Frequently Asked Questions
ARE ALL YOUR CLASSES ONLINE?
Yes, all our classes are taught live on Zoom.
We have modified all our dance sessions to keep everyone safe while dancing at home and to suit a smaller home environment. We also have strict guidelines in place to keep students safe in the online environment.
We have modified all our dance sessions to keep everyone safe while dancing at home and to suit a smaller home environment. We also have strict guidelines in place to keep students safe in the online environment.
HOW MANY participants ARE THERE IN A CLASS?
We restrict the number of students in a class — by placing a limit on class numbers, safe practice of dance can be ensured. It is vitally important that a sound and safe technical base is taught; this can be provided on a more individual level in limited class sizes.
HOW SHOULD I BEST SET UP MY ROOM FOR AN ONLINE DANCE CLASS?
Our online classes are specially adapted to a smaller home environment so a large space is not required. However, we ask that the space is clear of any objects that could cause an obstruction or trip hazard. For certain classes, students will require a ballet barre (or a sturdy chair is also acceptable). Please try to ensure that the space your child is dancing in is as quiet as possible to create a learning environment.
Online dance classes can be taken on a variety of different floorings (short-pile carpet is acceptable), providing it is not slippy. It is recommended that if your flooring has concrete underneath, that you purchase a portable/roll up sprung home dance flooring such as from Dance and Stage, Le Mark or Harlequin. Le Mark and Dance and Stage offer an excellent value multi-purpose sprung mat that can be rolled up when not in use.
Classes are best viewed on a large screen, so where possible, it is advised that a laptop, desktop computer or iPad is used. You can also connect your device to your TV using an HDMI cable, Screen Mirroring or Chromecast. If you are unsure, please don't hesitate to ask us and we can advise.
Online dance classes can be taken on a variety of different floorings (short-pile carpet is acceptable), providing it is not slippy. It is recommended that if your flooring has concrete underneath, that you purchase a portable/roll up sprung home dance flooring such as from Dance and Stage, Le Mark or Harlequin. Le Mark and Dance and Stage offer an excellent value multi-purpose sprung mat that can be rolled up when not in use.
Classes are best viewed on a large screen, so where possible, it is advised that a laptop, desktop computer or iPad is used. You can also connect your device to your TV using an HDMI cable, Screen Mirroring or Chromecast. If you are unsure, please don't hesitate to ask us and we can advise.
Do you teach boys?
Yes — we teach both boys and girls of all ages. Boys can participate in any of the classes that we offer and they are encouraged to be a strong, technical dancer. With the rise of the ballet stars, such as Carlos Acosta, ballet is becoming increasingly popular for boys. We also teach many male students through our Ballet for Sports programme.
We are proud that many of the boys we have taught at our school have progressed on to wonderful careers as professional dancers. For further information, please click here.
Men are also welcome to join our Silver Swans® ballet classes for the over 55s.
We are proud that many of the boys we have taught at our school have progressed on to wonderful careers as professional dancers. For further information, please click here.
Men are also welcome to join our Silver Swans® ballet classes for the over 55s.
What Age do you accept children from?
We advise seven years old for joining our online classes – however, if your child is younger and you'd like to join our online classes, please get in touch with us.
All our classes are structured lessons for students to study dance training.
All our classes are structured lessons for students to study dance training.
How does a child learn in online dance classes?
Our live online dance classes mean that children can continue to study dance with real-time corrections and feedback (just as they would in a face-to-face ballet class) taught by experienced, fully qualified teachers. This means that students don't have to compromise on their learning and progression in online classes.
We are proud that the progress of our online students is exactly the same as we would expect from face-to-face classes – our online students have been awarded places at full-time schools with scholarships, associate programmes and intensive courses.
We are proud that the progress of our online students is exactly the same as we would expect from face-to-face classes – our online students have been awarded places at full-time schools with scholarships, associate programmes and intensive courses.
Can we join your online classes if we already attend a dance school?
We do allow students who currently train at another dance school to receive additional online coaching at our school – however permission must be sought from your current school first.
DOES A DANCE TEACHER HAVE TO BE QUALIFIED?
It might be surprising to learn that anyone could open a dance school and offer dance classes — even if they have never danced a step in their life.
Dance is a highly physical art form and damage can result from improper training. Although you may feel that you only wish your child to dance for fun, formal dance training is critical, as bad (and sometimes dangerous) habits can quickly develop — even with classes taken at a basic level. Also, children (and especially young children), are at a crucial stage in their development until their bones are fully formed.
