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Shabby wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 7:50 pm I second EDA, excellent but intense training and I’m really impressed with the student support!

Ditto. My son did 16-18 there & we would highly recommend

Amf wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 10:21 pm

Shabby wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 7:50 pm I second EDA, excellent but intense training and I’m really impressed with the student support!

Ditto. My son did 16-18 there & we would highly recommend

sorry DS

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of Kingsclere Performing Arts college?

Hilltop wrote: ↑Mon Jan 03, 2022 3:58 pm Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of Kingsclere Performing Arts college?

Not one I've heard of before. Is it MT she's interested in? If so, is dance her strength or what she wants to focus on more? This makes it clear that the majority of time will be devoted to dance. Is that what she would be happy with?

(From their FAQ)

How much dance is on the Musical Theatre course?

On the Musical Theatre Course, dance currently makes up approximately 40% of the overall contact time at Kings PA, with acting and singing both around 20% each, and the final 20% is focused on the academic studies for the Level 3 qualification. This enables us to train students in the wide variety of dance styles that are relevant for entry into professional training. In dance, progress most often takes place in the studio compared with acting and singing, where a lot of progress can be made from home once a student is receiving regular tuition in class.

Almost all dance classes are streamed in ability or experience, which enables us to place every student in a class that suits their skill level. We have very talented singers and actors enrolled on the Musical Theatre course who find they progress very quickly from having very little or no dance experience. Formal dance training is not necessary to attend Kings PA, however we would expect training of a high level in one or both other disciplines (singing and/or acting) as this two-year course is not suitable for complete beginners. By contrast some of our students are accomplished dancers and have limited training in singing or acting.

Hilltop wrote: ↑Mon Jan 03, 2022 3:58 pm Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of Kingsclere Performing Arts college?

someone I did English Youth Ballet with went there... not sure where she is now but I know she really enjoyed it there

lawn wrote: ↑Tue Jan 04, 2022 5:18 pm

Hilltop wrote: ↑Mon Jan 03, 2022 3:58 pm Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of Kingsclere Performing Arts college?

Not one I've heard of before. Is it MT she's interested in? If so, is dance her strength or what she wants to focus on more? This makes it clear that the majority of time will be devoted to dance. Is that what she would be happy with?

(From their FAQ)

How much dance is on the Musical Theatre course?

On the Musical Theatre Course, dance currently makes up approximately 40% of the overall contact time at Kings PA, with acting and singing both around 20% each, and the final 20% is focused on the academic studies for the Level 3 qualification. This enables us to train students in the wide variety of dance styles that are relevant for entry into professional training. In dance, progress most often takes place in the studio compared with acting and singing, where a lot of progress can be made from home once a student is receiving regular tuition in class.

Almost all dance classes are streamed in ability or experience, which enables us to place every student in a class that suits their skill level. We have very talented singers and actors enrolled on the Musical Theatre course who find they progress very quickly from having very little or no dance experience. Formal dance training is not necessary to attend Kings PA, however we would expect training of a high level in one or both other disciplines (singing and/or acting) as this two-year course is not suitable for complete beginners. By contrast some of our students are accomplished dancers and have limited training in singing or acting.

Thanks for that Lawn. We went to their open day and my DD did their audition recently - while they have a heavy leaning towards dance, they appear to still focus well on singing and acting from what we could tell. My DD is MT focused rather than just dance so it’s definitely something to consider. Though I think she’s also keen to bring her dance up. Thanks again

evie03 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:14 am

Hilltop wrote: ↑Mon Jan 03, 2022 3:58 pm Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of Kingsclere Performing Arts college?

someone I did English Youth Ballet with went there... not sure where she is now but I know she really enjoyed it there

Thanks for letting me know

Hilltop wrote: ↑Mon Jan 03, 2022 3:58 pm Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of Kingsclere Performing Arts college?

We looked at KPA, but DD preferred Read College to KPA partly due to the faculty. I have a friend whose daughter was in the first year to go through KPA and is now at GSA she was very happy there.
They are going through changes the merge with Newbury College or UCN as is becoming and possibly losing their building as Basingstoke and Deane are looking to sell with vacant possession.

Can anyone offer any knowledge on London Studio Centre FDA with MT specialism?

@mouskouri41 my daughter is doing the fda course at lsc -
I can see if I can help

Random post, but if anyone has a DS going to EDA & wants extra kit, I have mens large labelled jumper and bottoms that I’d happily post you for postage cost. Seems ridiculous to just throw them away, very good condition. DM me if anyone wants them.

