Dance schools

[Skribble]

DD desperate to go to a specialist secondary dance school when he is old enough.

Anyone have experience of sending children off too specialist schools at age 11.

Ahe can live in but I thought she could be a day pupil until 14yrs, DH can take her in each day as it is near his work, she wants to board from the start.

Hey she would have to audition first so all pir inthe sky yet.

Hello Skribble,

I cant answer your questions directly but was glad to see your post as DS would also like to apply (thinking of Tring) when he is 14, and thought it would be good to compare any notes /experiences. He would be boarding - if he got anywhere near a place that is. Luckily his present school goes upto 14, but when I considered him possibly boarding at 11 I thought 'no he is too young'. That was based on him personally not boarding itself.

I boarded (not specialist school) at 11, but my school was board only, and I don't know how I would have felt if the school was a commutable distance away IYSWIM, I would imagine there might be two 'sets'; day and board, but that depends on the ratio.

How old is dd? does her dance teacher recommend either way?

She is nearly 8, and loves her dance so much, she wants to go to Whitelodge, I was so chuffed to find this school, it is a normal state secondary school with a specialist dance unit attached, with boarding facilities for those who live further away, local kids in dance unit will not board.

PIL are shocked I am even considering it, but I think if in a couple of years she is still as keen as she is now this would be ideal for her. I like the fact the whole school is not dance, she will be mixing with "normal" kids who are there because they are in the catchment area and will do all the normal classes and qualifications too. School has a good reputation as a normal school.

In scotland you move up to secondary at age 11/12 anyway, it is only 1hr away from us and near to DH's work so it would be feasible for her to travel at first, rather than boarding, I can see her wanting to board from the start and I suppose this will shorten her day and give her a chance to mix more with the other kids. I think she has the right attitude and personality to cope with all this. So we will se in a few years what we will do.

Just in case anyone with older children are reading this....The Brits is a great school and take children from the age of 14 (year 10) oh and its free!!

Hi - long time ago in my past I boarded at what was Bush Davies School of theatre Arts, Also Auditioned and won a place at Tring but decided Bush was better ( sadly closed down. Then went onto Central school of Ballet in London.
I loved it (probably was homesick at times, and sadly lots of bullying - but certaainly made me very independent and as far as the dance training goes you can't beat it. You do not get the same quality of training in a small dance school, or the variety of techers etc.If they really want to go into dance then a specalist school is the only way imo.

There is always Sylvia Youngs, could audition for that. How about Redroofs?