manicmum wrote:in the event we are moving to Somerset as we have found a school which is just right for dd and ds, I would say 50% of the people we tell think we're mad and the other 50% wish they could do it too. In the end you have to do what is right for all of you as a family.
we had a girl at the junior school i work at who got a 100% scholarship to st paul's girls school - too far to travel from here - the 2 older children were at a local school mum wasn't happy with anyway - mum commuted to london, so any suburb worked, and the whole family relocated
i thought it was a brilliant move
go manicmum!
Life is complex - some of it is real, some of it is imaginary.
Oldest dd went to Arts Ed at Chiswick from 11 to 16 althought the education was much better than other stage schools we where told that it would not be as good as normal schools that if are children where very bright and ended not want to go into the bussiness that this was not the place for them. DD ended up as a police officer she had a lovely time at Arts Ed did a lot of things she would never have done, got a full scholarship so no presure on her, but feel if a child knows that there parents have made big changes for her then it would be a presure if they decided going into entertainment was not for them might just stay on because they do not want to let every one down. DD was very talented at dance got to the last 50 for Whitelodge but in the end was told that she would not be the right shape for a classical dancer they where right, in the end changed to drama which she could do at Chiswick so if a child is not really into dance Chiswich is much better than Tring as it is more dance based at Chiswich there is a very good drama department. A child at 11 dose not really no what they want to do With both schools they only let the children work on things that they think is sutable so can not do much proficional work wile there do get the chance to work with English National Ballet and English National Opera dd worked with both but not all the children get in to these productions. The trouble is they will only compete with children from both Tring and Chiswich for parts so if they decided they do want to go into the entertainment busseness have a false image of what it is like in the big bad world a child that gets all the best parts at Arts Ed schools may not do so well when auditoning agenst the rest of the world. I feel that children do not need to go to stage schools to do well in acting dancing and singing can do just as well at local schools, just because they go to stage schools dose not mean that they are the best in the country feel it dose not really mean any thing, saying that dd has lovely memories of her days at Arts Ed Chiswick which will stay with her for ever.
It's a tough one. It's such a lovely school. If I could afford it without too much hardship I would do it but Tring fees are so high, by the end of your dd's studies it would be equivalent to the price of a small flat (which might be more useful to her when she's auditioning).
My dd is on the waiting list for a 6th form dada at Tring but is one of four children and we can't accept without funding Perhaps I'll buy a lottery ticket tonight
ps. dance teacher's daughter went to Tring on a scholarship. After a few years on cruise ships she now works in an office.
My dd got her letter yesterday she has been offered a place on the TA course (YR 9) Lots of thinking to do now, need to be sure its the right path for her to take.
Has anyone had any experience with Hurtwood House? Its an independent sixth form boarding school in Surrey that specialises in the performing arts and media. We looked at it a few years ago for my daughter but in the end relocated abroad instead. Now thinking ahead as a possible option for DS - the facilities were fab and kids seemed very happy but it was pretty expensive.
We looked round Tring when my dd was in Year 6. She loved it, and the standards were impressive, however by the time you get to V1th Form the numbers are very small which can mean just you and the teacher for some subjects - some might see that as a benefit but my dd needs more socialisation!
I applied for an audition, knowing that we could only accept a place on a full scholarship. At the open day they said you had to do a solo, but I assumed you would use a backing track which we had already. They sent us a date with 2 days notice, ie received letter on Friday, audition on Monday. Daughter was in a show on the Saturday and we needed to get sheet music and a monologue prepared. Being very green I didn't realise this so we had to cancel as there would have been no point going unprepared.
Instead she went on an after school course at Tring in MT which was pretty reasonable, and she did very well in the classes and the presentation. She has also done a MT workshop with West End performers which was amazing. So I guess if you can afford it, it's a wonderful school, but there are other courses that may be just as good locally.
A year 9 boy at dd's dance school was offered a MD scholarship (for year 10) this week. When he went to the audition they said there were no scholarships available for this age group but I guess if they see something they like they will redistribute the money. Not jealous or anything
My dd is on the waiting list and we should hear by the end of Easter holls. Apparently Elmhurst get their offers next week and a lot depends on whether they accept their offers or not. (anyone from Elmhurst confirm this?)
Yes it does happen. If a school likes your child, sees particular potential, if you turn down a place they may offer some help with funding. Happened to us recently. . But it was unexpected and a nice surprise.
be ready for anything and the unexpected never happens
My DS is on the TA course at Tring, this is his second year, he is in yr 8 and loves everyday.
I cant say enough good things about the school and staff, both vocational and academic.
I see that you didn't manage to go to an open day. You should ask if you can book a private visit to the school wth your DD if you are considering sending her there. This is what we did and the school was only too happy to oblige us.
Hi everyone,
As expected, it was a no for the scholarship, not too disheartened by this as it wouldn't have made a great deal of difference. Thanks so much to everyone for your comments, expecially from those who have had personal experience of the school (it sounds every bit as good as I thought). Hope you are all enjoying the Easter break!!
Hello people i very new to all this literally.....
i have the thought of down sizing too for exactly the same reason, we do what we do for our children so totally understand.
Perhaps I'll buy a lottery ticket tonight 
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall"){kind=small}