Laura Henderson Dance Academy

Terms and Conditions, 

Covid-19 Policy,

Privacy Policy,

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

 Please read this document carefully. These represent the terms and conditions for using the services of LHDA. If you do not agree to these, you may not use the services of LHDA. You may want to print off a copy for your future reference. These terms and conditions were last updated on 20/08/2020.

Terms and Conditions

Fees

Fees are payable each term in advance. A 10% discount will apply for families taking 3 or more classes.

Term of Notice

Students wishing to leave LHDA at the end of term are required to give notice by half term in writing. Failure to give notice will result in a full term’s fees being charged as payment in lieu.

Personal Belongings

LHDA cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage of any personal items belonging to students participating in classes at any venue.

Uniform

The correct uniform must be worn. Long hair must be tied back off the face for modern and tap and worn in a bun for ballet.

No watches/necklaces/bracelets/rings are to be worn in any dance class. Small ear studs are acceptable.

Behaviour

Students should conduct themselves in an acceptable manner.

Should a student repeatedly show behaviour that is detrimental to the group, parents/guardians will be advised and the problems discussed.

If this behaviour continues without improvement LHDA reserve the right to exclude the student without refund of fees.

Absence

Should a pupil be absent for two weeks without notice, LHDA has the sole discretion in deciding whether to exclude that child from any events/performances and exams.

Supervision of students

Students will be allowed to visit the toilet unaccompanied.

LHDA teachers are not responsible for the students outside their class time.

Additional costs

Please be advised that exams and shows will incur additional costs.

Photography and Videography

Occasionally photos and/or videos will be taken during classes/events. These may be used for promotional purposes. Please advise the LHDA office if you DO NOT give permission for your child’s image to be used in this way.

Covid-19 Policy

Here’s what we are doing:

All staff are instructed to wash hands and use sanitiser frequently.

Teachers will work using Government socially distancing guidelines.

Registers will be taken to comply with the Track and Trace system.

Class sizes will be limited - maximum 15 depending on room size.

Partner work  will not be practised for the time being.

Classes will be dismissed 5 minutes early to allow time to sanitise equipment and the room.

There will be no use of changing rooms/kitchen. Toilet facilities will be limited and only used if absolutely necessary.

Rooms will be ventilated as much as possible.

Here’s what you need to do:

Parents must conduct their own health assessment of their dancer prior to arriving. Dancers may not enter the facility if they are exhibiting any symptoms or have been exposed to Covid-19.

Please use toilets before coming to your dance class as usage will be limited.

Dancers need to arrive to the class in dance clothes - no changing in the toilets.

Parents and siblings to remain outside using social distancing measures.

Please do not line up outside the building more than 5 minutes before the class start.

Students should not enter the building until their teacher welcomes them in.

Minimize belongings - one named bag per person containing dance shoes and a full water bottle.

Props - students to bring their own if needed for a dance.

Follow one-way system and signs and instructions.

Students to hand sanitise at registration.

All indoor waiting areas are closed - parents and siblings may stay in pick-up zone outside or in their car.  

Dancers who have back-to-back classes can stay in the building and change their shoes.

Please leave the site promptly.

Parents are encouraged to phone (07935 965690) or email (lhdashow@gmail.com) Miss Laura with any questions rather than taking up class/cleaning time.

Privacy Policy

‘You’ and ‘I’ refers to the adult agreeing to these terms and conditions, whether on their own behalf or as the person responsible for the student.

‘You/your child’ and ‘Me/my child’ refers to the person who is taking classes with LHDA.

What sorts of information do we hold?

In our secure cloud-based database we have information about past, current, and possible future students. We do not share any personal data with anyone or any outside organisation unless we have express prior permission e.g. examination board, Disney trip organiser.

The information we hold includes:

Parents/Guardians: Name, address, email, home phone and mobile numbers.

Students: Name, date of birth, examination PIN number, and any medical conditions that we have been advised about the student. We keep track of the classes the students have attended and shown interest in.

This information is necessary for the running of the Academy.

Keeping you informed about LHDA

We would like to tell you about future events and news within LHDA.

We won't send you marketing messages if you tell us not to but we will still need to send you occasional service-related messages. 

How long do we keep your information for?

When a student leaves the academy we keep them on the database marked as ‘inactive’. Many students come back a few terms later. There is a ‘Right to be forgotten’ option on the parent portal. If you take this option when you or your child leaves the academy, your details will be permanently removed from our database and you will no longer receive any communication from us. Please note that this option does not apply to students currently enrolled in a class.

LHDA Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Laura Henderson Dance Academy (LHDA) is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people up to the age of 18. We recognise our responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.

LHDA acknowledges its duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse. All staff and volunteers will work together to encourage the development of an ethos which embraces difference and diversity and respects the rights of children, young people and adults.

LHDA recognises its duty of care under the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014, the Children Act 1989 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015.

LHDA will ensure that:

· The welfare of the child is paramount

· All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse

· All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately

LHDA will ensure that:

· Everyone will be treated with respect and dignity

· The welfare of each child will always be put first

· Enthusiastic and constructive criticism will be given to pupils rather than negative criticism

· Bullying will not be accepted or condoned

· All adult members will provide a positive role model

· Action will be taken to stop any inappropriate behaviour

· It will comply with health & safety legislation

· It will keep informed of changes in legislation and policies for the protection of children

· It will undertake relevant professional development and training

· It will ensure all contact and medical details for every child is up to date and available at the place of teaching or performance.

