NBS but if required the school don’t hesitate to call a cab. Not that the pupils fortunately have to use their services very often but the service and care received has no complaints. 

Not forgetting of course that our DC do also come down with general sickness & ailments not just injuries. There is a GP practice at Cornbrook just a 15min walk away. Worth registering upon arrival as the practice covers the M15 postcode. They are very good with students as some have already been called up for their first vaccine 😷. Might be helpful to see which GP practice the policy providers recognise should they require a referral for general medical matters.  There is also a Gp walk-in clinic not far away for out of hours service. 
 

Obviously all policies tend to cover an exclusion for past injuries or pre existing conditions. Past injuries can be a challenge for dancers when completing any declaration 😉. 
 

Good Luck. It’s difficult to recommend any particular policy as no two DC are the same.

 

Hope some of the above has helped. A little. 

 

 

[Mjdb]

4 minutes ago, balletbean said:

The obvious one for any dancer would be physio with no restrictions on amount of appts per injury as some providers don’t appear to understand a student dancers life. Emphasis on the word ‘student’. Also check that the policy holders can provide care near to NBS. Seems unfair on a sick or injured teenager to have to travel across the city to access the care they need as well as one that would carry care over to your home district if treatment is split over term time and the holidays. The school are also excellent in ensuring a pupil never has to go to appointments alone. Not necessarily with a member of teaching staff but with a friend from their yr group. 

BUPA has an excellent hospital at Didsbury which I’ve used myself, it’s on a direct bus route from outside Medlock or a 12min taxi ride away. 
 

For more immediate care, before the call ‘Mum, I don’t wish to worry you, but.......’ 😉  There is an A&E a short walk down the road from NBS but if required the school don’t hesitate to call a cab. Not that the pupils fortunately have to use their services very often but the service and care received has no complaints. 

Not forgetting of course that our DC do also come down with general sickness & ailments not just injuries. There is a GP practice at Cornbrook just a 15min walk away. Worth registering upon arrival as the practice covers the M15 postcode. They are very good with students as some have already been called up for their first vaccine 😷. Might be helpful to see which GP practice the policy providers recognise should they require a referral for general medical matters.  There is also a Gp walk-in clinic not far away for out of hours service. 
 

Obviously all policies tend to cover an exclusion for past injuries or pre existing conditions. Past injuries can be a challenge for dancers when completing any declaration 😉. 
 

Good Luck. It’s difficult to recommend any particular policy as no two DC are the same.

 

Hope some of the above has helped. A little. 

 

 

Thanks balletbean, 

Very informative.

Good point about local to NBS & crossover to home. Also thx for the info about local Dr's / Walk-ins & A&E! Let's hope the later is NOT needed!

I think maybe a lengthy convo is needed with insurance company to tweek exactly what we need & where we need it. 

 

[Dancers Dad]

Got a DaDa offer late this afternoon, thank goodness. As long as it stays at the figure it suggests, we might be able to avoid remortgaging... Thank goodness. Hope others get something too.

[Mjdb]

35 minutes ago, Dancers Dad said:

Got a DaDa offer late this afternoon, thank goodness. As long as it stays at the figure it suggests, we might be able to avoid remortgaging... Thank goodness. Hope others get something too.

Congratulations! Well done to your dd I bet she's very excited! We haven't heard anything yet, so hopefully soon if mails are being sent out. 

[Dancers Dad]

Thanks very much - major relief. Hadn't quite allowed myself to consider how it would even have been possible with no offer. Only got ours just before c.o.p. today so I expect more will be coming - fingers crossed for you too.

[Balletmum74]

Just wanted to say hello. 

My dd also accepted an offer for September today. We hadn't wanted to get our hopes up for a Dada and with another dancer studying at a conservatoire it would have been  push but thankfully it's worked out.

She is also 16 but we live close enough for her to commute. I'm a bit worried that she will find it harder to make friends as she wont be living with the other girls? Anyone else have experience of commuting?

