annaliesey

She was 5 months younger than the requirement as at 1/9/15

Sorry Taxi but I know someone who did this at age 10 a few months ago

That's the same for us. However when they get their pointe shoes there is the temptation to wear them at home as obviously they are so excited etc. I just think if there really is such a difference between age 10 (as in case of my dd) and age 12 then the minimum age should reflect this as otherwise there are an awful lot of exceptions

But surely the RAD are barking up the wrong tree? It's not always the parents or dc's that are the keen ones but dance teachers themselves keeping up with other dance teachers! The RAD have set the minimum age for interfoundation exam at age 11 and it's widely known that teachers can put children in for exams under that age as exceptions! They have also stipulated the recommended teaching hours are 150 hours so for children to take the exam not long after the minimum age (at an average of one X hourly class per week) they are starting at age 9. Even the illustration of exams shows interfoundation starting after grade 3. Out of all the children my dd comes into dance contact with ie; local school, CAT scheme, London drop in classes etc, most of these girls have all gone on pointe around age 10 or 11 I even heard that an RAD examiner had told our local dance teacher that the average age of girls taking interfoundation exam was age 16 yet when we visited the examiners dance school ourselves they were all considerably younger (I'm guessing from appearance 11-12) Seems to be a bit of a trend to say one thing but do another

I'm glad someone said this I have a son doing A levels maths, physics, engineering at the same school as my dd a few years below him. Clearly I have been a supportive and non-neglectful parent as far as my son is concerned because of his academic grades so why any teacher feels the need to sit on a pedestal giving out parenting & careers advice on a subject they are not expert in, is a bit misplaced in my view. Especially considering our school is not a good school. Last term my Dd was removed from a class for "taking to long to find her hearing aids" and this week for "dancing" when she was just marking a time step having finished her geography work. I just wish some teachers (not all!) would cut dc's and parents a bit of slack considering how hard they work and the sacrifices people make. I don't think it's up to teachers to judge or attempt to measure how successful someone might be in their dancing career. It's not all about the prima roles, lead roles, fame or trophies. What about just making a living as a choreographer or making art? I'm with you mnemo with just keeping quiet as much as possible and getting on with it. I find it very hard to bite my tongue at parents evening if the subject of dance comes up. The amount of teachers who know someone who knows someone who went to <insert name of voc school> who is now unfortunately <insert disappointment ie; injury/working at supermarket/eating disorder/retraining etc>. Do they really think they are the first people to ever point this out? I must have heard "back up plan" a zillion times! I would actually argue that my year 8 dd is a lot more focused than a lot of her friends her age as she knows full well she needs 5 A*-C grade GCSE's to get into college and A's to try for theatre school scholarships. That's in addition to trying to get distinctions in her vocational ballet because of UCAS points.

What the actual?... Can't believe teacher crossed this line telling to cut down when she is doing so well

The most common thing for me is that so many people refer to dd as putting her "hobby" first even though some weeks she can be at the 20-25 hours dance per week excluding travel time. Hardly a hobby

These are incredible stories of hope and much love to you ballet4boyz and wishing your DS every success and happiness at voc school xx

Ah that makes a bit more sense

I'm not abusing the guy I'm sure there are aspects to the story the papers haven't communicated but the principle is there. I found this interesting actually in more of a context of contract law and marketing If a supplier offers to provide services in a certain way and with certain conditions then the customer has entered into that contract accepting those terms. I just think the power of social media and the opportunity to leave a bad review because you didn't like contract terms is something teachers need to be wary of. The teacher seemed to not respond in a way a lot of consumers might expect ie; customer always right. I think that made a tricky situation more emotional. But I'm still wondering how this could be classed as harassment on either side as far as reporting to the police goes

I feel quite sorry for this teacher. If the parent wanted more frequent or alternative watching opportunities then it's up to them to seek a school that provides that before they sign up. You can't reasonably expect any organisation to change how it works just because you feel like it. He sounds like trouble! Good on her for standing her ground and not being bullied. But I have to say that I much prefer schools where there is more of an open door policy and you can get a general idea of how things are going even if not actually watching So watch out Cheltenham teachers .. He might be looking for a new school

Thank you all for comments. I'm just feeding back. Just from a marketing perspective really I've encouraged appeal as otherwise the organisation would not be able to get a view on any inconsistency with results and how they measure. But I accept this doesn't help students who might be offered a retake if they just want to move on albeit with lower marks

Oh my gosh! What on earth would the police have made of such a silly squabble!!

So lovely to read, thanks for sharing

Hi Does anyone have any experience of going through appeals process with ISTD or RAD? I'm just doing a bit of work for a dance school where they have had a set of exam results back that are lower than usual (still some good marks but a few that stick out from the norm). The dance teacher is of the view that she should just book for students to retake rather than wasting money on the appeals process as she says it's the cost structure of the appeals process that puts her off. Thanks

Goodness yes! I think if its private lessons for exams or general development it's a bit different when you are paying for creative time too ie; for competition dances as need to allow time to come up with concepts, choose and cut music etc. All that has to come into the time allowance.

