Terms and Conditions

By registering for a class with us you should be medically fit and able. If in doubt please seek medical advice. 

Safeguarding/Safer Recruitment

It is the policy of ‘The Elaine Pygall School of Dancing’ to provide efficient, up to date, safe and enjoyable instruction to all pupils who enrol in the dance school. All instruction will be tailored towards the previous experience of the pupil and no person will be required to perform movements that are considered to be beyond their capabilities.

The premises and the equipment will be checked regularly for any defects or faults that may present a hazard to anyone attending the premises.

All teaching staff within the school are qualified First Aiders and hold an up to date DBS.  All teaching staff are appropriately qualified and are covered by the dance school’s insurance to teach within the school.  An accident book is kept although should any injury occur, a teacher will always endeavor to speak to the parent at the end of class or if necessary, get in touch immediately using an emergency contact number. Any safeguarding concerns/incidents would be reported in the accident book. In order to correct technique, teachers will be required at times to physically correct students. Spotting in Acro Dance is fundamental to the safety of the student and so physical contact will be made during each class.

Teachers are covered by our Phonographic Performance Licence which enables us to use recorded music in class.

All teachers and staff will be sensitive to all pupil’s religious beliefs and cultures.

Smoking is not permitted on or around the dance premises.

Chewing gum and/or eating in class is not permitted.

The principal does not and will not engage in false or misleading advertising.

No form of discrimination by colour, religion, child’s background etc will be tolerated in the dance school.

In case of emergencies, all contact telephone numbers are held on the registers in class, along with any medical information you have informed us of.

Parents of young children will be asked to come into the classroom to drop off and collect your children.  Young children can be escorted to the toilet area with a teaching assistant where a parent is unavailable but should they need help changing/going to the toilet, a parent should be available on the premises at all times. If any parents, regardless of the child’s age, leave the site, they do so on the understanding that it’s a public building and they must be contactable at all times on the emergency contact numbers given and must update the school should numbers change.

 Classes are limited to 20 students where 1 qualified teacher is present, however for classes where children are aged 3-5yrs, 1 teacher and 1 teaching assistant will be present.

We are trialing google classrooms as a means of providing teaching resources directly to the students whilst providing a means of communication and feedback for students wishing to practise at home. These are only available to students from Grade 1 upwards and is not compulsory. Resources will be made available to parents as requested. Codes for the google classrooms are available to parents only on request.

Social Media 

Upon starting at the school, all parents are asked to sign a registration form, outlining their preferences for the use of photography of their child and it’s use in advertising/social media. A list of any children whose parents do not wish for their photograph to be published publicly on social media or the website, will be held by all staff.

Anti-Bullying

At all times staff will endeavour to maintain the highest standards of instruction and behaviour. The school principal retains the right to expel from the school any pupil who persistently disrupts the tuition, uses offensive language or any other anti-social behaviour. If there are any cases of bullying within or outside the school, we would encourage parents or children to discuss this with a member of staff. We do not tolerate bullying and aim to have a welcoming, inclusive environment where children choose to come. We expect students to treat fellow students and members of staff politely and with respect. We also expect this from parents/carers. If you have a cause for concern/complaint then please contact Elaine either by email or telephone so issues can be discussed privately.

Show Policy

As far as possible, adults will not be left alone with a child where there is little or no likelihood of the activity being observed by others.  Parents or relatives will be delivering and collecting their children from onsite and the children will not be allowed on or off site without being checked onto our register.  For the interests of safety, all children’s telephone numbers will be held by their chaperone, along with any medical conditions the children may have.

In each designated changing area there will be at least one council approved chaperone to every 12 children.  Small hall and kitchen lounge areas will house children aged 3-7 years and therefore will have 1 parent per child. This person may not have a DBS, however, will have sole responsibility for their child only and will not accompany other children anywhere. All volunteers will be made aware of fire regulations/exits. There will be at least one qualified first aid person in both the theatre and the church. Runners have a DBS and will come to collect the children for their turn onstage and return them after their dance. Photography backstage is not permitted in any changing areas due to the risk this poses to accidentally capturing images of children in a state of undress.

Payments

Invoices will be emailed and can be paid either by card or monthly go cardless direct debit. Children's classes are calculated over 36 academic weeks then divided by 12 months so the final payment for the summer term will be August despite no classes held in the summer holidays. A registration fee will be payable on enrolling of 1 month's fees so if you decide to leave part way through the year no fees will be outstanding. Monthly invoices are due to be paid by 6th of each month. On registration you agree to these payment terms.  Adult classes are payable on booking for the specified block. No refunds are available for class fees. Refunds for exam fees can be made up to 2 weeks before the exam date. Refunds for uniform items are only available for unworn items in their original packaging. Bespoke items are purchased directly from our supplier-please see their refund policy.

Attendance/Uniform:

We expect students to attend classes regularly and on time for their own benefit. Lack of attendance will affect progress of the individual as well as their classmates. All students should be in the correct uniform for their relevant class and hair tied back (bun for Grade 1+ Ballet and Acro) and no jewellery.

Attending Other Dance Schools:

We are happy for students to attend other dance classes, so long as they are not in the same subject and examining board as ourselves. This is with the exception of our Company Dancers who represent the school externally and therefore cannot attend other classes. We do ask out of courtesy to ourselves and other teachers, that you inform us of any classes your child may be attending so we can ensure there is no concern of conflict. This is standard practise amongst Dance Schools, however each school’s policy is different and some may not allow attendance at more than one school.

Exams/Show Participation:

As a school, we work towards exams and shows in most classes. We choose to do this to give the students something to strive for and to give parents reassurance that standards of teaching are being met in accordance with the IDTA. It is expected, as you have chosen to send your child to our classes, that they will be involved in exams and shows. We appreciate that circumstances may mean your child is unable to take part on occasion. Please inform us as soon as possible as this may affect lesson plans.

Cancelled Classes:

In the event that classes need to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances we will endeavour to notify parents as soon as possible via email. Any cancelled classes will be offered at a later date (as we only operate 36 weeks of the year, we have the flexibility to offer alternative dates, ensuring the students aren’t missing out and also ensuring business continuity). Refunds will not be offered.

Legal:

Should you wish to see any member of staff’s qualifications/DBS/First Aid/Chaperone qualifications, or a copy of our Public Liability/Employers Insurance, Child Protection Policy or PPL music licence, please ask.