Terms and Conditions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: (AS STATED ON OUR BOOKING SYSTEM)
Childrens classes: The subscriptions are worked out over a 12 month period. We are open 36 weeks of the year. The annual cost is worked out over a 36 week period and then divided by 12 months to keep the payment the same from month to month and more affordable. The monthly payment is due from the date you signed up from and payable on the first of each month thereafter. Payments are due each month regardless of whether the studio is closed for school holidays. Contracts are automatically renewed each month unless given 1 months notice.
NOTE: For subscriptions prior to the start of September 2023, all payments are due on 1st of every month for 12 months of the year, this ensures all classes are paid for.
Adult classes: Run the same as above.
Pay As You Go: Adult classes ONLY. You can pay for any adult class PAYG at the non-discounted class price. Payment is due on booking and is payable even if you do not attend unless you have given us 48hours notice of cancellation. All pay as you go classes must be paid for and booked prior to class start times on our booking system. No entry to class will be granted without payment. You cannot change between monthly payments and Pay As You Go payments. Only one or the other.
Termination of contract:
Although we don’t want to see anyone leave, we understand that situations change and the need to cancel may be necessary.
If you wish to cancel the contract with us, we require one months notice for each class attended to given to us in writing to [email protected] (text messages and social media will not be accepted). Your notice period will be taken from the date we receive your email. You will be permitted to continue with classes until your notice period has ended.
For example: If you are contracted for 2 classes per month at £17.50 each and you give us your notice by email on 15th September. You will be required to pay for a full month up to and including 14th October. In this example, it would be £35.00. Payments will be calculated pro-rata where applicable.
If you wish for your child to rejoin at a later date, you will be required to pay a rejoining fee for administration purposes if this is after 3 months.
If you pay a Standing Order via your own bank, unfortunately, we do not have any control over these payments and therefore cannot cancel from our end. Please ensure that you cancel your payments after your notice period has finished. We do not offer refunds for payments that have been sent to us where they have not been cancelled.
LATE, MISSED OR CANCELLED PAYMENTS
Late payments: We totally understand that financial hardship can fall upon us at any time. Please communicate with us if you have a problem with paying and we can try and come to some form of payment plan to assist.
Late, missed or cancelled payments without notification of one months notice (refer to Termination of Contract above) will be subject to a £10 late payment charge.
In addition, any payments made later than the due date (refer to monthly subscriptions above) unless otherwise authorised by Footworkz Dance School in writing to you, will be subject to a late payment charge of 10% interest for up to seven days late and 20% thereafter.
If payments are more than two weeks overdue, students will be unable to participate in any classes until payment is made in full (this includes any late payment fees and interest added to the account). Only when the account has been settled in full will you be able to then participate in the classes. If the account is not settled in full within one month of the due date, we reserve the right to offer your place to somebody else on a waiting list.
Outstanding payments: If payment requests are ignored then we may be forced to take legal action and external debt collectors may be actioned to recoup any outstanding money. Non-payment of classes is something we take very seriously and do not accept unless otherwise discussed or a payment plan is in place outside of our Terms and Conditions.
REFUNDS
Joining Fees: Joining fees are non-refundable (this is simply because of the administration time required - we currently do not have joining fees for Footworkz Dance School).
Subscriptions/Monthly Fees: Subscription fees (monthly payments) are non-refundable. Subscriptions require a cancellation notice (see the termination of contract above).
Ticket Refunds: All event tickets are non-refundable once purchased regardless of the reason (e.g. this includes shows and festivals etc). This applies even if the child no longer attends the classes.
Costume Refunds: Unfortunately, these are not refundable unless it is still within the retailer’s returns policy. We do not aim to make any profit from costumes.
Show Registration Fee: Any show registration fees are non-refundable. This is due to the administration required for each event.
CLASS AND HOLIDAY CLUB POLICY AND CODE OF CONDUCT
Clothing: All students need to be in the appropriate dance/sports clothing and footwear (see list below under Health and Safety).
Jewellery: No jewellery is to be worn to class at any time. If any jewellery cannot be removed then it should be covered with a plaster or taped.
Hair: Hair is to be tied up so it is out of the face to keep vision clear and to avoid any distractions when learning.
Arrival Time: Students must be ready for classes 5 minutes prior to the start time to ensure a smooth transition between classes.
Behaviour: Teachers and staff expect respect and polite behaviour from all involved with Footworkz Dance School at all times. Any inappropriate behaviour will be recorded and suitable action will be taken. If any inappropriate behaviour takes place from either staff or customers, we ask kindly that it be reported to us to help resolve the situation as this too will not be tolerated.
