So much has changed & so much is the same

[Mummyaud]

Hi Katymac, do tell what your views on BRIT and Arts Ed were. I have a DD due to go through this process next year so really interested.

Thanks.

[suesmith]

Yes Katymac - that sounds a bit ominous were they not what you expected in a good or bad way?
Its such a tough year for them - dd has had a couple of wobbles already but then bounced back Think Brit and Arts Ed are very different - but I may be completely wrong! xx

[Katymac]

Brit was very busy, vibrant & hectic, but the organisation was very slick - It was big, very big! The teachers & kids were lovely.

The classes we saw were excellent - the head of MT was inspiring and charismatic; but she also said that some of the people in the room were already beyond what Brit had to offer. Which I thought was a brave statement.

DD really quite loved it

Arts Ed was less organised, a bit more stand-offish (particularly support staff rather than teachers & the kids were lovely) & maybe a bit more formal; the show was amazing, but I think we would have an issue with grades as you need As to study A levels & they suggest you do 2.......which scared DD

& she really quite loved it too

But I don't think she 'sees' herself at either place - Brit was very hip & up to the minute and we live in the sticks, Arts Ed was very academically focused and as we have discussed before DD isn't; the BTEC will be a reach for her

So I suppose it was useful in a negative way - whether she will audition or not, we haven't decided

[suesmith]

Thanks for that feedback Katymac - really useful for everyone I'm sure

And for you and your dd all experience is good experience - even if negative it will really help you focus and give you something to compare other places to, have you any other open days planned? Our next adventure is Laine audition support day on 13th October - will feed back our findings!

[Katymac]

No more (I don't think) we know Urdang & Millenium, Bird & Laine don't have open days (that I can see) must check for Performers......

She can't do the Laine day as she has organised a charity concert for that day

[suesmith]

Laine have just updated their website - have another support day in November? Have you sent off any applications yet?

[Jessnat22]

Katymac

Urdang open days are already published - click on "Full time courses" on the web site and the dates are there.

Our experience from last year was that they (and the others) fill up very quickly as all have limited numbers. For Bird too we had to book. DS didn't go to Laine, Performers or Millenium open days but still auditioned. It's difficult to fit it all in! I wouldn't worry if you can't get to all of them; you will get a real feel for the place at auditions that helps with any decision making.

Also to reiterate what I think has been said many times before. They are all so different ..... as are all of the prospective students and it is very common for preconceptions to change. What is right for one person isn't necessarily so for another. Totally agree with suesmith - all the experiences are positive ones!

[Katymac]

Sorry - I meant DD doesn't need an open day for Urdang or Millenium as she has already been there

All the Bird Open Days are booked but I'll look at the Laine support day

Performers is booked - anyone else going on 15th Nov?

[Welsh Mum]

Katyma

Also to reiterate what I think has been said many times before. They are all so different ..... as are all of the prospective students and it is very common for preconceptions to change. What is right for one person isn't necessarily so for another. Totally agree with suesmith - all the experiences are positive ones!

Couldn't agree more - my DD spent 3 very happy years at a college she didn't like very much on her first audition day . Now she couldn't imagine having gone anywhere else!

[moleseymum]

DS is on the 2 year BTec at Italia Conti Arts Centre in Guildford and is loving it. Hard work, but no regrets so far. As well as the BTec there is the option to do an A level alongside in English Lit (no charge for the A level lessons but there are examination fees of £85 each year). Also the opportunity to pay extra to do the DDI/DDE qualifications. There are students of all levels on the course and although some classes are taken as a group they also have individual timetables depending on previous training/experience. Some students, for example, take their dance lessons with the year 3 students and also get to do the circus skills. DS has ballet, tap, jazz, modern, singing, drama, musical theatre plus the BTec theory lessons. He has a total of 24 hours of lessons a week.

[Mummyaud]

Hi moleseymum, Italia Contis in Guildford is one we are looking at. I was wondering about A levels there. Is it just English Lit they offer? Is the BTEC course offered free of charge? Does your son live within easy travelling distance? Do many of the students on ther course have local boarding arrangements?
Thanks.

[Mummyaud]

Katymac -do you think they saying at BRIT that if your child has had significant training and is working at a very high level in MT then BRIT might not be the place for them? I wonder how students that are working at "beyond what BRIT has to offer" could identify themselves.

[moleseymum]

Hi moleseymum, Italia Contis in Guildford is one we are looking at. I was wondering about A levels there. Is it just English Lit they offer? Is the BTEC course offered free of charge? Does your son live within easy travelling distance? Do many of the students on ther course have local boarding arrangements?
Thanks.

Yes, just English Lit as far as I am aware. There is no charge for the BTec unless you want to do the 'top up' to include the teaching qualifications and extra lessons, students also enrol at Guildford College and can use the facilities there like the library, Guildford College accreditate the BTec and administer things like the 16-19 bursary. All I have paid for so far is uniform and one theatre trip. We do live in Surrey, although transport here is not wonderful - one bus an hour towards Guildford meaning DS has to be on the 7am bus for his 9am start. Not sure about boarders, I will ask him in the morning.

[Mummyaud]

Thank you so much, really helpful. We are in Sussex but would take her at least 1 hr 30 mins each way by train I think.