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!

[Thismustbelove]

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

Music schools are online only.

Many independent teachers did not re-open at all since March including ours.

We had a private music teacher come to our home but as we are now in lockdown that is no longer allowed either.

We are looking for a new teacher (unfortunately the teacher we had is amazing at playing but less amazing at transferring his knowledge to young children!) and I expect will have to go to their house but currently that is not allowed either.

My kids tried zoom classes but it didn’t work and was a frustrating experience. I think it would work better with older children/teens.

Music has more or less stoped since March. It will re-open in December but with Xmas, realistically it will be January before it resumes ie if we don’t have continued restrictions.


Dance (in a small village hall) has not re-opened since March. Others did but had to close again and others are doing zoom.

[PeonyandDahlia]

It says dance studios need to close in the government guidelines.

[AlexaShutUp]

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.

Doesn't sit right with me either.

[Thismustbelove]

Stopped!!!

[PeonyandDahlia]

It also says most youth groups will need to close except for those providing 1:1 support.

[AlexaShutUp]

Thanks Peony, I've seen that now. Just wanting some clarification re drama and 1:1 music lessons now.

[Dustballs]

I'm gutted that this is going to be a big loss to my DD.

But more worried about the freelance teachers at the dance school tbh.

Somehow they got through the previous lockdown and are still all there, from what I can tell.

Will they be OK through this though? And will the dance school and other schools like it?

[Quartz2208]

Some (our Drama school part of a franchise for example) is ofsted regulated and takes childcare vouchers as payment - these things may very well make it different from those that dont. And cover the educational/childcare bit

[Newgirls]

Has more guidance come out? For my dd drama on a sat is educational - she does lamda exams and wants to go into that career. If it’s just a month it’s not the end of the world but for longer would be very sad.

[Micah]

Dc is an elite athlete. All their training is cancelled as the leisure centre will shut.

[AlexaShutUp]

Some (our Drama school part of a franchise for example) is ofsted regulated and takes childcare vouchers as payment - these things may very well make it different from those that dont. And cover the educational/childcare bit

Yes, I see that for younger kids. My dd is a teenager though, so it's a bit difficult to see it as childcare for that age group!

[MissDollyMix]

I’m so disappointed to see that riding schools are included in the list. On the one hand the regulations state that a form of outdoor exercise with someone from outside your household is ok but, even though my DD has a private, socially distanced Covid-secure lesson, so it’s literally just her and her instructor, that’s not ok. I haven’t told her yet but she’s going to be devastated. It’s the one thing that keeps her going when everything else is tough.

[AlexaShutUp]

Newgirls, there is some new guidance but it's very vague and I'm still unclear after reading it.

I think the drama schools will have to close, personally, as I think they will come under the heading of "most youth groups", but time will tell.

[Doyouknow]

What about at home 121 tutors? Do you think they are allowed to continue as before?

[AlexaShutUp]

Not sure tbh Doyouknow.

[Thismustbelove]

What about at home 121 tutors? Do you think they are allowed to continue as before?

They are not allowed in Ireland. You can’t have people in your home unless on the essential list or part of your support bubble.

That said restrictions are interpreted differently in the UK....

[SpringSunshineandTulips]

I’m hoping they clarify. I’m guessing swimming and dancing will be off. Wondering about football and rugby though - although they are based at a leisure centre so I guess the leisure centre will be shut so they’ll have to be off.

[Ellmau]

Not sure about his Science tutor but thinking he won't be able to go as households can't mix. It is education though.

You're allowed to go to work even if it's in someone's home so it looks as if the tutor comes to you, it can go ahead, but DC cant go to tutor's home? Illogical perhaps but there are always anomalies with things like this.

[Summerfreeze]

Amazed to see that close contact martial arts have been allowed (up to now anyway). Surely people shouldn't be physically interacting in this way?!

[Thismustbelove]

You're allowed to go to work even

In Ireland you can travel to work if you are an essential worker only. Alternatively you must carry a letter from your employer stating you cannot carry out your work unless you are present in the workplace.
Everybody else must work from home.

[pontypridd]

Has there been any update on this? We’re waiting to hear from our dance school - they sounded hopeful yesterday in their email.

[nancypineapple]

Our dance school (and every other one we know of) is back on zoom from Thursday.

[ellentree]

Ours goes from 3-19 including offering a full time college qualification. The oldest ones are continuing as that is their education. The younger ones are stopping. I think this is the right decision.