BOOKING

 

• Footlights Dance School does not provide drop-in classes for children and young people on all term time courses. All courses must be booked in advance. New students may join courses during the term subject to availability and authorisation of the Footlights Dance School management team. If there are no spaces on a requested course when booking, then Footlights Dance School will aim to provide an alternative option where possible.

 

WAITING LIST 

 

• Members on the waiting list will be contacted via email and offered the most appropriate classes. Places will be offered on a first come first served basis. 

 

STAFF/TEACHERS

 

• All staff, including cover teachers (who may be brought in at short notice), are qualified, experienced and DBS checked. Volunteer class assistants and trainees on placements will be under the direction of the class teacher. There is always a first aider on site.

 

SUPERVISION WHILE ON SITE

 

• Students must ensure they always get full permission from staff prior to leaving class. Toilet breaks will be supervised by either a member of staff or class facilitator and students will always be supervised whilst on site.

 

PUPIL CONTACT INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

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• All pupils need to have completed an online registration form before attending any class.  Any changes to the original information provided must be submitted ASAP via email to info@footlightsdanceschool.co.uk or updated via the Customer Portal on DanceBiz.  Current contact information can be checked within the Customer Portal.

• A current email address is required as all correspondence will be emailed.

• Footlights Dance School will send emails via DanceBiz and the Parent Portal on the website to keep parents up to date with all dance school news, upcoming exams and performance opportunities.

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GDPR

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• All data stored by Footlights Dance School is stored on Google Drive and DanceBiz in accordance with the new General Data Protection Regulations.  

• Data will never be shared with anyone outside of the dance school and only relevant data will be collated that will be used to ensure the safety of the child while in the care of Footlights Dance School.  The parent of the registered child can:

  • request access to the data kept on record for their child

  • rectify/amend any existing data kept on record for their child

  • request that their child's data be forgotten

• Once a child has left the dance school all records will be deleted after 30 days.

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FEE PAYMENT

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• Invoices will be sent via DanceBiz and are payable in advance of the term starting.

• The preferred method of payment is Direct Debit via GoCardless and payments can be made in monthly instalments or in full by the date on the invoice.

• Late invoices will incur a late payment fee of £5 for each week the fees remain outstanding.

• Cancellation of the Direct Debit mandate without prior notice and with a balance outstanding on the invoice will incur a £5 admin charge to reinstate the invoice and payment of the invoice will be required immediately.

• To cancel the Direct Debit mandate an email should be sent to info@footlightsdanceschool.co.uk with a minimum of 7 days notice.

• Absence from class for sickness or holiday in term time will not be refunded.

 

NON-PAYMENT

 

• Failure to make payment before term starts may result in no place being available. If this happens Footlights Dance School will make every attempt to offer an alternative course or arrangement. If this is not possible then your name will be added to a waiting list.

 

• If payment is outstanding, Footlights Dance School reserves the right to withhold services. Every attempt will be made to discuss methods of payment with parents to accommodate the children in class.

 

• Footlights Dance School may share data with debt collection agencies in order to recoup monies owed.

 

HOLIDAY DANCE WORKSHOP REFUNDS

 

• Footlights Dance School cannot offer a refund if you do not attend the course. 

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NOTICE OF INTENT TO LEAVE

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• If you no longer wish your child to attend dance classes at Footlights Dance School an email should be sent to info@footlightsdanceschool.co.uk providing 6 weeks notice.

 

• A leaving date will be calculated by a member of the admin team and an email will be sent confirming receipt of the notice to leave and the amount of money that will be refunded for fees after the leaving date.

 

EXAMS

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• All pupils will be considered for exams and children taking Graded Examinations will be expected to attend ‘exam classes’ and in some cases they will be expected to complete a 'Mock Exam'.

• The exam classes will be held on scheduled days in the set groups of children that they will complete their exam with.
  Exams are taken from age 3 upwards and only once the required standard is attained will pupils be put forward for exams.

 

UNIFORM

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• The correct IDTA uniform must be worn for all classes.  

