Rare Studio Liverpool

"Arrived just over 10 minutes after 8pm which is when the class started (baring in mind id travelled from Manchester) to the front door been shut and nobody there to answer the buzzer or phone number at reception. This isn't the first time either. Worse yet, from talking to a member of staff on social media, they were unapologetic and started to blame me! I have been lied to and told there was someone at reception until 8:30. So either I can't tell the time or I was ignored! I will not be returning for a long time or reccomending any of my students to attend classes there."

"Alyx Wharmby I'm really surprised to hear your review and I can only speak of my own experience. I know that my mums income was low and Rare Liverpool stepped in and told her 'ability to perform not ability to pay' in fact encouraged to me to do more classes at their expense. I thanks to the support of many including Rare Liverpool received a full scholarship to the very prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre school. They even helped me access fund raising to move to London and I am certainly not a footballers child. I am now going to Laines with full funding after being offered 10 places and dadas. I have been lucky to have a career in tv and stage so far and again I am not a footballers child. The thing with Rare apart from the annual awards help that is given to students is kept quiet in order to protect the dignity of the students. Often the students themselves don't know they are funded you have to provide proof of income. I have seen Lyndsey and Michelle phone people to sponsor kids who on paper could afford classes but it's just not happening. As for the studios they are fab but what does a lick of paint mean 'fur coat and no knickers' springs to mind. I have seen rare pick up kids that have been let down by other schools and colleges and continually fund them. As for the child you are discussing I think that it is a sad state of affairs when children need to be bullied in this manner. She is just a child and should not be brought into this! I met this. Hold at Move It! A few years ago when Rare took to London anyone who wanted to ( they funded some too) i watched her dance in many well known teachers classes and omg she was amazing! I didn't know who she was but I knew I couldn't keep my eyes off her. The poor girl is very aware of her parents and glad that her dancing friends do not have the same attitude as you they are mature. I really feel any point you may have had becomes invalid when your jealousy/insecurity if a child is shown in this viscious manner. Agreed everywhere has problems but it's how you deal with the problems that show the calliber of a person. I thank Rare for so much including the session with Melissa they funded in order for me to master To Kill A Mockingbird which consequently led to my first Weat End production playing Jen. Again my parent is not a footballer."

"We have worked in connection with Rare Studio Liverpool for a number of years and have only ever seen management & staff go above and beyond for their learners. The opportunities for further education & development is second to none, with many students gaining experiences that will last a lifetime. We have nothing but great things to say about Rare, from the professionalism of management, the enthusiasm of students, the sheer hunger for success and the passion they have never lost sight of. The staff at Rare genuinely care about what they do. We have witnessed first hand just how much they care- often paying out of their own pockets to ensure learners are fed, clothed & have the basic tools they are sometimes not equipped with, in order to create a highly effective learning environment. We’re so proud to work alongside an establishment that has an ethos that should be paramount in every educational organisation. Congratulations on everything you have and are achieving!"

"I don't often comment publicly on issues that are not seemingly my own, however I do feel that some comments within this thread do stand as an issue relating to the wider staff body. As a member of staff at both Rare Studio and the Rare School of Fashion, but also a supporter of the Rare Trust as a charity, I feel that I can vouch for the integrity of a business that works tirelessly to ensure the students are given the very best they can work for, regardless of financial income, family background or any other contributing factor. Passion, talent and hard work are the only currency within the building. There is no nepotism in play that staff members are made aware of: if a student earns a place centre stage it is because they earned it through hard graft, like I had to in my years of professional musical theatre touring. I am aware of many confidential meetings between parents, staff members and trustees regarding all manner of issues which are then handled properly, and I know first hand that all parents are invited to come discuss any issues. No institution will ever please everyone. I have worked for institutions where budgets dictate all and communication is one way but I'm proud to be part of Rare, for its open door policy, its constant mission of improvement and its ethos of training students to be fearless."

"To Alyx Wharmby Continuing our response your review: Quantity over quality: You're assumption on increasing income through quantity is completely wrong. We have actually reduced student numbers and increased staffing. We are controlled by the charity commission which means every single penny, decision made is orchestrated by us, a board of trustees. This information is available and completely transparent. Again we would welcome you in to discuss this further if need be Graduate teachers: The graduate teachers are in addition to our fantastic guest teachers and again we celebrate the fact that we can develop these as budding young choreographers. All graduates have trained in one of the top 5 conservoitoires in the U.K, New York and LA so bring a fresh and eclectic level of training. The are police checked, insured and are also mentored and supported by the fantastic guests you refer to along with the Directors of the school New studio; You mention that the new studio is barely used, it is actually a college building. We use this studio daily during college hours. But we prefer to keep our younger students in our main building. We are also fundraising through our charity to invest in this space to have further facilities for our students. If there is any more information you would like please arrange to come in for a chat. We value feedback and are always trying to improve our service. Some of your points are borderline potential allegations which could be tantamount to slander and we will pursue it if necessary through our legal team. If you are going to respond further to this please do it with a name. If not we will actively investigate your IP address and will take further action Regards The Board of Trustees"