Drama/dance/music lessons etc

[AlexaShutUp]

I assumed that these would stop during lockdown as they are clearly non-essential, but have just received an email from dd's drama school (3 hours at the weekend type activity) saying that they will remain open as a covid-secure education provider. WTF?!

Surely this isn't right? I mean, I know I don't have to let dd go if I'm not comfortable, but that's beside the point. My understanding from the briefing earlier was that we're supposed to go out for essential activities only. Surely it's a bit of a stretch to say that these hobby activities are "education"? They're not remotely in the same category as school as far as I'm concerned!

[movingonup20]

They will have to shut, they are recreational not education. My dd plays in a semi pro orchestra, they can't meet, the other plays rugby also cancelled

[caringcarer]

My ds cricket net session with coach 1-1 in a lane is cancelled. Not sure about his Science tutor but thinking he won't be able to go as households can't mix. It is education though.

[AlexaShutUp]

I am hoping that there will be clarification from the government.

Yes, I anticipate there will be more clarification next week, but dd is desperate to know right now.

I'm torn tbh. I think these activities should close, and if they don't, I'm not sure that it would be responsible to let dd go anyway. On the other hand, I know how important they are to dd's mental health and how much she'll miss them if they close.

[Augustbreeze]

@SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun the recently updated schools guidance says outside PE only I think?

[AlexaShutUp]

indoor and outdoor leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, stables and riding centres, soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centres, archery and shooting ranges, water and theme parks

Thanks Serenade, that's helpful. Clarity regarding dance at least, though I'm pretty sure that dd's dance teacher would have closed anyway - she's pretty responsible. No mention of kids' drama, though, so I'm still unsure about that. I agree with the poster who said they're recreational and will therefore have to close.

[starray]

I see arts training as educational and just as essential as any other subject.

[bestbefore]

All these things will have to close for 4 weeks. Let's hope it's only 4 weeks

[pickleface]

I am a musical instrumental teacher. I very much see myself self as an education provider and will be teaching from my home as normal. Obviously I will be conducting online lessons for those who feel more comfortable doing so. Doesn't work for very small ones though LOL

[AlexaShutUp]

All these things will have to close for 4 weeks

Yes, that's what I assumed, but the drama school clearly doesn't agree!

Does anyone know what the position is with regard to individual music lessons (the type where the pupil goes to the teacher's home)?

[Thismustbelove]

I’m in Ireland and all of our indoor activities have been closed since March!

Swimming opened for three weeks before shutting again.

[AlexaShutUp]

X post pickleface, thank you.

[Walkaround]

What about extra-curricular musical instrument tuition by peripatetic music teachers coming into schools during the school day?

[2anddone]

My dd is in floods of tears tonight. The weeks that have past since her dance school reopened since the first lockdown has done wonders for her mental health and now they are going to have to close again

[Thismustbelove]

I am a musical instrumental teacher. I very much see myself self as an education provider and will be teaching from my home as normal.

Music closed here as well.

[Officialfigures]

In the guidance that people are quoting above there is a separate section on children's activities. I can't find it now but saw it earlier. I'm sure it says something like "the majority will have to close" (don't quote me!).

[pickleface]

@Thismustbelove

I am a musical instrumental teacher. I very much see myself self as an education provider and will be teaching from my home as normal.

Music closed here as well.

That's interesting, is that every private instrumental teacher or music schools?

[AlexaShutUp]

Sorry to hear that 2anddone. Dance is very important for my dd's mental health too. It was the thing she missed most during the last lockdown. She hasn't been back on a full schedule yet due to social distancing and reduced class sizes, but still, it was something. However, it's only four weeks at the moment, so we're trying to stay positive!

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

@Qasd

Our dance school is a school for vat purposes.

I don’t know what they will do but they are working towards qualifications including some of the same qualifications as vocation dance schools offer so I can see it’s not cut and dried to be honest, why should you be able to continue to work towards your inter foundation qualification at white lodge but not at an extra curricular school?

But as I said I don’t know what they will say they haven’t said, but qualifications do seem to make a difference to what is described as education?

Dance schools have been subject to the same rules as gyms so far.

[marveloustimeruiningeverything]

@midnightgrace

Of course they're educational. I sincerely hope they are classed as so and staying open.

I agree.

Any of the after school drama/dance/music/sport clubs at schools should be allowed to continue, as they're currently being run within the bubble year groups anyway with all the protective measures in place.

Outside providers ... might not be as straightforward ... but anything run in house should be allowed to continue.

[AlexaShutUp]

In the guidance that people are quoting above there is a separate section on children's activities. I can't find it now but saw it earlier. I'm sure it says something like "the majority will have to close" (don't quote me!).

You're right, I've just looked - the guidance hadn't been published when I looked earlier. It's a bit vague though!

[SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun]

“Some youth services may be able to continue, such as 1-1 youth work and support groups, but most youth clubs and groups will need to cease for this period.”

[AlexaShutUp]

marveloustime, yes, I agree that any activities being run in schools should continue, as they're already in those same bubbles anyway. Are schools actually running these activities at the moment though? Don't think ours is!

I was mainly referring to outside activities, which might bring together kids from different schools/year groups. This just doesn't feel right to me in a national lockdown.

[trilbydoll]

Stagecoach here is Ofsted registered, I don't know if that gives them a bit of added educational kudos?! The kids are not 2m apart though. I guess we'll get an email this week sometime.

[AlexaShutUp]

That's interesting trilby. This isn't stagecoach but similar. No idea whether they are OFSTED registered or not tbh!

[nancypineapple]

I run a kids art group although I haven't reopened my older classes this term at all due to the threat of lockdown and the concerns of various parents about out of school bubble mixing. My toddler messy play classes have been shut since March-they are not safe to run and cannot possibly be made "covid safe". I'm just not sure how any baby/ toddler /after school "covid safe" class can justify itself as essential childcare . I have to agree with the previous poster who said its down to money and also have to question how extra curricular classes can be allowed to run when surely the priority is to keep schools open. It doesn't sit right with me if gyms, swimming pools etc have to shut that a franchised drama weekend class can run during a nationwide lockdown.