CHILDREN’S FEE POLICY

This policy relates to children’s classes only. Fees are paid termly, there is no reduction or refund on classes for any absence including sickness, holidays, auditions, or professional work undertaken by the child or in cases of extreme weather when the school is unable to open.

Terms are split into generally 12 or 13 week terms. We are now a cashless school and will only accept payment via bank transfer or PayPal. If fees are not paid within the first 3 days of the new term, you will have to pay a 15% surcharge to cover extra administration costs. If after this, fees have still not been paid, then children will not be allowed to participate in classes.

Fees must be paid for whether classes are attended or not. Fees must be paid within the first 3 days of the new term. The only exception is new pupils joining The Studio. The student can then participate in 1 trial class at no expense. If the child wishes to continue you will be billed accordingly.

In order to terminate the agreement; notice of four weeks must be given before the end of the term. Fees will still be due even if the student is unable to attend the class until the completion of the notice period, this also includes expulsion. If the 4 week notice period spans 2 terms, payment will be taken up until the following half term.

Classes that must be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions or teacher illness will be re-scheduled although this may not be on the same day as the original lesson. If a class cannot be re-scheduled, then a refund will be issued. No refunds will be issued if you cannot attend the re-scheduled class.

Classes that must be cancelled due to local lock-down or teacher self-isolation, will be re-scheduled although this may not be on the same day as the original lesson. If a class cannot be re-scheduled, then a refund will be issued. No refunds will be issued if you cannot attend the re-scheduled class.

TAKING, STORING AND USING IMAGES OF STUDENTS POLICY INTRODUCTION 

This Policy is intended to provide information to students and their parents, carers or guardians (referred to in this policy as “parents”) and any external visitor about how images of students are normally used by The Studio at Averham (“the Studio”). It also covers the Studio’s approach to the use of cameras and filming equipment at events and on the premises by parents and students themselves, and the media. The main legislation in this area is the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Independent School Standards Regulations 2014. Relevant guidance which has informed this Policy includes: 

The Information Commisioner’s Office (ICO) Code of Practice on Privacy Notices

The ICO’s GDPR resources concerning education

The ICO’s Guide to Data Protection 

The NSPCC’s Using photographs of children for publication applies in addition to the Studio’s parent contract, and any other information the Studio may provide about a particular use of student images, including signage about the use of CCTV; and more general information about use of students’ personal data, contained in the Studio’s Privacy Policy. Images of students from a safeguarding context are dealt with under the Studio’s relevant safeguarding policies. General points to be aware of: 

Certain uses of images are necessary for the ordinary running of the Studio; other uses are in the legitimate interests of the Studio and its community and unlikely to cause any negative impact on children. The Studio is entitled lawfully to process such images and take decisions about how to use them, subject to any reasonable objections raised. 

Parents who accept a place for their child at the Studio are invited to indicate agreement to the Studio using images of him/her as set out in this policy, by signing the Studio’s parent contract. If additional consent is required for a specific image, parents and/or the student will be approached to sign a consent form for that image. However, parents should be aware of the fact that certain uses of their child’s images may be necessary or unavoidable (for example if they are included incidentally in CCTV or a photograph).

We hope parents will feel able to support the Studio in using student images to celebrate the achievements of students, artistic and academic; to promote the work of the Studio; and for important administrative purposes such as identification and security.

Any parent who wishes to limit the use of images of a student for whom they are responsible should contact Christina Phillips-Kelly in writing. The Studio will respect the wishes of parents (and indeed students themselves) wherever reasonably possible, and in accordance with this policy. 

Parents should be aware that, from around the age of 13 and upwards, the law recognises students’ own rights to have a say in how their personal information is used.

Unless the relevant student or his or her parent has requested otherwise, the Studio will use images of its students to keep the Studio community updated on the activities of the Studio, and for marketing and promotional purposes, including: 

on internal displays (including clips of moving images) on digital and conventional notice boards within the Studio premises. 

in communications with the Studio community (parents, students, staff) including by email and by post.

on the Studio’s website and, where appropriate, via the Studio’s social media channels, eg Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. (Such images would not normally be accompanied by the student’s full name without permission); and

in the Studio’s printed marketing materials, in online, press and other external marketing for the Studio. Such external advertising would not normally include student’s names (and in some circumstances the Studio will seek the parent or student’s specific consent, depending on the nature of the image or the use). 

the images will predominantly be taken by the Studio staff (who are subject to policies and rules in how and when to take such images), or a professional photographer used for marketing and promotional purposes (who enter into contractual agreements with the Studio), or occasionally students. The Studio will only use images of students in appropriate clothing and the images will be stored securely and centrally. 

USE OF STUDENT IMAGES IN THE MEDIA 

Where practicably possible, the Studio will always notify parents in advance when the media is expected to attend an event or Studio activity in which the students are participating and will make every reasonable effort to ensure that any student whose parent or carer has refused permission for images of that student, or themselves, to be made in these circumstances are not photographed or filmed by the media, nor such images provided for media purposes. 

The media often asks for the names of the relevant students to go alongside the images, and these will only be provided where parents have been informed about the media’s visit and either parent or student has consented as appropriate. 

