Bonnie2011 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Please could anyone tell me if the uniform (both formal and dance) are included in the mds award or do we have to pay for it ourselves? If so around how much will it all cost. Just panicking a little!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Living the Dream Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Hello Twoballerinas004. Unfortunately the uniform is not included in the MDS at WL. I have a selection of uniform if you're interested. All in excellent condition. PM me for details. LTD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 The vocational uniform allowance for MDS is approx £700 per year. This is regardless of how much you earn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) I've always claimed it back. Just bought it and sent receipts in for refund (for formal uniform) Edited April 1, 2015 by angel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie2011 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Have pm'd you LTD. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirouette26 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Hi Angel/ Harwel, I didn't realise you could claim uniform fees back!! Where do you send the receipts to?!?! Could either of you expand on this?! ???????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Mds at White Lodge does not cover uniform, (or didnt when ds was there) unless you fell under a certain income threshold which we didnt. Tring MDS was far more generous and we got uniform allowance too. It varies from school to school what MDS covers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Wow! Sorry if I spoke out of turn, just assumed vocational uniform would be a standard allowance for an MDS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 We had the same experience at WL in that our MDS didn't cover uniform (although I think some people could claim - there was something to tick on the application form asking if you wanted it - which we did - but we didn't qualify). Then my son went to Elmhurst in year 10 and we had about £600 a year to "spend" (because the fees were slightly lower I believe) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siconne50 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 My dd is at white lodge mds doesn't cover uniform unless you are on a low income. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooZoo Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I would factor in £300-£500 a term for trips/uniform etc - i think if your household income is below a threshold though you might be able to claim some back. The girls pointe shoes are about £30 each and they can get through an average of six of those a term - the worst I heard of was 13 pairs a term! I am sure that you can contact the school if this level of expenditure is not possible for you - I am sure that they will be very helpful in assisting you if they can. I did hear that at Elmhurst a uniform allowance is built into the MDS whatever your income but WL is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billyelliott Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 (edited) The MDS Uniform allowence at Elmhurst is around £600 , which is more than adequate for a boy when you have made the inital outlay , unless they grow very fast , or loose their taps shows etc. I think the girls parents struggle to stay within that with the more expensive pointe shoes and tights ! The Formal uniform is often avaliable second hand from students who have grown out of it as it's not frequently worn and therefore in good condition ! Edited April 2, 2015 by Billyelliott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie2011 Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Thank you all for your replies. Looks like we are in for an expensive time at white lodge. Oh well we wouldn't change it for the world. It's only money!!!! Lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Twoballerinas, don't panic ! As others have said, contact the school (or post on this forum) as there may be 2nd hand uniform available. Obviously shoes /tights are a different matter, but every little helps ! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I look at it this way. If your child was going to a state comprehensive school you would still have lots of expensive uniform to buy. Most schools are specific styles with logos these days & the PE kits have to have everything with a logo - it's not like primary. I am budgeting around £200 for ds due to go into year 7 in sept. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siconne50 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 There is usually second Hand uniform for sale at the new parents day in May Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I remember that buying ds entire academic uniform for WL cost less than one blazer at the state school we were trying to get him into! Enjoy kitting out your dd! Not many get a WL uniform..exciting times. And there may well be a magic moment in 10 years time when you can buy your dc a well earned drink after a show without checking that you can afford it first! At long last I dont have to work 7 days a week but Id do it all again. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbishballetmum Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Thanks hfbrew we also are worried how we are going to afford all this but we are so proud of our ds that we will do everything to let him enjoy every minute! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I found my son's old WL blazer and tracksuit while clearing out the other day. Happy memories. And hfbrew is right, it's tough for a few years but you come out the other side eventually and end up spending your money on other things (flights and tickets to watch them dance if you're lucky!!) I do feel for those of you with daughters though - the uniform at WL and Elmhurst costs more for to their skirts I seem to remember, plus all those pointe shoes! But exciting times ahead for you x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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