If it helps I've paid about £20 to £40 per hour depending on whether the studio is hired separately

It was only a suggestion of stuff that has been useful for me to have over the years. I never knew you could buy calpol in sachets, but these helped me with aches and pains and coughs or slight temperatures, to have one in my handbag especially if there was shows or exams and DD feeling slightly under the weather but didn't want to go home. It was just in my head of things I had found useful, Sorry if that worried you

Hi River In terms of equipment I'd suggest Plasters liquid calpol sachets for them Haribos or little sachets of sweets Water bottles Snap hair bands or the quick bun types Depending on where they get changed for class or shows or outside fetes etc possibly a bodysuit Stage makeup (foundation, eyeliner, red lipstick) ready for when they perform and makeup wipes Lots of sticky name labels so other children don't go off with your child's stuff Notebook in case your older daughter ever wants to write notes (I just think it's a nice habit to get into) Tips Don't let other parents bragging intimidate you and don't compare Do try to watch some classes if you can so you can hear how your children are spoken to Do listen out for conversations (obviously without snooping haha) with older girls as you'll pick up signals about what they are happy or concerned about Don't take it too seriously Wishing you all the best ... It's a beautiful thing to be involved in

And what do the teachers say? Disgusting to have comments made by a parent! I know how you feel and if I had my time again with someone who will remain nameless I would up sticks and leave! But .. There's usually one wherever you go it's how the teachers view and handle it I think that's important

This is the stuff that I absolutely hate! Fancy telling a child they cannot speak to another dance school and putting him in an exclusion situation. I can understand from a business perspective that a supplier doesn't want thier customers to talk to other customers of a different supplier in case they get the feeling that 'the grass is greener' and they switch but really this is not the way to run a business. It comes across as if you have something to hide and that you actually believe your grass isn't very green. It would be much better for suppliers to take comfort and trust in what they do and not try to restrict their customers in this way... by all means find other ways to "tie them in" ie; by making the school and customer experience so fabulous they don't want to go anywhere else. Otherwise it's just the behaviour of a lazy business mind. And then there is the child's well-being. How can the school possibly justify having him feel like an outcast? It's an advert for the school of a poor nurturing environment and if it had been different, perhaps they would have attracted other customers? People talk, especially mums sitting about or picking up and collecting. I should imagine they went away with a certain view of the dance school! I do hope that with social media and education and awareness that more parents and carers will come around to the idea that this is not how things need to be "in the dance world" ... it does my head in!

For me the tears and tantrums were from parents and teachers haha ... the kids got on fine especially and particularly across different dance schools but competitiveness would start to creep in with kids in our own dance school who were pitched against one another and then emotions stirred up by teachers and parents. I think our children naturally don't mind getting beaten if they can see with their own eyes why someone probably scored higher and they have thick skin and can take it all as development, it's when parents or teachers get emotional and precious, the bitchiness starts in my opinion. In context with this thread, I think having a certain amount of knock-backs at comps can prepare for what seems like a pretty tough industry later in terms of rejections and just accept that one adjudicator is going to like something more than something else. Sometimes they can benefit from just watching a competition and seeing the variety of performances and how teachers/choreographers work within different genres. Having said that, I also think children can get a bit "samey" if you know what I mean if there's too much competition work? I have sometimes been known to play competition-dance-bingo. Here's the leg tilt, here's the turns, here's the box jump and aerial/walkover etc and it can be all pretty much the same stuff just in a different order. ... and then there's the emphasis on just plain acro. This can all be good but I feel definitely make the effort to do other things that are less cheesy, trashy or predictable. I also think a handful of wins/medals can give a false sense of success too and it's important to stay grounded and get the technical training in balance. The main thing my dd does comps for now is for choreography opportunities so she can develop her own creativeness and be brave enough to put it out there and get feedback. We couldn't do that within a dance school I don't think. I haven't really come across any competitive schools that allow their students to enter their own choreography.

Can't someone you know pick it up for you? Otherwise I would send the 96p just to be done with it You never know, maybe she loses a lot of students and the cost adds up ... (meow!) haha

Jennifer Ellison's Summer School feedback (sorry I posted on another thread but makes sense to keep in one place) For £100 for the week it was excellent value for money (non residential) and fantastic fun! - 4 or 5 classes per day - Commercial was a blast with excellent choreographers/tutors - not much by way of corrections - Large groups of about 30 per age group. Was 60 onthe first day but groups were adjusted. - The registration forms asked for current genres and grades but this seemed to be ignored and split purely on age - very 'happy clappy' and upbeat.. there were 'select groups' at the end of commercial classes that I saw and everyone clapped and cheered for the select group - Diner served popcorn chicken and chips - very popular! Reasonable price £4 - Couldn't take any own food or snacks on site (bit difficult if child likes fruit snacks for example) - Not much ballet - only one or two classes I think - DD loved Jazz with Jennifer - DD disappointed in tumbling instructor who didn't spot her one time for back handspring and she hurt herself - DD disliked the drama saying it was a bit boring (sorry, just her feedback) - DD loved the aerial silks as she had done some before (think they did this twice). From a spectators point of view I'm glad my DD had been taught elsewhere how to come down properly as it can be dangerous to slide or jump, even onto mats from near the bottom, and some of the kids were doing this when I watched. - We were all told to buy a t-shirt £20 as mandatory but then it seemed there were others there not wearing a t-shirt - Very easy parking DD would do it again purely for the jazz and commercial and for fun.

Talking of underarms .. I overheard DD's teacher explain precisely the size of cherry tomatoes she was to imagine under her arms. Most of her imagery is food related. I think lots of teachers like to refer to food as another teacher I overheard (in Cambridge) described someone's movement as "overlooked spaghetti" where it was continuing to move long after it should have stopped!