If a student’s behaviour in class is unacceptable, disrespectful or distracting and disrupting to the others in the class, we will discipline them appropriately or ask them to leave if the behaviour persists. We are within our rights to ask anyone to leave the premises at any time if a behaviour is deemed inappropriate and threatening. In the event of this being a minor, the appropriate guardian will be contacted.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Uniform: Appropriate uniform to be worn to all classes. Examples below:
A Footworkz Dance School logo item is compulsory for all children students and must be worn to all classes over leotards and will be required for all events throughout the year. This will ensure ‘out and about’ helpers and staff can easily locate our children. Although we are a no-pressure dance school with no mandatory exams this does not mean we are untidy and careless with what we do. A uniform is very important to the improvement and safety of the children/customers who attend our classes. Correct dancewear allows teachers to see all children clearly and ensure that technique and posture is correct to prevent injuries. Items are available to purchase from the studio, please contact us for more information.
Acro – Leotard, leggings or shorts / t-shirts for boys and bare feet.
Street, Hip Hop, Commercial – Joggers/leggings, t-shirt and trainers.
Tap – Leotard, leggings, tights, slim fit joggers, t-shirt and tap shoes.
Ballet – Leotard, tights, skirt, slim fit joggers, t-shirt and pink leather or canvas ballet shoes. Cardigan optional.
Musical Theatre/Modern/Contemporary – Leggings/joggers t-shirt or leotard, bare feet or black jazz shoes depending on the routine.
Food: It is extremely important that no food items or anything containing nuts is brought into the studios or anywhere we are performing.
Bookings and payments are made
through our Class Manager system before the Month of classes start. In
exceptional circumstances (where members are not in a position to pay upfront
and/or in one go), they should contact Jessie Unwin or Email
[email protected] (Admin Coordinators) to arrange a payment
plan.
If we have to cancel a class that you have paid for, we aim to offer another class instead (this is usually done by extending the term by one further week). Otherwise we will credit you with a class for the following term’s fees.
No fee will be returned if a class is cancelled due to inclement weather conditions or any other circumstances outside of our control. In these cases, for example lockdown due to pandemic (e.g. Covid-19) we will endeavour to provide online Zoom classes or other ways of learning in place of our regular classes wherever possible.
TIMETABLE CHANGES
We aim to keep class times constant for all pupils but sometimes, changing a class time and/or venue is unavoidable. We aim to give one term’s notice of such changes. If, however, we have to change a class time/venue at short notice and your child has to miss the class because of this, we will refund for that class, we will not refund for illness etc on the day if you cannot make it, and we must be told within 48hours of class cancellation to honour the refund. Anything after this will not be accepted.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND FILMING
Photographs must not be taken (or recordings made) whilst on site unless authorised by the dance school to do so, or it is quite clearly of only your own child. Footworkz are permitted to take our own photos and videos which we will post on our social media channels (as per our photography opt in/out policy below).
We also do take photos and video footage of our members from time to time and use it to help with marketing for the school. The photos and videos may be used at our website or on social media (as per our photography opt in/out policy below).
FOOTWORKZ DANCE SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING POLICY
Footworkz Dance School will ensure that each member has the opportunity to opt in or out of being in photos and videos taken by us and/or our professional videography or photography partners for rehearsal purposes and marketing purposes. This is done via our Class Manager system. If permission is not granted, then members may be asked to sit out of run-throughs that are being recorded and photo opportunities. It will also mean that members WILL NOT be able to take part in our annual shows and special events as these are recorded as a matter of course.
CODE OF CONDUCT
· Members should arrive promptly, correctly dressed and attend classes regularly. If hair is long enough to do so it should be tied back in a bun, pony tail or similar.
· Members should wear the correct Footworkz uniform for class (where applicable). New pupils may attend no more than their first half term with incorrect uniform. Details of uniform requirements and current uniform ordering process is available on request from Miss Jessie.
· Members participate at their own risk and are obliged to inform the staff of any existing injuries or medical conditions.
· During class, members are expected to listen and focus and we discourage any unnecessary talking, most of the time. (Although there will be times when the atmosphere is more relaxed). If a child is causing disruption they may be asked to sit out or worst case, leave the lesson.
· You/your children are responsible for your/your children’s belongings. We request you name items of uniform. Although we will store any lost property that we find after class, we cannot be liable for lost or damaged property
· All members and their parents/guardians of the dance school community are expected to:
obe responsible for their own actions and know how to behave.
oshow self-discipline and support others.
ohave good manners and be polite.
oshow understanding and respect towards each other and others’ property.
odisplay positive attitudes to the school and staff team.
