Detailed Information for Parents

• School Policies & Class Etiquette

• Communications

• JMDS Teachers

• Contacting Miss Hollie

• Head Girl / Boy

• Student Teachers

• JMDS Choreography Competition

• Presentation Day & Shows

• JMDS Photographer

• Group Dances

• Exams

• Badges

• Fees deadlines

• French Ballet Terms

•  Students coming from other dance schools will be assessed in their trial lessons to determine what grade/s they should be in.
•  Students are accepted on condition they do not attend another dancing school once enrolled to avoid conflict of interest.
•  After consultation with Miss Hollie, students are very welcome to take outside classes such as associate programmes, competitions, outside performances, auditions, professional engagements, summer/Easter schools or workshops.  
•  Students should not take outside dancing exams, competitions or workshops without prior consultation. 
•  Parents are invited to watch classes on the last lessons of term.
• Please make sure children arrive in plenty of time, ready to dance. Students waiting for their class should remain outside the teaching room.  
• At JMDS we follow the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Professional Code of Conduct.

• All notices are emailed and will appear on the Class Manager app.
• The best source of information is this website, which is updated regularly. 

• All teachers have their own teaching style. Occasionally we may need to use stand-in teachers. Students and parents alike should treat all teachers politely and with respect.  
•  Teachers have discretion over whether and when a child will take exams and progress to the next class.  
•  Under traditional class etiquette, teachers are addressed by all pupils as "Miss" and then their first name, eg. Miss Hollie, Miss Emma, etc.

• Parents can call or email misshollie@jmdancingschool.com if they wish to discuss any matter.
• My office hours are from 9.30-4pm, Monday-Friday. I will respond to voice messages as promptly as possible.  

•  The Head Student of the school is an advanced all-rounder who is able to give teachers support and help whenever needed.  
•  The Head Student, always chosen by Miss Hollie, will be a student teacher and a representative for other pupils.  
•  The Head Student's parents should be fully supportive of the school and of their child's position. 

• Some pupils may take on the role of ‘student teacher’ under the direction of Miss Hollie.

• Takes place annually in November.
• Any of our students can enter by choreographing a composition for themselves or for another child / group at the school. Sections are the same as for the British Arts Awards.
• Medals are awarded to each child in a duet or solo. Students in group items may purchase medals. A trophy is awarded to the highest scoring composition choreographed for someone else / a group.
• Items can be entered for The British Arts Awards.

• Full-length ballets and musicals may be staged in the summer every other year. Shows entail many hours’ preparation and full-day rehearsals ahead of show dates. Full commitment is expected on these days from all students: all rehearsals must be attended. This ensures a professional, slick production.
• Presentation Day is held annually in late June/early July. This entails a first half of invited performances, followed by a second half Grande Finale when every student appears on stage in uniform. For many, it’s the highlight of the year. Over 80 cups and trophies are awarded for the students’ work during the year. It is expected that every student, from Baby to Advanced, is present. Even the youngest win awards!

• Group dances for shows and competitions are choreographed based on the full class of students. Once choreography has started, a commitment by all students is required and expected.
• Inclusion in group items for the British Arts Awards is by invitation only. The selection process depends on suitability to the chosen genre, age (entrants may not collectively exceed a certain age limit), height (students are often grouped together for uniformity), and willingness to commit long-term to the full rehearsal schedule.

• We follow the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) syllabi for ballet & tap and Grade 5+ in modern, and the British Arts Association syllabi for drama, musical theatre and modern medal tests. 
• Uniform is required for ISTD exams, as well as pink canvas ballet shoes.
• Exam success generally dictates whether children progress into the next class.
• Pupils will be entered for an exam at Miss Hollie’s and teachers' discretion.

• Please read the terms of payment below to avoid late payment surcharge and non-notification charges.
• All fees are due on the first lesson of term or during the first two weeks if given to a teacher or posted.
• An extra charge of 10% of total fees is payable on fees which are not in the office by the third Monday of term.
• It is your responsibility to ensure payment reaches Miss Hollie in time, otherwise the 10% will be added. You accept the responsibility for this extra charge by your child attending classes at JMDS. No exceptions can be made on the surcharge.
• Please ensure that any cash is put in an envelope with your child’s name on it.
• Please note that Miss Hollie requires one month’s notice in writing if a student no longer wants the class place, as per your child’s registration form. You will be subject to half a term’s fees should this notice not be given.
• Notice must not be given verbally to teachers – it must be in writing to Miss Hollie please.

General

DEVANT (d'von) - in front
DERRIERE (derry-air) - behind
DE COTE (d'cotay) - to the side
EN AVANT (on av-on) - forwards
EN ARRIERE (on arry-air) - backwards
EN FACE (on fass) - facing the front
CROISE (cwoz-ay) - crossed
OUVERT (oovair) - open
ADAGE (add-ahj) - slow, sustained movement
ALLEGRO (al-leg-gro) - lively, jumping movement
BRAS (brah) - arms
DEMI (demmy) - half
DESSOUS (UNDER) (d'soo) - front to back
DESSUS (OVER) (d'su) - back to front
PETIT (petty) - small
GRAND (grond) - big
A TERRE (a tair) - on the ground
EN L'AIR (on lair) - in the air
 

Grade 1

PLIE (plee-ay) - a bend of two knees
BATTMENTS TENDUS (battmon tondoo) - to point or to stretch
EN CROIX (on cwah) - in the shape of a cross
GRANDS BATTMENTS (grond battmon) - big and beaten
RETIRE (r'teer-ray) - to withdraw or draw up
PORTS DE BRAS (por d'brah) - carriage of the arms
CHASSEE (shassay) - to slide
DEGAGE (d'gah-jay) - to disengage
POSE (posay) - to step
SAUTE (so-tay) - to jump
PETITS JETES (petty jettay) - little springs
TEMPSLEVE (tom lev-ay) - to hop
CHANGEMENT (shonj-mon) - jump changing feet

Recognise, clap and know the time signatures of:
POLKA 2/4
WALTZ 3/4
MARCH 4/4

Grade 2

RONDS DE JAMBE (ron d'jomb) - round of the leg
A TERRE (a tair) - on the ground
EN DEHORS (on de-or) - outwards
EN DEDANS (on de-don) - inwards
ASSEMBLE (assomblay) - to assemble
SOUTENU (soo-ten-oo) - to sustain
RELEVE (rell-ev-ay) - to pull up or snatch
CROISE (cwozzay) - crossed
OUVERT (oovair) - open
EN FACE (on fass) - facing the front
EN L'AIR (on lair) - in the air
DEMI-DETOURNE (demmy d'tornay) - half a turn
JETE (jettay) - to throw
GLISSADE (gleess-ahd) - to glide
PAS DE CHAT (pa d'sha') - step of a cat
ECHAPPE (ay-shap-ay) - to escape

Recognise & clap:
SEMIBREVES (4 beats) MINIMS (2 beats) CROTCHETS (1 beat) QUAVERS (½ beat)