Dance classes for 7 year old - West London, considering Arts Education School in Chiswick

[Strix]

Has anyone send their children here, and if so, what did you think of it?

www.artsed.co.uk/part-time/saturday-school-introduction/

DD (7) takes dance lessons elsewhere but she really wants to take street dance so I'm thinking of enrolling her here on Saturdays in January.

Any experience / opinions would be most welcome.


thank you!

[defyingravity]

Who teaches the Saturday classes?

If it the teachers from the regular school then brilliant, go for it.

However check that they don't just use students which can mean high turnover of staff not really interested in teaching.

Arts Ed is a very famous school with a great reputation.

[Strix]

Good point about who teaches it. i have no idea. Our current dance teacher has informed me that if we take any of the classes she now takes from her to another school she will not allow DD to participate in festivals. I was a bit that she thought Arts Ed not up to her standards.

[defyingravity]

My dd's ballet teacher told me that there are many schools in the area that don't allow their children to go elsewhere for anything else. She says she can't understand it herself as the more a child does the better. The only thing she doesn't like is if they study a syllabus that goes against what they are learning in class so for example a different ballet style (associate schemes not included of course)

She says she thinks that some dance schools feel threatened by their students taking classes elsewhere. She is confident in what she provides so sees no need to feel threatened.

My dd does ballet tap and modern at her dance school and jazz/singing and drama at Stagecoach. No problem. They offer differnt things and she benefits from them all.

[defyingravity]

Most traditional dance schools also don't do street dance, what they tend to offer is more of a street jazz style.

[Strix]

Sorry, I was unclear. It is just modern/tap/ballet which she can't take elsewhere. I guess if all dance school are like this then I have to accept the way it is. But, her class schedule is terrible for her age. I really like the teacher and the school is very convenient and has some of DDs friend from school. But I have to consider whether being at dance class until 7:00pm is in DD's interest or the school's interest.

I think Artsed offers a steet/jazz class as you say. So, I may just go there for that class and see how DD likes it. Then, decide whether to move all or none of the tap/modern/ballet classes.

[defyingravity]

The festival regs depending on which one (my dd doesn't do festivals) requires that you are registered as being with a particular school.

Dd's ballet school would have no problems with her doing a masterclass elsewhere and in fact her ballet eacher runs an advanced company which takes children from all teh ballet school in the city. She had no problem with dd doing a term of ballet at Stagecoach (the dance teacher was taking a teaching exam so ran a free class to give her extra practice) as long as it didn;t go against the technique she was learning at her regular class.

However I know this is unusual.

My dd is almost 9 and I have only just added tap and modern to her schedule (after much nagging) she does that on Tuesdays 5.00pm - 6.30pm, then ballet on Thursdays 4.00pm - 4.45pm so its not too bad for her. The older ones go later.

[Strix]

That's not a bad schedule. We have ballet 4:30-5:15 on Thurs and modern and tap on Fri 5:15-6:45. And i think that's a rubbish schedule for a 7 year old. So I am reaqlly struggling.

Mind if I ask where you are?

[defyingravity]

We are in Staffordshire.

Once she passes her next ballet exam it will all be on a Tuesday. Ballet 4.15-5.00 Modern 5.00 - 5.45 Tap 5.45 - 6.30. The teacher lets them grab a drink etc in between times.

The dance school is also within walking distance of her normal school so we walk into town after school, grab a drink, snack then walk back.

We chose that school becasue an ex colleague of dh's teaches there (he teaches in a couple of colleges similar to Arts Ed)and we liked the ethos - all work done in class including show rehearsals - no big shocks at show/exam time and an understanding that for dd her drama comes first - her dance is meant to complement, not take over from it. She does compete in the odd drama festival.

[HollyS2004]

Oh this looks complicated. My 5 yo wants to go dancing. My friend said I should only send her to a Cdet Recognised School as they are the only ones that guarantee things like CRB, insurance etc but all schools in our area not Cdet school. What do you lot think?

[elphabadefiesgravity]

CDET is very new for children's part time classes.

Basically they are an organisation that accredit full time dance courses and they have in the past few years started to accredit children's part time ones.

I am not yet a member but am in the process of filling in all th paperwork. However there are not many schools that are accredited yet mostly becasue they want around £100 every year for the registration. Also most dance schools are affiliated with some kind or organisation or awarding body anyway so many teachers don't see the point.

I really must get around to sending off all that paperwork!!

[mumtolawyer]

My DD goes to ArtsEd Saturday School for ballet and modern. Teaching is NOT by students, one of DD's previous teachers has just been poached by the Royal Ballet School. They do really well.
However, some teachers seem to be incapable of telling you anything in good time which is infuriating when it is a matter of arranging times for the extra classes for the exams (Compulsory, if you want to sit the exams). You really need to make sure you ask about things as communication can be patchy.

[Strix]

In the end, we decided to stay put. I do hate the schedule. But, we don't want to give up the festival team and DD loves seeing her friends from school.

But, we may dabble in a one week theatre course this summer at Arts Ed. Would like to stick our toe in the door anyway. But, certainly not burning any bridges at the current dance school just yet.

Patchy communication is a definite minus. I do get good e-mail communication from existing school.

[elphabadefiesgravity]

When is the theatre course? Dh is teaching at a course at another college but they only take older kids/pre vocational students. We are thinkingof going down and spending a week there whilst he is there. Dd would love anything like that.

[Strix]

Lookey here: www.artsed.co.uk/part-time/holiday-courses/summer-young-people/

[monica1983]

There's a dance at energie fitness gym (next to Hackney Town Hall) on tuesdays, 4pm-5pm, for boys and girls. Streetdance, African, Contemporary, Ballet and Jazz. For kids aged 6-11
They are not cdet approved, but all teachers have a valid CRB, fully trained - what more can you ask for?

you can email them for more info: [email protected]

[BoattoBolivia]

www.kidsdancegroup.co.uk/This is where my dd goes, and has done for about 3 years. They are brilliant and all Crb checked. They do a fantastic one week summer school.www.kidsdancegroup.co.uk/index.php/summer-courses

[HRH123]

My dd has been offered a place and Arts Ed in Chiswick. Any views on the school please?

[Sparklymommy]

My daughter has danced with the same school since she was 2. She does masterclasses, summer school and workshops elsewhere with her dance schools blessing. However, the students are meant to clear any classes taken elsewhere with the school.