Anyone looking at vocational courses for 2013?

[meadowblythe]

Regarding Hammond, my understanding is that the assessment situation is now akin to Tring: although you may not be asked to leave, MDS funding can be withdrawn.

 

Dance teaching at Hammond is wider than at other schools - they have students who choose to specialise in jazz, tap, musical theatre as well as ballet. An indication of this is the detailed assessments cover ballet, jazz, tap and singing - students are graded on each, and open class covers all 3 dance disciplines.

 

MDS pays for one set of peripatetic lessons, the residue can be put towards a second set (so the parent makes a reduced contribution for a second instrument) but if starting higher up the school, parents are advised to consider carefully whether this is appropriate.

 

Boys boarding is similar to the girls - the buildings are not as smart as you will see as other vocational schools but the staff are genuinely caring and provide a relaxed and homely atmosphere. Many students like the fact they are not on site - they get to "go home", and change out of their uniform. Being in a central position pays dividends at the weekend when the older ones can walk to town, the park, the swimming pool etc in small groups.

[2dancersmum]

ENBS, Rambert and Central are all post 16 schools, although ENBS and Central do run courses for younger students - summer schools, associate schemes etc (I don't know about Rambert). Entry to ENBS is 16 years for a 3 year course, although we were told at a re-audition workshop that they preferred their students to be 17 (or at least 17 in the first term of the course) because of their maturity in terms of living in London. Rambert and Central are funded differently to the other schools in that they are part of the 'conservatoire' group and as such their courses are funded like university courses. Hence the fees are £9000 per year and the students can get student loans etc in the normal way. Rambert go on to offer an MA as well as their BA Honours course. Central offer a 3 year BA Honours degree course though I believe that you have to re-audition for the 3rd year and students from elsewhere will also audition for entry to that year. I think both Rambert and Central have applicants at 16 and 18 years of age.

 

In terms of going onto study elsewhere after the initial 3 year diploma - Ballet West have just launched a 'Professional Finishing year', and don't Elmhurst already offer some form of post-graduate course?

[Ever hopefull]

A big thanks again for some great advice, its such a mindfield when you have no real idea of what to do, and in my neck of the woods people seem to like to keep their information of where and when to audition close to their chests.

Still onwards and upwards x

[Dragonlady]

Hi there,

 

I think most of the Hammond questions have been answered. Trips into town (walking distance), the years 7&8 are accompanied by a House Mum, Year 9 they are allowed in groups with a time limit. Years 10 and 11 have more freedom but still have to go in pairs and say what time they will be back.

 

There are organised swimming and cinema trips for the boarders and older years can go in their groups. They have a definite 'home' atmosphere at the boarding house and I have always found the House Mums to be very approachable.

 

Music lessons are organised through the school DD does the flute but a lot of other instruments are taught on a weekly basis (payment for these is extra usually) and yes, you can get extra singing lesson if you want them.

 

Children ares sometimes asked to do 'extra' stage work accross the disciplines but the school staff make those desisions. I know of several young boys who do the 'Billy Elliot' auditions and am sure they must come to some arrangement with the school if successful but auditioning for other outside productions would have to be sanctioned with the school....They liked to be asked about any potential summer school you may want your dancer to attend.

 

I hope this has filled in the blanks...

 

T

[Pas de Quatre]

2dancersmum is right, you have to audition for 3rd year at Central. Current 2nd years on the BA Hons course have been told only half of them will make it onto the third year. I have grave reservations about this - do any other degree courses (not just ballet) accept students into year 1 knowing that many will be asked to leave at the end of year 2? What can the students do then, it is too late to audition elsewhere, and in any case they have used up 2 years of their student funding, so cannot start another degree course.

[Anna C]

Can anyone provide any information about ENBS, Rambert and Central? Are they all post-16 schools?

ENBS, Rambert and Central are all post 16 schools, although ENBS and Central do run courses for younger students - summer schools, associate schemes etc (I don't know about Rambert). Entry to ENBS is 16 years for a 3 year course, although we were told at a re-audition workshop that they preferred their students to be 17 (or at least 17 in the first term of the course) because of their maturity in terms of living in London. Rambert and Central are funded differently to the other schools in that they are part of the 'conservatoire' group and as such their courses are funded like university courses. Hence the fees are £9000 per year and the students can get student loans etc in the normal way. Rambert go on to offer an MA as well as their BA Honours course. Central offer a 3 year BA Honours degree course though I believe that you have to re-audition for the 3rd year and students from elsewhere will also audition for entry to that year. I think both Rambert and Central have applicants at 16 and 18 years of age.

