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We've always looked at programmes etc too to see where people have trained and looked at the colleges own websites and facebook pages but I think you have to bear in mind things like numbers of students in each college. The Laines quote for example of 30 students having obtained work already. 30 out of how many? Is it 30 out of 40 or 30 out of 100? It makes a huge difference to the percentage. DD's college did not have 30 students graduating in MT so could not quote such high numbers but all but 3 have work already so the percentage is high. This feeds through to the places of employment and the programmes we look at. The roles go to those they think are the best - if 20 graduates from one college apply and only 2 from another - probability is that the role would go to a graduate from the college with the most representatives. It does not mean that college is better than the other - it is an individual who is most suited to the role.

I think it is important to remember that the training is excellent at all the accredited schools and our DC should be proud of themselves for achieving a place at any of them. I personally don't think there are a 'top 4' or if there is then I think they would be different for all of us. The key (if such a thing exists) is to make the most of the training and any opportunities that arise and to be proactive. Success depends on training, talent, hard work and to an extent luck. There are so many coming into the industry - some are successful and some less so and I am 100% positive that each and every college will have students from both categories.

Good post 2dancesmum, couldn't agree more. One phrase that means everything to myself and DD is 'The Harder I Work, The Luckier I get'. This was quoted to us during a 'meet the principal' meeting at one of the colleges she auditioned at when she was 15 (Tring Park Performing Arts). It just hit a chord for us.

Katkat, couldn't agree more with that saying. Although my ds left college last summer, he actually continued going back to join in the classes with the year below to prevent him going "rusty". Having signed his new contract about two weeks ago, he doesn't actually start that job until November. In the meantime he is taking singing, acting and dancing lessons to keep him on top of things. Those of his friends who have not continued in this vein are the ones who seem to still be out of work.

Check out The MTA's stats: http://www.themta.co.uk/2015/10/ambassa ... -20142015/
We are the only college to publish what every graduate it doing....and all the stats can be checked on the ambassador pages.

Thought I would add to this as the parent of a gap year student who opted to work in a theme park after his BTEC performing arts! My DS is currently working in Disneyland Paris as a parade performer and character. He has performed in front of audiences that are bigger than you find in the West End and has certainly experienced the unglamorous and hard graft of the industry. What I find refreshing is that it has reinforced for him that he is following the right career path and is getting ready to audition for full time degree/diploma courses when he returns.

Moleseymum thank you for posting. I was very interested when (I think it was you?) you told us about it as he was auditioning in the summer. My ds is bearing it in mind if he ends up taking a gap year. Has your ds had any trouble with security since the Paris attacks?

Apologies for the late response. He is really enjoying it, the attacks were unsettling but he has been fine. The security at their accommodation is excellent - so good that we couldn't go and look at his studio flat as he hadn't done the necessary form filling in advance to allow us in! I think the security in the parks has been stepped up but he hasn't had any problems.
In fact he is enjoying it so much that he is possibly applying to stay on for another year. Most contracts finished this week but his is slightly longer and he is due to come home in March. This means auditioning for full time courses very late and not having had any formal lessons for 7 months will probably be a disadvantage, he may stay until January next year if there is a position available for him, then come back and do a couple of months of intensive training and audition late but better prepared!