 LHDA has a designated Safeguarding lead who is in charge of ensuring that the child protection policy is adhered to. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Laura Henderson and she can be contacted on 07935 965690.

 In implementing this policy LHDA will:

· Ensure that all workers/members understand their legal and moral responsibility to protect children and young people from harm, abuse and exploitation.

· Ensure that all workers/members and volunteers understand their duty to report concerns that arise about a child or young person, or a worker’s conduct towards a child or young person to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

· The Designated Safeguarding Lead will refer any child protection concerns to the statutory child protection agencies (i.e. Police and/or Children’s Social Care).

· Ensure that students and parents can raise any safeguarding concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Lead & know that these will be taken seriously and acted upon.

 This policy will be regularly monitored by Laura Henderson and will be subject to regular review.

Health and Safety

· Laura Henderson Dance Academy (LHDA) takes its responsibility to ensure the safety of their pupils seriously.

· A copy of emergency contact numbers will be kept on class registers.

· It is the parent's responsibility to notify the school of any changes to their emergency contact details.

· In case of a Fire, all teachers have a clear understanding of responsibilities.  

· LHDA will undertake a regular assessment of risks regarding premises hired and any concerns will be raised with the providers.

· LHDA is committed to ensuring all teachers/volunteers are competent to do their tasks and to give them adequate training.

· If required LHDA will contact the emergency services first, then the parent/guardian of the student(s) involved using the telephone number on the class registers.

· Dance is an active sport, and whilst every effort is made to avoid them, injuries can happen. LHDA accepts no responsibility for injuries sustained via any means other than a teacher's negligence.

· Pupils will be supervised during class time only and parents/carers must ensure the safety of their children in the waiting, changing and toilet areas.

· Students, parents or guardians should inform the teacher of any special health considerations or existing injuries before participating in class.

· Pupils should not wear any jewellery that may pose a risk to themselves or others.

 Public Insurance Liability

LHDA has public liability insurance and the certificate will be produced when requested.

Child Protection Policy 

LHDA will follow good practice by:

· Making dance fun and promoting fair play.

· Ensuring that if any form of manual/physical support is required, it should be provided openly and according to guidelines provided by the ISTD.

· Keeping up to date with the technical skills, qualifications and insurance in dance.

· Involving parents/carers wherever possible (e.g. for the responsibility of their children in the changing rooms). If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms, always ensure parents work in pairs.

· Being an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people.

· Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticis.

· Recognising the developments/ needs and capacity of young people e.g. avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will.

· Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.

  Unacceptable practice: Teachers should never:

· Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching.

· Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.

· Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun. 

· Reduce a child to tears as a form of control.

· Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon.

· Do things of a personal nature for children or disabled adults that they can do for themselves.

 Guidelines for use of photographic filming at dance events

Videoing as a training aid: there is no intention to prevent the use of video equipment as a legitimate coaching aid. However, dancers and their parents/carers should be aware that this is part of the coaching programme and care will be taken in the storage of such films. If any other kind of photographic material or video of your child is required e.g. DVD of a performance or for advertisement material then parental permission will be requested. Students/parents/carers are not allowed to record or take photos during classes or performances.

 Responding to suspicions or allegations

It is not the responsibility of anyone working in LHDA in a paid or unpaid capacity to take responsibility or to decide whether or not child abuse has taken place. However, there is a responsibility to act on any concerns through contact with the appropriate authorities. LHDA will assure all staff/volunteers that it will fully support and protect anyone who in good faith reports his or her concern that a colleague/volunteer is or may be abusing a child.

 Suspected abuse 

Any suspicion that a child has been abused by either a member of staff or a volunteer should be reported to the principal who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk.

 Actions to help the victim and prevent bullying in dance

· Take all signs of bullying very seriously.

· Encourage all children to speak and share their concerns.

· Help the victim to speak out and tell the person in charge or someone of authority.

· Create an open environment.

· Investigate all allegations and take action to ensure the victim is safe

· Speak with the victim and the bully/ies separately

· Reassure the victim that you can be trusted and will help them, although you cannot promise to tell no one else

· Keep records of what is said (what happened by whom, when etc).

· Report any concerns to the Principal.

 Actions towards bullies

· Talk with the bully/ies, explain the situation and try to get them to understand the consequences of their behaviour.

· Seek an apology to the victim/s.

· Inform the bully’s parents.

· Provide support for the teacher of the victim.

· Impose sanctions as necessary.

· Encourage and support the bully/ies to change behaviour.

· Hold meetings with the families to report on progress.

· Inform all appropriate members of the action taken.

· Keep a written record of action taken (whom, when etc). 

Date policies agreed: 5/10/18

Date reviewed 24/08/20 

what sorts of information do we hold?

In our secure cloud-based database we have information about past, current, and possible future students. We do not share any personal data with anyone or any outside organisation unless we have express prior permission e.g. examination board, Disney trip organiser.

the information we hold includes:

Parents/Guardians: Name, address, email, home phone and mobile numbers.

Students: Name, date of birth, examination PIN number, and any medical conditions that we have been advised about the student. We keep track of the classes the students have attended and shown interest in. 

This information is necessary for the running of the Academy.