NotaPushyMum.Com

Hello, this is my first post. Very happy to be part of and contribute to this community. My daughter is 14. She lives for Acting but is also grade 4 singing and dance. she is represented and wants to follow a performing arts career. My question is does a directory/ repository exist for performing arts colleges/schools 16 to 18. Where ever I search, it is largely biased towards graduate courses which is a way off for us. Many thanks in advance.

Hi-you’ll find lots of good advice about schools/collages at 16-18 on here-a lot depends on wether you want purely vocational at 16 or if she wants to keep doing A-levels alongside her vocational studies. My DS is blissfully happy at Arts Ed sixth form-happy to chat about it and have heard very good things about Tring, Emile Dale and Hammond all with very good graduate success. Just like the degree courses, there’s no one size fits all and it really depends on what you’re looking for or indeed can think about affording sadly as the scholarships are few and far between.

Bodyworks in Cambridge is excellent too for 16+.

It may be worth researching what's on offer very carefully, BTEC's are due to be replaced with 'T' levels and there isn't provision for Performing Arts at the moment, not sure if that will change.
You may well find that colleges will be offering their own 6th form diplomas/provision in future. Emil Dale 6th form offers outstanding training, mine turned down The Brit School ,ArtsEd 6th form and Tring - mainly as we couldn't afford the latter two and took a place at EDA.
Performers offer a two year diploma/6th form, not sure if it's a BTEC and Urdang offer the AVT.
Hammond do a 6th form too.

lotsolaffs wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:59 pm It may be worth researching what's on offer very carefully, BTEC's are due to be replaced with 'T' levels and there isn't provision for Performing Arts at the moment, not sure if that will change.
You may well find that colleges will be offering their own 6th form diplomas/provision in future. Emil Dale 6th form offers outstanding training, mine turned down The Brit School ,ArtsEd 6th form and Tring - mainly as we couldn't afford the latter two and took a place at EDA.
Performers offer a two year diploma/6th form, not sure if it's a BTEC and Urdang offer the AVT.
Hammond do a 6th form too.

That's not quite correct.

Performing Arts & Sport are the two areas specifically mentioned in the consultation document that will still be allowed to run standalone Level 3 A level alternative qualifications that are not T Levels.

11.We know that A levels offer excellent preparation for HE. However, the first stage
consultation confirmed that, in some subjects, qualifications with different delivery
models to A levels provide real value for students seeking to progress to HE. So, we
propose to keep additional academic qualifications, where they are high quality and
have a distinct purpose, enabling progression to HE courses that could not be
accessed through A levels alone.

Proposals

To fund alternatives to A levels where they enable progression to specialist HE
courses, such as our providers of world leading arts education. We expect these
will be limited in number.Qualifications taken as alternative programmes of study to
A levels and AS levels

78.The previous section talks about the qualifications that might complement A
levels as part of a broader study programme. We recognise that for a small
number of specialist HE courses, there will be a justification in allowing students
to specialise during their 16 to 19 study.

79.We propose that qualifications supporting progression to these specialist HE
courses should be available as alternative programmes of study to A levels. We
expect that only a small number of qualifications will meet these criteria and
these will continue to be subject to regulation by Ofqual.
80.Examples might include:

• Performing arts or sport qualifications. They will have a strong practical focus
and offer breadth and depth that is valued at HE for study in an allied subject.
For example, a qualification in sports and exercise science.

I think full time 16-18 training is fantastic. It gives the students time to grow up a bit, gets them to truly understand the profession they are wanting to go into and the amount of commitment it takes. They have time to decide whether it is something they want to study further at degree level or change course slightly or dramatically.

Some colleges offer a 3 year level 6 diploma for 16 year olds and they will finish their study at 19. They should be industry ready. However, this is a large ask nowadays as many students just don’t reach the required standard by 19 (there are clearly exceptions and for classical ballet that is the expected route and for others that have been in full time vocational training from 11 this will be fine).

