Foundation/Pre-vocational courses

[Katymac]

So until about a week or so ago, I KNEW Foundation/Pre-vocational courses were lots of money for something unspecified that might or might not be any good.

 

Now DD has been offered 2 x Btec courses and a foundation & a pre-voc so I actually need to know what they are.

 

 

I'm guessing some courses are better than others but how do I tell them apart? Has anyone on here or their DC done any of these courses?  Which ones?  Were they worth it?

 

I must say at this point I can't really afford either; but in order to reject with confidence I need to know what they are.

[Flit and float]

I don't know that much except I knew someone who did the foundation course at Birds. Think it's meant to help you in getting into a full time course if you're not quite ready for that yet. She did get offered a place on the 3 year course but no funding so she couldn't go. She ended up training locally & finished in the summer, although she did get a couple of offers for London courses inbetween she didn't get any funding so couldn't go. So I guess the foundation course did the job? Sorry, that's probably not much help!

[Katymac]

Thanks Flit and float; it's so complex isn't it

[Ellie]

Katymac, are any of these courses funded, or would you have to pay full whack ? I think that (especially due to the precarious nature of a career in the performing arts) it's a very important point to consider. I have no personal experience of pre voc or foundation dance courses, but I do wonder if it's a money making exercise. Could you find out who the teachers are for each course and what the graduates go on to do ? Your head must be about to explode with all this audition stuff, but remember that your DD is still young and if she really does have the drive, talent and passion it is not the end of the world if she doesn't get a 6th form place right now. I know a lovely young man whose parents couldn't afford any dance lessons...he finished school, got a job to pay for classes himself (managed to get a couple of seasons at Disneyland Paris as a character performer) and after 2 years (and a LOT of hard work) at the age of about 19, he got offered a full scholarship to Laines (he didn't get accepted to Performers or Millenium so it just goes to show...). He will be graduating this year and has had to work in pubs, cinemas etc to pay his rent etc...I'm very proud of him. I know this is not the usual route, but just to say that it is possible. I hope this helps, although I can imagine if you have a young lady desperate to get to vocational college asap - it may not ! XXX

[Katymac]

Oh completely I agree

 

But if she goes to college locally she will still do all her lessons (singing, dancing, acting) as she will need them for more auditions and I wouldn't make her give up her drumming or her dance company or her associate scheme & they all cost a fortune

 

If she did the foundation/pre-voc I'd hope she'd be too knackered to do anything else

 

I know they aren't a guarantee but I think the local Btec would be quite limited - I was saying to someone else, I need a third option really

[meadowblythe]

Also

 

Please don't forget there is no "right" answer - you have to do what is consider the needs and desires  of  your daughter, yourself and the rest of your family.  I agree you need to make an informed decision, but all you can do is your best.

 

You won't know for some time if you have made the correct decision - I know I have made some dreadful ones in the past, especially when I have followed the "correct" path rather than what my heart told me - until sometime later.

 

Good luck to you!

 

Meadowblythe

[Katymac]

Meadowblythe  aw! that's kind

 

So far my mistakes have been of the "didn't do" variety - plus you guys have to remember, I get anxious & taking about my thought processes helps with that.  I did a systems anaylsis course at OU and the biggest thing I learnt was about representing decisions, thoughts & processes in different ways - so maybe after Christmas when I have all her results in I'll do a rich picture of a systems diagram & post it here & you can laugh

[Ellie]

Yes, the 'didn't do' variety can be the worst...And yes, wait until after Christmas, wait for all the results, post your diagrams and decide with a cool-'er' head. Until then, go and have a glass of wine and try to forget about dance ! x

[Aurora]

Unless your dd wants to do contemporary dance I don't think it's worth going for the btec if its just at a regular college. A foundation course at a good college is worth doing, not sure about the pre-vocational course or how that differs though.

[Katymac]

I think there are several options

 

A levels - this is not an option for DD academically

BTEC in a non performing subject - she could do this

BTEC in PA/Dance/MT at a non specialist 6th form college - I worry about her doing this

BTEC in PA/Dance/MT at a specialist 6th form college - this is what I need to research I think

Foundation/Pre-voc - this is an expensive option

Diploma without funding - can't happen

Diploma with funding - perfection!!

[Picturesinthefirelight]

Just to clarify Pre-vocational is a foundation course just done colleges give it a different name.

 

Dh always called his 1 year foundation students at Lipa, Bird etc his Pre-Vocs

[Katymac]

I was assuming a level of similarity lots of money & no qualifications

 

Although one is offering a Grade 8 in Musical Theatre

[2dancersmum]

A few years ago 4 students from DDs old ballet school were offered places on foundation courses. 2 went to Performers and 1 to Bird and the 4th went to the local 6th form college - which does have a dance specialism but is not too strong on ballet.  None of those completing the foundation courses ended up getting funding for the 3 year diploma courses, although all were offered places somewhere but the girl who stayed training locally got a funded place 2 years later after finishing her Btec.  The 2 who did the foundation at Performers went into teaching, although one now has a job performing at a holiday resort.

