Jump to content

Sixth Form Dance Course at Tring


Jazzpaws

Recommended Posts

Well, it's audition time next year and I am wondering how students at Tring cope with doing the Sixth Form Dance Course alongside A levels. Is it possible to study both well or does A level study compromise the dance aspect. We will go to the open day in October, but I would really appreciate hearing how others have managed this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, it's audition time next year and I am wondering how students at Tring cope with doing the Sixth Form Dance Course alongside A levels. Is it possible to study both well or does A level study compromise the dance aspect. We will go to the open day in October, but I would really appreciate hearing how others have managed this.

Its really down to the individual.Some manage,some dont My ds did find that he couldnt do any dance in the morning because he was tied up with academics. But he didnt mind as he had chosen Tring for academics. However he did drop one subject in order to concentrate on three and was very pleased with his eventual grades.

His dancing didnt suffer as the vocational staff were excellent and like others in his year he secured a contract before the end of the 3rd year.

One of his best friends however gave up the idea of dancing professionally,worked her socks off and is now at Cambridge.

Others however struggled,its not easy at all!

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think doing A Levels alongside the dance is detrimental to the vocational training - the way the timetable is organised makes it manageable. My dd does extra ballet classes in the morning in her free periods. I think it's good to keep their options open.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread really does illustrate why it is so important to find the right school for your child (obviously securing a place isn't easy). It's far to easy to get caught up on the rollar coaster of 'must audition because everyone is'

 

Plan early, look at all the pros and cons - Y11 is stressful enough without doing auditions for school just because they offer dance training. You are the customer!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The a levels are optional- They do the national diploma in dance too which is worth lots of points towards uni if they eventually go down that path .

Very true. We were sent very good information after ds completed his diploma explaining how he only has to do a years further study at some point in order to now get a degree on top of his three A levels.

Some people choose not to do A levels as the diploma is hard work inself. Ds

actually found the written side of this harder than the Alevels.

Edited by hfbrew
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It did seem that most pupils decided fairly quickly during the 1st year of 6th form whether they were aiming to continue with dance or pursue an academic career.  Obligatory dance classes were in the afternoon and academic classes in the morning.  There were also other dance classes during the morning which students could attend if they didn't have an academic lesson.  In addition, individual musical instrument and singing classes were fitted in, so each student's timetable varied according to their personal preferences.

 

DD and I were talking about this recently - her year group have nearly all stayed in touch and several get together every so often.  In the end about a quarter of the year have continued with dance, either working professionally or studying dance full time on degree courses.  Some went to university to study a academic degrees and others have gone in a variety of directions. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems Tring have taken notice of how people have been unhappy that they only find out which course they will do in 6th form once they arrive in September.  I have seen on the website that from this September those doing the three year 6th form Dance course will all be doing the same during the 1st year and only specialise in the 2nd year.   

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So does that mean students can choose whether they continue on the classical ballet stream? If so, that's better than in the past when - IIRC - students were told whether they could continue in the classical set or not.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not 100% sure how its going to work till it happens in sept - they have been able to choose between ballet and contemporary / jazz. I think some of the girls who were not in the 'classical sets' have still chosen ballet. Tring can only advise what they think is best but I think they can still choose. I understand that there will then be sets within the ballet group- but I'm really not sure yet.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...