Moomin

Good luck with it. I don't think they'll have any problems with you joining a class with teens. Worse scenario, they say no! You haven't lost anything. My only suggestion would be to try and have some idea of what came in grades 1-4 if you don't already know as the others will have that prior learning which make it a bit more difficult for you.

I'm not sure why you would need a second supervisor. The scenario is not the same as your example as there is a recognised and qualified person directly supervising all parties. I'm sure if the activity didn't involve supervision the risk assessment would be different

The scandals you give as examples involve adults who were teaching/ assisting/ helping out/ facilitating. Those adults have a duty of care. As a fellow pupil you do not have that, it is a requirement that there is another qualified person who has the safeguarding duty and is responsible for supervising you so that you do not have the opportunity to do wrong. That is the crucial difference.

The interpretation of the law by youth organisations and by a ballet school will differ as the later is not age restricted- classes are generally not advertised as being only for a specific age range. And their own rules are just that, an interpretation, it is down to an individual teacher to risk assess and if something went wrong they would be accountable, just the same as any other profession. Personally I think the definition is quite clear, regular or prolonged contact without the teacher present. As many of us have said it is down to the individual professional dance teacher to interpret but I don't think many of us would call the occasional 2 minute loo break regular or prolonged. If the class was left regularly without a teacher that would be a risk in so many ways, the main being injury from lack of supervision. I've never known a teacher to do that

Seconded x

Glossary: Substantial Unsupervised Access (to children) Where an adult has regular or prolonged contact with children, or access to children’s accommodation which provides opportunity for such contact, without another adult responsible for the welfare and supervision of the children being present. No they don't as there is a qualified teacher present

Grooming also takes place between children and between children and teens and between teens and vulnerable adults.

If they're there alone they're unsupervised the whole time? Ballet classes aren't actually a 'youth organisation'. It is a grade 5 class, to learn The grade 5!syllabus. I don't really want to give my resume on line but I know what the law around dbs certificates is agd more importantly as a parent I have to risk assess all the time. A group lesson with a teacher present with adults who have taken the time and effort to get up to grade 5 in that syllabus is not a high risk environment and my children are far more vulnerable at other times. By the time they are at grade 5 level I would hope I would have instilled enough common sense in to them to deal with a situation. I think it is always important to risk assess but only step in when necessary if the child is in a vulnerable situation

Children are in a vulnerable position in a toilet though as they can be locked in alone, neither is the case in a classroom.

The law does not require a dbs check. Children as young as 8 can go to a public swimming pool on their own with no supervision whatsoever.

Being 'in charge' and directing young people in the form of chaperoning/ helping/ supervising a very different to being a student on the same footing as them though and that is where the distinction lies for me. I have more open access to the children as a mum

Has anyone used the pbt DVDs? Any good?

Why would you need a dbs check? You're not supervising the class or being left with students or correcting them? Teens and adults Dance together in adult & grade classes in lots of places although ultimately it's up to the teacher. I agree check the age of the pupils as I think teens would be fine but it may be a bit more difficult if they are 10!

Where is your class Michelle?

Yes definitely not giselle! Are they really expecting an 11 year to play that character? I'm a bit shocked! Perhaps make up a different, more appropriate scenario with similar feeling?

If you wanted to teach another syllabus you'd have to learn their style and pass their own intermediate wouldn't you? If you were interested in another syllabus you could probably ask to watch some classes or buy some of the exam DVDs?

Do you have to wear satin shoes with ribbons for classes as well? Buying new shoes for an exam is a bit alien to me as we just have leather with elastics (pre seen????) all year round

I think Ryanair may require a passport, definitely check with the individual airline before booking as the cost of a passport is ridiculous these days!

Do the original school do lessons somewhere else at weekends? Or do they only provide lessons for the school? I'm not sure it's ideal to be mixing different syllabi and grades at such a young age if I'm honest although it sounds like progress is very slow at the first school if she hasn't taken primary yet and has been going for 2 years

That one would be really difficult as it's also low at the sides so no chance of a bra or any support! It's more traditional than her choice but have you looked on the eleve website? You can customise the materials so could stand out at audition and some styles would be possible with a bra http://www.elevedancewear.com

Definitely not allowed scissors, not sure about needles, they'd probably be much less obvious when scanned. I'd check and I'm sure the flight crew would cut your tape for you

You can still audition though!

Such teeny tiny feet! My 7 year old is a size 2???? I would suggest trying the main freed shop too

If she's 15 nearly 16 I think most places would let her join an adult class now if they don't do teens beginners. She may prefer to be with adults rather than younger teens now anyway. Perhaps you could go with her and it may give you more of an idea which school you would like for the younger children?

My daughters see all sorts of things and then pester for lessons, if they don't want to give something else up I take it that they're not that serious tbh! If it fits in with your schedule and you can get there easily and have the extra money without too much hardship is let her give it a go, otherwise I'm afraid I'd be hard and insist something else is given up! My daughter is similar to yours, very active, same age, nice physique etc. she's been dancing for 5 years though and I think you have to be very realistic with expectations, there are an awful lot of 10 year olds the same and very few opportunities. that's not to say she isn't that 1 in a million but I'd try and keep her expectations very realistic