I think it comes very much down to finances and personal situations, especially with regard to any training they are able to access locally if they do not go away.  We would not have been able to afford either the foundation course or the diploma without funding so A levels plus local training or a specialist 6th form college would have been our only options.  I know they are not daily commutable for you Katymac but have you considered the one at Huntingon or heard anything about Cambridge Regional College? 

[Katymac]

Neverheard of Cambridge Regional College - I'll google

 

Not sure about the standard of dance at the one at Huntingdon - some said end of first year they were working to take Grade 5 ballet (which is admittedly better than my local college but not sure it's worth the extra expense of accommodation) especially if I have to pay for out of college classes too

[tomuchtallent]

What about Lewisham college foundation course.I think it's free and the dance is good and they also do singing.My friend when there and they study ballet,jazz,contemporary,tap,choreography,dancehistory,singing and more.They have a touring company and you can take a level dance if you want.

[Thecatsmother]

Are you able to get feedback from auditions? If your daughter's aim is to use any foundation course as a stepping stone to more vocational training then my sense is it would be best targeted around what would meet her needs best in terms of areas for development. A strategic choice would be wise even if this means holding off and doing additional classes to boost technique for a year before auditioning again. Probably useful to think about how courses like BTEC's would be viewed by vocational schools. Could she look into auditioning for some kind of youth company to augment training?

[BankruptMum]

What level of training can you get from local dance schools. May be worth taking a range of good classes and workshops and take a more trafitional academic route for sixth form?

[Katymac]

Lewisham looks amazing!

 

I'll try & get feedback but one of the colleges that offered the vocational course traditionally offer it for 16yos "as they are so young"

 

She is in a Dance company (http://www.artistryyouthdance.com/) and at London Studio Centre's Associate Scheme

 

Maybe - but for her more traditional would be childcare or textiles rather than A levels

[HAIRBELLES]

Hi Katymac

Have you looked at The Stage recently ....last year they funded at least 2 scholarships for the type of training your dd is auditioning for . One was with D&B in Kent and Stella Mann .

They fund the 3 years and you just find the accommodation expenses maybe worth looking into .

Well done to your dd for the offers she has got so far .

[Katymac]

The details are out on 9th January for The Stage scholarships

[WatkinsDance]

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[Katymac]

DD is doing the Pre-voc at Performers, starting in September and we have managed to find a lovely landlady for her.

 

Thanks for everyone's help.....started thinking about packing, already !!

[dramascientist]

Congratulations to you and your DD Katymac. I have just looked at the Performers website it looks absolutely fantastic, no wonder you are so excited. I expect you are glad now the decision is made, thats how I feel anyway. DD cant wait to begin the new journey. Best of luck for your DD, I will be looking out for her beautiful face on the West End in a few years time!

 

Dramascientist

[Katymac]

Thanks Dramascientist, she is a bit in awe of them all after seeing the show at the weekend.

 

She is tiny - and all the tiny girls were thrown all over the stage so she is starting some gymnastics to improve her core and confidence when off the floor!

 

Knowing what is happening is a great gain,emotionally I feel so much better as I can visualise where she will be living

[Lilac]

Katymac, any chance you could give us an opinion etc re Lonoon studio centre associate? DD has audition there tomorrow?

[Katymac]

It's been fab for DD -the teaching is amazing. 

 

They are very good with communication & have helped with progression onwards; anything in particular you want to know?

 

Just to add DD is gutted to be leaving

Edited May 30, 2014 by Katymac

[Lilac]

Any tips for the audition? What sort of levels is the dancing, are they split into groups? Have certainly been impressed with how they answer emails which is great. Do you know what prior experience they would expect, DD has done lots of ballet but not much of the others! Many thanks, really appreciate your opinion.

[Katymac]

I'll ask DD

[Katymac]

DD didn't do the audition; this year they weren't in groups but there is talk of that happening next year

 

She likes the singing

 

She isn't sure about the level - sorry she has done about 2 year Contemporary before she started and is doing Grade 4 Tap & Grade 6 Modern at her next exams (& IF tomorrow)

[Fiz]

Good luck to your dd for tomorrow, Katymac!

[Katymac]

Thanks Fizz - she is more nervous about this one than any of the others

[Katymac]

Lilac - DD & I both wish your DD well for tomorrow, DD's friend is doing it too - so hopefully they will all have fun & get in

[Legseleven]

Good luck to your DDs for today, Katymac and Lilac!