I think we need a plan C

A place to talk about full time schools and post 16 training.

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carriecrafts
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Re: I think we need a plan C

Post by carriecrafts »

Katy, she is clearly talented enough as she got offers last year! Fingers crossed for a DaDA for you this time but I understand your need for a back-up plan.

Even if it doesn't happen this time don't give up. She is very young and, like Suesmith said, many on the 3yr courses are 18/19/20. I know my dd changed so much between 16 and 18 and is quite a different performer now. Don't feel like there is a rush, she would need to be at least 18 to start a degree anyway. DD's CAT scheme advised students not to go away at 16 even if they got offers, saying that many choreographers preferred working with slightly older graduates anyway (I don't know how true that is, and I think they were referring to contemporary companies, but it reassured dd).

My dd got offers at 16 but no DaDA so spent the last 2 years doing a BTEC before starting at Urdang this September. There are some excellent BTECs but it seems there is quite a difference between BTECs offered by some FE colleges and those offered by newer specialist academies which are accredited/funded by local FE colleges but delivered more independently. Of her Urdang housemates, 3 did these partnership-type BTECs and 1 did A Levels.

DD's course was 28 taught hours per week, 8.45-5.30 Mon-Thurs, plus optional extra classes at the affiliated dance school and evening choir. In the run up to shows at Xmas, Easter and summer there were 12 hour days. It was almost all practical with some business/nutrition/MT-history type theory. It was her reluctant 'plan B' but it turned out to be brilliant for her. Just in her cohort last year they had students go to Laine, Urdang, ArtsEd, Chichester, MAD and EPA off the top of my head. Many of the teachers also teach at the big schools (she will have her old contemporary teacher at Urdang next term and the MD also teaches at GSA). They also have regular West End performers as guest teachers. I can't recommend it highly enough!

I hope you won't need them but there are good options available.
x
Katymac
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Re: I think we need a plan C

Post by Katymac »

I'm feeling a bit more content now - the pre-voc have advised her to apply for 3 colleges with 2 as a backup

They seem to be very positive

We have been very pleased with the level (& amount) of training - about 34 hours a week. Her body shape has changed as has her core strength & when she danced with her old dance class recently the changes were very obvious

I think we need to look for a 1 year compressed BTEC as she needs about 160 UCAS points to add to her dance exams to consider a uni place. She would rather a Diploma - but if she doesn't get one she would need UCAS points to try a degree.

The pre-voc people also said that if she were older London Studio Centre would be a good place for her to apply to
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STEFFYSMUM
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Re: I think we need a plan C

Post by STEFFYSMUM »

although is sad to say this but not everyone makes it as a professional entertainer evening after paying lots of money out to go to these places. if someone wants to do that as a job they will find a way. I know some people look down on it but there is holiday camp jobs and cruise line jobs and entertainers abroad. all getting good money for doing a job they love. ok its a hard job but so is most. my daughter for instance was getting 250 a week for being a team star at park resorts and that was live in. only food and spends on top off that. so its something to look into if all else fails. but fingers crossed she will be fine :D
Katymac
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Re: I think we need a plan C

Post by Katymac »

Aw thanks Steffysmum, she is already performs and has a possible future in a niche market anyway; she just wants to widen her avenues. But she would love working in a holiday park, or on a cruise or probably teaching in a school

But as she has to be in education or employment between the end of this year & when she can leave school - I'd still need a plan C


Part of the training is proving you can do 6 shows a week & matinees I think; it's about stamina
paulears
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Re: I think we need a plan C

Post by paulears »

I've been doing some research with my colleagues and compressed BTECs look very rare on the new system. The new rules are biting, and as everyone on Level 3 next year is on the new system it's looking very difficult to do it in a shorter period.

Each unit criteria can only be covered once, and once a grade has been awarded, it cannot be repeated like in the old system where continual improvement was possible. So if the length is shortened some assessments will be done in the first months, when they're quite green - and maybe they only get a pass. It stays a pass, and even if every other criterion is distinction, the overall grade will be pass! This means most colleges and the 'canny' schools do mock assessments in the early stages of a unit, so they can build skills and technique for later real assessment, hopefully at the higher grades. Re-submission is still possible but must be considered a rare thing not a common process, and must be agreed with a senior member of staff. The universities seem to rather like this new system which will effectively stop every applicant appearing to have DDD grades. It hasn't made BTEC harder, but it has stopped people repeating over and over again until they eventually get a D. The teachers I spoke to don't like the new system. The mention earlier about hours is also being addressed by many colleges introducing 2 hours compulsory self-study that has to be done in the school/college, which then counts as course hours. The kids, of course, are avoiding it like the plague.

There are also a number of dance type schools who are going into franchise arrangements with colleges - so the kids do the work at the dance school, and the college remotely either assess and verify, or just verify grades. They then split the Government funding. The awarding body course application just consists of the school or college signing to say they have the physical facilities and suitably qualified staff to deliver it - and there doesn't seem to be a system to verify this actually works.

It seems to me that if a place can offer lots of taught classes each week, and some of them contribute to the BTEC, then this is the best of both worlds. The lucky ones who go away on these pre-voc courses are also causing the colleges problems, as the quality of their intake goes down. The one I've been talking to admits the number of dancers signing up who have 'proper' dance training is going right down, with the street dance only dancers making up the majority. It means the standard of dance goes down - but also the standard of everything they do because so many are also NOT in the local am drams, or have any real experience, just school drama - and as we know, that's pretty rubbish!
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CatKat_0
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Re: I think we need a plan C

Post by CatKat_0 »

Interesting - what a minefield
Katymac
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Re: I think we need a plan C

Post by Katymac »

The word I was thinking was shables - the whole thing needs a re-think

DD walked the level 2 in YR9; she also completed her Arts Award Bronze at the sametime with the assessor saying they had never seen that standard of work from the centre (which is primarily funded for children from deprived areas) which considering her level of dance at the time was odd imo

The funding for level 6 needs to be standardised into the degree/student funding system with none of this nonesense about "top-ups" asthey are 'private' colleges.

& imo they need to decide if they are dance/performing colleges & do it on audition or if they are academic institutions & they do it on UCAS points - a combination of both seems odd to me.

Mind you, I am a heretic, I think most courses shouldn't be chalk & talk (at uni) a vast variety of subjects including things like engineering should be much more vocational.

My dad did his Structural Engineering qualification at the college of building (MIstructE) 4)rs of practical applications and an exam after 4years at college. Now back in the 80s it became a 3 year degree and they then spent the next 4 years being trained by their employer as it wasn't enough practical

Education has gone badly wrong (imo)

Possibly the wrong place for a rant, sorry!!
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