New Forest Academy of Dance

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is part of your agreement when joining New Forest Academy of Dance. Membership is open to all subject to the following conditions:

· New Forest Academy of Dance accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of personal belongings while on the premises.

· New Forest Academy of Dance accepts no liability for any injuries sustained whilst participating in a class or on the premises.

· New Forest Academy of Dance Staff must be notified of any changes to the information provided on the Booking Form.

Please note that if any parent or student is in material or persistent breach of any of these terms and conditions, we reserve the right immediately to terminate the contract with you and/or exclude your child from attending further classes until such time that the matter can be resolved or the agreement is terminated, without further liability to you.

Students

Students must follow all school rules and instructions and a failure to do so will result in a breach of these terms and conditions.

Students are advised to stay hydrated and may bring water to classes.

You understand and agree that dance teachers may use tactile feedback and instruction with students to support verbal feedback and instruction where appropriate. (Please see our separate policy on this for more information).

Regular attendance is vital for students progression, continued missed classes or late arrival may result in students not being entered for examinations or taking part in shows or performances.

A basic first aid kit is kept on the premises and staff members at New Forest Academy of Dance may administer basic first aid on students if necessary whilst a student is at the school. However, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and otherwise as set out in these terms, dance teachers and the school shall not be responsible for any injuries or accidents that occur and which are outside of our reasonable control.

You must notify us of any medical or learning conditions that students have via their registration form or client portal so that we can adapt our teaching if required to provide support and nurture students.

If a student needs to take any of their own medication (whether self-administered or otherwise) whilst at the school we ask that parents be available to administer the medication unless otherwise previously agreed with us. In any event, we cannot be held liable and accept no responsibility for administering such medication (and/or the effects of the same) and the students’ parent/guardian takes full responsibility.

All students need to have a filled out a filming and photography agreement or notification sent to [email protected] of your preference for them not to be photographed or filmed.

Behavior

Disruptive, disrespectful or antisocial behavior in on or around the premises will not be tolerated (whether before, during or after classes) and we reserve the right to exclude that student on a temporary or permanent basis in our sole discretion and no refund will be applicable.

Uniform

This is basic but essential and gives the students a sense of belonging, a sense of ritual and sense of dressing for something important – their class. Appropriate clothing as below is also necessary for health and safety all students must be wearing the appropriate uniform except with our prior consent.

· All t-shirts, hoodies, skirts, shoes and bags must be clearly labelled – lost property is donated to charity at the end of every term, please see your teacher for the lost property box.

· Strictly no jewellery, watches or fitness devices are to be worn in class, the only exception is small stud earrings.

· Hair should be neatly tied back off the face and neck for all classes, for all Ballet classes hair must be in a classical ballet bun.

· SECOND-HAND SHOES and CLOTHING for sale: every few months we hold a second-hand stock sale with profits being given to charity.
DONATIONS OF DANCE CLOTHING: We welcome donations of dancewear that are in good condition and can be re-sold at a small price or lent to students.

Please see your individual uniform specifications available on your portal.

Examinations

The opportunity for a student to enter a dance examination is at the sole discretion of the school. Where we think your child should progress through examinations you understand that it is necessary for a student to attend extra lessons in preparation for their examination in order to reach the required standard and to practice within their examination group which will be charged as an Additional Fee.

Further examination Terms and Conditions are likely to apply and shall be communicated to you as necessary.

If an examination is not taken for any reason when offered by the school, we will discuss their next steps with you to ensure clarity of progression for your student.

Attendance

Children must arrive and be collected promptly. It is very important that children arrive in time for their classes, preferably 5 minutes before the start. This allows the group time to settle together giving a more productive start to the class. Latecomers will have to wait outside until an appropriate time to join the class please ensure you knock and wait for the music to finish before entering. Children arriving after 15 minutes may be refused admission, for health and safety reasons if they have missed the warm up this can cause injury and the wellbeing of your student is our highest priority.

Absence

Good attendance and commitment to the class is essential for your student to receive the best dance education and continue to make good progress. Should they miss too many classes this may restrict exam and show opportunities. Students and parents/guardians should notify us in advance of any absences to the following email address [email protected].

Illness/Injury

Parents are not to allow their child to attend classes if they are feeling unwell or have a known injury which would prevent a student from fully taking part. This includes presenting any contagious illness including (but not limited to): Chicken Pox, Head Lice, Common Cold, Flu and, as of March 2020, symptoms of COVID-19. If unsure please email us and we will advise where needed.

Refunds will only be given in the event of illness or injury preventing attendance at classes for a sustained period of time as the principal’s discretion.

Class Booking, Fees and Payment

Classes must be booked and paid for by you on a half termly basis in advance. All students / class participants must have completed a registration form, photo permission form and accepted our terms and conditions.

