Shelovesdance Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 1 hour ago, Dancing.shoes said: On the basis that I’m poor, I can only assume I’ll qualify!!!!! Thankyou for clarifying! I wasn’t sure if it meant something like ‘if there’s anything left in the pot, you may get it!’ I read into MDS and basically it’s assumed every student attending on the dance programme will be applying and looking at the brackets most will be eligible. It’s nothing to do with The Hammond as such, it’s government funded so if you are poor (as per your comment not me being disrespectful lol) you’ll defo qualify. I worked out our income and hoping we come in somewhere with a decent wedge off as I’m super poor😂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
margarite Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 9 minutes ago, Shelovesdance said: I read into MDS and basically it’s assumed every student attending on the dance programme will be applying and looking at the brackets most will be eligible. It’s nothing to do with The Hammond as such, it’s government funded so if you are poor (as per your comment not me being disrespectful lol) you’ll defo qualify. I worked out our income and hoping we come in somewhere with a decent wedge off as I’m super poor😂 Just to warn you that Hammond won’t have an MDS award available for every student. They are awarded to those they consider showed the most talent at the audition. When my daughter joined in Year 7, only 10 of the 18 dancers had MDS awards, the rest self-funded or had help from charities. Apologies if you know this already, but thought I’d better say. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelovesdance Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 36 minutes ago, margarite said: Just to warn you that Hammond won’t have an MDS award available for every student. They are awarded to those they consider showed the most talent at the audition. When my daughter joined in Year 7, only 10 of the 18 dancers had MDS awards, the rest self-funded or had help from charities. Apologies if you know this already, but thought I’d better say. Oh really!! No I didn’t realise that at all. I thought the mds was totally separate from the Hammond and it was their bursery that depended on talent. So I’ve got that totally wrong then. Thank you xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewel Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 MDS awards are given to the Hammond by the government - no-one knows the exact number they have across the school. There are rules about which children are eligible, but the decision on who to give them to rests with the school. They are given to those with the most potential in classical ballet, are means tested and you have to meet the nationality and residency requirements. They are means tested, so those on very low incomes pay no or almost no fees/boarding costs and those on higher incomes pay more. Anyone on an income over a certain level is not eligible. There is also an annual allowance given for dancewear. The school's own bursaries are given at the discretion of the school to whoever they like. They can also be given to theatre arts students. They are usually worth a lot less than MDS and don't include uniform/dancewear etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing.shoes Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Thanks. That’s really helpful. And reassuring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing.shoes Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Has anyone else had news about Hammond entry in September? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taximum Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Still nothing yet. I now can't decide which scenario to go for - either DC hasn't got a place at all (although hoping that if they'd decided that they'd have told us) or DC has a place but they're waiting to see how much is left in the MDS pot before making an offer. Audition was 6th March for Y7 entry. Waiting is tortuous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancemum19 Posted March 23, 2023 Author Share Posted March 23, 2023 19 minutes ago, Dancing.shoes said: Has anyone else had news about Hammond entry in September? No nothing yet!! Hopefully soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelovesdance Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 6 hours ago, Dancing.shoes said: Has anyone else had news about Hammond entry in September? I’m absolutely gutted. We got financial forms to fill in but there was no mention of MDS so it looks like it’s a bursary. And we can’t afford it if it’s only that. My DD will be devastated, I can’t even bear to tell her at the moment. I wish they hadn’t told her on the day, I think we both got too excited and being told on the day I just assumed it would be MDS. Really gutted 😞 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheMove Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 14 minutes ago, Shelovesdance said: I’m absolutely gutted. We got financial forms to fill in but there was no mention of MDS so it looks like it’s a bursary. And we can’t afford it if it’s only that. My DD will be devastated, I can’t even bear to tell her at the moment. I wish they hadn’t told her on the day, I think we both got too excited and being told on the day I just assumed it would be MDS. Really gutted 😞 That’s awful. I’m so sorry. From what I’ve heard you could have dodged a bullet! So please see it as one door closing opens another one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taximum Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 47 minutes ago, Shelovesdance said: I’m absolutely gutted. We got financial forms to fill in but there was no mention of MDS so it looks like it’s a bursary. And we can’t afford it if it’s only that. My DD will be devastated, I can’t even bear to tell her at the moment. I wish they hadn’t told her on the day, I think we both got too excited and being told on the day I just assumed it would be MDS. Really gutted 😞 Oh, that’s really tough. Maybe call the school just to clarify before talking to DD? I’m sure it’ll feel like small consolation now but to have had an offer on the day shows she clearly has enormous talent. Hopefully if this door doesn’t open, another one will 🩰 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowblythe Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Don't forget there will be a lot of movement - MDS's can become available right to the end of the summer holidays. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petruska Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 1 hour ago, Shelovesdance said: I’m absolutely gutted. We got financial forms to fill in but there was no mention of MDS so it looks like it’s a bursary. And we can’t afford it if it’s only that. My DD will be devastated, I can’t even bear to tell her at the moment. I wish they hadn’t told her on the day, I think we both got too excited and being told on the day I just assumed it would be MDS. Really gutted 😞 We feel the same! An offer on the day and then an email to confirm the offer of the place. No mention of MDS or even any forms to fill in…… this is much worse for my daughter. Why did they do that? Get her hopes up like that. I’m so upset they did that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millicent Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 1 hour ago, OnTheMove said: That’s awful. I’m so sorry. From what I’ve heard you could have dodged a bullet! So please see it as one door closing opens another one. Could I ask what you mean by dodged a bullet? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheMove Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 13 hours ago, Millicent said: Could I ask what you mean by dodged a bullet? If they can do this to kids before they’ve even started the school, it makes you wonder what else they can do… I think it’s despicable to offer a place on the day in front of a child when they’re not offering the funding as well. Do they care about the feelings and mental well-being of the child? 