Poole ballet schools, ideas?

[MaryBeldam]

My 7 yr old daughter is ballet mad, currently training through RAD . We move to poole in august and she’s keen to find a new ballet teacher/school. Her current school in Wiltshire is quite strict and aims for perfection which I thought she would hate but she absolutely loves it there,just looking advice as to where to look? She wants to continue to be classically trained . Many thanks

I wouldn't worry too much about concentrating only on schools that offer RAD training, there are other syllabuses equally as good. You might find the grading system different, that's all. When looking for a new dance school it is always a good idea to look at who the principals are, where they trained and whether they have any professional dance experience. Also look at whether they are successful in getting students into full-time vocational ballet training or onto associate programmes or schemes like English Youth Ballet.

Some schools tend to concentrate on a lot of shows, performances and competitions, although sometimes it means that there is a shortage of time to concentrate on good technique training in class.

Does your dd want to do other dance styles as well, or just ballet?

Why not ask several schools if your dd could do a trial lesson, to see how she gets on?

Carrington Hollywood Academy of Dance and also the Orchard Academy of Performing Arts both had girls at Royal Ballet JAs with DD, so presumably good schools. Mums were always very positive about both, especially Orchard. They are both RAD schools with a good balance between performing and exams, from what I have heard.

I would also check the school's timetable to see if they are also offering vocational exams/ classes as well as the numerical grades. So do they have classes in intermediate foundation, advanced 1 etc as well as grades 1, 2, 3...? The vocational grades are more technically challenging and incorporate pointe work. I would see it as a rough indication that the school take their ballet training seriously.

Agree with @taxi4ballet that students involved with associate programmes and EYB would be another good indicator of quality training and actively seeking opportunities for young dancers.

My DDs school doesn't do competitions or festivals and we feel a bit envious of girls she has met through dance related events who are involved in that world. It's another element to consider.

If you know what you are looking for, do the photos on the website look like the dancers have decent technique/ placement?

Really helpful comments thank you so much, ironically I had been in contact with orchard and was really impressed by the dance teacher running it, il look at the others too. My dd has previously done modern and tap but has spent the last 18 months doing just ballet and now that’s all she wants to do, iv no experience of it at all as I have up quite young and So I’m clueless, all comments are much appreciated.