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Original poster

Brit School reserve list - please HELP!

107 replies

bigel · 06/04/2016 08:07

Hi... My DS applied for the y10 music strand and we were thrilled to get an audition.. then a long wait and we are on the reserve list. Im devastated but he still thinks he is going to get in. Does anyone have any experience of the reserve list for Music? Does it move? I can see how the lists for drama and musical theatre would do as there are other schools which offer it, but there's nothing like it for music. If its hopeless I guess I will have to come up with some ways of softening the blow... Please help if you have any info. xxxx

OP posts:
Brookesr · 06/04/2016 12:24

Hi I know it's hard, we are facing the same thing. We are on the reserve list for musical theatre year 10. Just got to try and stay positive. Good luck x

Original poster
bigel · 06/04/2016 15:51

Hi Brookesr thanks so much for the message. Good luck to you too, let me know how it goes and yes, the challenge is to keep on believing! xxx

OP posts:
Brookesr · 06/04/2016 22:36

I went into the school to hand the reserve slip in and they only take 10% on the reserve list. I was thinking they had around 20 reserves but for a course that only takes 25 means they only have 3 reserves. Looking more positive for us both! Will keep my fingers crossed for you too. Xxx

lougle · 06/04/2016 22:45

"I went into the school to hand the reserve slip in and they only take 10% on the reserve list."

Doesn't that make it 10% of those auditioned, rather than 10% of course places?

Brookesr · 06/04/2016 23:23

No the lady I spoke to actually said 3 or 4 places on reserve list, said about 10 percent, with 25 places allocated to each course. So I've gone over and over our conversation trying to keep positive :) xx

Original poster
bigel · 07/04/2016 08:07

Wow, Brookesr that has made my morning. I rang them yesterday and admissions said that last year 'almost all' of the reserves got a place. So fingers firmly crossed for the next couple of months and please let me know how you get on. xxx

OP posts:
Brookesr · 08/04/2016 15:27

I'm trying to stop myself repeatedly ringing them ! Really want to call on a daily basis to ask what the situation is ! Still, I'm keeping positive ! Xx

Original poster
bigel · 08/04/2016 19:43

I am the same! I think that successful candidates have a couple of weeks to reply, and it seems that some of the other courses let people know in that first week of may. Brit school holidays start May 20th. So I am trying to tell myself not to think about it until then. It isn't working! xxx

OP posts:
Brookesr · 10/04/2016 22:46

How you feeling? I've been a bit down about it all, but I thought I would email my daughters school today to tell them how she got on, as they will ask her tomorrow and found myself writing about how proud I am of her to get so close to getting into the Brit School. It cheered me up actually to be writing this email to her teacher as I realised in an instant that even though I've been upset, my daughter has been carrying on throughout it all like a true soldier keeping optimistic. She has so much talent and a great attitude to life, that even if her dream doesn't come true on getting in the Brit, she will make me so proud anyway, by keep doing her thing! Xx

Original poster
bigel · 11/04/2016 09:07

Hi Brookesr, yes I have been very down. But Im trying to take my lead from DS, who is all about a gig he has next week and how much fun he has with his band and is just getting on with it. You are right, our children have such a lot of talent and it is all subjective anyway, but they have come very close and that can't be taken away no matter what happens next. Im writing that email this morning - he goes back tomorrow. xxx

OP posts:
Brookesr · 13/04/2016 10:43

Hi How you feeling? Any news yet? I keep checking my phone to make sure calls can get through ! Think i may be going slightly mad! I was speaking to a woman the other day, her daughter didn't even get an audition at the Brit school. She appealed but their decision stood. They said she didn't meet the criteria to have an audition going by their application form, So we are so lucky and out children so talented to get this far. Keep positive xx

Brookesr · 18/04/2016 10:06

Well Friday was the closing date for successful applications. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. xx

