Boys not allowed at school ballet class

[chocolateisnecessary]

So - a mum at the school has started a ballet class after school for reception and won't admit boys.
She keeps giving different reasons - it's art not sport, boys don't stick with it, they need to be trained differently etc.
The teachers take the girls to the hall at the end of the day before pick up so he's very aware he's not going. Basically, he's in floods each week.
I spoke to the head who said it's a hire and not school policy so there's nothing she can do.
I think that's wrong, that there should be an equal ops policy that they push through with hires.
Does anyone have any knowledge on this before I go see her again?

There was a thread on here a while back, maybe someone remembers the poster...? They wanted to run a boys only craft class to encourage more boys to do crafty stuff and the parent of a girl complained and she had to allow girls in. Can't recall the details I'm afraid but I'd agree the clubs should not be discriminating

I don't know much about ballet but I think they are being a bit daft. My DDs school runs a very successful gym club and while at a higher level boy and girl gymnasts certainly need different training, at the level they are at they happily admit boys and have some doing some great stuff.

I'm sure the same should apply to a reception class ballet club. Try the Head again.

It sounds like she's not a proper ballet teacher so doesn't know how to teach boys. If that's the case and she's an unqualified mum who used to do ballet herself Id run a mile anyway as she couod be teaching I safely.

My dd is 15 & her teacher makes her learn the boys steps & vice versa so in the future it will be easier if she wants to teach & also some choreographers cross over these days.

I'm appalled & would put in a formal complaint. Separate sex classes are the ideal but only if both are available & there us no need at beginner level.

So the teacher's right to choose who to teach can't be considered her right as a private teacher because of equality for boys and girls?
I am sure I am wrong, and in minority to think this way, but I do feel she should be allowed to teach who she wants to teach in private setting.(Well, the location makes argument difficult, but income for the school can only be considered positive these days?)

But is this a private club?

I don't know, but at our school, we have private clubs at our school run by outside teachers.

A friend's son did ballet up to 12 and loved it. Very sporty, loves rugby and footie. Why can't the boys join in?

So do children from other schools attend the class? If not I'd question whether it was truly a private hire.

Has the teacher got her own insurances etc?

I used to run dance/drama classes after school & my school venues teachers had no direct contact with me. Parents were responsible for getting their children to my classes.

If it is a 'mum' running the class and not a qualified dance teacher, then it will be shit anyway, so there isn't any point in your ds going to it.

No reputable dance teacher would jeopardise their reputation by discriminating against boys.

Steer well clear and find a proper dance school

I don't think the boys can't join in, more to do with the teacher doesn't want to teach boys. (I maybe wrong.)

@irvine Legally, it's exactly the same as saying she should be allowed to just teach white kids if she wants to. It's on exactly the same par in the act as it would apply to reception.

I agree it's bad for but I agree with the pp who said you're fanning the flames. If he is really in floods every week maybe you need to toughen him up a bit there will always be things kids aren't able to do. Imagine when the party invites go around and there's one he's not invited to. It's one crappy club once a week I really would relax!

No, no kids from other schools and the teachers take them to the hall. If parents were picking them up and taking them there, it'd be much less messy I think. It was set up by the mum via a private Facebook group for the class. And those parents not on it didn't know etc which has caused other problems.

Personally i pick my battles. You will have many years probably at this school- do you really want to fall out with people over this - is this a battle you want to fight? If he is in tears every week i would sign him up to a proper class and forget about the mum run school one as I am sure he will quickly do too.

100% agree with outandin

@chez I get that but this is purely because he's a boy and is discrimination. At four, I think he's allowed to cry when his friends go and feel it's unfair.
Am sure the tears will stop but it's not a great message is it? You can't dance because you're a boy - act like a man and deal with it?
Every time he sees dancers now we get 'boys can't do that'. I'm unpicking a very strong discriminatory message from the school which to be honest is more my issue than the club. Especially taking on board what people have said re the teacher.

Also don't get why, if handled right, I'd be falling out with the school.
Surely it's okay to say - I have a concern, here's my argument, can you look again, without it starting world war three?

Choc that is really hard for him if he really wants to dance. And plain wrong at reception age.

As pp said if he is really keen then it may be worth finding a proper class. Some are more geared up for boys and will have photos on website etc but go and have a look. My DS did ballet and tap for a few years and it was great.

Hera a girl's only space? Pity it's so pink and fluffy

Is it that severe matter that needs to bring in racial things?
I have a boy, and admit it's hard work compared to girls at that age. I can totally understand somebody who only wants to teach girls.
Race, yeah, it's out of order, but gender, I am not so sure.
Also, I would consider a boy who wants to do ballet is more serious than a girl at that age about what he wants to do, so I would be tempted to send him to more proper clubs, rather than club run by one of the school mum.

Sad to see people saying a four year old boy should toughen up

For those who said guiding is female only...sadly no longer. You can identify as a girl and you're in

@irvine That's the legal position according to the Equalities Act. Sex and race on a par.

Falling out with school can be possible. If the school insists on gender equality, and the mum quits. School lose income.

@irvine Yep, I can see that. Thing is, it shouldn't have got to this. Equality should be a condition of hire for this age, especially if teachers delivering pupils.

That is bonkers reasoning for a club. I bet it one of 'those' ballet classes where the gitls all wear pink tutus and pretend to be princesses. Thats all that is avaiable around my way sob!. I am desperate for DD to do ballet but until she is older and can do proper classes she has to do rugby instead.

Try printing 1000s of this picture and plaster them all over the school. (its Carlos Acosta)