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutugirl Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 I totally agree . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelovesdance Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 15 hours ago, Petruska said: We feel the same! An offer on the day and then an email to confirm the offer of the place. No mention of MDS or even any forms to fill in…… this is much worse for my daughter. Why did they do that? Get her hopes up like that. I’m so upset they did that I’m sorry you’ve had the same thing. It’s definitely hard to swallow when they made such a big deal of keeping her back and giving her such amazing feedback then offering her a place right there on the spot. She’s spent the last few weeks just constantly talking about it and getting excited. I absolutely could kick myself for not asking right then if it was mds funded, at least then I could have said to her straightaway it won’t be affordable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancemum19 Posted March 24, 2023 Author Share Posted March 24, 2023 Hello Everyone!!! Has anyone heard for year 9 intakes any information starting in September? X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelovesdance Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 13 minutes ago, Dancemum19 said: Hello Everyone!!! Has anyone heard for year 9 intakes any information starting in September? X Do you mean as in school information? Your DD has a place and you’ve had funding forms haven’t you? I’m not sure much else will have gone out yet until they have a clearer idea who is going Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petruska Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 1 hour ago, Shelovesdance said: I’m sorry you’ve had the same thing. It’s definitely hard to swallow when they made such a big deal of keeping her back and giving her such amazing feedback then offering her a place right there on the spot. She’s spent the last few weeks just constantly talking about it and getting excited. I absolutely could kick myself for not asking right then if it was mds funded, at least then I could have said to her straightaway it won’t be affordable. Me too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Somerdance Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 My DD auditioned end of January and was offered a place. She was over the moon! We then found out it was unfunded after speaking with someone at The Hammond as the money side wasn’t mentioned. We were sent bursary paper work but what we were offered still wasn’t financially feasible for us so had to turn it down. Yesterday we had the call she has MDS funding… it was an agonising wait but SIT TIGHT! Prior to that we did call to ask where out DD was on the wait list for funding and they were happy to discuss and give an indication. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Graceless One Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Somerdance - that’s amazing news. Now that all the lower school results are out children will be accepting and declining places, so there will be quite a bit of movement between the schools. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelovesdance Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 5 hours ago, Somerdance said: My DD auditioned end of January and was offered a place. She was over the moon! We then found out it was unfunded after speaking with someone at The Hammond as the money side wasn’t mentioned. We were sent bursary paper work but what we were offered still wasn’t financially feasible for us so had to turn it down. Yesterday we had the call she has MDS funding… it was an agonising wait but SIT TIGHT! Prior to that we did call to ask where out DD was on the wait list for funding and they were happy to discuss and give an indication. What a relief and fantastic news. Well done, hopefully it means lots of changes about to happen. Enjoy celebrating this weekend xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelovesdance Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 1 hour ago, The Graceless One said: Somerdance - that’s amazing news. Now that all the lower school results are out children will be accepting and declining places, so there will be quite a bit of movement between the schools. Do we know about other schools yet? White lodge, elmhurst, tring etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Graceless One Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 4 minutes ago, Shelovesdance said: Do we know about other schools yet? White lodge, elmhurst, tring etc? I think they’re all out now xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SissonneDoublee Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 3 hours ago, The Graceless One said: I think they’re all out now xx RCS and Central still to go. Elmhurst only came out a couple of hours ago for upper school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SissonneDoublee Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Just now, SissonneDoublee said: RCS and Central still to go. Elmhurst only came out a couple of hours ago for upper school. Sorry, you are talking about lower schools I think xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Graceless One Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 17 minutes ago, SissonneDoublee said: Sorry, you are talking about lower schools I think xx yes, sorry, lower school xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taximum Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 9 hours ago, Somerdance said: My DD auditioned end of January and was offered a place. She was over the moon! We then found out it was unfunded after speaking with someone at The Hammond as the money side wasn’t mentioned. We were sent bursary paper work but what we were offered still wasn’t financially feasible for us so had to turn it down. Yesterday we had the call she has MDS funding… it was an agonising wait but SIT TIGHT! Prior to that we did call to ask where out DD was on the wait list for funding and they were happy to discuss and give an indication. That’s lovely news, congratulations! She must be thrilled. Sitting very tight here. Has anyone else not heard anything at all since the audition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballettap Posted March 27, 2023 Share Posted March 27, 2023 (edited) We auditioned early February for Year 10, got offered a place and sent the financial forms.. no mention of MDS. Waiting patiently with everything crossed!! Edited March 27, 2023 by Ballettap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing.shoes Posted March 28, 2023 Share Posted March 28, 2023 I had to pay registration fee and send all paper work back by last Friday, so hopefully people are hearing more this week? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelovesdance Posted March 28, 2023 Share Posted March 28, 2023 5 hours ago, Dancing.shoes said: I had to pay registration fee and send all paper work back by last Friday, so hopefully people are hearing more this week? I’ll admit it’s going to be a kick in the teeth if I’ve paid the registration thinking it’s a funded place and then we can’t afford to send her 😭 I so so so hope to hear something soon, my daughter would love it there, it’s the perfect school for her. Hope all of you are coping with the wait, it’s intense!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum to a boy dancer Posted March 28, 2023 Share Posted March 28, 2023 13 minutes ago, Shelovesdance said: I’ll admit it’s going to be a kick in the teeth if I’ve paid the registration thinking it’s a funded place and then we can’t afford to send her 😭 I so so so hope to hear something soon, my daughter would love it there, it’s the perfect school for her. Hope all of you are coping with the wait, it’s intense!!! When my DS was auditioning we had to pay the registration fee before he could attend the MDS audition. It all worked out but I wasn’t happy at the time x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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