The following are FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS regarding the Bristol School of Dancing:

1). Question. How many children are there in a class?

• Answer. This varies considerably depending on age, popularity and forthcoming examinations, but a large class would
  be considered to be a maximum of 20. When a class is of this size, there is more than one teacher in attendance. It
  would normally work out to be a ratio of one teacher to every 10 children.

2). Question. Do you follow school terms or are the classes arranged differently?

• Answer . The school runs on four nine-week terms per year. Where possible we endeavour to keep as close as
  possible to the school calendar, but there are occasions when we do not take half-term breaks.

3). Question. How many classes are there per term?

• Answer. There are nine weeks in each term, so if a pupil were only attending one lesson per week they would have 9
  lessons in any one term.

4). Question. May my child join the school at any time during the term, or must I wait until a new term commences to register?

• Answer. Children may register at any time during the term and fees for that term will be adjusted accordingly. We do
  not want children to have to wait what could be several weeks before joining us.

5). Question. Do you have classes during the school holidays?

• Answer. There are occasions when we hold classes during holidays, but this is usually for pupils who are preparing for
  examinations. However, our annual Summer School is held during the last week of July into the first week of August and
  is a popular fun week enjoyed by all. It is open to everyone, not only pupils of the school. Click HERE to find out more.

6). Question. I am coming along/bringing my child for the first time, what should be worn?

• Answer. For a trial lesson we recommend that you/your child wear clothes that allow comfortable movement. Either
  leggings or tights together with a plain (without slogans) t-shirt in matching colour. After the trial lesson, if you decide to
  formally register yourself or your child, the regulation uniform must be worn. Children feel especially singled out and
  vulnerable if they are the only child in the class wearing a different colour or uniform. We do have a supply of second-
  hand uniforms and will endeavour to help keep the cost down.

7). Question. Do you offer private tuition?

• Answer. We do offer private tuition, but normally only for solo dances for competitions. As far as Syllabus classes are
  concerned, if a pupil needs extra coaching we can offer lessons at any one of our school branches. However, in
  exceptional circumstances, we will do our very best to accommodate the needs of the individual.

8). Question. May I pay on a weekly basis, or do I have to pay per term?

• Answer. Our fees are payable per term in advance. This is because if fees are paid on a pay-as-you-go basis, we
  could arrive at some of our rented studios to find that, for one reason or another, numbers are insufficient to cover the
  cost of the already-paid-for hall, pianist and teacher.

9). Question. Why do I have to give a full terms notice in writing if I want to leave?

• Answer. This is a rule common in all private fee-paying schools, and, aside from the courtesy point of view, it is
  essential for us to be fully aware of the number of children who will be leaving so we may offer a place to another child.

10). Question. I already attend another school for some classes, may I join the Bristol School of Dancing for lessons?

• Answer. We do not take pupils who are already pupils of another dance school. There are several reasons for this, one
  of which is the ethical consideration to the other teacher and school. The teaching of dance is a highly disciplined art
  form within the industry, and every teacher has his/her own ideas and teaching methods that it is hoped will carry their
  pupils from pre-school lessons right through to the Advanced level. This continuity can only really be achieved when all
  teachers in one school agree with the methodology and ideas within the school. The Bristol School aims to be as ethical
  as possible toward our fellow teachers and their terms notice condition, and ask all prospective pupils if they have given
  the required notice before acceptance into the school. The one and only exception to this is our annual Summer School
  (see answer to Q.5) when, for one week, classes are open to all.

11). Question. If I cannot make my usual lesson, may I make it up in another branch or in another class?

• Answer. Regretfully we cannot allow pupils to interchange lessons for those they may miss. Each pupil's name must
  appear on a class register for health and safety reasons, and if you swap one class for another, our computer system
  would pick up that you have attended an extra lesson and you will be then charged for an entire term for that particular
  class.

12). Question. My child has been in the same class for over a year, when will he/she be taking their examination?

• Answer. The short answer to is; “when they are considered by the Principal and teacher to be ready” . Children are all
  different and individuals and must be treated as such. The Bristol School follows the syllabi of The Royal Academy of
  Dance for Ballet and The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance for Modern Theatre Dance and Tap. Both these
  societies have high standards that they rightly expect candidates to achieve and aspire to. Therefore, we cannot
  guarantee that your child will be ready to take an annual examination if the required standard has not been attained. We
  aim to enter children who attend two ballet classes per week for an examination each year, but children who only attend
  one ballet class per week will take 18 months to reach the same level. We must bear in mind that all children develop at
  different rates and there is always an exception, but, rest assured, that we always have the best interest of the pupil at
  heart and will certainly not hold them back if they show exceptional promise and aptitude.
• PLEASE NOTE: All examinations are held in the main Clifton studio on weekdays during school hours and it is the
  responsibility of individual parents to arrange for the necessary time off school. The dressing room is for the examination
  candidates only please do not attempt to enter the dressing room as the need to ask you to leave is upsetting and
  unsettling for the teachers and your child. This request is actually for the good of your child and after many years
  experience is found to be very successful.

13). Question. May I watch lessons?

• Answer. Not every week. We make arrangements for parents to view their childrens' progress three times per year.
  We find that when parents are present the children, especially very young ones, tend to keep running to mummy and
  older children look for approval. This does not make for a happy or disciplined class, and that is why we restrict parental
  viewing to three occasions per year.
  
  WATCHING CLASSES - PARENTS VIEWING WEEKS:
  • * the week before we break up for Easter;
  • * the week before we break up for Summer;
  • * the week before we break up for Christmas. (Term Dates)
    
    

TERMS & CONDITIONS