Thank you 

[Jan McNulty]

Hello BalletMum74 and welcome to the Forum!

[DancingShoes]

2 minutes ago, Balletmum74 said:

Just wanted to say hello. 

My dd also accepted an offer for September today. We hadn't wanted to get our hopes up for a Dada and with another dancer studying at a conservatoire it would have been  push but thankfully it's worked out.

She is also 16 but we live close enough for her to commute. I'm a bit worried that she will find it harder to make friends as she wont be living with the other girls? Anyone else have experience of commuting?

Thank you 

 

Congratulations to both of you. We don't have personal experience but over half of my dd's year live at home.

[Balletmum74]

Thank you so much for your reply.  I genuinely felt she would be one of only a few so it is very reassuring. 

Fingers crossed for everyone.  

 

[Mjdb]

9 minutes ago, Balletmum74 said:

Just wanted to say hello. 

My dd also accepted an offer for September today. We hadn't wanted to get our hopes up for a Dada and with another dancer studying at a conservatoire it would have been  push but thankfully it's worked out.

She is also 16 but we live close enough for her to commute. I'm a bit worried that she will find it harder to make friends as she wont be living with the other girls? Anyone else have experience of commuting?

Thank you 

Congratulations to your dd. Sorry can't help with the commute aspect. Im sure she will make friends just as the other girls will. Maybe arrange weekend shopping trips... Or window shopping at least! lol. 

[balletbean]

10 hours ago, Balletmum74 said:

Just wanted to say hello. 

My dd also accepted an offer for September today. We hadn't wanted to get our hopes up for a Dada and with another dancer studying at a conservatoire it would have been  push but thankfully it's worked out.

She is also 16 but we live close enough for her to commute. I'm a bit worried that she will find it harder to make friends as she wont be living with the other girls? Anyone else have experience of commuting?

Thank you 

Hi. Congratulations to your DD. My DD is in 3rd yr and there are quite a few in her year that commute in. There’s never been any issues with making friends from what I’ve heard during her time at NBS. The ‘commuters’ have been known to have ‘weekend sleepovers’ but don’t tell ‘Halls’ that. 😉

They socialise alongside other students just as if they were in Halls.  They create their own friendship groups (incl those across year groups) and are treated equally. There’s no hint of them & us if that makes sense. 😊. 
ps. On another note, the parties/social events that they do have tend to be based in their flats(Halls) rather than using the hospitality facilities in the city. Which was great as my DD was also just 16 when she started and along with the other younger pupils never felt separated by age. ie Welcoming party/Halloween/Christmas etc. 

Edited April 15, 2021 by balletbean

[Balletmum74]

That's so lovely to hear. It's just a mum worry. She is just so happy and can't wait to start it's me who has a hundred worries. We are excited to go on a tour and get uniform lists etc

just the year 11 exams/assessment to get out of way then she can concentrate on the next step.

Thank you so much for the reassurance.

[Twinkle]

Hi Balletmum74,

 

I totally agree with you - mum worries are whether they will make friends, be happy etc!! Have you applied for a tour yet? I have emailed the school but are yet to hear and likewise still waiting to hear about DaDA.

[balletbean]

2 hours ago, Balletmum74 said:

That's so lovely to hear. It's just a mum worry. She is just so happy and can't wait to start it's me who has a hundred worries. We are excited to go on a tour and get uniform lists etc

just the year 11 exams/assessment to get out of way then she can concentrate on the next step.

Thank you so much for the reassurance.

Oh yes, I remember those dates well. Good luck. 🍷🍷
ps. Name tags. Both sew on and stick on. That’s all I can say about the uniform (incl tights!) 😉. Just when you thought you had escaped that old routine 😂. 

Edited April 15, 2021 by balletbean

[Balletmum74]

7 hours ago, Twinkle said:

Hi Balletmum74,

 

I totally agree with you - mum worries are whether they will make friends, be happy etc!! Have you applied for a tour yet? I have emailed the school but are yet to hear and likewise still waiting to hear about DaDA.

