Hi,
Thank you for reading in advance.
So I am always one for trying to get my son into classes to bring him on as there aren’t many kids in our street etc.
Anyway signed him up for this theatre school which have adverts on Facebook constantly for new people to join with auditions The name sounded impressive and I thought I’ll send him to see how it pans out. Anyway he went for the audition and got a place but to be honest I think anyone that pays the £10/15 (can’t remember was 3 years ago) is given a place. The theatre school
Seems very money orientated.
Pay for audition, pay for inform, pay for jazz shoes, (the clothing and shoes I understand) Christmas show in a venue they say they used to work in, pay for photos, pay £120 for child to take part for costume and admin, then have to pay for 4 seats even if you need one. There’s no leeway it’s pat 4 seats or none.
Anyway, I’m sorry for long message but not finished yet. I was told by one of the helpers maybe aged 16/17/18 on Saturday past when I collected my child that he had been sitting out, I asked if this had happened week before as they have only been back 2 weeks since summer holidays, she then said to me yes and it’s been happening for a while now. I’ve received an email from them saying the direct debit is cancelled but they can reinstate and charge me £20 fee. This place is registered as a charity. said i owe over £800 and i have no idea where that comes from as everything up to date.
So this agency who give fees for photos/ fees for theatre school (albeit the last lesson is games apparently rather than hour dance, hour singing and hour musical theatre) have been taking well over £100 a month when they know my son has been sitting out and not partaking. No one, no teacher, no admin staff contacted me but this young girl who takes them to and from classes and I’m so thankful she did. I’ve basically spent thousands of pounds on my son sitting out of classes without any notification.
After what happened on Saturday I cancelled my direct debit, got an email from them tonight saying I owed well over £800 and that they could reinstate direct debit. I’ve tried all night to write a reply but my youngest didn’t want you to sleep 
and now I’m too tired but also wanted your advice.
He started when he was 4 and it was 3 months upfront payment which don’t actually kick in until you give your notice your leaving. If your leaving do you really want to pay 3 months after that or attend 3 months after that? Anyway apart from that come October/November last year I had missed a couple of payments due to covid and being on maternity leave and was told if i didn’t pay then and there he wouldn’t be able to attend lessons and I would need to pay £140.?? a month instead of £80.90 and if I didn’t pay x amount now he wouldn’t be able to attend any classes. I was on maternity leave and I did pay it but I left myself with such little disposable income due to this.
Anyway this ‘charity’ is now going to try take £20 fee of me and reinstate the direct debit albeit for a very long period of time my son had beeb allowed to sit on a bench outside the class area and im
basically paying for nothing.
any advice would be appreciated xx