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?

@chillywhippet Thank you! Agree.

So you are hot on equalities act, but totally ok to neglect the teachers wishes/right, because you are right.....
I would really prefer the world that I can say I don't want to teach you because I don't want to.

@liquid

@irvine She has wishes. I can wish to burn down something. But I don't. Because of the law.

@irvine You do not have a right to be racist/sexist/discriminatory.
I think we have a different world view on gender and should leave it at that.

It is perfectly legal to have boys only, girls only & even black only dance classes & there are valid reasons for many of these classes.

The only valid reason I can think of for a girls only age 4/5 year old after school class is an incompetent teacher.

Agree!

"I don't want to teach you because I don't want to."

Wow can those be the rules? All the teachers I know will be thrilled.

@Eliza Not according to several lawyers I know... Unless as positive discrimination - can't apply here - and you provide an equivalent for the rest.
But I suspect you're right about the teacher.

In infants I would expect my DDs to be able to play rugby or any traditionally male activity, which they did, and my DS to dance, or any other activity.

Good luck OP. Go back to the head. Speak to chair of governors if you don't get anywhere. This is not a little boy invading a girls only space. In most countries ballet is considered an athletic, masculine activity for boys, but here it is seen as odd for boys to dance. Sad.

I would tread carefully. It is one after school class. School mums chatter and have friendship groups. You are new to this if you have a 4/5 year old. I can guarantee that if you are mentioning discrimination and the like feelings will be hurt and you may be one of "those" mums for evermore! Is this worth it?

Bitofacow, you do get I am only talking about a ex-cul teacher at private setting, right?
If private piano teacher teaches a child she doesn't wants to because she needs money, it's still her choice, isn't it?

single sex classes run as advanced students train in different ways. The RaD run vocational grade exam prep classes for students who know thecsyllabus already but want a class led by an examiner prior to taking the exam for example & they are sometimes single sex as the boys & girls excercises are different.

My daughters school runs boys only days to encourage more bits to get into dance.

One of my DCs was the only boy in a Saturday dance school of nearly 200 children. He did ballet and acrobatic dance. In their annual shows he stood out in stage with his black ballet shoes when all the girls were in pink.... I kept hoping another boy wd join, but no one did. He did dance for two years, all the time as the only boy. It makes me wonder how this country ever gets professional male dancers if we don't encourage them!

Do they allow girls to be in traditionally boys' clubs, like football and such? If so, it will erode the school's argument even further, I would think.

Chocolate I do get your point of course, but you asked opinion and I gave it. I don't think it's a massive deal and I agree you'll have bigger battles to face. Rightly or wrongly the pp who said you'll be known as 'that mum' is right. I would find him a proper class that he can enjoy. As for the pp who said it was 'sad' to toughen up a 4yo maybe I worded wrong but you do have to give them the ability to cope with life or they'll constantly be upset. I think this has gone to far now op and that isn't to say that's your fault; the no boy rule is stupid. But do you want to give the message if he crys you just fix it because although we'd love to as parents you can't always can you?

At that age & level it is highly discriminatory & the school should be pulled up on it b

OP - can you ask some awkward questions about qualifications, affiliation, insurance, risk assessment/safe dance practice to see if this so called teacher is actually a teacher. Qualified dance teachers have to adhere to the code of conduct of the organisation they are affiliated with.

The quite serious dance school my DS went to had one all boys class a week. It was a chance for the boys of all grades to practise together once a week. All the other classes were entirely girls or had just one boy in so it was great for him to dance with older boys. They rehearsed some chorus parts for the shows and they did some strength training too relating to moves the older boys were working towards.

But the girls weren't excluded from the school by that class existing.

Op I think it's ok to be one of those mums when you need or want to be. Otherwise we risk being back in that playground pressure to conform all over again

@eliza Yeah, that's all legal! No one is being stopped/not allowed to do anything.
I think you're right re the teacher and questions.

@molly The male audience figures for ballet in this country are appalling!

@ginger Yes, they do.

@chez I see your point. But I do want him to learn that if something's wrong, you do your best to change it and you fight for what you believe in. And yes, that it sometimes might not work, but you try.

@outandin I guess for me this is big. I've let other stuff go. I'm p

I imagine the mum has some pink leotards and girly dress up costumes and they are going to twirl and point and do princessy things. Does your ds only want to go because his friends are going? That's not really a good enough reason if so. If he wants to do ballet a proper ballet school would be better. If you continue to push for gender equality (albeit correctly) the mum will just pull out of the club.

DS was the only boy in his ballet class at that age. His teacher had no problem teaching him, but she was an excellent, highly qualified teacher. I'd put him elsewhere.