Haven't emailed about a tour yet  I need to check dates as dd has exams coming up but I need to do this asap. I hope you hear soon it's so nerve wracking for both parents and dance alike. 

[Balletmum74]

5 hours ago, balletbean said:

Oh yes, I remember those dates well. Good luck. 🍷🍷
ps. Name tags. Both sew on and stick on. That’s all I can say about the uniform (incl tights!) 😉. Just when you thought you had escaped that old routine 😂. 

Advice like this is invaluable my dd pirouettes through life with very little regard for her belongings.  Its definitely going to be a learning curve for her. 

Do they go through lots of shoes especially pointe shoes? Shes also very hard on these I feel like it will be every few weeks 😁

[balletbean]

1 hour ago, Balletmum74 said:

Advice like this is invaluable my dd pirouettes through life with very little regard for her belongings.  Its definitely going to be a learning curve for her. 

Do they go through lots of shoes especially pointe shoes? Shes also very hard on these I feel like it will be every few weeks 😁

You are welcome. 
Pointe shoes were my biggest concern as there’s no providers/suppliers in Manchester. Yup, massive city no ballet shops. Don’t over stock at the beginning though which is tempting to do. The teachers check all the 1st yrs existing pointe shoes for a good fit. One of the girls from my DD’s flat was asked to replace her new pointes. So that weekend the entire flat (5 girls) hopped on the train to Urmston in the quest for just one new pair of shoes. Team spirit 😉. I can’t offer any advice on the number of pointes each pupil will go through in a month or term, as they all vary so much. My DD always had two working pairs to ensure one pair was left to breath & dry naturally between lessons, also seemed to extend their life. Barely been through 1/2 dozen pointes over the years but then we did have a small thing called lockdown in the middle of her course 😉
‘Flats’ and jazz shoes on the other hand are completely different, no idea what she does with them!  Fortunately that’s just an online order and delivered straight to the door. 

[Mjdb]

Good evening,

Hope this is OK to do.....if not please admin delete. 

My dd has been contacted by a few girls who are all going to be 1st years Sept '21. They have made a group on Instagram if any of your girls / boys want to join message me so I can give you my dd details & she can add them to the group. 

[SusieQ]

1 hour ago, Mjdb said:

Good evening,

Hope this is OK to do.....if not please admin delete. 

My dd has been contacted by a few girls who are all going to be 1st years Sept '21. They have made a group on Instagram if any of your girls / boys want to join message me so I can give you my dd details & she can add them to the group. 

Thanks Mjdb I’ve messaged you.

[Rlp76]

Good morning everyone

 

What an amazing group this is! My dd has accepted a place at Northern for September and is 16. We travelled to Manchester in bank holiday Monday to look at New Medlock accommodation and booked there and then. Ezter was so helpful and very reassuring. I think like many of you say it’s more our worries than the children! We are also waiting on DaDa info. 
We are now looking at booking one of the tours. 
 

[Mjdb]

15 minutes ago, Rlp76 said:

Good morning everyone

 

What an amazing group this is! My dd has accepted a place at Northern for September and is 16. We travelled to Manchester in bank holiday Monday to look at New Medlock accommodation and booked there and then. Ezter was so helpful and very reassuring. I think like many of you say it’s more our worries than the children! We are also waiting on DaDa info. 
We are now looking at booking one of the tours. 
 

Good morning & Congratulations to your dd.

A good sign that you booked there & then so must be good accommodation. It is reassuring that experiences & information can be swapped makes it a little easier to ' let go' of our 16 year olds. 

[Dancers Dad]

11 hours ago, Mjdb said:

Good evening,

Hope this is OK to do.....if not please admin delete. 

My dd has been contacted by a few girls who are all going to be 1st years Sept '21. They have made a group on Instagram if any of your girls / boys want to join message me so I can give you my dd details & she can add them to the group. 