Original poster
bigel · 18/04/2016 10:57

I was just thinking about it this morning and thinking that this week MIGHT be a week when we might hear, if someone has decided not to take a place.
Some people seem to say yes and then turn them down later in the first week/second week of may when some other schools make their offers. So I'm like you checking my phone between now and then! you are 100 per cent right that our children have done brilliantly to get this far. crossing my fingers for you as well! xxx

OP posts:
Brookesr · 18/04/2016 12:43

Hi, been driving myself mad ! So got my mother in law to ring them today. She said the lady was really nice and from our reserve list we won't find out until the kids go back to school in September if she gets a place, and not to give up hope. So I'm assuming from that call, that all our course has accepted their places :( So the school will wait and see if all applicants turn up in September. Anyway going to have to take it we didn't get in now. I can't keep checking my phone, as its starting to make me ill all the stress ! Good luck for your son. I really hope he has a better outcome. xxxxxxxxxxx

Original poster
bigel · 18/04/2016 13:10

Oh no! I am so sorry to hear this. As the lady said, don't give up hope. I can't bear to call now to find out what is happening on our course. Good luck for you and I really hope we both get in - Im choosing to believe in this one with all my might!
xxx

OP posts:
Brookesr · 19/04/2016 10:26

Hi, she did say one person had dropped out for Theatre, so the reserve places are being called as soon as someone drops out. I did notice on twitter a girl had been offered reserve place for dance on the 13th April. So looks like they are calling reserves as soon as places become available. Still, early days. Some kids will find it overwhelming and want to stay with their friends, hence the September call !! xxx

Brookesr · 26/04/2016 14:52

how you getting on? x

Original poster
bigel · 26/04/2016 15:48

Hello. I was just thinking about you. Really feeling messed up and in despair. On top of it the band he has been in for five years seems to be breaking up. I want to weep all the time! Hope you are more OK!!!!

OP posts:
Brookesr · 27/04/2016 11:11

HI, I had a wobbly point this morning and wanted to cry ! I also seem to have a headache all the time, I'm sure its the stress. I really do know how you are feeling. We need to stay strong together :) Between now and September statistically someone is bound to drop out of the school, get offered a place elsewhere, move or decide they don't want to leave there friends after all. There is so many possibilities that will change their choices, and maybe ours too. Im still looking to the future, and have a really good feeling that we are both just waiting for that phone call to come…….. xxxxxxx

NewLife4Me · 27/04/2016 17:14

OP, you said there isn't anything else for music.

Have yo considered Purcell, Chets, Yehudi Menuhin, or any of the other specialist music schools.
I don't include Wells in this because they only have a music dept and aren't a music school.

Original poster
bigel · 27/04/2016 17:32

Hi Brookesr, I feel that same way. Someone is bound to drop out at some point, thats what has happened before and I can't think why it won't be the case this time around. I am trying to do lots of visualisation and positive thinking - I think one day we will meet at a parents evening at Brit school and be so happy that this is in the past!
NewLife4Me I'm afraid that my lad is a guitar hero who wants to be Joe Strummer, so I don't think that those places would be interested in him! xxx

OP posts:
cuntymailjournos · 27/04/2016 20:39

I suppose not on the electrical, but definitely acoustic, if that's any help?
You could look at the others too, there's one in Wales and Scotland. They definitely take for y10 as well. Thought it worth a mention.

Had a nc it's still me. They are stooping to all time lows on here atm

Balletgirlmum · 27/04/2016 20:41

Hammond have a music strand that is more geared towards MT & popular as well as classical but it is fee paying unfortunately.

Brookesr · 28/04/2016 12:59

They used all their reserves last year apparently. So hopefully they will this year too. I can't think of any other free performing arts school my daughter can attend for key stage 4 for performing arts other wise we would of applied :( Yes hopefully see you at parents evening :) xxx

errorofjudgement · 28/04/2016 13:14

You're so lucky even to have the opportunity for your DC to attend. I don't think there are any other state schools like this in the UK!
I hope you both hear good news soon