DaDa Funding for 2013-14

[suesmith]

I totally agree with you all - what an uninformed, narrow minded and insulting comment - to suggest that because our dc are gifted and talented in the Arts they would not be academically gifted or talented

Whoever drafted this reply obviously has no comprehension of the amount of work that is involved to maintain such a high standard in both areas in order to keep "everybody" happy - and that many of our dc give up much of their social life from a young age in order to ensure a high standard is maintained in both disciplines

[carriecrafts]

As the parent of a dancer who is very intelligent but hates written work with a passion, I'm not actually that cross about the comments (I'm not saying you shouldn't be ) Whilst being a talented dancer doesn't exclude academic ability (quite the opposite, as many have pointed out) they don't say that all talented dancers aren't academically gifted, just that the DaDA 'can' support those who are not. At a Laine's open day they said that they wouldn't offer a degree because they want to avoid any academic element. I'm currently studying for an Art degree and sadly there are talented young artists dropping out because there is too much written work...

Having said that, Rambert and Central both admit 16yr olds onto degrees, based on audition, so they obviously are not too worried about academic excellence (I know this is the case as I have communicated with both schools on the subject of GCSEs).

My main motivation for writing to David Laws was that I object to the discrimination regarding access to benefits. If my daughter leaves home now while on a BTEC/A Levels she would get housing benefit... If she leaves home and works in a low paid job, or registers unemployed, she would be eligible for housing benefit... If she does a degree she gets student finance... If she studies a DaDA Diploma she gets nothing... I actually think that this is an oversight in the housing benefit regulations, rather than intentional, and I think there is hope of getting it changed now that it has been referred to the Dept for Work and Pensions. I'm currently trying to establish what other courses fall into this category (higher than A Level but not eligible for student finance) in order to back up my argument.

Currently it is a postcode lottery; some DaDA schools are in Council areas that grant HB even though they are not obliged to. Students have challenged the Councils where they don't grant HB and the Councils' decisions have been upheld at appeal because of the regulations and DaDA students have then had to decline places because of the cost of living
bws
Carrie

[carriecrafts]

Sadly those last local authorities who supported Diploma students (with or without DaDA) with housing benefit are no longer able to do so, even if they would like to. The DfE's DaDA guidelines say that these diplomas are 'Further Education' so student finance is not available, the DWP and the recent Tribunal say these diplomas are 'Higher Education' so students are not eligible for housing benefit...

It seems to me that the only students who can make use of DaDAs are those who live with a low-earning parent but also have support from a separated wealthy parent or relative.

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news ... ts/?ref=nt

[Robsmumma]

My dd is attending Laines next month on a DaDA, luckily we weren't relying on this money as we only found out about it recently, such a shame as my dd has already heard of at least one girl who wont be returning this year!
But dont you think that this kept the rents to students artificially high? It means they can now not afford such high rents and they MAY drop. Epsom is very expensive as we have just rented one room in a house for over £500 a month!

Your last sentence is sooo true, we know of a family where the father is a GP so earning quite a substantial amount, because dd lives with the mother (separated who doesn't work, she doesn't need to), they get full maintenance too! How can this be right when to pay for our dd my husband and I are working 3 jobs and still we will struggle. We will get no help and have to pay a contribution! Just very annoying and not at all fair!

[bruno2]

OMG ! Reading your posts are so dishearting, I honestly dont have a clue My dd has a natural classical voice and seems to have a passion for musical theatre, she will be year 11 in September 2013. We live in South Wales but she most definately would love to train in London . What do I do ? There is a local college which seems to be very good, I think they study BTEC . We would most definately have to have a massive help with funding, unless I leave her dad Just for a couple of years, ha ha Im on joking but that seems to be the answer. Anyway are you telling me that if she left and went to London at 16 she could get housig benefit, and she would be entitled to apply for a dada but she could only apply for a lower qualification ie. not a degree. Sorry but it is confusing.

[Robsmumma]

Your dd can apply for a DaDA at 16, which is means tested. She would NOT be able to get housing benefit, but I assumed that only Laine students who lived in Epsom were getting this, it was at the discretion of the local council. The students from other colleges were not receiving this.

Just heard of another girl who is having to rethink, very sad.

[Robsmumma]

Plus if its now classed as Higher Education, my dd should be able to apply for a student loan. That would make life a lot easier!

[Jessnat22]

Robsmumma . I totally agree - if classed as Higher Education and they are 18 - should be able to access a student loan like any other student ..... but alas common sense does not seem to prevail. There was a petition about this but I don't know what happened to it? At the least they should be able to get the maintenance loans.

We were over the threshold for a DaDa under the new rules but thankfully DS got a scholarship for Urdang .... really not sure how we would have done it otherwise. Despite the governments belief - we are not loaded!!

Makes no sense to me that my younger DS who (hopefully) will go to Uni - will have access to everything but DS1 doesn't .....obviously his choice of career is not valued!!

But on a positive note -I know someone who would not have been able to go anywhere this year without a full DaDa - and was offered two including maintenance. Sometimes it does work out. Stay positive everyone

[Robsmumma]

Dd wasn't able to get the HB anyway , she was a few months too old. They had to be under 19 when the course starts. Luckily for her she is the youngest of 4 (the other 3 being accountants, what happened to her lol). Her father and I will live very frugally whilst she lives it up in Epsom. We will have to live on baked beans (wait, I hate beans). Need to lose weight anyway!!
She promises payback when she's rich and famous. We live in hope ♥

[Livy2]

Hi,

I've signed the petition, it is up to 722 now.

Can someone tell me if the household income is wages only as I'm at work but DH is over 65 and retired a few years ago. If it's just my salary then household income is under £20,000 but if we have to include DH's pension I don't think we will qualify for a DADA? Thanks - Absolutely horrified about this, especially as I've just received a letter from Child Tax people saying I owe them a v large sum of money ....

[Robsmumma]

Yes, they will count your DH pension. You have to tell them everything that comes nto your household, interest from savings, company car, unearned income, the list is endless.

[pg]

Bruno2

As your dd is interested in music rather than dance then I think it makes sense for her to wait for training in London (or elsewhere) until 18+ anyway. A local B-Tech could be a good preparation for her - or she might prefer A levels.

RWCMD is an obvious one to consider if your dd wanted to consider classical training or drama - and there used to be some extra help for Welsh students studying at Welsh colleges (don't know whether it's still the case) - but the London schools that specialise or have courses in MT at post 18 do include some that qualify for student loans (Central, for example). It is a very confused and complicated business that just seem to change bewilderingly often. The best thing to do is to create your own spreadsheet/filing system and find out from each college/school what the funding/entrance criteria are for each one. www.ncdt.co.uk is a good place to start as it gives you links to lots of schools.

[carriecrafts]

For DaDA assessment, does anyone know whether student finance is counted in the household income if one parent is doing a degree?

[2dancersmum]

carriecrafts - I don't think it does but not 100% sure. Laines have the application form for DADA and guidance notes for how to complete it online ad pdfs, which might help answer any questions. I couldn't get it to post as a link but if you google "guidance notes for dance and drama awards" it should come up.

[carriecrafts]

Thanks :-)