Boys not allowed at school ballet class

Hope it works out OP. The majority were definately with you in terms of it being awful sex discrimination and it's highly offensive to say that boys are generally worse behaved than girls and give that as a reason not to want to teach them. It's one of the worse cases of hideous gender stereotyping I've heard for a long time. It's offensive to the girls too IMO

But boys at this age(4/5) can be simply difficult though... they aren't as mature as girls. My ds attended ex-cul class since 4. That was class for 4-7.
Some of the mums of older girls left. I felt bad, but I couldn't do anything, except for keep telling him to behave. Now he is one of well behaved one, but he was unbearable when he was younger. I can totally understand the teacher only wants to teach girls at this age.
Maybe trying to exclude him as a boy, is a polite way to say, no, I don't want to teach your ds?

We are assuming that the person is unqualified because the OP described her as a mum and a choreographer/dancer, and also because a qualified dance teacher would not prevent boys from joining in the class - on the contrary, with an element of 'captive audience' in a setting such as this one, they would go out of their way to encourage the little boys to take part.

And she needs to challenge the school because no maintained school in the UK should be facilitating such blatant sex discrimination.

We are assuming that she is an unqualified teacher because qualified dance teachers have to maintain registration with an accredited organisation such as the RAD, ISTD, BBO, IDTA etc & they have to adhere to their code of conduct which includes sex discrimination. They would also have to have proved competence in teaching both sexes.

Why a lot people assuming she is an unqualified teacher?
If OP has decided to take ds to outside class, why does she needs to challenge the school about club with happy children? Isn't that up to attending children's parents?

Sometimes un qualified coaches and teachers can operate under a sports club insurance linked to some one with qualification - however as far as I have ever known usually you can only get stand alone coach insurance if you have some basic qualification as a condition.

Technically private clubs can be girls only, but the school should have an equal opportunities policy. This should include things like who they hire out rooms to.

I'd write to the governors asking for a boys or a mixed ballet class. Set out how this 'club' was formed and ask for an explanation.

Then find a proper ballet class.

I agree with Eliza in that there are many 'unqualified' teachers, but they are generally top professional dancers giving masterclasses, and/or working with advanced & professional level older teenagers and young adults. They will also, I'm sure, have adequate insurance cover and first aid training.

For this person to refuse to teach little boys in their after-school club... words fail me really. Sex discrimination at its worst.

There are some excellent "unqualified" teachers out there. But they are more salt those who have been trained in countries or methods where exams are not the norm & in my experience tend to work with more advanced students.

Ballet is incredibly easy to get wrong, forcing turnout is something little children do to copy ballerinas for example & it's incredibly dangerous on the knees.

I agree with the pp about sports coaches. The majority of even volunteer sports coaches have a qualification. Its so important in any physical activity to have a knowledge of what children's bodies are capable of & different stages of development.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35130914

And OP,I think being "one of those Mums" in this situation would be great!

So all the people saying it's not an issue and he has to accept there are things he won't be able to do would have no problems with their daughters being told they couldn't do computer club/science/ whatever because girls don't stick with it,they think differently..that'd be ok? Really?
He is being prevented from doing an activity he wants to do and is capable of doing because of his sex.In reception. How is that acceptable?

I'd have a chat with the governors re their liabilities and insurance if she is not suitably qualified

A bit of netball with older children may be ok and crafts with is one thing as low risk. However ALL guidelines are to NOT have unqualified people teaching kids stuff. Even in football and rugby they should be qualified coaches with safeguarding training as well as basic training on age appropriate sessions and things not to do with very young children. If the parent coach with a certain group in a club isn't there should be a certain number available who are on hand. Oh and First Aid also in case some thing happens. I've read before that ballet is one of those sports that should only be taught in certain ways with young children.
Our school would not permit it without all this in place.
Adult stuff is different as adults can make own choices.

I think it's quite common to have non qualified people taking after school clubs though. Some of the mums at our school do netball, Zumba, crafts without qualifications, I think a community would suffer if it didn't work that way. But that said, yes this woman sounds rubbish and maybe a proper teacher would be better.

chocolate I'm with you on wanting equal opportunities for your son, but the more information you give about the set-up of the classes and teaching qualifications (or lack of) of this parent would have massively put me off by now.

If DS was that keen, I think I'd have explored a properly qualified, affiliated teacher and classes for him. Maybe google now and start ringing round in the New Year?

She is being ridiculous. Firstly, it's not a private club. That only applies to members only institutions and the kids don't apply as members. Secondly, single sex is only justifiable when there is evidence of disproportionate participation e.g. A boys only ballet class would be fine but not the other way round. I wouldn't worry about falling out with the school, you can be polite and firm.

The school really need to check that. Unqualified people should not be running sports lessons or dance lessons in schools. Never mind charging for it. Otherwise it could become a dangerous free for all

is she actually a qualfied ballet teacher? that would also be a huge red flag if not and needs her CRC check etc