My DD’s friend attends a local dance school a few nights a week and both my DD’s friend and my DD are planning to start at a local 6th form college in Sept (it looks reasonably good - good contact hours and good student destinations, etc). However, the dance school have made a sweeping statement to my DD’s friend that performers that attend 6th form colleges don’t do aswell in the industry/get into colleges as those that do A levels and dance part time, i.e. they recommend that my DD’s friend stay with the dance school and do A levels instead of going to a 6th form college. I think they’re a bit biased because they obviously want my DD’s friend to stay with them but I just wanted to see what other people’s thoughts were? I’m thinking that maybe it depends on the 6th form college training vs the training you can get part time, but would be interested to see what anyone else thought?

Hilltop wrote: ↑Mon Mar 07, 2022 7:48 pm My DD’s friend attends a local dance school a few nights a week and both my DD’s friend and my DD are planning to start at a local 6th form college in Sept (it looks reasonably good - good contact hours and good student destinations, etc). However, the dance school have made a sweeping statement to my DD’s friend that performers that attend 6th form colleges don’t do aswell in the industry/get into colleges as those that do A levels and dance part time, i.e. they recommend that my DD’s friend stay with the dance school and do A levels instead of going to a 6th form college. I think they’re a bit biased because they obviously want my DD’s friend to stay with them but I just wanted to see what other people’s thoughts were? I’m thinking that maybe it depends on the 6th form college training vs the training you can get part time, but would be interested to see what anyone else thought?

I think it has to be taken on a college by college basis. You are correct, it was a sweeping statement and shows great bias. However, they may know the college personally and don’t feel it’s good enough. My DS went to a local 6th form college for performing arts briefly (some previous students had progressed well - but they also kept up all there specialist drama, singing and dancing classes). I went to see their ‘show’ after the first term and was frankly horrified. I got my son booked into a EDA audition the next week and he started there the following September. There is absolutely no way he would have been the standard required to gain degree places at the top colleges. But there are a few fabulous state funded courses if you live in the right areas- do thorough research. Also if your child is not academic or can’t wait to leave formal education then A levels will not be right. The actual qualification of A’levels or BTECH will have absolutely no bearing on job prospects. They don’t give a fig - all they care about is if you’re right for the role they are casting.

Hilltop wrote: ↑Mon Mar 07, 2022 7:48 pm My DD’s friend attends a local dance school a few nights a week and both my DD’s friend and my DD are planning to start at a local 6th form college in Sept (it looks reasonably good - good contact hours and good student destinations, etc). However, the dance school have made a sweeping statement to my DD’s friend that performers that attend 6th form colleges don’t do aswell in the industry/get into colleges as those that do A levels and dance part time, i.e. they recommend that my DD’s friend stay with the dance school and do A levels instead of going to a 6th form college. I think they’re a bit biased because they obviously want my DD’s friend to stay with them but I just wanted to see what other people’s thoughts were? I’m thinking that maybe it depends on the 6th form college training vs the training you can get part time, but would be interested to see what anyone else thought?

Mine went to a sixth form college like you're describing. It was one recommended by her drama group and we knew of 2 older students from daughter's drama group who got offers from good schools afterwards. In addition DD kept up her outside of college classes. I'm glad mine did both because covid heavily hit the course and then the course leader changed and wasn't at the calibre of the previous one. Mine got offers from a good school but the wrong course, the right degree course but not as well known a scool and 2 foundations offers, one of which she took. I would ask the college more about the 'good destinations'. Daughter's college could truthfully say that her year got offers from BOV, Central, Italia Conti, PPA, Leeds Conservatoire, Read College and Rose Bruford. What they wouldn't be telling is those offers only applied to 2 in the year, my daughter plus one other. Most of the rest of the class went to a college discussed on here as relatively easy to get into and the last one went straight into the industry in performing (tourist attraction work)

I'd want to know the same of your daughter's dance school, what destinations have their pupils had recently.

Thanks both for your replies. The statement by the dance school was general and not focussed on the 6th form college that my DD and her friend are going to. The college is active on social media and all their students get multiple offers for a wide range of colleges (including the main ones), so I’m not too worried about the college itself. We are also paying a top up fee for the extra hours over the state-funded course as well. I guess I was just surprised to hear the dance school say this when you’d think attending a performing arts 6th form course would be of benefit. But I guess it just depends on the training anywhere you go at the end of the day.