 

In terms of going onto study elsewhere after the initial 3 year diploma - Ballet West have just launched a 'Professional Finishing year', and don't Elmhurst already offer some form of post-graduate course?

 

If this hasn't already been done, could I suggest starting a new thread for post-16 training and discussing Central etc. in there?

 

Thanks. :-)

[JulieW]

I've created a separate thread for graduate destinations too:

 

http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/560-recent-graduate-destinations-from-uk-vocational-ballet-schools/

[glowlight]

pas de quatre - my understanding is that if accepted on to the first year at Central it is for a 'Foundation Degree', which is a 2 year course. The concept of a foundation degree isn't unique to Central or to dance training. Personally I don't know how students are selected onto the 3rd year (which would give them a full degree), but I know that students from other institutions can audition to join for the 3rd year. I don't know how the funding works for those who don't get chosen for the final year, but presumably if you have already taken two years of degree funding you cannot start another degree.

 

I believe the course at ENBS is also 2 years with 3rd year being only for those selected. But I may be wrong.

[afab]

Mumofballetmaddaughter, do you remember what the audition consisted of for entering Northern Ballet School in Manchester?

Thank you...

[Mumofballetmaddaughter]

afab, the audition consisted of a 1 hour and 15 min ballet class, including pointe work which was followed by a short jazz class. No solos were needed as all the work was set.

Before the audition (my daughter's was in the afternoon) parents and students were shown around the school and observed classes, the students then went off to the audition.

Afterwards, the principal gave a talk to parents and students followed by a Q and A session. This lastly approx 30 mins.

Following this, the students were interviewed by the principal and afterwards all underwent a physical assessment.

Applicants only have the 1 audition and the letter, with the offer of a place was dated the day after the audition.

There is a coffee shop/canteen where parents can wait during the audition or alternatively, there are Starbucks and Cafe Nero close by.

Piccadilly railway station is a 15 minute walk away and there's a good rail link from the airport to it. The school is only 2 mins walk away from Oxford Rd rail station but I'm not sure if all trains stop there. There are several public car parks nearby.

Good luck for the future, I hope this helps.

[afab]

It's fantastic! Thank you so much Mumofballetmaddaughter!

[kiwimum]

II have a son on the dance course (yr 8) and a daughter on the dance course (year 11) at Tring. My son starts every morning with a 2 hour ballet class. He then has a modern/tap/choir class till lunch. One day a week he does his normal class then does boys only class....more than an hour a day.

 

My daughter does practically all ballet....ballet class/solos/pas de deux/pointe. She has one contemporary class per week and 2 jazz classes...the rest is ballet all the way. (3 dance classes a day) She is in a classical set and has been given the opportunity and coaching to take part in YBDY, Phyllis Bedells and Cecchetti competitions. I read somewhere on the forum that someone had seen poor fifth positions in class...perhaps it was a musical theatre class as all the students (including drama students) do ballet.( My oldest son is on the MT class there and his 5th would not be that good!) I have found the standard of the teaching to be excellent and the students reach a very good standard in exams and performances.

 

The day is split with the juniors dancing in the morning, seniors in the afternoon.

 

I note that at finals for upper school the school was very well represented too!

 

 

The recent outstanding for dance course in Ofsted is a testament to this.....and the school has the most amazing friendly atmosphere.

 

I

[Regattah]

Hammond:

 

 

There is no 'assessing out' as they reason that if you are not suitable for ballet dance then acting or other dance forms can still be used. Everyone who wants to stay on at 6th form has to re-audition.

 

 

 

 

I just wanted to comment on this one thing, if I may. Dragon Lady, I know your daughter is a little older than mine and it may be that your year did not receive a letter that was sent out a couple of months ago.

 

The letter addresses the fact that Hammond would now like to reserve the right to assess out, if they feel that this is the right thing to do. It seemed to be that they are giving themselves the option to do it in any year, but if it is to happen, it will most likely be at the end of Year 9. They mention attitude, behaviour and work ethic to be the most likely reasons for assessment out, but I really got the impression that this wouldn't happen very often. It was more as if they were putting something in place so that if in the future they ever have a situation where this seems to be absolutely necessary then they have prepared us for it.