YellowCar

I suppose in vocational dance schools the children already know the dance steps and can dance so then the choreography and expression part can be built on rather than have to start right at the beginning teaching basic steps. My DD still wants to do it but I do think she'll regret it, the dance teacher doesn't seem to like anyone trained in classical ballet apparently ( I've been pre warned by others already) I guess it's a case of the GCSE is only as good as the teacher delivering it

My fear about my daughter being bored is that if you can take GCSE dance without ever having any proper lessons then surely these children will have to be taught 'some ' steps in order for it to look like a dance and not just jumping around? While these children are being taught proper dance moves then surely the others that are inter standard and above will be bored? Isn't it a bit like me not knowing how to play an instrument then being taught a few notes and expected to create an amazing piece of music? In GCSE music you have to be a certain standard which I feel gives it much more credibility as an exam. Just my own personal opinion and concerns!

My DD Has chosen to do GCSE dance in September and I can't say I'm happy about it. I recently saw a dance made up by the teacher for the year 10s and it was awful and I have had various reports from other parents on how bad it's been for their children. Without sounding arrogant, it was the sort of standard my DD was doing in modern about age 9 ( I'm sure a lot of you parents get what I mean!,) I am really concerned that she will be bored to death after the first term. Someone has mentioned to me today that she may be able to do GCSE dance through the school as an extra GCSE but in her own time? I know I need to inquire at the school about this but has anyone else done or heard of this as she is also quite academic and I can't help feeling doing dance at school will be a waste . She is an all round dancer of ballet, tap modern and jazz. Any information or advice would be most appreciated.

Just write a letter giving notice and payment for a term, then go where you want, you don't need to explain yourself, it's your choice, you pay for that choice. If she's still not happy tell her you are moving away!!!

Clothes shopping in our house is such an issue, tops are fine but trying to find anything to fit the bottom half is a nightmare. My dd is 13 but has the waist and hips to fit a 6-7 year old but is average height, not skinny just a very narrow build. Skinny jeans are always baggy and leotards are always baggy at the back and anything with an adjustable waist just looks like a big bulge of material at the front. Peacocks occasionally fit, primark legging have to be taken in at the waist or in winter worn with long boots to cover the fact we've had to buy a younger age and they are too short, next she fits age 6-7 in waist, Its normally a case of wandering round looking for hours. Most shops now seem to cater for the bigger child. Very frustrating and I can fully sympathise with all you other parents who have the same problem.

I use PVA glue

My dd has thought about auditioning for Eyb, however, ballet is not her only love. Does anyone know of a similar type of performance based thing similar to eyb but includes, not just ballet but other forms of dance such as modern, jazz, tap and musical theatre? Preferably not just a short workshop or a day of dance. Or are there many associate type programmes that aren't just about ballet. Sorry, I know this is mainly a ballet forum but thought I'd ask!

Those tap /pointe shoes look amazing. I'm sure my daughter would love a pair as she is often practising her tap routines whilst wearing her pointe shoes!

Aileen, totally agree. Although I like my dds teacher I could never imagine socialising with her or even want to. I only really talk to her about things like tights, shoes etc, apart from that there would be nothing to talk about.

Ja sm, Opportunities at my dds school are not shared fairly, so for my dd this is now starting to become a problem. It's hard for her to ignore because the girl in question is now in all of dds classes since they've had a change in timetable this is why she is becoming increasingly aware of what I, as an adult have seen for many years but as she has been always happy before, have chosen to ignore. I have always brought my dd up to be a good sport and accept that you can't always win, you can't always have the big part in school plays etc and to accept disappointment, however, lets not forget, we are not talking disappointment through underachieving we are talking about favouritism which is a totally different thing and sadly in this case brought about by parent and teacher "relationship". Nothing wrong at all with being good friends with your dds dance teacher if its a genuine friendship. Favouritism is not something you can work on to improve like technique, It's very unprofessional and tricky to deal with. After reading others experience on this issue,Dh and I have decided that my dd must make her own decision as to whether she accepts things as they are or moves to a new school in the hope that credit will be given on achievements rather than relationships!

I can so relate to this. There is one child at my DD's school who is so clearly the "teacher's pet" and I have never really understood why. The girl is OK at ballet, but not outstanding, there are many others who are equal to her and some much better who never get the recognition. Over the years we have had to endure every summer school, show etc, where we can almost put money on who will have the starring role or a solo or have her face right in the front. The child over the years has become quite arrogant and thinks she is a cut above barely speaking to others. In a way It's quite sad, a lot of the girls, especially the older ones can't stand her now and I think the teacher and mum have created this arrogance and the negative feelings amongst the others over a long period of time. The only explanation I can come to as to why the teacher treats the child like this is that her mum constantly sucks up to the teacher to the point of embarrassment and manipulates and befriends her to get what she wants, it really is a mystery. As my daughter gets older she is starting to notice things more and has come to her conclusion that even though she gets on well with her teacher, in the teachers eyes she will always be second best however hard she tries to the point where she are now considering a move to a new dance school which will be quite sad as it would be an end of an era as she has been there since pre primary. I really don't know what to do for the best as I like the teacher and I know I will feel guilty if we leave and I know favouritism is rife everywhere, how do I know if the new school will be any better?

My dd does ballet, modern, jazz and tap and loves all of them equally. I would definitely let her do as many dance styles as she wants at a young age. The world of dance seems to be such a tough place and the more dance styles our children have then surely the more chance they have of a career in at least one of them. You can be great at ballet but sadly physique still plays such a big part in it and we don't know how our children's bodies will change over time, possibly for the worst regarding a career in classical ballet. Other dance styles may not be so tough on body shape. Its also about enjoying the ride and having fun along the way, so go with what makes you and your dd happy now and I would avoid the school that wants you to ask their permission.

Yes I am aware that I cannot change basic construction and if it's the way she is made, then so be it. Her knees have not always looked like this which is why I feel they could possibly be changed with the correct exercises, I have asked for advice on here to see if anyone has had a similar problem and overcame it. Thank you so much to the kind mum who PM'd me with her knowledge and advice, it is very much appreciated xx

I haven't spoken to her about it yet but DD has mentioned it. She did say to DD that she sometimes forgets to straighten them more than she could but that was all that was said. DD says she straightens them as much as she can. Think maybe I need a more indepth chat about it but it's half term now so thats why I thought I would ask on here just incase anyone else has experience anything similar and made an improvement.

Hello Spannerandpony, She has seen a physio but not a dance physio so the main focus for the physio was on the patellar issue, reducing inflammation and pain and not about what her knees looked like for ballet, although I did mention she danced. This is an issue that my dd wants to improve for her dancing so if it could be improved by stretching, that would be great. As I mentioned, it's only recently that the bent knees have become noticable, It may be just the way she is going to end up once she has finished growing and nothing that we can do about it which she'll just have to live with

My DD seems to have the opposite of hyperextented knees and is having trouble making them look fully straight. I'm sure they were never like this a few years ago. she has had patellar tendinosis in one knee in the past year or so and I'm wondering if the two may be connected. She has been given exercises to stretch the inside of her thigh muscles to help with the knee pain but I was wondering if any of you know of any exercises to help straighten her knees too. Could her bent knees be due to tight muscles? Any advice welcome.