Bleak future for local ballet schools in Britain

[Pas de Quatre]

Royal Ballet Primary Steps on Demand

 

There has been a certain amount of discussion among dance teachers about how pupil numbers dropped during Covid, and although they have picked up again, we are very apprehensive about the future.  As prices of energy, interest rate rises (mortgages) and general inflation stretch people's budgets, they may need to cut back with dance classes among the first to go.

 

For some years now dance has been taught in schools, but the qualified Dance teacher could always reply that it was often little more than music and movement delivered by the regular teachers, (not qualified dance teachers) often as part of PE.  Now we have this initiative from the Royal Ballet School which may well reduce enrolment in private dance schools.   Why should parents pay for classes at a local dance school, even if the teachers are well qualified and experienced, when they can be taking classes direct from the Royal Ballet School through their Primary school? 

 

RBS has also introduced its Affiliate Training and Assessment scheme for dance teachers, but it is very expensive to pay for the initial training and then ongoing fees each year, make it out of reach of all but the largest dance schools.

 

Why are RBS undermining us in this way?  I would be very interested to hear everyone's opinion on this, parents, dancers, teachers and all ballet lovers.

[Theodore19]

I can't help think that The Royal Ballet School is now a money making exercise. Every year they bring out more and more auditions world wide. On-line associates, for those not a JA etc. More and more JA sites. My son attended WL and it was hard enough then to get in, now they seem to let hundreds of children audition and attend  at a cost to parents when there are still 12 girl spaces and 12 boys. 

[OnlyDance]

It will be interesting to hear how many schools join up to the programme. Given the cost, I can't imagine my DD's primary school signing up. I'm not a teacher but in the state sector I thought school budget's are quite tight right now? I've read articles where some teachers have even bought resources out of their own pockets.

[BisforBallet]

Perhaps it will help. If schools take this on board then those who wouldn’t have even considered dancing will have access and perhaps then seek out a local dance school? 
 

[Kerfuffle]

I would be surprised if the average primary school would prioritise an  online ballet programme over other types of PE. I also can’t see it getting in the way of parents wanting their young  children to experience dance with  in person teaching at dance schools. I don’t know about the other affiliate system - I guess it might suck parents in if they think it will enhance their child’s chances of becoming a JA/getting into White Lodge. 

[MamaFrosty]

I’d be interested to know how many schools will take this up too, a lot of budgets are tight and spending money on school sports is often reserved for in person provision to free teachers up for planning time - if this is online then that won’t work and a lot of schools will feel that there are better things to spend the money on. I could be totally wrong though! Teachers (and TAs!) often buy resources out of their own money because budgets are so tight unfortunately. 
 

 

[Tiaramum]

16 hours ago, Theodore19 said:

I can't help think that The Royal Ballet School is now a money making exercise. Every year they bring out more and more auditions world wide. On-line associates, for those not a JA etc. More and more JA sites. My son attended WL and it was hard enough then to get in, now they seem to let hundreds of children audition and attend  at a cost to parents when there are still 12 girl spaces and 12 boys. 

Its becoming a Brand rather than a school for the talented 😞

 

[Kerfuffle]

It’s totally a brand and not one that is particularly loyal to its customers from what I’ve heard! 

[Pixiewoo]

Our local primary schools have dance as one of the 'modules' of PE in various years. Our dance teachers are paid to go in for a set number of sessions to teach this module.

But I can't see the schools signing up to RBS. 

[Kerfuffle]

Maybe the private schools will sign up to it? That would be pretty lucrative and I can see it being a great marketing tool for parents who don’t want to have the fuss of finding a dance school to provide ballet. The royal ballet school is part of the independent sector after all. 

[Pas de Quatre]

Most private schools in this area already have a visitng dance teacher who gives classes - usually RAD ballet and sometimes tap as well.   

 

Lots of schools offer dance as one of the modules in GCSE PE and also in A level.  However, in both cases it is assumed that they are studying at an outside dance school as they have to submit video of themselves performing in front of an audience.

 

Actually I am not sure you could call the RBS independent when it is mainly funded by tax payers money, whether directly or through MDS, DaDa or any other grants and scholarships.

Edited April 22, 2022 by Pas de Quatre
add last sentence.

