3rd year at Tring?

[thewayforward]

My DS is in 1st year of 6th form at Tring, can anyone past or present advise on whether it is usual for them to stay for the 3rd year or best to move on and get more appropriate training in their chosen genre. Just planning ahead as find it confusing. I know they choose in the 2nd year following consultation as to what to specialise in during their 2nd year but some seem to leave at the end of the 2nd year, if they have jobs then I understand this but if its to get further training, is this a good idea or is it best to stay for the touring year?

[Picturesinthefirelight]

Assuming they study for the Trinity Diploma then that is a 3 year course.

 

I have no experience of Tring but at Hammond the third year or graduate year is a very important one. The MT students do their agent showcases & they get a lot of audition advice etc

[Harwel]

I surpose at 18 they are eligible for a degree course and if they don't feel ready to get a job in that 3rd year it is a way to top up their training. I would imagine it to be a very personal thing. Some certainly get jobs in very good companies straight out of Tring. But I don't know the percentage.

[Guesty]

3rd year at Tring is being part of their company ..Encore. It's a chance to shine in front of people but also it teaches the students how to act as part of a company. There are students that leave after 2 years as they decide they want uni or other dance courses. Its really up to the individual.

[thewayforward]

Thank you, so I presume they get their diploma anyway after the 2nd year is completed?

[2dancersmum]

My understanding would be that if they left at the end of the 2nd year they would not get their level 6 diploma from Trinity - although there might be a lower level that can be awarded perhaps - no idea.  Trinity diploma for level 6 requires assessment for technique and performance in years 1, 2 & 3.  Assessments in the first 2 years are done internally and moderated externally but Trinity send their own assessors to do an external assessment for 3rd years.  Also, roughly 25% of the diploma is written/academic.  That part I think, though am not sure, needs handing in by Easter of the 3rd year.  It would have taken a lot of extra work to complete that 2 terms ahead of schedule.   I find it difficult to imagine that Trinity would treat Tring any differently to the other schools and colleges that offer the level 6 diploma.  So I am sure 3rd year at Tring is more than just the experience of being in a company.

 

I too find it confusing that students would be leaving at the end of 2nd year to undergo training elsewhere.  I can understand it perhaps for those that have been in the lower school and want continuance of academics before going to do degrees aged 18 as it avoids a 2 years doing A levels at a new school.  Contemporary degrees are from 18+ in any case. I would have thought a student who felt Tring was not the right place for them would have decided that during the first year though.  Also, students not in receipt of funding may wish to try somewhere with funding at 18.  But to me that is the big question - funding?  If you had a DADA, are you able to move to another school and retain that DADA?  Very confusing.

[2dancersmum]

The above is my opinion only from having read what the level 6 diploma entails. I am not associated with Trinity or Tring in any way. The link below is to the Trinity website. That lets you link via a pdf (i cannot get that link to paste in here) to the curriculum for the level 6 diploma, which tells you what modules are compulsory, hours required, how assessment is done etc. It is on the top right of the page. For anyone interested.

 

 

 

http://www.trinitycollege.com/site/?id=270

[Picturesinthefirelight]

My husband is involved in teaching the Trinity diploma.

 

The performances that students do in their 3rd year are as 2dancersmum said externally moderated & have to fit the criteria eg those in the MT course have to take part in a show that includes a certain number of dance numbers etc & I'm sure the dance diploma gave similar criteria

 

My guess would be that Trings touring performances form part of the assessment.

 

Dada funding is dependent on students taking the Trinity diploma & an institution with high drop out or failure rates would be putting future years funding in jeapordy.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

Externally assessed I should have said not moderated. Trinity examiners attend the performances.

[Pas de Quatre]

It can be very confusing, and each person's situation is different. A lot depends on what type of dance the student wishes to follow.  You  need to find out what success dancers have had, either from the third year, or those who have moved on after A-levels to train elsewhere.  Unfortunately this information seems very hard to come by.  Whether you have the Trinity Diploma or the Certificate awarded after two years, or have gained a degree has no bearing on employment prospects.   The extra years of training may add more technique & maturity though.  Auditions are tough and the only way to get a job is to be one of the best dancers on the day! 

[Picturesinthefirelight]

From further investigation on the Trinity site it does seem that Tring offer a Level 5 diploma in either Classical Ballet or Contemporary.

[thewayforward]

Thanks all for the information. From what I understand they can leave with their diploma after the 2nd year if they have had distinctions in their work up to then. Hopefully some parents or dancers who have been through it can advise me.