A unique Term 1
As with most things in 2020, our Term 1 was quite unique!
We had hoped to be resuming all our dance lessons as "normal" after the summer break when we restarted in August, but due to continued Covid-19 restrictions, we were unable to do so. Our ten week term was split into two shorter 5 week blocks with the first being delivered solely online using Zoom. The zoom lessons are interactive and allow the teacher to see and correct the students, ask questions, and progress almost as a normal lesson. It was great to have some students trying this format for the first time, although we still only had around 25% of our school participating.
The second part of the term had a mixture of lessons as we were allowed to reopen our own CSBS Dance Studios with a number of 'covid-secure' procedures in place and LOTS of additional cleaning. Our two studios in Linlithgow Bridge reopened mid-September and we were delighted to welcome back dancers of all ages, although our adult dancers only had a couple of lessons before restrictions were tightened again. Our teachers have continued to master new skills, and many lessons have been streamed live from the Studios during regular classes to allow those isolating or unable to travel the opportunity to join their friends in class!
During the 10 weeks of Term 1, we were able to hold 610 lessons online... we have now held over 1000 lessons online using Zoom since March!
You can also read about our rescheduled ballet exams which saw 153 candidates sit our first ever set of virtual exams during Term 1.
Term 2 underway...
We began Term 2 positively with a number of our Braes branch classes moving into the Linlithgow studios temporarily and classes resuming in person at our Grangemouth Branch. We were also able to secure a new venue for our South Queensferry classes ahead of resuming on the second week of term. However, after just one day, West Lothian was put under Tier 4 restrictions for 3 weeks and lessons have had to be hastily rescheduled again. We did manage to hold 43 of the 55 lessons planned for the first week in the Studios alongside another 64 lessons online! We will be continuing the term with a mixture of online and in-person lessons across our branches and hope that no further tier 4 restrictions will be implemented over the coming weeks!
You can check the online class tmetable here OR look at the current timetables for in-person lessons here.
Please check your email regularly for updates in this ever changing situation, especially your spam / promotions folder if you haven't read any of the previous 5 updates from CSBS. Can we also please remind you of the protocol for in-person classes which must be adhered to at all times, including mask wearing, changing, and sanitising. Download a copy of the guidelines here.