All fees remain payable whether or not your child attends the classes. There are no reductions or refunds for missed classes under any circumstances (including injury, sickness or holidays). A refund will not be provided if classes have to be cancelled due to an event beyond our reasonable control including but not limited to fire, flood, storm, bad weather (including heavy snow disrupting transport) or other Act of God, pandemic or epidemic of any disease, industrial action, war, civil unrest, terrorist threat or incident.

In addition to class fees, the following additional fees (“Additional Fees”) shall also be payable by you to the extent applicable:

· Examination entry, variable due to standard and entry.

· Uniform variable requirements, view current costs on unform provider All Boogie (https://www.allboogie.co.uk/store/new-forest-academy-of-dance/)

· Show participant fees, variable dependent on number of dances.

· Additional classes for examination or show preparation, all notified and agreed prior to participation

Acceptance of these terms and conditions is required via the Client Portal.

All fees must be paid in full on or before the start date of the term and before classes can commence. Unless in exceptional circumstances and where agreed with you prior to the term. In the event that full payment has not been received you or your child shall not be permitted to attend classes.

Our preferred method of payment is Direct Debit or Card Payment however in exceptional circumstances and where agreed with you we may also accept BACS or cash. No other method of payment shall be acceptable.

Failed Payments

If an agreed payment has been requested by us but fails due to payee’s error or inability to make payment then we withhold the right to charge a £2.00 admin fee for each failed payment to cover our expenses.

Non-payment

Failure to make payment before term starts may result in no place being available. If this happens New Forest Academy of Dance 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,New Forest Academy of Dance reserves the right to withhold services.

New Forest Academy of Dance may share data with debt collection agencies in order to re-coup monies owed.

Cancellation

You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days of payment. Should you wish to cancel you must inform us of this decision to the following email address [email protected]

Where you have asked us to do so we may start classes within the 14 days cancellation period. If you agreed for us to start within that time you lose your right to cancel and will be required to pay the full price under these terms and conditions even if the cancellation period has not expired - for instance this may happen for the avoidance of any doubt where you have enrolled your child within 14 days of the term start date.

This does not affect your statutory rights, but once the term has started, if you decide to withdraw at anytime for any reason, you will still remain liable for the full cost of the term and no refund will be provided

Requests for changes to class schedules or levels may be made but remain entirely at our discretion and no change can be guaranteed.

If you wish to make a request in advance for preferred class(es) (at the existing or at the next level) for the next term you should aim to give us a minimum of half a term’s notice (with the request being received in writing by email to the following address [email protected] . Where we envisage a change to schedule or the relevant stage/level for your child we will discuss this with you in advance.

Classes cancelled by us due to teacher absence will be offered an alternative make up class. Where this isn’t possible credit or refunds will be issued for that class.

Trials
4-week Trials must be booked and paid for in advance, then after the trial period you will be charged for the remainder of the half term unless you contact us to terminate your space before the next class.

Parents and guardians / Adult students

It is parents / your responsibility to ensure and be satisfied that the student is fit and healthy to attend classes.

First trial classes may be viewed, Movers and Tots classes may view for longer to help settle. Thereafter attendance of classes by anyone other than students is strictly subject to the prior consent of the school and our safe guarding procedures.

Feedback will be provided on request.

Parents should ensure that children are punctual for classes and are collected promptly at the end of classes. When students are old enough to leave the premises independently please inform us.. You must notify the teacher at the start of the class if someone else will be collecting your child.

Limitation of Liability & Disclaimer

By entering into these Terms and Conditions you hereby waive and release the school from all claims arising from injury of any manner resulting from participation in a class other than as a direct result of our negligence.

Where relevant the child or their parents or guardians should seek medical advice before carrying out any exercise or in relation to the suitability of the class and we cannot be held liable for any claim as a result of attendance where unsuitable.

We accept no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for any loss or damage of personal belongings or property whilst attending a class or on the premises.

Nothing in these terms and conditions shall in any way limit liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation or for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, or any other liability which cannot be excluded at law and your statutory rights are in no way affected.

Data Protection and Privacy

We are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our users and clients. We may use your information to keep in touch with you by newsletter and other group / individual communications in line with our Privacy policy which can be viewed in your client portal.

Other Policies

At New Forest Academy of Dance, we have a number of policies to ensure the safety and protection of our users. Please see your agreements page of your client portal.

· Child protection and safeguarding

· Good practice with young people

· Health and safety

· Equal opportunities

· Privacy Policy

· Photo/filming permission

Should you have any questions or wish to discuss anything please do not hesitate to contact us on [email protected]

Policy reviewed: 30th July 2024.