We felt the standards are so high that our ds needed full time vocational training at 16+ before applying for degree course to stand a chance of the best colleges. When he auditioned for EDA (only one he was interested in) BTECH he had passed grade 8 singing, grade 7 drama but had done very little dancing. He is loving the college in every way, the training, the people the teachers, his host family. I feel he is getting the very best opportunity to make his dreams a reality if that’s what his destiny holds. Their student progression to degree courses in performing arts is second to none.

My eldest son trained at Tring from 14 yrs but he was a dancer and went onto their level 6 diploma. Many of his friends did 6th form MT there and carried on to do all sorts of degree courses at Arts Ed. Mount View, specialist music colleges, arts colleges and purely academic courses because they do A’levels along side their performing arts training. One went straight into the West End after 2years. They work very hard, have long hours but have a fabulous time at an amazing school.

It is a matter of finding the right school for your child. A place that they will thrive in and do their best.

islandofsodor wrote: ↑Thu Jan 21, 2021 11:46 am

lotsolaffs wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:59 pm It may be worth researching what's on offer very carefully, BTEC's are due to be replaced with 'T' levels and there isn't provision for Performing Arts at the moment, not sure if that will change.
You may well find that colleges will be offering their own 6th form diplomas/provision in future. Emil Dale 6th form offers outstanding training, mine turned down The Brit School ,ArtsEd 6th form and Tring - mainly as we couldn't afford the latter two and took a place at EDA.
Performers offer a two year diploma/6th form, not sure if it's a BTEC and Urdang offer the AVT.
Hammond do a 6th form too.

That's not quite correct.

Performing Arts & Sport are the two areas specifically mentioned in the consultation document that will still be allowed to run standalone Level 3 A level alternative qualifications that are not T Levels.

11.We know that A levels offer excellent preparation for HE. However, the first stage
consultation confirmed that, in some subjects, qualifications with different delivery
models to A levels provide real value for students seeking to progress to HE. So, we
propose to keep additional academic qualifications, where they are high quality and
have a distinct purpose, enabling progression to HE courses that could not be
accessed through A levels alone.

Proposals

To fund alternatives to A levels where they enable progression to specialist HE
courses, such as our providers of world leading arts education. We expect these
will be limited in number.Qualifications taken as alternative programmes of study to
A levels and AS levels

78.The previous section talks about the qualifications that might complement A
levels as part of a broader study programme. We recognise that for a small
number of specialist HE courses, there will be a justification in allowing students
to specialise during their 16 to 19 study.

79.We propose that qualifications supporting progression to these specialist HE
courses should be available as alternative programmes of study to A levels. We
expect that only a small number of qualifications will meet these criteria and
these will continue to be subject to regulation by Ofqual.
80.Examples might include:

• Performing arts or sport qualifications. They will have a strong practical focus
and offer breadth and depth that is valued at HE for study in an allied subject.
For example, a qualification in sports and exercise science.

Fake News ,lol.
That's great research!
I only wrote what I read and didn't research it as throughly, probably as mine has been through that stage, no idea why I still am on this forum tbh.

Thanks so much guys, new to the site and only just seen your replies , I will digest and may have questions! Many thanks again.

Hi all, first post for me too - reading this has been very helpful. My daughter is in Year 10, and was focused on applying for Upper schools later this year. However, last year she had an injury which set her training back and time is therefore not on her side. This, and her body maturing over this period, has made her reassess her options, and she is now strongly considering going the MT route. She loves performing and in addition to dancing is a strong singer and actress too (Grade 7 Distinction MT singing & Lamda) but going the MT route is a whole new world for us. Reading the thread, above it sounds like unlike ballet, most applications to MT colleges are at 18. I see there are some vocational schools e.g. Hammond, Tring, ArtsEd but are there MT associate programmes or similar if she were to stay at her academic school for A levels? We're keen for her to stay at her school for A levels if possible. She's applied for NYMT / BYMT but wondered if there would be something term time she could do. We're based in SW London. Any recommendations/ advice would be much appreciated!

