Performing arts/musical theatre/dance W Sussex or London

[MSally]

We are moving to the UK from overseas. My child has been dancing/singing/MTheatre for 8 years and is at a v high standard for their age (14). I’m looking for a PA school - W Sussex but very happy to travel for weekend classes up to Surrey or London for them to continue at a high level. They do want to (at this point) apply to the Arts Ed/Urdang/I Conti type colleges post Alevel - performing is their ‘everything’! Academically though will stay at mainstream school until Alevels.
Please could you point me in the direction of possible schools for after school/weekend classes. Many thanks. Sal

When are you moving?? If you're arriving before the summer take a look at BYMT- I think you might still catch the last of their auditions for the summer season.

In terms of high level training I'd say your best bet is to travel into London at the weekend to something like West End Kids or Spirit YPC. There's also Stagebox which runs in school holidays.

You could also try asking over on the NYMT/BYMT thread. Lots of very experienced theatre parents over there!

Thank you so, so much!

You're welcome!

NYMT/BYMT 2022 http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/extracurricularr_activities/4429250-nymt-bymt-2022

For weekend training:

Spirit Young Performers - probably the best option especially if they are strong in dance. The dance company is on Saturdays and MT on Sundays.

MXMasterclass - also good, but less strong on dance. Runs on Sundays.

Stagebox - this is in holidays in London rather than weekly

If you are looking at Independent Schools, then Bedes near Eastbourne might tick boxes for you - they have a dance school on-site.

In the state sector, there are schools like the Brit in Croydon, but vvv competitive and I don't think occasional places come up. Might be worth asking though - entry is at start of Y10 or start of Y12 iirc. Otherwise you are looking for state schools with strong music and pa departments. Bit of a mixed bag there.

I have a DD who is very strong on the performing arts front and she commutes 90 minutes each way into London for a comprehensive that has very strong music (she's a singer/acting - dances as well but definitely not her thing).

For weekend triple threat there is also Wilkes associates in Swindon one Sunday a month - young people travel from all over the south to attend.
For where she is looking at for degree/diploma level she should be thinking about dance classes ballet and technical jazz. Also consider sixth form/foundation options it is a very rare candidate who gets direct entry to diploma/degree from A-levels. The vast majority will come through a foundation course or vocational sixth form.
My daughter has just gained a place a Conti on the degree she is a true triple threat coming from a vocational sixth form. The two years prior to sixth form including 4hrs of MT, 1hr ballet, 1 hr tap, 1hr choir, 1hr singing and 1hr acting every week, plus GCSE dance and drama.
The degree courses are already looking for a significant degree of training. This is true of everyone she knows who has got in at college and from BYMT.

Thank you! Wow what dedication a daily 3hr commute. Congratulations to your daughter on a place at IC - a fantastic college. My child is doing similar currently 12+hrs/week. Lives and breathes it!

Sorry -realized I replied to you both in one post! V late here!! Will look up the schools you both mention - ideally we could find one that does it all but if not will split the dance and MT.

Unless you're going for a full-time vocational school, you will still need to supplement outside school as well. And to be honest, everyone we know who is at places like Sylvia Young or Arts Ed is doing significant additional training in dance or 1:1 singing lessons at weekends and evenings.

12hrs + week sounds about right for age and level.

If you wanted more dance focus, the Roshe School has a good rep and is W Sussex/Surrey border

@MSally

Sorry -realized I replied to you both in one post! V late here!! Will look up the schools you both mention - ideally we could find one that does it all but if not will split the dance and MT.

No where does it all unless you choose a vocational sixth form. For example Wilkes does MT, jazz, technical jazz and commercial in their associates program. Others do MT with singing. For diploma/degree ballet and technical jazz are the dance comer stones and are assessed at audition. She will then help to prepare at least two monologues and at least two songs ideally one contemporary and one legit. But different colleges have different requirements. For Royal Scottish DD had to sing a song (not MT) that she had a connection too, central it could be any song, but must be A capella. Bird they need their own choreographed dance.

@MSally it may also be worth investigating Contu's associates programs they have several (we have one in our town), but they are opening a new one in Woking. Usually they run on Saturday and the classes are taught by Conti staff though if you do multiple classes they can be pricing - plus the uniform requirements are greater than the degree program.

I think they also do weekend classes at urdang. My daughter graduated from Urdang in 2018 and I am sure they did them then.

I would advise finding a local school with strength in ballet so she can do her core hours there during the week without too much travelling. Then she could travel into London at the weekends for one of the associate programmes mentioned. Avoid Stagebox - great for younger children, not so great for teenagers.