Thanks for this. My daughter (admittedly under my influence...) has managed to avoid all social media so far in her life so isn't on Instagram (yet) but if that's the way to go, she may join. I think she's going to sign up to WhatsApp at some point, so maybe others would be willing to have a group on there too in due course?

[Mjdb]

5 minutes ago, Dancers Dad said:

Thanks for this. My daughter (admittedly under my influence...) has managed to avoid all social media so far in her life so isn't on Instagram (yet) but if that's the way to go, she may join. I think she's going to sign up to WhatsApp at some point, so maybe others would be willing to have a group on there too in due course?

Good morning, whatever works for you & your daughter. I would presume that anyway they can keep in contact with each other would  be good. I don't do instagram myself so no idea how it works so don't know if it's a matter of joining....being private & just being able to do the dance group? but I'm sure others will know. 

[DancingShoes]

If it helps, the school set up a Facebook group for the 1st years last year. They have since moved onto something else but it was a good way to make contact. 

Also once you have a contract signed with Unite you can download the app and make contact with others in your flat. The app is also needed for reporting any maintenance issues and using the laundry. 

 

[Dancers Dad]

1 hour ago, DancingShoes said:

If it helps, the school set up a Facebook group for the 1st years last year. They have since moved onto something else but it was a good way to make contact. 

Also once you have a contract signed with Unite you can download the app and make contact with others in your flat. The app is also needed for reporting any maintenance issues and using the laundry. 

 

This is helpful to know - thank you.

[Dancers Dad]

Right, we're booked in for a look round both NBS and New Medlock! Keep ticking these jobs off the list...

[balletbean]

9 hours ago, Dancers Dad said:

Right, we're booked in for a look round both NBS and New Medlock! Keep ticking these jobs off the list...

How exciting. When is your visit booked, if you don’t mind me asking. 

[Dancers Dad]

3 hours ago, balletbean said:

How exciting. When is your visit booked, if you don’t mind me asking. 

I don't mind at all! We're doing Weds 5 May and having a quick look at New Medlock that day too. Probably have a bit of  a potter round the area and get a feel for it as well. Another of those 'blimey, this is really happening' days I think.

[balletbean]

8 hours ago, Dancers Dad said:

I don't mind at all! We're doing Weds 5 May and having a quick look at New Medlock that day too. Probably have a bit of  a potter round the area and get a feel for it as well. Another of those 'blimey, this is really happening' days I think.

Good luck for the 5th. I’m sure you will have an enjoyable time. I will mention your visit to my DD. ☺️

[Dancers Dad]

2 hours ago, balletbean said:

Good luck for the 5th. I’m sure you will have an enjoyable time. I will mention your visit to my DD. ☺️

Ah, thanks very much - we're at NBS at 12.30.

[Twinkle]

 

We've booked in for a tour of NBS and Medlock on 19th May - all very exciting! However, no DaDA news as yet. If not offered a DaDA does anyone know when further details of enrolment will be sent out e.g uniform etc? Feeling a little in limbo at the moment!

[Dancers Dad]

6 hours ago, Twinkle said:

 

We've booked in for a tour of NBS and Medlock on 19th May - all very exciting! However, no DaDA news as yet. If not offered a DaDA does anyone know when further details of enrolment will be sent out e.g uniform etc? Feeling a little in limbo at the moment!

That's good - we're off up there this Weds. If we find anything useful out - eg uniform - I'll let you know.

 

We had our DaDa offer a little while ago. It wouldn't hurt just to check in with them - we found twice that emails hadn't made it...

[Mjdb]

7 hours ago, Twinkle said:

 

We've booked in for a tour of NBS and Medlock on 19th May - all very exciting! However, no DaDA news as yet. If not offered a DaDA does anyone know when further details of enrolment will be sent out e.g uniform etc? Feeling a little in limbo at the moment!

We are going to NBS & Medlock on the 17th. Sorry can't help with uniform etc.