Happy September!

I am really looking forward to welcoming back everyone to class. I know all the teachers cannot wait to get going again!

We start the Autumn term with lots to look forward to. We have exam sessions booked throughout the term to catch up on missed sessions and we are finalising plans for our next school show in 2022. The competition team will be training in preparation for the Dance world cup auditions in November, which is to be held in San Sebastian in Spain in 2022 and we’ll be introducing lots of new classes to our timetable.

Despite spending 9 months on zoom last year our exam results were outstanding across the board with more students than ever achieving distinction and over half of those were 90 and above. It really is a testament to how hard everyone worked. We managed to hold another three ISTD Tap and Modern sessions and another RAD Ballet session in the summer term. We had exceptional Modern and Tap results and we’re still awaiting on our ballet results; however we know that they will be fantastic!

As we return to the studio this term, all Covid restrictions have now been lifted. We still feel it’s important to be cautious so we will still be implementing hand sanitising on entry and exit of the studio. The studio will be cleaned before each session, and we will be reducing the number of parents in the building. Windows will be slightly open for ventilation. Please note the following guidelines below:

  1. If possible, please try and drop and go rather than wait for your child. We have found, especially with the younger classes that the children settle quicker. This will also limit the amount of people in the studio.
  2. Please arrive dressed for class if possible. There are changing facilities available however it reduces class time if we are waiting for children to change. Only students are allowed in the changing rooms, no parents, or guardians. Slip on shoes and CTS onesies are ideal for arriving to class in over dance wear.
  3. For the younger classes please ensure they have elastic in their tap shoes rather than laces. This is much easier when changing shoes.
  4. Stretch classes need to provide their own equipment. They need a Mat, Stretch band and two yoga blocks.
  5. As there is only a small waiting area in the studio, we ask that parents please do not wait in the building. We will be placing seating in the corridor if you wish to wait.
  6. If your child is showing any of the covid symptoms, (High temperature, Continuous cough, loss of taste/sense of smell, sickness and diarrhoea, runny nose, shortness of breath, sore throat) please do not bring them to class.
  7. If your child has had a positive test, they will not be able to attend classes at the studio. Please inform us as soon as possible via email.

The guidance is there to ensure we keep our children and staff as safe as possible and minimise the spread of infection whilst at the studio. We really appreciate your cooperation in helping us to achieve this. To assist in keeping our students and staff safe will be continuing with lateral flow testing for all our staff.

Dance world cup 2020

What a team!

We had the most fantastic time in Telford representing Team England with 17 dances. We placed top 12 for every dance, and we were invited to perform in the Junior and senior gala with our contemporary piece Tsunami and Williams Show dance solo Smile, which is a huge honour.

We were blown away to be presented with most outstanding junior group of the whole competition for 2020, and William was presented with most outstanding boy of 2020! Such an amazing achievement. I was incredibly proud of everyone who took part in the DWC this year as it was certainly a challenge with isolations and covid, however they did it and smashed it!

Exam dates

Our next exam dates are:

ISTD Modern and Tap exams October and December 2021 date tbc

RAD Ballet exams 6th November – 21st November date tbc

We will be assessing the students on Saturday 11th September for the session in October. If students are not ready for October, we will be having another session in December for ISTD and February/March for RAD ballet.

New premises

In June I made the decision to acquire Unit 1.17 (opposite our existing unit). This will be our third studio and our largest studio. It will be fully equipped with sprung flooring, covered in La Mark specialised dance floor, mirrors, Barres and Male and Female changing rooms. As we are fully timetabled and unable to expand this will allow us the flexibility to offer recreational Jazz/lyrical/stretch classes on Saturdays, Younger syllabus classes in the week, Vocational ballet grades, musical theatre and Drama classes and private lessons most evenings. It’s all very exciting! I’m hoping it will be completed by the end of September and we will roll out a new timetable for October. Watch this space!

School show

Provisional show date is Sunday 5th June 2022 at the Plaza theatre, Stockport though this will be confirmed as soon as possible. I am currently trying to move it earlier as this is the Whit half term, however as everything has been cancelled and moved there is little availability. We are hoping everyone can join us. We will be starting rehearsals from December 2021. More details to follow.

Fees

I did send out an updated fees list in April as some hours had changed when we returned to the studio. The hourly fee is now £7 per hour. Fees for students who attend more than 3.5 hours at least twice a week have slightly increased. Rather than a flat hourly rate this has now changed to a sliding scale to cover increasing cost. I will re email the fee list to everyone and contact those who need to increase their monthly payments.

Website and social media

Please make sure to visit our website at Cheshire Theatre School Home Page | The Cheshire Theatre School

As well as our timetable you’ll find our term dates, uniform specifications, uniform link to Squad dance wear and lots of other useful information. The links to both our Facebook and Instagram pages are on their too. Please keep an eye on our social media accounts for updates and pictures from weekly classes. We also have a Twitter page. Please do give us a ‘Like’ or ‘Follow’.

Class manager

We have now switched to an online dance school software. Every parent will be receiving an email with a link to your parent portal. You will need to register and set up your account. This will be used for sending emails and text messages, receiving invoices, booking classes, and filing forms. Emails will be sent this week.

Uniform

As we start a new term, please can I remind everyone of the importance of uniform. It not only looks smart it is essential for health and safety so we can teach your children correctly. It also makes the children dance properly when they look and feel the part.

All hair should be worn in a slick bun using strong bobbles, Grips, a bun net and hair spray or gel. Short hair is expected to be tied back as neatly as possible with a head band is necessary. Ponytails maybe worn for street class.

There is a uniform for each genre. Please can you ensure your child has the correct uniform for each class. It is essential they have the correct footwear. Baggy jumpers and t shirts are not permitted into the studio. Please purchase wools/warm up suits for class.

Towards the end of last term, the uniform standard did drop over all age groups especially hair. It is very distracting if hair is loose and constantly falling out. If you need help there are lots of handy videos on you tube or just ask and we’ll happily teach you!

If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to email or message.

I look forward to seeing you all from Monday 6th September.

Kind regards

Vickie