Should we believe that these standards are not being met, we will speak to the parent/guardian to try and resolves any issues. Should behaviour continue not to meet our expectations, our Principal reserves the right to ask that pupil to leave the school.
8. CHILD SAFETY - DROP-OFF AND COLLECTION
· All members under 16 will be signed in and out of the premises by online/paper register.
· For our under 3 classes, where parents sit in our classes, the parent/guardian remains responsible for their child's safety at all times. It is their responsibility to take them to the toilet etc.
· For Juniors where children are signed into our care, our teachers are responsible for your children’s safety while in class, for the duration of the class itself only - you cannot leave them unattended if there is a space of more than 15minute between their classes.
· Intermediates and above are permitted to stay on site if they have a gap between classes. It is imperative that we are told that this is the case and our Admin on duty will ensure they are safe. They will not be permitted to leave site for any circumstances during this time. Over 18’s will be allowed to leave between classes if they wish to.
· Please ensure you are waiting for your child when they leave the hall at the end of their class. You should make sure your child understands that if for any reason you are not there when they finish class, they must speak to the Teacher running the class and wait for their grown up while watching the next class. This is absolutely fine, and children are welcome to wait for you in the hall with us. Do please try to avoid being late, especially if your child’s class is the last in the session.
If your child is being collected by someone else, you must declare upon arrival so that we are aware.
9. CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Footworkz Dance School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff, visitors and parents to share this commitment. It is every dance schools statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, as outlined by the DFE in its publication Keeping Children Safe in Education. This means that the dance school must protect children from maltreatment, prevent impairment of children’s health or development, ensure that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provisions of safe and effective care and take action to enable all children to have the best outcomes in life.
At Footworkz Dance School we ensure that all members of staff and visitors who come into contact with the children and their families is clear on the role that they play in safeguarding children. We promote an ethos where children and parents feel comfortable sharing their concerns about their safety and well being of others.
Child protection is everybody’s responsibility and all people in the dance school community have a duty to act on any concern. All staff that are over 18years of age hold a current, enhanced DBS certificate. Where possible, we encourage parents to take their own children to the toilet should they need assistance. For large performances, special events and trips - we follow the Child Performance License and registered Chaperone rules and regulations set out by Essex County Council.
UPDATE:
We now have in place extra safety procedures which include:
- walkie talkie at venues to speak to reception team where possible
- keys to lock ourselves in rooms if need be
- a risk assessment in which we vacate the premises in the safest way possible
- venues we hire have their own risk assessments and procedures we will follow including our own
10. PHYSICAL CONTACT
Teaching dance is a physical activity and a teacher will sometimes need to make physical contact with a student to show an idea or to correct the student’s position. This can include:
• Adjusting arms, legs, rib cage, hips, feet, hands
• Moving one student in relation to another
Where contact is needed, we will remain sensitive to the student’s wishes and put their welfare first. In all cases, we will say why and how we will be correcting the student’s position before making any contact. We encourage students to report any concerns.
Due to Covid-19, we are currently limiting physical contact with members wherever possible - please see our Covid-19 Protection Policy for further details.
11. COVID-19 POLICIES
Although isolation periods have now ended, we do still ask that if your child is unwell with any Covid-19 symptoms that they stay away from Footworkz Dance School classes until they test negative on a lateral flow, or their symptoms have stopped, whichever is the latest.
Please refer to our separate notices about Covid-19 as these are updated.
12. FIRST AID
Fotworkz Dance School will comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. Your registered First Aiders are Jessie Unwin. First aid boxes are located within all of our venues, and a kit is also carried by Miss Jessie at all times.
13. DATA PROTECTION AND GDPR
Footworkz Dance School keeps records of pupils on an online database with password protection for the purpose of efficiency and consistency of administration. They can be viewed by you at any time by any member of the Footworkz Admin team. These details will enable us to contact you in an emergency, send you information and updates, keep our class lists up to date, and enable us to take any injury/illness/medication stated into account or apply informed first aid when needed. We will not share any of your personal details without your permission, aside from where the law allows. This complies with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the GDPR legislations.
Should you leave Footworkz Dance School, your details will be permanently deleted within 1 year. You also have the right for to request your details be deleted at any time.
Footworkz Dance School reserve the right to amend these policies, terms and conditions at any time, as long as notification of doing so is sent to all members.
Last amended: March 2022