Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions of Registration
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
GDPR means that Caterpillar Dance School must;
* Manage and process personal data properly
* Protect the individual’s rights to privacy
* Provide an individual with access to all personal information held on them
Caterpillar Dance School is a recognised school with the CDMT and as so, is required to collect and manage certain data. We need to know parent’s names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses. We need to know children’s’ full names, addresses, date of birth, along with any medical or SEND requirements. We are requested to provide this data to Medway Council, Kent County Council and other council areas where our performances take place; this information is sent to the Local Authority via a secure electronic file transfer system.
Full details of our policy can be found in our Parent and Student Handbook.
Payment of Fees
Payment for term fees can be made by bank transfer or stripe through an automated invoicing system. We do not accept cash or cheques. This includes payment for term fees, private lessons, exam coaching, uniform, merchandise and exam fees.
Private lessons, exam coaching, uniform, merchandise and exam fees all incur an additional cost and are NOT included as part of your term fees payment.
Under no circumstances are class teachers permitted to accept cash payments. Any cash payments in extenuating circumstances must be handed directly to the School Principal in an envelope with Childs name, surname, amount enclosed.
Please note an automatic fee of 10% will be charged on all late payments unless pre-authorised by the Principal. Payment plans including direct debits are exempt from late fees. However, direct debit payments using GoCardless that bounce back are now subject to a re-instatement charge of 10%.
Non Payment – If payment is not made within 14 days of the reminder your place will be suspended and you will be unable to return to class until payment has been made. If payment is still not made after 1 month of the due date, we will seek to recover costs through a small claims court or debt collection agency.
If you are absent, please let us know so we can make a note on the register. As failure to pay your fees on time, and non-attendance during the first two weeks of term may result in your place being given to another student on our waiting list.
Dress Code
All dance Schools have a dress code, and we ask all students and parents to observe the dress code as stated in the handbook you will receive upon registration.
New students are allowed a grace period of 6 weeks to organise the correct uniform during which time they can wear their own dance wear. Regulation uniform is ordered through Caterpillar Dance School recommended stockists.
Media Policy and Child Safeguarding
At Caterpillar Dance School we take child safeguarding extremely seriously. The filming and taking of photographs during classes from outside the studio by parents, carers and other students is strictly
prohibited. From time to time Caterpillar Dance School teachers may take group photographs of children for use on our website, facebook community page and closed parent group. We may also film
routines and post these on our closed group to help children practice or WhatsApp class groups. Your authorisation to use a photo or photos of your child within this context is therefore requested in accordance with Child Protection Act. Student names will not appear in any publicity unless requested (e.g. for examination result purposes or to recognise students achievements); in this case there will be consultation with the parents.
Full details of our Media Policy and Child safeguarding can be found in our Parent and Student Handbook.
Cancellation of classes
Caterpillar Dance School reserves the right to cancel any classes that fail to meet our minimum enrolment requirement. In the event of such a cancellation, your will firstly be offered an alternative class place. If a suitable alternative class place is not available, you will be refunded for any remaining classes in the term.
Bad Weather and Illness
Recent years has seen the odd occurrence of bad weather, which has forced the venue to close due to health and safety. Similarly, occasionally a teacher may fall ill and it proves impossible to provide adequate cover. In these instances the school will either re-schedule classes or provide a credit against the following terms fees. No refunds are offered.
Leaving Caterpillar Dance School
We understand that from time to time peoples’ circumstances change and that you or your child may no longer be able to attend classes. In order to ensure that classes remain viable; notification to withdraw from a class during the academic year must be given in writing with at least one full payment term. Failure to provide such written notice will result in you being billed for one terms tuition fees. Students who wish to re-join classes at a later date who have not given notice of leaving will be charged a £25 admin fee.