[Kerfuffle]

Unless a school is totally free of cost to the parent it is private in my opinion. The  MDS/Dada is a form of scholarship, it’s just coming from the government instead of the school. Parents have to be willing to pay substantial contributions for their children to attend and a lot make substantial sacrifices to top up the shortfall in fees. It’s the same with the local dance schools, none of this is a charity. In the end if more children get a chance to learn ballet for free within primary school  is this a bad thing? I can understand it’s frustrating to dance schools but I’m just thinking from the children’s perspective. My kids did a tiny bit of ballet at primary, maybe one term in 7 years. At secondary they have only been offered a term of it, as an alternative to full contact rugby (this wasn’t even ballet it was a keep fit video). 
 

 

Edited April 22, 2022 by Kerfuffle

[Tiaramum]

2 hours ago, Kerfuffle said:

It’s totally a brand and not one that is particularly loyal to its customers from what I’ve heard! 

I love the wording of this. The customer experience has been far from ideal BUT I wouldn't take our adventures with Royal away and would do it again but with my eyes wide open perhaps

[glowlight]

If there is take up for this, I think it could increase demand for local ballet schools by introducing more children to ballet.  

 

If local teachers are smart (and most of you are very astute business people), if a primary school in their area is using the RBS programme they will hook into this as a way to promote the benefit (necessity) of in person training for ballet.

 

 

[Kerfuffle]

Yep, keeping eyes wide open is the trick. In the end we are the customers and that should be empowering. 

[Kate_N]

20 hours ago, Pas de Quatre said:

Why are RBS undermining us in this way?

 

If they are subject to similar pressures that, for example, universities are subject to, they may be finding that their continued state funding (via ACE, DoE etc) is subject to things like:

outreach

accessibility

 

Basically, the push to get rid of perceived "elitism" in the arts world. 

 

Of course, this "elitism" is a figment of policy makers' imagination. Small local dance studios all over the UK constitute a huge grass roots movement, but the whole study of dance - and ballet in particular - suffers from being seen as amateur, elitist, only for middle-class girls - indeed, this latter thing is quite telling: both ballet & netball are the most widely played/studied sports/movement practices for children & teens in this country, yet they are overlooked or even mocked because they are largely pursued by girls. I think it's sexism.

 

I've been in policy-led conversations in my field when people have bemoaned the decline of arts education in the UK. I point out that my local dance studio is committed to openness, diversity, safe and professional dance training for all abilities - but it is never included in any surveys of arts provision in my rural city, and because it's "paid for" or extra-curricular, it's seen again - as elitist etc etc. 

[Kate_N]

Also, it might be worth looking at the parallel with music teaching in primary & secondary schools. That is in decline - how are freelance music teachers dealing with this? Are there professional associations (beyond RAD, BBO, ISTD) of studio owners? Could you set this sort of thing up, to work together to advocate for local studios?

[Pups_mum]

I think the pressures on school budgets and the demands of the national curriculum are likely to limit the success of this scheme in the state sector at least. It is admittedly a long time since I had a primary aged child of my own, but I have a few friends and relations who are teachers/TAs and they all tell the same kind of stories. Whilst this scheme may be inexpensive compared to paying a "live" qualified dance teacher, I can't see the kind of schools where teachers are paying for glue sticks and cereal bars out of their own pockets and SATs scores take priority over all else, being able to find £500-£1000 for a "non essential". And that's the kind of thing I'm hearing from my teacher friends at present. One of my relatives was telling me recently that a significant proportion of her pupils come to school hungry in the morning and her school budget barely covers basic stationary costs. Ballet is not likely to be a priority there, even though it would probably benefit the children.

I could envisage some independent schools liking the kudos and reduced costs compared to in person teaching maybe though. 

[Kerfuffle]

Improving access has to be a good thing. I don’t think that dance is anywhere near as elitist as classical music having a child studying it seriously in each area. Dance schools have children of all backgrounds in them, particularly in the lower ages/primary. Perhaps ballet specifically is a bit more so but for example my son might qualify for a bursary for a classical music  course because he isn’t at Eton but there is no way my daughter would qualify  for the equivalent in ballet. Unfortunately as you get further into training it does get very expensive, mostly as it becomes an arms race with the cost of either vocational school or intensives/associates/private lessons to keep up. Don’t get me started on pointe shoes!! 

[Blue Box Ballet]

On 21/04/2022 at 15:02, Pas de Quatre said:

Royal Ballet Primary Steps on Demand

 

There has been a certain amount of discussion among dance teachers about how pupil numbers dropped during Covid, and although they have picked up again, we are very apprehensive about the future.  As prices of energy, interest rate rises (mortgages) and general inflation stretch people's budgets, they may need to cut back with dance classes among the first to go.