Qualified dance teachers have had to undertake rigorous training, both as a dancer and dance teacher, and have carefully studied anatomy and lifespan development. This is not to say that all dance teachers who are unqualified are not good teachers, but the standard of their teaching is unregulated.
At our school, all of our teachers are highly qualified; they hold teaching qualifications with numerous recognised examination boards. They have many years of teaching experience and have also trained to a very high standard as dancers themselves.
Dance is a highly physical art form and damage can result from improper training. Although you may feel that you only wish your child to dance for fun, formal dance training is critical, as bad (and sometimes dangerous) habits can quickly develop — even with classes taken at a basic level. Also, children (and especially young children), are at a crucial stage in their development until their bones are fully formed.
Qualified dance teachers have had to undertake rigorous training, both as a dancer and dance teacher, and have carefully studied anatomy and lifespan development. This is not to say that all dance teachers who are unqualified are not good teachers, but the standard of their teaching is unregulated.
At our school, all of our teachers are highly qualified; they hold teaching qualifications with numerous recognised examination boards. They have many years of teaching experience and have also trained to a very high standard as dancers themselves.
Do you have a school uniform?
We have a set school uniform that is required to be worn for all classes. Girls of all ages and standards must wear their hair in a neat ballet bun for all classes (short hair should be clipped back). Boys should have their hair in a suitable style, which should be fixed back off the face if it is long.
For a student's first lesson in the beginners class, please let them wear something comfortable that they can easily move around in eg. leggings, t-shirt. We allow up to three weeks before our school uniform is required to be purchased in full.
You can see our school uniform here: Uniform
For a student's first lesson in the beginners class, please let them wear something comfortable that they can easily move around in eg. leggings, t-shirt. We allow up to three weeks before our school uniform is required to be purchased in full.
You can see our school uniform here: Uniform
Where can students join in online classes from?
Students access our online classes from across the world! Classes are taught in English and times listed are in GMT/BST.
If English is not your child's first language, please do not be concerned – we are experienced in teaching international students who speak minimal/no English.
If English is not your child's first language, please do not be concerned – we are experienced in teaching international students who speak minimal/no English.
Can we try an online class first?
We offer all new students a private 15 or 30 minute online evaluation class. This gives us the opportunity to fully assess your child's current ballet standard and understanding of technique in a one-to-one environment. It also gives the parent and child the opportunity to meet the teacher and get a feel for how our online classes can support your training – plus, it makes the first lesson a little less daunting!
Private evaluation classes cost £10 for 15 minutes or £18.00 for 30 minutes.
Private evaluation classes cost £10 for 15 minutes or £18.00 for 30 minutes.
Is regular attendance important?
We fully understand absences for sickness, family holidays and religious occasions. However, we expect all of our pupils to be committed to attending classes regularly. By missing lessons, continuity of training is disrupted – it may just be that important lesson when a new step is being taught.
Are there classes in the summer holidays and half term?
Yes, lessons are given throughout the year as children need the continuity of classes in order to provide strength, stamina, technique and knowledge of the steps and syllabus.
However, we do close for Christmas, New Year, partial summer holidays, bank holidays and Easter holidays.
However, we do close for Christmas, New Year, partial summer holidays, bank holidays and Easter holidays.
Will my child dance en pointe?
At our school, we thoroughly assess each student's readiness for pointe work (approx. age 11/12) — students must meet certain criteria in this assessment before being allowed to be professionally fitted for pointe shoes.
We advise that students who take online pointe classes with us use specialist home dance flooring (please see FAQ question 'How Should I Best Set Up My Room For An Online Dance Class?' for links to suitable roll-up flooring.
We advise that students who take online pointe classes with us use specialist home dance flooring (please see FAQ question 'How Should I Best Set Up My Room For An Online Dance Class?' for links to suitable roll-up flooring.
How long do children stay in a class before moving up?
Unlike academic school, in any one class there can be children of various ages. Children progress into the next class based on their ability and not their age or the length of time that they have been attending the class. Ages given for classes are only an approximation.
Do you teach adults?
Yes! We offer online adult ballet courses and online weekly adult ballet classes for ages 18+. Our Silver Swans® classes are perfect for the over 55s.
Do you have any school policies?
Yes, please see our School Policies
Are your online classes hybrid classes (i.e. a face-to-face class that is being live streamed)?
No. Our online classes are all taught as a purely online class. This means that all the participants in the online class have the full attention of the teacher.
Do students have to audition?
No, we do not audition students for our school. Any student can attend our online classes – whether attending for a hobby, with a view to a career in dance, or wishing to use ballet to enhance their sport.