• Shoes and dance wear must be fitted correctly as badly fitted items are a danger to the dancer.  

• Students’ hair must be securely tied, and off of their face for class work, a bun must be worn for ballet class from grade 1 upwards.

• No jewellery may be worn for class, examinations or shows.

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PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOS

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• The taking of videos and photographs is not allowed by students or visitors during dance classes or shows unless permission is granted by the class teacher.

• Uploading any images of students, other than your child(ren) onto websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube is strictly forbidden.  

• Occasionally requests are made for students to be photographed, interviewed or videoed by outside organisations.  This will only take place should parents/guardians have provided consent on the original registration form when they joined Footlights Dance School.

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SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION

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• Teachers have to adhere strictly to all Child Protection Policies, and we ask that parents do the same.  All teachers hold a  Safeguarding & Child Protection Certificate. 

• There will be times when postural and technical corrections have to be made by physical contact, and this, of course, will be kept to an absolute minimum.  However, it is impossible to teach dance without any physical contact, and we would like to make parents aware of this.

• Teaching staff will accompany young children to the toilet where necessary unless otherwise instructed via the original registration form.

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MOBILE PHONES & TABLETS

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• The school will not be liable for any losses or damages.  

• Mobile phones must not be used during class.

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BULLYING & CYBER BULLYING

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• Bullying or maltreatment of a student whilst studying at Footlights Dance School is absolutely unacceptable.  

• Bullying by electronic means (e-mail, text, facebook etc) will be treated like any other kind of bullying and further action will be taken.

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ILLNESS OR INJURY

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• Teachers need to be informed if a child is feeling unwell or has an injury prior to them taking class.

• On your contact information form we require details of any relevant medical issues, and if your child is taking medication which they may need to administer themselves.

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ATTENDANCE/BAD WEATHER

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• Please be on time, as we try to ensure that all classes start on time.  

• Please join the Footlights Facebook Group to ensure you are kept up to date with cancellation of classes due to exceptional circumstances  and to keep up to date with class information.

• If a student continues to miss classes often (other than for illness) Michelle reserves the right to take them off the register and they will not be entered in for exams or participate in the show.  

• It is appreciated if parents can let us know when their child cannot make the dance class.

 

CHILD COLLECTION

 

FOOTLIGHTS DANCE SCHOOL TEACHER POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR YOUR INFORMATION

 

• Teachers must ensure that each child has left a session with an adult or older child (agreed in advance with parent). It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to ensure the child is collected punctually at the end of the class or session. Should a parent/guardian not turn up to collect a child on time – this is the procedure to follow:

 

• Child to Inform [Staff Member] who will contact the parent/guardian.

• If the parent/carer is not reachable, and you must leave, the emergency procedure is as follows:

• Leave a message with the parent and contact the entire Footlights Dance School Management Team with all the information. Wait until another member of the team can arrive.

• If the parent/guardian is not reachable and there is no adult available, you must inform the Social Services Community support team who will advise on next steps. . 

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CLASS WATCHING

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• Parents are invited to watch their children's dance classes at scheduled Watching Week's throughout the year.

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COMMUNICATION WITH DANCE TEACHERS

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• All of our dance teachers will be willing to discuss any aspect of your child's progress at the end of dance classes - but please bear in mind that they need to ensure that all dance classes start on time.  Should you need to have a more in depth discussion please contact Michelle directly outside of dance class times and she will be more than happy to talk through anything.

• Anything relating to admin/fees should be directed to info@footlightsdanceschool.co.uk.

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LOCALISED LOCKDOWNS and PANDEMICS:

 

• If Footlights Dance School cannot deliver classes due to force majeure or government directive, we shall implement online classes via video conferencing software as a replacement. No refunds will be offered. 

 

• If a child or household member is told to self-isolate by NHS Track and Trace (or equivalent service) classes will be provided to the student via video conferencing software. If the student is unwell and cannot take part this will be classed as missed sessions and as per the above, no refund will be made.