 

For some years now dance has been taught in schools, but the qualified Dance teacher could always reply that it was often little more than music and movement delivered by the regular teachers, (not qualified dance teachers) often as part of PE.  Now we have this initiative from the Royal Ballet School which may well reduce enrolment in private dance schools.   Why should parents pay for classes at a local dance school, even if the teachers are well qualified and experienced, when they can be taking classes direct from the Royal Ballet School through their Primary school? 

 

RBS has also introduced its Affiliate Training and Assessment scheme for dance teachers, but it is very expensive to pay for the initial training and then ongoing fees each year, make it out of reach of all but the largest dance schools.

 

Why are RBS undermining us in this way?  I would be very interested to hear everyone's opinion on this, parents, dancers, teachers and all ballet lovers.

I wholeheartedly disagree with your take on this.

 

Lets take the examples of Music & Drama, these have always been taught in schools to a greater or lesser extent. To my knowledge having access to these subjects does not negate students appetite to learn more/ specialise in a particular area or seek out private instrument lessons or enrol in a local drama club.

Primary steps on demand is an astute way of adapting to the opportunities that online learning can bring. 
My understanding is that it is up to the schools/ teachers on how they wish to use the online material.
To my understanding it is NOT a replacement for in person classes but rather an introduction to the art form as a whole.
Students will also be learning more than just ‘technique’, there will be crisis curricular activities to link and support other subjects. 
 

I also appreciate the upscaling of teachers who do not have a background in dance.

Surely this is better than having no dance in school at all. 
 

I do understand the fear that this will may appear to be a ‘barrier’ to the employment of the local qualified dance teachers.

However I believe firmly that this type of scheme can only build the case for having more visiting teachers once the head teachers & powers that be see the broad benefits. 
 

Regarding the affiliate program, I have spoken positively on this matter elsewhere on the forum.

I have long believed that the current model for exclusively exam based/ syllabus learning is doing our students a disservice. 

Around a year ago I followed a discussion with interest on a private FB group where one teacher had the breakthrough moment of actually building up the movement aims & vocabulary of the grade before teaching the set exercises and was astounded by the results.

Of course there are MANY excellent teachers in the recreational/ private sector who enter students for exams without teaching simply to the test. 

I believe it takes an institution like RBS to get us all talking like we are now and truly reflecting on how best to inspire the next generation of dancers and dance enthusiasts. 
 

As ever, I’m a glass half full! 

Edited April 22, 2022 by Blue Box Ballet

[Blue Box Ballet]

21 hours ago, Blue Box Ballet said:

… there will be ‘CROSS CURRICULAR’ activities to link and support other subjects. 

Please excuse my typo. 

[HopelessMummy]

Our school's sports premium is being used for a specialist PE teacher.

 

I can't see this rbs programme being used in place of private dance schools.

[Kate_N]

On 22/04/2022 at 15:34, Blue Box Ballet said:

I have long believed that the current model for exclusively exam based/ syllabus learning is doing our students a disservice. 

 

OFF Topic - but Brava for saying this. I see it as young dancers move into adult/open classes, and can't really cope with the style of an open class. 

Edited April 23, 2022 by Kate_N
typos

[Peony]

I think there is some money allocated to schools specifically for sport and it’s somewhere around the cost of this programme (coincidence?!). I’m not a great fan of the way so much for even young children now involves a screen. I do think something like this adds more value to more children than their existing outreach programmes which benefit very few and don’t really introduce ballet to a new audience. Schools tend to only do each type of physical activity for half a term though so that the children have variety. Best thing would have been 6/7 free lessons for each year of primary. As it stands it appears to be more about income generation

[Out-the-other-side]

The Create and Dance units of work on the Royal Ballet website are fabulous and free! We have used them to support our Primary dance curriculum for a while now. I hope they will still be available once this programme is up and running! Our sports premium money is also spent on employing a sports coach and we would definitely not have the budget (or the will) for this as it meets only a small aspect of the primary PE curriculum. 

[taxi4ballet]

I can't help wondering whether it might have reverse effect and introduce a lot more kids to ballet who would never thought of doing it before. They might well then ask their parents if they can start going to ballet classes.

 

If all the boys in primary schools take part, it might also start to dispel the prevalent notion that 'ballet is just for girls'.

[alison]

SWOT analysis: is it a threat or an opportunity?

[Peanut68]

Has RBS got a new structure employing Business Managers/Commercial Directors or outside consultancy directing them down this expansionist  ‘land grab’ route to drench the dance marketplace with RBS branded opportunities? I don’t dispel it nor do I see it negatively - just am keeping an open mind whilst looking at it. I think as an institution they - and others - saw how the speedy rush to online delivery of courses necessitated by covid was quite successful & could then be monetised…

But over saturation can dilute & devalue a brand too….