 SECURITY OF STUDENT IMAGES

Professional photographers and the media are accompanied at all times by a member of staff when on Studio premises. The Studio uses only professional photographers with whom we have a contractual relationship and retains the copyright of all images (both still and moving).

The Studio takes appropriate technical and organisational security measures to ensure that images of students held by the Studio are kept securely and protected from loss or misuse. The Studio will take reasonable steps to ensure that members of staff only have access to images of students held by the Studio where it is necessary for them to do so.

 All staff are given guidance on the School’s Policy on Taking, Storing and Using Images of Students, and on the importance of ensuring that images of students are made and used responsibly, only for Studio purposes, and in accordance with Studio policies and the law. 

USE OF CAMERAS AND FILMING EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING MOBILE PHONES) BY PARENTS

 The Studio permits the following exceptions where parents may photograph or film their own children: 

the Studio’s yearly show and during performances arranged by the Studio, so long as all children involved have been given permission from parents and carers to be filmed and or photographed. 

Parents may be offered the opportunity to buy professional photographs of their children taken at performances. This is offered on the agreement that no images bought by parents be published on- or offline. 

Parents are asked not to take photographs of other students, except incidentally as part of a group shot, without the prior agreement of that student’s parents. 

Parents may not film or take photographs in changing rooms or backstage during show productions, nor in any other circumstances in which photography or filming may embarrass or upset students. 

 The Studio reserves the right to refuse or withdraw permission to film or take photographs (at a specific event or more generally), from any parent who does not follow these guidelines, or is otherwise reasonably felt to be making inappropriate images. 

USE OF CAMERAS AND FILMING EQUIPMENT BY STUDENTS 

All students are encouraged to look after each other, and to report any concerns about the misuse of technology, or any worrying issues to a member of staff. 

The use of cameras or filming equipment (including on mobile phones) is not allowed in toilets, washing or changing areas, nor should photography or filming equipment be used by students in a manner that may offend, or cause upset. 

The misuse of images, cameras or filming equipment is always taken seriously, and may be the subject of disciplinary procedures or dealt with under the relevant safeguarding policy as appropriate.

USE OF CAMERAS AND FILMING EQUIPMENT BY VISITORS 

Visitors to the Studio including examiners, must adhere to the same rules as Parents or members of staff outlined above. 

The Studio invites external choreographers to work with students on a variety of projects. The contractual agreements between the Studio and the choreographer allows filming for reference and archival purposes but does not allow for the broadcast of the work on any public platform.

 

FIRST AID POLICY 

The principal and other members of staff are first aid trained and should be alerted immediately should a medical issue arise. 

First Aiders receive regular and appropriate first aid training. 

Should a student or member of staff require urgent medical attention that is out of the remit of the first aider’s qualification, emergency services will be called. 

Please see the notice board for all members of staff that are trained in first aid.

 

STUDENT WELFARE POLICY 

The Studio at Averham understands its responsibility to safeguard the students in their care, the following guidelines are:

• Protection of students from harm or injury 
• Promotion of wellness and good health development
• Ensuring students are learning and growing in a safe environment where they feel able to relax and communicate to others any fears or concerns, they may have. 
• The Studio at Averham takes their responsibility of welfare and protection of students very seriously and vehemently discourages bullying, cyber bullying and unkindness in any form and to any persons
• We operate an open door policy for all students and parents. If you wish to speak to the principal, or any other teacher, please let us know. We keep all conversations private unless there is a safeguarding issue, we are bound by the safeguarding guidelines that any concerns or issues arising whilst on the premises must be actioned appropriately.

Any student or teacher found to be actively and knowingly bullying or creating harm to another, will be dealt with via our disciplinary procedure which can be found under ‘disciplinary procedure’.

 

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE 

Anyone found to be in breach of our policies relating to anti-bullying and harm will be dealt with in the following way. 

• The individual will be spoken to in the first instance in order to give their own account on matters relating to the disciplinary. 
• If the explanation given is plausible and acceptable and doesn’t constitute bullying or harm to another, the matter will rest. 
• If after explanation the matter requires further investigation, including evidence and or witness statements, the Principal of the Studio will seek to collate all relevant evidence needed in order to resolve the matter. 
• It is at the discretion of the principal, (unless the matter relates to the principal), to either dismiss the student (s) from the Studio on a permanent basis, or to dismiss the teacher from their employ without reference.

STUDIO POLICIES 

• To safeguard all students
• To promote positive behaviour and respect for others
• To provide sanctions and rewards when appropriate
• To prevent discrimination of any kind to anyone
• To ensure all staff members are aware of any concerns regarding any student and to address any behaviours that might indicate a child is suffering from any form of duress, bullying or harm either in the studio or at home. The principal will be notified, and appropriate action will be undertaken inline with the safeguarding children policy
• All students must be dressed appropriately for each class, in their correct uniform. Hair should be neat and tidy in a bun, or headband
• We promote good personal hygiene for all students. Appropriate age groups should come to class with suitable deodorant to use before and after class. ALL students should come to class clean, with clean uniform.