Page 2 | A dance school question.

Dancerr · 2023-07-23T14:43:29+00:00

Teenage DD has been asked along with another teenager to teach a couple dance classes at their dance school per week. They'd be taking the classes but an adult would be 'around'. Apparently it will take 2 years to qualify so she wouldn't get paid for at least 2 years she's been told but she has to be commited everyweek. Can anyone tell me how this works as far as Safeguarding? Also, I don't know if I'm right here but if my dd is teaching the class then I would have expected her to get a little bit of money or a free class in exchange? Not sure if anyone has any experience of dance schools but it would be nice to hear people's views.

Iwasafool · 23/07/2023 17:46

Will they be helping her get her qualification?

Original poster

Dancerr · 23/07/2023 17:44

cantkeepawayforever · 23/07/2023 17:38

I would suggest that your dd says ‘no’ unless:

She is actively training as a dance teacher, using an appropriate syllabus
She has a clear written curriculum to follow, with high quality modelling of how to teach every element of it from a qualified teacher
She has had full safeguarding and first aid training, and knows exactly what to do
It is 100% clear, in writing, who is responsible for any injury or accident occurring in the class (and it shouldn’t be her)
All aspects of insurance and liability are made absolutely clear in writing
All parents of children in her classes have been informed, in writing, of the teaching arrangements in the class

If all of the above are in place to her satisfaction, then the question of payment arises. I would suggest she calls whichever dance body administers the syllabus that the dance school follows and under which she is being trained as a dance teacher to deliver these lessons (ISTD, BBO, RAD etc) to find out what normal practice is for the payment of trainee teachers.

DD supported dance teachers in dance classes across 3 different genres as an older teen. She was paid in line with minimum wage and was never responsible for the class.

This is very helpful thank you!

Some of these points have come up in conversation we me and a friend who's daughter has also been asked.

OP posts:

TrueScrumptious · 23/07/2023 17:43

Absolutely not. Under any circumstances.

cantkeepawayforever · 23/07/2023 17:41

Cross post. At 13, absolutely not. What if a child doing an exercise she has demonstrated hurts themselves seriously? Far too much responsibility.

cantkeepawayforever · 23/07/2023 17:38

I would suggest that your dd says ‘no’ unless:

She is actively training as a dance teacher, using an appropriate syllabus
She has a clear written curriculum to follow, with high quality modelling of how to teach every element of it from a qualified teacher
She has had full safeguarding and first aid training, and knows exactly what to do
It is 100% clear, in writing, who is responsible for any injury or accident occurring in the class (and it shouldn’t be her)
All aspects of insurance and liability are made absolutely clear in writing
All parents of children in her classes have been informed, in writing, of the teaching arrangements in the class

If all of the above are in place to her satisfaction, then the question of payment arises. I would suggest she calls whichever dance body administers the syllabus that the dance school follows and under which she is being trained as a dance teacher to deliver these lessons (ISTD, BBO, RAD etc) to find out what normal practice is for the payment of trainee teachers.

DD supported dance teachers in dance classes across 3 different genres as an older teen. She was paid in line with minimum wage and was never responsible for the class.

Original poster

Dancerr · 23/07/2023 17:37

Gatehouse77 · 23/07/2023 16:13

As PP mine helped with the younger ones and got free/reduced classes in return.

Actually taking a class? Does your DD want the qualification? If not, just decline graciously.

I am aware that dance schools are strange places. DD was good but not excellent and they didn’t want her doing exams as it would bring their ‘all distinction’s’ results down. Fortunately, DD only did it as a hobby and actually didn’t want to do the exams. Which she’d felt pressured to do at a previous dance school who were more focused on numbers than results. Ultimately, I was glad to find somewhere she could indulge her desire to dance, be in performances and improved to her satisfaction.

Thank you. She really wants to teach, she's only nearly 14 so a lot of responsibility, from what I gather they will be in charge of class but an adult nearby. I wasn't sure whether to push fir her to have something in return like a free lesson They won't be paying out for a teacher for 2 classes a week.

OP posts:

Gatehouse77 · 23/07/2023 16:13

As PP mine helped with the younger ones and got free/reduced classes in return.

Actually taking a class? Does your DD want the qualification? If not, just decline graciously.

I am aware that dance schools are strange places. DD was good but not excellent and they didn’t want her doing exams as it would bring their ‘all distinction’s’ results down. Fortunately, DD only did it as a hobby and actually didn’t want to do the exams. Which she’d felt pressured to do at a previous dance school who were more focused on numbers than results. Ultimately, I was glad to find somewhere she could indulge her desire to dance, be in performances and improved to her satisfaction.

Original poster

Dancerr · 23/07/2023 15:59

DanceMumTaxi · 23/07/2023 15:56

The seniors help out a lot at my dd dance school. Either taking classes or assisting the teacher. They get free class/reduced fees.

She's been helping out a lot but now it's changed to taking the class. No free lessons or anything, she takes 5 lessons a week there.

OP posts:

DanceMumTaxi · 23/07/2023 15:56

The seniors help out a lot at my dd dance school. Either taking classes or assisting the teacher. They get free class/reduced fees.