Terms and Conditions

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Fees and Payments

·         Fees will be invoiced prior to each term and will cover one full term.

·         Fees should be received by the due date shown on the invoice.

·         Email contact details of customers must be updated in the Members Portal to ensure invoices and subsequent automated reminder notifications are sent.

·         Adequate automated notifications of termly fee invoices will be sent at 1) 7 days before due date, 2) on due date, 3) 3 days post due date.  

·         A late payment surcharge of £4 will be incurred if an invoice is not paid after 7 days past the invoice due date.

·         If you do not receive an invoice, please advise the Director.

Refunds and Discounts

·         Refunds or discounts will not be given for classes missed by the student, unless explicitly arranged with the Director in writing by email.

·         Discounts on class fees are available if a student does more than 3 classes per week.

·         All fees are non-refundable.

·         If a student has a long-term illness or injury, fees may be refunded at the Director’s discretion. This does not include minor illness or holidays taken during the term.

Free trial session

·         We offer a 1-week free trial session. 

·         If the student decides to join the class, they / parents or carers will be invited to register on the Members Portal and enrol in a class. If they wish to join the class, they will need to complete the registration form on the Members Portal and will enrol in the class of their choice. 

·         An invoice will then be issued for the remaining term fees, minus the trial session. 

Members portal

·         You will be expected to keep the members portal details up-to-date, including names of students, contact email address, emergency contact numbers, medical details of students, d.o.b. etc.

·         The portal has enabled Autopay to make it easier for you to pay fees by adding the credit / debit card details you would like to pay your termly fees with and update these in Payment Settings section on your portal.

·         The system will then check when you have a pending invoice with an amount due and will and the secure card system will take payment from your saved card automatically 3 days prior to the invoice due date.

·         You have the ability to disable AutoPay at any time and just pay with credit / debit card when you receive you termly invoice.

·         You are responsible for making payment on time.

Classes and Attendance

·         On the rare occasion that a class is cancelled, it will be rescheduled, usually during the school holidays.

·         If this is not possible, any fees already paid for the scheduled class will be deducted from the following term’s invoice.  

·         The School will not be held responsible for classes cancelled for circumstances beyond the School’s control.

·         If it is necessary to cancel a class due to adverse weather conditions / a force majeure, class fees will not be refunded but we will strive to reschedule a class later date.

·         Students MUST be on time to class, and be PICKED up on time.

·         Any child left unattended at the end of their class will be kept inside the building, but we may be unable to supervise them as we will be teaching other children.

·         Parents understand that if they are late picking their child up, their child may not be fully supervised and the parent takes full responsibility for their child’s safety and wellbeing should anything happen to them after their class time has ended.

Withdrawal / cancellation policy

·         Students wishing to discontinue their classes at the School must give 4 weeks notice in writing, otherwise 4 weeks fees will be charged. 

Dance Corrections

·         Dancing is a physical skill and to help and facilitate the Student’s learning, the teacher may physically guide a movement by touch.

·         This will always be done in a professional manner and the intention of the contact will be made clear.

·         Please contact the Director if you have any queries about this

Dance Uniform

·         We ask all students to wear the recommended uniform for each class.

·         The uniform ensures students look and feel confident in their surroundings.

·         Uniforms can be ordered from the following website dpa.mydancestore.co.uk Access Code: DPASHOP. You can find details of the uniform for the particular class on the website.

Benefit of wearing the uniform in class  

Safety

·         Hair should be tied away from the face so dancers can see instructors and each other at all times, and to ensure that a dancer’s movements are not restricted by unsecured hair.

·         Jewellery should be minimised for the safety of the dancers and those around them.

·         Dance attire should be fitted to the body so instructors can clearly see the dancer’s form and technique, making technical adjustments when necessary, as proper dance technique protects dancers from injury.

Identity

·         At DPA, when students come into the studio, they can leave behind the stress of the day and identify themselves as dancers.

·         An entire field of study is dedicated to the “psychology of the uniform” and how clothing impacts our perception of ourselves and the role we are in and helps dancers perform their best.

Community

·         Dancers who dress alike see themselves as part of something larger. Watch your favourite sports teams – from uniform, to shoes, to warm-ups, their clothing is identical.

·         A simple, practical dress code creates a sense of belonging and community among dancers. They don’t preclude individual contributions; all dancers are still invited to be uniquely themselves.

·         A uniform dress code contributes to a setting in which each dancer takes joy in seeing everyone succeed together and feels connected to their fellow classmates.

Learning

·         The dress code reduces distractions and facilitates learning. When dressed uniformly dancers do not feel the need to adjust their clothing or compare their outfits to others in class.

·         Focus and discipline are enhanced, and dancers can move in unison more easily as they see everyone else is moving the same way.

·         Likewise, instructors can more easily identify when a correction needs to be made.

The DANCE POINTE ACADEMY Code of Conduct must be adhered to at all times:

Behaviours and values 

We expect all dancers to:

1. • respect all teaching staff;
   • treat all other pupils as you would wish to be treated yourself;
   • come to every class with a positive attitude;
   • always ask for help if you need it;
   • consistently try your best;
   • wear correct uniform and footwear;
   • ensure hair is neat and tidy.

No food or drink should be brought into class with exception of water

Parents and carers are asked to ensure their children are well behaved at all times whilst getting ready for class and that siblings have an activity to occupy them whilst waiting.

Students and parents/carers are expected to demonstrate mutually respectful behaviour to teaching staff, fellow students and the halls. Poor behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in the student being asked to leave the school. Bullying is not tolerated and should be brought to the Director’s or class teacher’s attention immediately.

HEALTH

Please notify the Director and School of any medical issues or learning difficulties that may affect your child’s learning, however big or small it should be. This can help us to help them.

Any injuries should be discussed with the teacher prior to, or at the beginning of, class.

EXAMINATIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND CLASS AWARDS

Dance Pointe Academy offers examinations, presentations and Class Awards. Entry for any examination, presentation or class award is at the discretion of the class teacher and the Director. Parents/Carers and students will be informed when the required level is achieved.

Examinations, Presentations and Class Awards are not compulsory but are encouraged.

Students wanting to participate in examinations must attend a minimum of two classes per week. Students who do not adhere to our ‘Examination Terms and Conditions’ risk being withdrawn from the examination without a refund (further details will be available upon invitation to take the examination).

LOST PROPERTY

Students are responsible for their own property and bring items at their own risk. Dance Pointe Academy does not accept responsibility for any items lost or stolen.

USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS 

I understand that occasionally photographs and video footage may be taken in class and at performances for teaching and promotional purposes via the Dance Pointe Academy website, social media pages, leaflets and posters. I hereby release and discharge Dance Pointe Academy and their agent / representatives from any claims and demands arising out of, or in connection with the use of photographs, including without limitation any and all claims for invasion of privacy, right of publicity, and defamation. I agree to advise the school in writing if I do not wish for my child or I to be included in any photographs or video footage. 

MISCELLANEOUS

The school timetable may be subject to change. Parents/carers will be notified of any changes.

All forms of dance involve varying amounts of physical exertion, including rigid cardio warm ups, stretching and fitness exercises in class where there may be a small risk of injury. All students must follow direction of the instructor while in class and not to attempt exercises unless directed to do so by the instructor. 

If students and/or parents break the terms and conditions, they may be asked to leave by the Director and no refund will be given.

Any queries and complaints should be addressed to the Director only.

The school rules are designed to enhance your children’s learning and enjoyment of the dance experience and help maximise their full potential. If you have any questions please contact the school Director , Julie de Havilland