A mum has been left fuming after her daughter was dropped from a ballet school.
Taking to parenting forum Mumsnet, the woman asked if she was being unreasonable to be shocked at the behaviour from the dance teacher who claimed the six-year-old was too nervous for the final show.
Along with showing the message exchanged, the mum explained on the forum: "Am I being unreasonable to think that this is disgraceful behaviour from my daughter's ballet school. For context, she's six. She has been at this local dance school since last September and has gone every week without fail (apart from two lessons - one for holiday and one for a hospital appointment).
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"My daughter loves her ballet - she was really excited to do this showcase and has mentioned nothing about being nervous about being in the show. The conversation on the 21st was instigated by the teacher saying that my daughter had said she was nervous about the show and that if she was going to pull out, now was the time.
"I replied and said that she had mentioned nothing about being nervous and that if it was felt she needed a private lesson, I'd be happy to pay for one. It is now clear to me that the teacher was trying to force my hand and when that failed she sent the below.
"I could understand if it was a professional ballet school/she was a high grade and messing around, but she is six. This is a show in a hired theatre for parents and grandparents and the fact that she is trying to frame it as her doing the best for my child (when she is just clearly worried that my daughter's dancing might not be quite up to standard), has really upset me."
The mum went on: "How is me telling DD [dear daughter] that she can't dance in the show that she has been preparing for FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS going to help her mental health? Obviously I've framed it that we are doing something more fun that day.
"Is this how all ballet schools are? It's my first experience and will be my last!!!"
Relaying the text messaging between the dance teacher and herself, the post added: 'Further to our WhatsApp conversation of June 21, I feel that it would be unprofessional of me to continue tutoring XXXX for the September show. XXXX was enjoying her classes prior to show-work and now simply does not enjoy the routines nor has mastered them enough to be shown publicly.
"As a school we take pride in undertaking action that we feel is for the 'better good' of the child. Parentally it is lovely to see a child perform, however the child in question must feel at ease, confident and happy in order to do so. We have only three weeks left of the term and XXXXX will not be ready on a singular lesson a week.
"I fully understand your commitments and reasons for not attending more but also feel her training at other dance/gymnastics organisations may be pulling her in two different directions technically which again is not conducive to XXXXX.
"XXX does have a no refund policy but under such extenuating circumstances and the decision being made by the school, we are happy to refund the £100.50 paid towards the show or set this aside as credit against classes. Please provide your account details. The refund will be with you within 48 hours .
"May I end by saying that XXXXX is a pleasant and well-loved member of our dance family. We hope that you will give full consideration to still sending her to classes and understand that we believe that the action taken is the best one for XXX emotionally, physically, and mentally'."
The message left hundreds of fellow Mumsnet users equally appalled, with many warning the mum away from ballet altogether.
One replied: "Ballet is a weird world, if your daughter is not fully committed I would get her involved in other types of dance."
Another argued it put her off ballet completely: "That's horrible. To be honest, it reinforces my determination to dissuade DD from ballet if at all possible."
A third added: "This is appalling! My daughter's ballet show was called “organised chaos” and it was brilliant."
"That is harsh! My DD’s show is this week and the little ones always have funny mishaps", a fourth echoed.
"Sounds like a dance school that takes things a bit too seriously. At that age, it should be for fun", another agreed.
And one suggested simply another sport: "This does tend to be more common for ballet than other dance schools. Get her into karate."
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