ebony Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 well, all mds places have been taken and we definitely cant afford the bursary of 50%, needless to say, my dd is devastated. my advice to other parents is think long and hard before allowing your dc's to audition for these schools unless you really can afford to pay. the emotional upheaval that we have all experienced in the last 3months, i wouldnt wish on it on anyone. anyway, onwards and upwards as they say. i hope my dd will get over this disappointment as soon as possible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAIRBELLES Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Ebony I have pm'd you . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Hi Ebony, we had the same experience at one of the schools last year. We did tell dc from the start what the situation was- they still wanted to try and valued the opportunity and experience. So while it is upsetting now, and I feel for you, it's awful, it doesn't mean you made the wrong decision to try and your dd will benefit from it in the long run. These experiences of rejection and the ensuing trauma will happen again in their lives and they will be ahead of those who have never been there before. And it makes them stronger. .... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 PM if I can help in any way xx 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amanda-w Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 My DD was on the reserve list for another school and we were offered a MDS, not at Hammond but I'm sure they all operate the same and if an MDS is given up and taken elsewhere then someone else on the reserve list will get it. Don't give up hope yet :-) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutugirl Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Hang on in there - a pupil of mine got an MDS offer just before the start of September term last year !!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curious Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Hi Ebony I think my dd and yours were in the same audition we are in the same boat although it is very generous of the school to offer a bursary like you we can't afford to accept. My dd s friend got offered a mds a few years ago two days before he started in September so my dd is hoping this will happen to her. If not by then I am sure she will have forgotten or be planning the next year to audition. Good luck but I think the ride isn't over yet for some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebony Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 hi curious, i do think they auditioned together. the news has sunk in now and dd has started to move on. goodluck to u and ur dd x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southerndancemum Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) Having recently had my eyes opened to vocational schools - I didnt know they existed until the last year or so, and until DD's ballet teacher suggested she auditioned for the RB JAs (one of the many that got a no) I hadnt really given them much thought. What I know has expanded greatly from lurking for a few months but there is still an awful lot I feel very out of my depth with. DD is coming up for 8 so i know options are starting to open up for her now and we are looking at what will best help her in the future. So my questions for now - what voactional school are there (i assume they are all age 11+?) How do you go about auditioning? do you have to be reccommended by your dance school? Are they all ones you have to pay for? Is there anything else anyone would reccommend? Edited June 19, 2014 by JulieW Edited to sort out font size 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) I recommend reading www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk and search for gifted and talented. It explains the schools that award Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) and also has a list of other schools that take from 11 years. Eg Italia Conti. There are many more establishments that take from post 16, frequently the subject of intense discussion on Ballet.co. I recommend letting her do Brownies instead.... Or be prepared to need copious bottles of wine, or chocolate... And start doing the lottery too! Edited June 18, 2014 by hfbrew 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2dancersmum Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Welcome to the forum southerndancemum - normally you apply to the vocational school direct when your child is in year 6 for them to start in year 7. All are fee paying but the MDS scheme helps some but not all successful applicants.Usually it also means your child boarding, unless you happen to live close to a school to make commuting possible. I second hfbrew's reccommendations for reading and would also say to you that your DD is still very young and a lot can change in the space of a few years. Entry at year 7 is based far more on their potential than their achievements so keep enjoyment as your DD's top priority for now. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Welcome to the forum Southerndancemum Good advice so far - just keep reading the forum - go back to previous pages on Doing Dance - and you'll learn as you go. Don't expect to know everything all at once - it's easy to think that everyone knows more than you when you read comments here, but we were all new to it once! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southerndancemum Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Thanks Julie. I never realised there was so much to learn. is exciting and daunting being on this ride but while DD is fully committed I intend to be too 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southerndancemum Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Thanks hfbrew & 2dancersmum - more to go and read DD tried rainbows but she said she didn't 'get the little kids' lol all same age as her! Left after a term! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2dancersmum Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 That was my DDs experience of rainbows too - always far happier doing ballet. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexa.dancing Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Personally, I think it is best to audition for year 7 when looking for schools, purely because it is much easier and less competitive. There is also a much higher chance that you will get in and usually if you get in at year 7 you don't have to pay full fees. At the Royal Ballet in England my fees were lowered because we couldn't afford the full price. It says on the website that if you can't afford to pay full price school fees can be lowered. