Thank you for all your lovely replies, its been reassuring to read them.
Eloise dd is a little older at 13 so will have been in the higher age group and your right the teaching was impressive. It made us both realise how restrictive her teaching has been, they are taught to syllabus with no other exercises done, it may mean they can pass exams but it is not allowing them to learn other things such as quickly remembering new step patterns or even how to improve a step such as practising it by flexing first and then pointing the foot.
The open classes are a good idea but unfortunately we live to far away to attend those but dd is putting lots of the advice given through the lesson now into her home practice, such as moving away from the barre and doing the steps in the center. She is also working on her flexibility especially through the the hip area. I've been impressed with how she has come away self confidence undented and determined to improve for the audition. She expects to receive a "no" letter but is looking forward to the experience of dancing there again.