Hi wimdancer, my DS is at Arts Ed sixth form doing Alevels and MT Btec but before this we were also looking for something to supplement his training at weekends. He did MXM (Michael Xavier Masterclass) and it was a real step up from his usual weekend training. It's run by Michael Xavier who is so supportive and involved and he gets some great guest teachers. It's audition only so the standard is good as is the training. The kids were all super supportive and it has a great ethos. DS loved it and he says it really prepared him for his auditions for vocational school as it not only gave him confidence and amazing experiences but also taught him how to be professional, for example how to prepare and present your music scores for auditions. It's three hours on a Sunday in central London. My DS joined in year 10 and got the train up. We also wanted him to stay local but the opportunities to further his training just don't abound in the Cotswolds and it was a hard decision to let him go. Feel free to message me!

Another vote for MXM, my DD loved it and went there for 2 years, a high level of commitment is needed and there are lots of opportunities to perform.
She is still in touch with lots of the students, a great place to do extra training.

My DD (nearly 12) also at MX Masterclass having been at Spirit Young Performers previously. Really recommend MX.

wimdancer wrote: ↑Tue Feb 23, 2021 2:54 pm Hi all, first post for me too - reading this has been very helpful. My daughter is in Year 10, and was focused on applying for Upper schools later this year. However, last year she had an injury which set her training back and time is therefore not on her side. This, and her body maturing over this period, has made her reassess her options, and she is now strongly considering going the MT route. She loves performing and in addition to dancing is a strong singer and actress too (Grade 7 Distinction MT singing & Lamda) but going the MT route is a whole new world for us. Reading the thread, above it sounds like unlike ballet, most applications to MT colleges are at 18. I see there are some vocational schools e.g. Hammond, Tring, ArtsEd but are there MT associate programmes or similar if she were to stay at her academic school for A levels? We're keen for her to stay at her school for A levels if possible. She's applied for NYMT / BYMT but wondered if there would be something term time she could do. We're based in SW London. Any recommendations/ advice would be much appreciated!

Hi Wimdancer.
My daughter is now at Read college on their full time course. Prior going to Read she did associates at Wilkes in Swindon one Sunday a month this is available for 16-18 year olds. It would be very achievable on the train from West London.
For others looking at Sixth Form we looked at various places Arts Ed, Emil Dale etc, but for my daughter Read was the best choice. We have been really happy with the on line learning and pastoral support. She can’t wait to get back in college next week.

Elle’smom wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:31 am

wimdancer wrote: ↑Tue Feb 23, 2021 2:54 pm Hi all, first post for me too - reading this has been very helpful. My daughter is in Year 10, and was focused on applying for Upper schools later this year. However, last year she had an injury which set her training back and time is therefore not on her side. This, and her body maturing over this period, has made her reassess her options, and she is now strongly considering going the MT route. She loves performing and in addition to dancing is a strong singer and actress too (Grade 7 Distinction MT singing & Lamda) but going the MT route is a whole new world for us. Reading the thread, above it sounds like unlike ballet, most applications to MT colleges are at 18. I see there are some vocational schools e.g. Hammond, Tring, ArtsEd but are there MT associate programmes or similar if she were to stay at her academic school for A levels? We're keen for her to stay at her school for A levels if possible. She's applied for NYMT / BYMT but wondered if there would be something term time she could do. We're based in SW London. Any recommendations/ advice would be much appreciated!

Hi Wimdancer.
My daughter is now at Read college on their full time course. Prior going to Read she did associates at Wilkes in Swindon one Sunday a month this is available for 16-18 year olds. It would be very achievable on the train from West London.
For others looking at Sixth Form we looked at various places Arts Ed, Emil Dale etc, but for my daughter Read was the best choice. We have been really happy with the on line learning and pastoral support. She can’t wait to get back in college next week.

Thanks so much Elle'smom - will check out Read - that's so helpful, thank you!

Pandora II wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 1:02 pm My DD (nearly 12) also at MX Masterclass having been at Spirit Young Performers previously. Really recommend MX.

Thanks Pandora II and lotsolaffs - MX Masterclass looks great! Will definitely get her to audition.