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Who is teaching my child?

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Who is teaching my Child?

It may alarm you but there is no legal requirement for a person who teaches your child, dance, drama, singing or even music to be qualified, recent evidence has shown that more and more people are taking up this occupation to try and earn a fast buck.

With the recent popularity of dancing and singing television programmes and recent booms within the fitness world there is now more than ever, people who are teaching children within our communities, some of which do not even hold a CRB (criminal records bureau certificate) or new DBS (disclosure and barring service check)

Let’s start with the facts, there are only two forms of qualification that are generally recognised in the UK for dance teaching.

1)      A degree (or higher) award made by a registered university along with a Certificate of Education or Post Graduate Certificate of Education to permit the holder to teach within an education establishment.

2)      A professional qualification and annual registration to one of the teaching organisations, allowing the holder to organise and hold weekly classes outside of a normal education establishment, the annual registration is to maintain professional development and confirm that they are an ongoing member of an Awarding Organisation.

So what should I do?

As a parent or person responsible for young children or vulnerable adults you should always check out the teacher and establishment that you are taking your child to, ask yourself four simple questions.

1)      Can I stay with my child? No qualified teacher should stop any parent or guardian from staying with their child, part of the Child Protection and Vulnerable Persons Act legislation states that any activity should be done in an open environment and not behind closed doors.

2)      Is the venue a permanent establishment or is the teacher just hiring facilities? (this is a little more complicated) Lots of well-established professional teachers hire facilities and it is the responsibility of the venue to check that anyone hiring their premises has adequate insurance and is qualified to do so, however lots of venues are maintained by volunteers and are not made aware of their ‘Duty of Care’

3)      Have I chosen these classes because they are the cheapest around? If the teacher is not qualified and therefore not paying an annual membership to a professional organisation or paying for adequate insurance their overheads will be cheaper and therefore can offer classes at a discount price.

4)      Does the school offer examinations? This is not a fool proof test as several organisations are now offering their examination services to non-qualified teachers. However, if the school or teacher organises regular sessions where an external examiner comes to the centre and the children receive a certificate and/or award with an official Awarding Organisation then this is a very good indication that the teacher is probably an annually registered professional.

These rules are by no means fool proof and if you are ever unsure ask to see the teachers’ certificate and or annual membership card or contact their professional organisation who will always say if a person is a registered professional.

There are lots of non-registered and unqualified people teaching our children and some of them are fantastic at their job, they have just never bothered to become qualified, we can never legislate for harm coming to children but as grownups we can help to prevent children being harmed, over my years as a registered professional I have been fortunate enough to work with organisation like the NSPCC to create working guidelines for teachers of children and vulnerable adults, and more recently worked with the Department of Education Safeguarding team to help create the new Children in Performance Legislation, but having been through the care system as a child, I know and have experienced the dangers children can face, which just makes me more and more mad when parents or guardians do not do something as simple as checking ‘WHO IS TEACHING MY CHILD’ and these people are the ones who would never take their beloved pet to a non-qualified vet or even their car to a non-qualified mechanic.

If you are a parent who is concerned and do not feel like you can ask then start by researching the person yourself, talk to other parents or friends or contact the professional dance awarding organisation. If you are a practicing non-qualified teacher and would like more information on becoming qualified or if you would like to know more about the dance awarding organisation you should contact the Council for Dance Education and Training www.cdet.org.uk or give them a call on 0207 240 5703.

© Graham Vernon 2013

http://www.dapacentre.co.uk

Childrens Party centre Blackburn

Have your Children's Birthday Party at DAPA, prices start from as little as £8 per person and with the option to bring your own food or chose from our menu it will not break the bank, more details from our party site http://www.dapa.co/ Call 01254 699221 http://www.dapacentre.co.uk/

Strictly Ballroom & Latin Classes Blackburn Accrington Whalley Dawen Clitheroe

Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays 8.15pm - 9.30 priced at just £7 per week Beginner Intermediates or Advanced.

Come along and learn all the latest moves from you favourite dancing show from top choreographer and former Come Dancing performer Graham Vernon.

No partner? No problem - Two left feet? - No problem Work Shifts? No problem our unique pay as you go service offers you the forcibility to pay as you learn.

All our classes are taught by fully trained professional experts who themselves have years of studies and practical experience within their chosen field.
Come and see why our pupils travel miles to be with us.
DAPA meet new people and make new Friends

http://www.dapacentre.co.uk  http://www.dapacentre.org.uk  http://www.dapa.info

Pilates Class Blackburn

 

PILATES CLASS Tuesdays 7pm - 8pm

 

Pilates is wildly recognized as promoting health and wellbeing whist helping to strengthen and tone the bodies core muscle groups, it is a body conditioning routine that may help build flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core or center, and improving coordination and balance. Pilates' system allows for different exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginning to advanced. Intensity can be increased over time as the body conditions and adapts to the exercises.

Pilates improves muscle tone, balances musculature, supports correct posture, and teaches to move with ease and grace. All our classes are taught by fully trained professional experts who themselves have years of studies and practical experience within their chosen field.
Come and see why our pupils travel miles to be with us.
DAPA meet new people and make new Friends

http://www.dapacentre.co.uk  http://www.dapacentre.org.uk  http://www.dapa.info

BOOTY BARRE comes to DAPA

BOOTY BARRE ® exclusive to @ #DAPAcentre ®
FREE CLASS Tuesday 8^th October 8pm – 9pm on strictly a first come first serve basis to reserve you place please call Jayne on 01254 699221.
Booty Barre, Is a sexy, energetic, fun workout that fuses fitness techniques from Dance, Pilates, and Yoga that will tone, define and chisel the whole body. And get this… you don’t even need any dance experience and you certainly don’t need a partner! The Booty Barre® method is the perfect combination of strength and flexibility with added cardio to burn fat fast. Barre workouts have become a popular choice with celebrities such Madonna, Natalie Portman and Zooey Deschanel.
Booty Barre® was conceived and developed by celebrity fitness and lifestyle expert Tracey Mallett, a former professional dancer, fitness presenter and master Pilates Instructor. Tracey is a regular contributor to leading health and fitness magazines worldwide and regularly appears on TV in the USA.

All our classes are taught by fully trained professional experts who themselves have years of studies and practical experience within their chosen field.

Come and see why our pupils travel miles to be with us.

DAPA meet new people and make new Friends.

 

 

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