LSC accomodation

[afab]

I'd love to hear from anyone going to check Chester House out as it is clearly a bit far us to do so... Can you let me know what you think Lorry and Recless?

[princess1]

My DD has decided she wants to live in a house as she wants the whole independence! Not sure if I should reserve a room at Chester house just in case!

[BlackSwan]

My 16 year old DS has just learnt that he has been awarded a scholarship at Urdang Academy on the Diploma Course. We are delighted for him but have had a challenging few days researching and worrying about the cost of accommodation in Central London and trying to find an affordable, safe, well located option. We have rang every halls of residence on the Urdang recommended list, regrettably many are for students over 18 years olds and those that will take under 18 year olds are neither on the door step, nor affordable i.e. most circa £250/280/300 plus a week

By comparison to any other option we have looked up on the internet, emailed or spoken to on the phone, Alison and another lady (sorry don't know her name) at Guy Chester House have been by far the most accommodating, responsive and informative of all. They are very encouraging and supportive of young performing arts students and report to have a number of students every year from LSC, Mountview, Central Ballet and Urdang Academy. The rooms look basic and not particularly trendy, but they are very clean, reasonably bright and fully furnished. Guy Chester is a registered charity located in Muswell Hill, N7, subsidised by the Methodist church, albeit any faith and non faith students are welcomed, I am assured there is no bible bashing and that religion isn't a key feature, but that Christian values are expected to be respected. It was especially set up to provide affordable safe accommodation for young students living in London for the first time. They have apparently invested recently in their common rooms, dining rooms, games and cinema rooms, gym and dance studios with barre and mirrors. They won a best in class award in 2014 for student satisfaction and the environment looks and comes across as safe, secure and welcoming. The catering is meant to be very well thought of with cooked breakfasts and hot evening meals and salad bars with various options included Mon-Fri and they have a 5 star rating for food hygiene. Lunches are also included at weekends.

Single rooms with a washbasin are £176 inclusive of meals and all bills, which after looking at all other options looks exceptionally good value to me. They only charge you for the academic year and give a 50% discount at Easter and Christmas for unused weeks (unlike most other central London locations who want to charge for 51 weeks regardless)

The only downside I can see is that although the buses stop directly outside of Chester House and go to Angel (only a short walk to Urdangs facilities from there) the journey is apparently 40-45 minutes in length. Bus travel is free for u 18 London resident students, so once they are confirmed as resident then they can apply for a free pass, so that's another saving. In an ideal world my son would have liked to avoid a long journey so although we have reserved a room we will keep looking for alternatives but I think realistically for his first year in London this will be the one and I am hopeful that other young dancing students and parents conclude the same and that there will be a good clutch of dancing and performing arts students all able to travel in and out together, which will make the travel less of a drudge and provide safety in numbers during the late nights.

Please let me know if you are a Mum who ends up drawing similar conclusions or indeed a Mum who has a student at Guy Chester and are wiling to share your experience?

Many thanks
Black Swan

[acsbj14]

I too have booked my DD into Chester house. We are going to have a look around next Tuesday before paying a deposit. Alison has been extremely helpful in answering all my questions. Working the costs out in my head over a year I think I would struggle to find her anything else for the same amount of money. In my opinion an easy option for her first year. Hopefully we will feel the same after looking round next week. Will let you know!

[BlackSwan]

Please report back on your views acsbj14. We know we need to visit and test the journey out - Alison has given us 4 weeks to formally confirm so we will sort something out shortly.

[2dancersmum]

Have you checked out London Hostel Association to see if any of their properties are suitable? My son needed somewhere to stay in central London and we struggled to find anywhere affordable. He went to a shared room at Holland House for £157 per week to include breakfast, evening meal - gym and laundry on site. Initially it was to be temporary but he liked it, made friends and ended up staying the whole year. About 2/3 of the people there were students and long term residents. I confess I am not sure of minimum age but I know the LHA was or maybe still is on English National Ballets accommodation list and they take 16 year olds. I'm not saying Holland House is right location wise but I know LHA have several properties - some catered and some self catered in a number of London locations so there might be something suitable.

[BlackSwan]

Thank you 2 dancers Mum, I will investigate Holand House further. I have only made enquiries at the Kings x hostel so far but we didn't like the dormitory style arrangement or the transient population there

[acsbj14]

I certainly will report back BlackSwan. Im feeling very positive about the place. There should be a good mix of students there and chance to find their friends over a period of time.I for one can't see any negatives at the moment as my DD will be going to LSC so a totally acceptable commute. Will see what next week brings

[BlackSwan]

What's the length of commute for LSC acsbj14?
My son would be travelling on the number 43 which drops off at Angel and Sadlers Wells? Would your daughter be on the same route by chance??

[Katymac]

The bus for LSC goes in the opposite direction from the bus stop opposite the 43 - I think it's a 134 & takes about 20 minutes

[Katymac]

DD did Saturdays at LSC stayed at Chester House over night & spent Sunday at Urdang

[Recless]

Black Swan
I wouldn't worry too much about the 40 minute bus journey. My DD has been at Urdang on the foundation course and lived a handy 10 minute bus ride away. However she found it very tiring getting back at 6.30 ish ,having danced all day, to go shopping cook for herself and clear up. She did enjoy the independence and living with other dance students but she is keen on Chester House this year ( LSC this year) as she will look forward to having her meals provided and a bit of time in the evenings. So any time your ds is spending on the bus will be more than compensated for by the meals being sorted.
I am planning to go and have a good look around next week so will let you all know what I think.
Nice to think that there will be other performing arts students there too.

[BlackSwan]

Excellent thoughts Recless - thank you. please do let us know your views after your visit, your observations and commentary will be valued. Agree the more performing Arts students the better forgot to mention earlier that they also have a music room and piano, so hopefully something for everyone no matter what your favoured performing art genre

[BlackSwan]

What were your daughters impressions Katymac?

[Katymac]

She loved it & cried her eyes out when she didn't get into Urdang not because of the college but because of Chester House & Alison (who I spoke to only last week despite DD not being there for 2 years now)

But that was last year & this year she has adored her landlady as well (so maybe she is easy to please?)

LSC was never an option as she has no UCAS points but she loved the associates there; TBH there have been few colleges she has 'disliked' more that some she preferred