Much to mull over….

[HopelessMummy]

On 24/04/2022 at 13:53, Peony said:

I think there is some money allocated to schools specifically for sport and it’s somewhere around the cost of this programme (coincidence?!). I’m not a great fan of the way so much for even young children now involves a screen. I do think something like this adds more value to more children than their existing outreach programmes which benefit very few and don’t really introduce ballet to a new audience. Schools tend to only do each type of physical activity for half a term though so that the children have variety. Best thing would have been 6/7 free lessons for each year of primary. As it stands it appears to be more about income generation

Sports premium... it's not that much and the schools must publish a document to show how that money is being spent. There is no guarantee that sports premium is going to continue beyond next year. Most schools use this for a specialist PE teacher and/or swim lessons. Schools have to show that it is value for money and enable sports to be accessed by all.

 

I also don't think many primary schools have heard about this RBS initiative so they need to cast their net wider if they hope for a big sign up

[Dance*is*life]

I didn't realise that this was an online iniative.  We were actually discussing something similar at a session yesterday during the RAD Open House with regard to getting more boys involved in dance.  A suggestion was made to use online lessons in schools to get them interested, but I am personally doubtful that that would work. I think boys need face to face tuition.  I know my current lone male student left zoom classes, because he found them uninspiring.  He needed interaction.  However, many years ago, when I was still living in the UK,  I was approached by a kindergarten teacher and invited to teach a ballet class once a week.  Because it was a regular kindergarten, there was a good proportion of boys.  They really loved it and were delighted to join in!  No-one had told them that boys don't do ballet 😅.   I really believe that going into schools could be a positive approach and could well interest children in learning ballet who otherwise wouldn't......?

[Pups_mum]

20 hours ago, Peanut68 said:

Has RBS got a new structure employing Business Managers/Commercial Directors or outside consultancy directing them down this expansionist  ‘land grab’ route to drench the dance marketplace with RBS branded opportunities? I don’t dispel it nor do I see it negatively - just am keeping an open mind whilst looking at it. I think as an institution they - and others - saw how the speedy rush to online delivery of courses necessitated by covid was quite successful & could then be monetised…

But over saturation can dilute & devalue a brand too….

Much to mull over….

Interesting indeed @Peanut68

Covid has without doubt changed how we view what is possible and indeed desirable in many ways. A lot of it is good. My husband's work has changed beyond recognition as now he barely travels. He's more efficient at work, family life is better and the environment is benefitting. What's not to like ?

My son's maths tutor has stayed fully online. She can teach more pupils on the same time period as she's not travelling so she's earning more money whilst charging less per lesson - we all win.

I'm Secretary of a sports club. I have no intention of ever resuming face to face committee meetings. We get better attendance, take less time and spend less money doing them virtually. It's great!

But it isn't a universally applicable model and I think dance is one of the areas where online teaching has major limitations. I think the majority of teachers and pupils that I know were desperate to resume in person classes, for a variety of reasons. Yet online teaching has positives too. It definitely has the potential to take teaching to pupils who couldn't otherwise receive it, and to make specialist knowledge more accessible. But it also has the potential to be extremely lucrative and thus could be abused as a tool by more commercially minded people. I think it is very much a two edged sword and great care needs to be taken to ensure that it is used wisely - not sure how though!

[Peanut68]

34 minutes ago, Pups_mum said:

Interesting indeed @Peanut68

Covid has without doubt changed how we view what is possible and indeed desirable in many ways. A lot of it is good. My husband's work has changed beyond recognition as now he barely travels. He's more efficient at work, family life is better and the environment is benefitting. What's not to like ?

Great & thought provoking post  but re: the above section may I beg to differ?? I really feel a massive loss to quality of family life as the husband has given up every form or business travel & face to face meetings … I really miss my ‘time off’ when he was overseas or even the couple of hours when he might meet a more local colleague for a drink in the pub!!! Might just be me….

🤔🤔🤔

[Pixiewoo]

DD has had some amazing experiences and encountered some exceptional teaching via zoom with small or one to one classes, and lots of support and correction. However, this wouldn't have been possible without her already having had many years in a face to face studio, and knowing what she should be doing. As extras, and 'top ups' it was phenomenal.  She still occasionally does a zoom class with one of her favourite dancers, sometimes at a random time, as this dancer is travelling and offering classes here and there. 

 

(DD also attended some other zoom classes that were a waste of time and money)

 

I think if the RBS are going to offer this, then maybe as a 'taster' it would work, but regular class really does need to be face to face.