School for a talented dancer - Help!

[yogamatcalling]

I think I might be looking for the impossible, is there an independent school including boarding schools that can cater for a talented dancer who is strong academically? I don't want to narrow her options too early and send her to a vocational school at 13. She is passionate and committed to dancing, (ballet, modern, tap, street and latin & ballroom) she also sings and acts. We've looked at Hurstpierpoint college but they don't seem to be able to cater for G&T dancers, although have dance GCSE.
Any current parents of Legat school? I don't quite understand how this school works with Bede's.
TIA

[cantkeepawayforever]

Most DC who dance at the school have been dancing from a very young age - and as I said DD is pretty typical with 9-10+ hours every week from aged 10 or 11.

2-6 per year go on to 18+ dance training - I can remember a year of 8, but DD (15)'s Advanced 1/2 classes are probably no more than 8-10 in any discipline, and smaller in some, so I imagine hers will be another year of 2-4 going on further, rather than a bumper year of 6-8.

[katymac]

DD is probably an anomaly; but she is in Panto this year, graduates in May and fingers crossed she will be one of the few that find work

[errorofjudgement]

I completely agree re the importance of academic studies.
But to be honest, the A level results at Tring are comparable with the outstanding comp DD attended. If the teaching is good and there’s a supportive environment then the individual student should do well. DD is in a group with other high achievers, and the teachers she has are really good with a strong focus on helping students.
It’s certainly not been DDs experience that there is less focus on the academic studies! Indeed a fair part of her Christmas break is being spent on prep. & homework.
However I appreciate the sixth form dance course does have more flexibility so dancers can focus purely on dance if they choose.

[cantkeepawayforever]

she is in Panto this year, graduates in May and fingers crossed she will be one of the few that find work

Fingers crossed! I think, tbh, that's the really hard point, not the 'getting into college' one.

[katymac]

You must know different colleges - the ones DD was serious about take less than 10% of their auditionees, one less than 5% & the funded students is a much tinier proportion.

I imagine getting jobs takes it down to half that graduate get some sort of job - her college is a bit higher - the main ones do have a higher job rate & tiny numbers get westend

[errorofjudgement]

@katymac, I’ve followed your posts for a number of years across this forum and NAPM. Congratulations to your DD, and I hope it continues for her. It’s great to hear of her hard work & focus being rewarded.

[AlexanderHamilton]

There are a lot of colleges springing up of varying standards.

My dd will more than likely leave vocational school with pretty much the same GCSE's as if she'd taken up a place at a selective school. She might get slightly lower science results due to a test or two of uncertain teaching but that can happen anywhere & has now been sorted for the future.

I have friends with children at Tring & academics there are taken very seriously.

We know katymac & her dd in real life & are keeping everything crossed career wise. My take on it is that no education or training is ever wasted. There are so many transferable skills you get from the performing arts.

[katymac]

Thanks Error she does work hard

[katymac]

I agree alexanderhamilton she has learned ternacity, the value of hard work, self reliance (she left home at 16 & had to manage shopping/cooking/rent earlier than most), how to network, how to ask for help from supervisors/managers,

She has experince and can work in event management, hospitality, back stage and front of house. She can sort out her own mic, and is a good way towards working out lighting plots

Conversely if she had 'stayed on at school' (ie the local sixth form college) she might have scraped a level 3 BTec in childcare or catering but Alevels would have been so far outside her abilities

However with a level 6 as a mature student (at 30/35) she will hopefully retrain into a good career

[Brightonhome]

Hi, My dd is at Brighton College having gained an academic scholarship and a dance scholarship. She does ballet, modern, tap and also ballet intermediate. There are no latin or ballroom classes, but they do have an annual 'Strictly Come Dancing' competition. The best older dancers went to the world championships last year and won gold medals. Academically it is superb, and their dance school is excellent. One of their teachers is an RAD examiner too.