Academic DD wants to go to the Brit school

[britsornot]

Long story short, DD has always had a love of drama and in particular singing. She is rather good and has represented all of her schools in some way, either in the choir or as a soloist. She spent 9 years at our local stagecoach drama school on Saturdays and is currently part of a youth theatre. She was lucky enough to be part of a show at The National Theatre.

She is also very academic and has always wanted to become a vet. She is doing really well, and I feel has a good chance of getting the grades she would need for veterinary.

She has now decided she would like to try for The Brit School musical theatre strand. My main worry is that the academic side to the school is maybe not that strong, and veterinary would be totally out the window if she does this!

I am in a real dilemma, and if anyone has any info on the pros and cons of Brits I would be really appreciative...we have until Jan 2nd to decide!

Well in one sense you have little to lose by trying for BRIT - obviously it is hugely competitive to get in. The pupils I know who have attended have all gone on to obtain excellent degrees, although not in sciences. In one sense it may be easier for the more academic children, but certainly the pupils I know were highly motivated and fairly organised as they were already fitting in a lot of extra curricular activities.

You are quite right - nothing to lose by applying. BUT if she were to get in I'm just not sure if it would be the best thing to do. I always felt that performing was more of a hobby, not a career choice - but I guess it must be her choice. Maybe it would be better to get GCSE's done and then apply for Y12???

Ooh what a fab dilemma to have!

I really wanted to go to the BRIT school when I was 16 and was furious with my mum for not letting me (she didn't want me to move away). But I think it was for the best!

I can't really help although it sounds like your DD will have a great career whichever path she chooses!

She has to get in first!!! I heard there are something like 5000 applicants for about 100 places!! Odds don't look good!

The reality is, though, that if she went to the Brit School then being a vet, or having any other science career, would be out. If she stayed at her current school then she is still keeping all her options open. I would not send academic DC to the Brit school (my DC are both very talented in the performing arts, but are also very academic). Realistically, even people who get into specialist schools, very few go on to have a really successful career in the performing arts, most are likely to end up teaching or in small regional theatres.

That is the fear! But I also know how passionate she is about singing and that she is very good. I don't want to tell her that she can't apply, but will probably be relieved if it is a no!

Maybe let her audition, she might get there and hate it! I auditioned for Laines and hated the snobby teachers and prima ballerina types, so the audition put me off. And it would be a good experience for her in any case.

Before my A Levels I got a place at a music college, so then didn't bother studying for my exams... I'm sure your DD is much more sensible than me and you won't let that happen but if she gets into Brit, obviously exams still important! I got great GCSEs so I'm sure I could have done better at A Level.

She can be passionate about singing, and be very good without going to the Brit school. But going to the Brit School would cancel other options. Totally agree with wiganerpie.

Has she auditioned for the National Youth Music Theatre productions? That might satisfy her need and get her experience.

Could she agree to get A levels and then do musical theatre training somewhere? Then at least she's got her academic A levels to allow her to go to uni later. Is it the idea of the Brit school in particular that she has fallen for?

A good friend if mine danced with the Australian Bational Balket until the age of 24, then went to Uni as a vet student and qualified. As someone in the vet profession I would support your daughter in what she wants to do. Veterinary surgeons have one if the highest suicide rates if any profession, hours are long and remuneration is relatively poor. It's not a job for someone who isn't totally committed. Having said that an Am-Dram background will be beneficial for the multitude if vet school productions that occur

Australian National Ballet
Bloody phone just makes words up!

I do think that she has fallen for the whole "Brit School could lead to record contract" vibe that a lot of youngsters do. BUT it is a massive door open in the world of the performing arts if you happen to be from an average income family!! There is nothing out there that isn't fee paying!

My son goes to the Brit. He does design. He likes the school and the academic teaching is good, though GCSE subject choices are limited (english, maths, 2 x science, 1 x language, 1 x humanity, 1 x arts) because the strand choice is a double BTEC counting for 2 GCSEs. The pastoral care is good. Do you definitely need to do 3 sciences for vet school/proceeding to science A levels? If not maybe she could go for it and still keep her options open to move to another 6th form if she is interested in being a vet at that stage?

She needs 3 sciences or two sciences and maths. Chemistry is obligatory

The other thing to bear in mind for vetmed is that she needs quite a lot of work experience and she really should have done some by year 11. It might not be possible to do this with a long commute or theatre commitments.

It is easier to make the transition to A level after doing separate sciences but not essential. Most vet schools ask for Biology and Chem at grade A with the third in any academic subject.

My DD got into the Brit School on the art strand but had changed her view by the time results came out and no longer wanted to leave her friends etc. Perhaps let her audition and see what happens.

It is so hard to get the experience for veterinary when you live in London and have no family living in the countryside! That would be her biggest hurdle, though would spending a week away at an elephant retirement sanctuary count as hours???? I have been thinking about going to "Elephantstay" in Thailand next year...massive financial commitment but one I would defo sacrifice for! And if it could count as animal experience when applying to bet school it would help!

I wouldn't let my DD, if she seriously wanted to be a vet, go to the Brit School. I live near it, and have known the children of lots of friends who have auditioned, some of whom have got in, and some haven't. Of the ones that have got in, they and their class mates all want to work in the performing arts, be it back stage or on stage. It is not, imo, the right place for someone who wants to be a vet, as I doubt that is what the school is used to, leading to them being unable to provide the support she needs. Friends, also, would not be in the same position.

Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for someone who was sure they wanted a career as an actor, performer, sound technician etc.

There are plenty of small animal vets in London! Also stables, City farms she could help with, and lots of livestock farms just outside London, but within m25 for lambing. Abattoirs, the zoo and aquarium too.

Does she really want to be a vet? Sounds like her heart may not be in it if she's thinking about Brit.

I know nothing about applying to vet school. ~My hairdresser, whose DD applied last year, told me that you need 16 different types of animal experience to be considered seriously. I do not know if this is true! Her DD had helped at an animal rescue place, helped at Battersea Dogs & Cats, done the elephant experience you describe, had her own horse. Probably other things, I don't know, but she didn't get in and is off on a gap year to South Africa to help her application for next year. It struck me as incredibly hard.

Britsornot we are Londoners and DD1 is applying this year. Most of her work experience has been in the London area you just have to look out for it and keep asking. She only started at the beginning of year 12, hence my advice to start early. She has taken a gap year as she was not convinced she had enough last year, she has now got a full time job in a vets as well as around 12 weeks animal husbandry and 12 weeks vet in three practices not including her new job.

Studentroom has a wealth of information about requirements but there are some "adult" threads on there.

Thanks for the advice...I suppose once she is 16 she will be able to get some experience in the places you mention. She has always been very passionate about becoming a vet, but also loves to sing and perform. The plan has always been towards working hard in science, and she has come out very high in her year for Y8. She has also had the opportunity of singing a solo in a theatre this year and loved the rehearsals and the performance. This has led to her researching the Brits. She's probably as confused as any 13 yr old as to what she wants to do...we shall just have to wait and see...not sure what is harder - getting into vet school or winning a place at the Brits!!!

Entry requirements for vet school are SERIOUSLY challenging. A'level sciences are also very demanding. She needs to be 110% committed to going for it, and given that she is really keen to try for the Brit, maybe it is just a pipe-dream?

If she wants to keep her options open to stand a chance of getting in, I would suggest waiting until Y12 to apply for the Brit (I know a girl who did this) - that way she can work hard to get top grades in appropriate GCSEs and decide which way she really wants to go for a career.