Education News

Dancing in Covid Times

Education News from Alleyn's | www.alleyns.org.uk

Ruth Seager, Acting Head of Dance at Alleyn’s, tells us why, especially in these times, dancing could do your child the world of good.

It is well known that dance is beneficial to both our physical and mental health, particularly during times of stress and this has become more salient over the successive lockdowns we have undergone. People often say, ‘I just need an evening out and a good dance!’ and it is true that we all need to ‘let off some steam’ occasionally. A huge benefit of dance is that it is a mindful practice that enables us to be ‘in the moment’. When we dance, we leave our worries behind and pour our emotions into physical expression.

THE KITCHEN WILL DO!

Dance clubs are of course a brilliant way for your child to develop their innate love of movement but not all clubs have reopened, and spaces might be scarce for those that have. You don’t need a club, though to get your child up and dancing and enjoying the benefits of dance. You don’t even have to have a special space – and we know everyone enjoys a dance in the kitchen!

EXPRESS YOURSELF

From improvising to your young child’s favourite nursery rhymes to boogying to some of your child’s favourites or your old favourites, impromptu dancing makes you feel good and gets those endorphins flowing as well as reducing levels in the blood of the stress hormone, cortisol. Remember, there isn’t a right or wrong way to move – it’s all about expressing yourself – so if they see you enjoying yourself they are more likely to do so too!

VIRTUAL DANCE SESSIONS

Dance teachers and choreographers are now using a variety of methods to deliver virtual dance sessions for many ages and dance styles, and lots of these are completely free. While dancing in front of a screen isn’t always ideal, the big advantage is that everyone can discover the joy of dance and, in doing so, improve their health and well-being. See the links below for just some of the amazing free dance classes available on YouTube, from Frozen dancing to ballet, contemporary and hip hop, there is something for every age group and every level. I am sure that the dance industry will return to some sort of normality soon. If your child (or you!) have enjoyed taking part in virtual dance sessions during lockdown why not try to find a local, in-person, dance class? Not only will you be investing in your child’s or your own mental and physical health, but you will also be helping to keep the arts alive, so please… keep dancing!

USEFUL LINKS

SamCam Toddler Frozen class:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG6rxoVWRoQ

Lucie Fink hip hop for teens:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUq5spzZrC0

YouDance.com ballet for kids:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDflfXI4n5U

Local dance classes:

www.arounddulwich.co.uk/events-2/

Financial Matters

With David Frederick FCCA | Marcus Bishop Associates | marcus-bishop.com

Here we go again: Probate fees on the increase

Just when we all thought "it was safe to go back into the water” seems more appropriate for the recent proposed increase in probate fees than its original appearance in the Jaws movie, some 45 years ago. Despite the postponement of the last proposed probate fee increase by the government back in 2019, The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has just issued a new consultation paper to increase the current probate fees. In summary, the MoJ have proposed increasing the current probate fee of £215 for non-professionals and £155 for professionals to a single fee of £273. However, the MoJ do not term their proposed new fee structure as a fee increase but as follows: “We are looking to align the fee payable for probate applications with the cost of providing that service for all users.” The positive expression of the proposed fee increase by the MoJ is somewhat more palatable than the previously aborted 2019 proposed fee increase by central government. The government’s proposed fee increase in April 2019 was a tiered probate fee system from £750 - £6,000 based upon the size of the estate, for all estates greater than £300,000. Whereas, the current MoJ proposal is less penal and a single fee, irrespective of the probate applicant. The one-off single fee of £273, results in an increase of 27% for non-professional probate applicants and an increase of 76% for professional probate applicants. The MoJ, have stated that their proposed new fee structure would achieve the following three objectives: “Firstly, it removes a now unjustified discrepancy in the way that fees are charged, which differs depending on who applies. Secondly, it will eliminate the public subsidy for the probate application process – it currently costs HMCTS (HM Courts and Tribunals Service) more to process applications than the fees it receives. Finally, it raises crucial income for HMCTS, in support of the Lord Chancellor’s statutory and constitutional duty to ensure access to justice.” It may be somewhat surprising that it has taken policy makers until 2021 to recognise that the current difference in probate fee dependent upon the applicant, professional or non-professional is somewhat a misnomer. The increased fee would contribute to plugging the 2019-20, £85m deficit in the family jurisdiction service which is currently funded by taxpayers. From 2022-23 onwards the proposed fee increase would raise annually in the region of £23-25m. This increase in revenue according to the MoJ would enable HM Courts and Tribunals Service to run an efficient and effective courts system; and allow the probate service to recover the costs of processing probate applications from its users. Prima facie the proposed fee increase and the explanations afforded by the MoJ seem wholly plausible. However, despite the carefully crafted consultation paper, the MoJ, have made no direct reference to the single most important concern for all parties engaged in the probate market. Does and will an efficient and effective courts system mean and/or result in a material reduction in the lengthy delays currently being experienced in administration of probate cases in England & Wales? The MoJ consultation period ends on 23 September 2021 and there would not be any fee increase if the proposal was accepted until at the earliest Spring 2022. The proposal is not all doom and gloom. Probate applications for estates below £5,000 would continue to be exempt from paying a probate fee and applicants would still have the opportunity to apply for a remission through the Help with Fees scheme when eligible. Those applicants who are ineligible but still believe a fee remission would be warranted, they have the opportunity to request the use of the Lord Chancellor’s exceptional power to waive fees.

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