Frequently asked questions

This is a selection of questions and answers we've often had to deal with. If your's isn't included here, or you think there are others we could add, please contact us.

Do I have to pay for the term in advance?

The first lesson is always free as a trial class and for the first few weeks after that you can pay weekly as and when you attend.  Once your child is happy and settled you will be invoiced either for the remaining classes of that term or for start of the next term.

If I go on holiday and miss some weeks, do I still have to pay?

Once your child is enrolled at the school (after the trial period of paying weekly) you will be invoiced for the full term, which is payable by the half term holiday.  As with swimming lessons, brownies etc, you will still have to pay for lessons that you miss through illness and holidays.  However, if you are going on a long haul holiday and likely to miss 5 weeks or more, I am happy to credit the fees off the next term of lessons, as long as it was agreed prior to the holiday.

Similarly, if your child has a serious illness then please keep me informed and I’ll be happy to credit fees according to individual circumstances.  This doesn’t apply to the daytime Melody Bear classes for 2 and 3 year olds as they pay weekly each week and can come and go as they please. Nor does it apply to the adult classes

Do all children have to take exams?

Most children love the idea of getting ready for a ‘special day’ for their ballet exams but not all!  Exams are not compulsory and children will move from class to class with their friends and peer group regardless of passing exams, providing they are maintaining the same standard of dancing.  In general, those that take exams do progress at a quicker pace than those that don’t but we do not enforce exams on anyone!

There are many different options for exams and some children will do a full graded exam while others do a gentler class exam – as long as they all have a fun time and feel they are achieving then that is all we ask.

My child has ballet uniform from another school?

Great!  Let them dance in whatever they have until it’s outgrown.  Once their old uniform gets too small, just gradually replace it with Samara uniform.  If the correct uniform has not been purchased by the time exams come around I am happy to lend items to those that need it.

My child has no ballet clothes!

To start with, just bare feet for ballet, school shoes for tap and comfortable clothes are all that are required.  Uniform can be purchased at any time during the term (and makes great presents for birthday and Christmas when Granny can’t think what to buy!)

Do we always have to wear a bun?

No.  As long as all hair is tied up neatly in a pony tail off the face then that is fine.  If you can do buns, children do like to feel it’s part of ‘getting ready’ to go to ballet.  Seniors are expected to have their hair in buns whenever possible for the simple practicalities of turning pirouettes as pony tails have a nasty habit of hitting you in the face in mid turn!

Do boys have to wear ballet tights?

Not at all.  Younger boys can wear shorts, old boys are encouraged to wear tighter shorts such as cycling shorts until they feel able to cope with boys leggings.  Boys entering the higher grade exams will need to wear the correct clothes but that’s not until high school age.

Can you attend as and when you feel like it?

I’m afraid not as I often have waiting lists for places.  If you miss 3 consecutive lessons without getting in touch then I assume you no longer wish to attend and your place will pass to the next person on the waiting list.

I can’t afford to pay the full fees?

The school does have a bursary fund ‘Charlottes Fund’ which you can apply to for help.  This isn’t a bottomless pit of money though and sometimes you may have to wait until a bursary place is available or until the funds have been ‘topped up’ again.  No child will be turned away due to genuine hardship so always come and talk to me, in confidence, and I will do all I can to help.

Can mums watch?

The first lesson mums are always welcome to come and watch, after all, you’re vetting me as much as seeing how much your child is enjoying the experience.  After the first week, provided your child is happy to be left, you will be asked to wait outside until the end of the lesson.  At the end of each term, we usually (except show term) invite mums, dads and grandparents to come and watch the lesson.

My child has decided to stop dancing, do I have to let you know?

Because of the waiting list problem, I do ask for half a terms notice if your child is to leave the school which gives me time to invite a new child to fill the place and to make sure the class is still viable to run if it’s only a very small group.  If I don’t have half a terms notice then half of the next terms fees will be charged in lieu of notice.

I think we’re moving sometime soon!

I will invoice you as normal at the start of term but will not expect you to pay for the full term.  Just keep hold of the invoice until you have your moving date and as soon as you can advise me of your end date I will prepare a new invoice just for the actual lessons attended.  If you would like me to find you a new ballet school with registered teachers in your new area then I’d be happy to help – just give me your new address and I’ll sort out a list of reliable teachers for you.

My child is interested in dancing more than once a week?

Children are welcome to attend as many classes a week as you are able to bring them to.  You only pay full price for the main ballet and tap lesson you attend and a nominal £2 for each class attended after that.

Are there lessons during the holidays.?

Not usually.  I like to be a ‘mum’ to my teenagers during the holidays.  It gives me time to be with them (not to mention chance for my body to recover from the rigours of the term!)