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legseleven Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 DD too re Brownies/rainbows. She tried both of these but hated them - she also said they were for 'little kids' (same age as her, but.... ) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleep123 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Just wondered if any of the vocational schools accept child care vouchers for the boarding element of the fees? I know that a lot of the top public schools are and just wondered if this had been extended to any dance schools. Thanks for any advice anyone may have to offer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Living the Dream Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Just wondered if any of the vocational schools accept child care vouchers for the boarding element of the fees? I know that a lot of the top public schools are and just wondered if this had been extended to any dance schools. Thanks for any advice anyone may have to offer. I asked this question when my DD was at WL and they said no. Sorry. LTD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pas de chat Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I just wanted to say that if you are unsure about auditioning your DD/DS this year as they might not be ready then my advice would be to give it a go. We learnt so much from the audition process in 2013/14 and we now know we were absolutely under prepared. We learnt disappointment, We learnt the competition is very very tough We learnt you sometimes have to have a dance solo, singing solo and drama piece up your sleeve and it needs to show potential not be totally refined We learnt it is a very expensive process We learnt the photos need to be done very soon (like now), We met some very lovely friends along the way, but we also met some pushy parents and we came up against the competitive warm up! We learnt to wear the right leotard for her, simple lines, colours and bottom coverage For some schools your body shape does matter but for others it doesn't We learnt MDS usually go to year 7s (usually not always) so you stand a better chance in year 7 We learnt that a couple of private lessons by an experienced teacher would have helped DD a lot In the end we have lots of lovely, funny, tired, nervous and exciting times travelling around the country which I would never change for one moment. You both end up much wiser! DD is currently tucked up in bed at vocational school and besides a little homesickness this week-end is living the dream! 33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Very wise words. If there was a button for really, really, really like Id have pressed it! Only yesterday I had a mum adamant that her daughter had all the necessary requirements to go to the Royal Ballet and it is obvious she really doesnt realise how stiff the competition is. But you really do have to experience the process to appreciate how tough it is. But with an open minded approach it can be enjoyable too! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Just wanted to wish all those auditioning lots of luck for the process. It is such an exciting, nerve wracking time and worth every minute. It seems a long process but when you look back it's gone in a flash. Enjoy it all. X 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gowiththeflo Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 We are just at the very beginning of this journey and I was wondering if anyone could advise on the best age for vocational school? Year 7 seems very young but are you less likely to find a place in year 9. Cost would be a major issue for us and my initial feeling is the later the better but I don't want my daughter to miss out if the potential is there, a big if I realise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 It does depend on the school & even the year. I believe that all places at Royal & most at Elmhurst are funded through MDS & year 7 places are filled. Additional places higher up the school only become available if a child is assessed out. At dds school there is more flexibility in terms of numbers but they have less funded places. When dd joined year 7 they were under subscribed but this years year 7 is larger I am told. However most funded places are given to Year 7s so although it is possible to join the school later (there have been several new children join her year, they often haven't been given an MDS. Next year may be different & there may not be many additional places for new year 8/9/10 but others may move on The upshot is that if going away to school is nit right for your child then they won't be happy & get the most out of the opportunities. There is more than one path to Rome so there is no harm in waiting until Year 9 as long as you can access good quality classes at home & supplement with workshops/associate schemes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miracle Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Good Evening All, Regarding Tring is there any funding for a yr10 place on the Dance course or is it only available for yr7,8 & 9? X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Technically yes, there might possibly be the chance of an MDS place, but they are like gold dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 (edited) 2 boys were given MDS's last year for year 10 entry at Tring. No, it was 3 boys and 1 girl (one boy and one girl from RBS). Edited February 2, 2015 by Harwel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Friend of mine's son got an MDS place for year 10 a few years ago 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaybackSapphire Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Can't believe it but elmhurst audition dates are on the website for end of the year!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lema Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Wow that has come around quick!! Well I suppose it's a case of here we go again ???? let the audition madness begin!! Lol. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymum Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 Good luck to your DD Lema! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymum Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 And to you too! I'm still not over it completely myself :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 A reminder to everyone from now on to please keep this "sticky" thread for particular questions and answers regarding auditions. It makes it easier for people to find relevant info. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now