Watching Classes

MBD has a strict no watching policy in class. This is to ensure the welfare of all students and to minimise distractions. This is for the whole of the class including the ‘last five minutes’. Parents who walk in to a class will be asked to leave. Exceptions to this are the toddler classes, where all parents remain, join in and are responsible for their children.

Parents will be invited to a pre-arranged watching week class at the end of each term to view their child’s progress.

Drop off of students 

Children are to be dropped off just before the class starts or are allowed to wait outside the dance halls (in waiting areas) until called in to class. Parents understand that we are not responsible for children until the class starts.

The dance school is not responsible for damaged or lost items or valuables during class times and it is advised valuables are not brought in to class.

Collecting your child

Please collect your children on time after class. Teachers are not available to supervise late pickups. Children will not be allowed to walk out into the car parks on their own. During show time you are given specific timings for arrival and departure and your child will be with chaperone/s until you sign them in/out

Communications

Communications with students/student parents and guardians regarding class bookings, fees, changes and cancellations to any classes will always be made via email. Please ensure you keep us noted of any email address changes.

Compliance with GDPR 2018

MBD gain information related to the children and adults/volunteers who attend classes through the consent form, which must be completed and signed by an adult with parental responsibility, before a child can attend. In compliance with the GDPR regulations this information is collected on a ‘Legitimate Interests’ basis. It is used to keep children and adults safe whilst attending MBD classes and/or events and to ensure we have emergency contacts, if required. The information from the forms is transferred to a spread sheet and is shared only with other MBD teachers on a cloud drive which is password protected. Once a student has ceased attending regular MBD classes and/or events then forms which are no longer needed are destroyed, and electronic records deleted within 6 months. If there has been an incident (such as first aid) involving a child their form is kept for 6 years after attendance. On the consent form clients are given the option to supply an email address if they would like to be contacted regarding future events. Students may request that their data be deleted at any time.

Qualifications 

If you wish to see copies of the MBD principal & teachers’ DBS check and/or qualifications please ask.

Waiting Areas

All people using the waiting areas need to show respect to those students in class. Please ensure that your conversations are child friendly and no student should overhear bad language or swearing.

Mobile Phones
MBD does not allow Mobile phones or electronic devices and cameras to be taken out of bags and used during children’s’ class time

Guidance and Policy for Unsupervised Children

What age can children be left unsupervised at dance (including classes, exams, shows or other events run by the Mountway School of Dancing)?

• The NSPCC recommends that all children under 13 years must be supervised by their parent, carer or guardian. This is due to concerns that they may not be mature enough to deal with an emergency or certain situations.
• It is a parent’s decision as to what age they allow their child to attend dance venues unsupervised.
• It is a parent’s responsibility to teach their child how to respond to emergencies or situations that may arise outside the house, so they feel confident when their child is not under their supervision.
  

MBD’s policy on unsupervised children 

• Children in lessons are under the care and supervision of the principle teacher and or any other cover teacher
• Children who have breaks between classes or wait for classes to start are NOT under the supervision or responsibility of MBD, the venue in which classes take place are also NOT responsible for your child during these times. Children under the age of 12 years should be supervised during any break times when taking dance classes. It is the parent’s responsibility to put plans into place to find suitable supervision during break times and the child should be informed of this.
• At dance events like shows and performances MBD will ensure all children are supervised by the correct amount of chaperones backstage. These chaperones will have attended an in house child protection meeting and be aware of the MBD’s policy regarding supervising children.

Health and Safety

MBD takes seriously their responsibility to ensure the safety of their pupils. All pupils must complete a Registration Form when joining the school with clear information regarding emergency contacts and any relevant medical history.

A copy of emergency contact numbers will be kept on file.

1. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school of any changes to their emergency contact details
2. In case of a Fire emergency all teachers have a clear understanding of responsibilities.  They must be understood by all following the procedures of the relevant centre.
3. MBDl will undertake regular assessment of risks regarding premises hired and any concerns will be raised with the providers
4. We are committed to ensuring all employees/volunteers are competent to do their tasks and to give them adequate training
5. It is the schools responsibility to keep a fully equipped First Aid Box at all hired premises. In case of an incident – an Accident / Incident report must be made
6. If required the school will contact the emergency services first, then the parent / guardian of the student(s) involved by the telephone number on the class registers
7. Parents understand that dance is as active as engagement as any sport, and whilst every effort is made to avoid them, injuries can happen. The school accepts no responsibility for injuries sustained via any means other than a teacher’s negligence
8. Pupils will be supervised during class time only and parents / carers must ensure the safety of their children in the waiting, changing and toilet areas
9. Students/parents or guardians should inform the teacher of any special health considerations or existing injuries before participating in class
10. Parents must be responsible for ensuring your child’s punctuality. Teachers are not available to supervise late pickups.
11. Dress code must be observed at all times, especially footwear for safe dance practice. Only indoor dance shoes to be worn in the studio to protect the floor and for health and safety
12. Pupils should not wear any jewellery that may pose a risk to themselves or others (stud earrings, and jewellery worn for religious or cultural reasons are acceptable)
13. No food (or chewing gum) is allowed in class. Water is permitted in cap bottles

Public Insurance Liability

The principal of MBD has public liability insurance and the certificate is available on request.  Any locum teacher who teaches classes will be either covered via this insurance, or will have their own personal insurance.

Smoking Policy

MBD has a non-smoking policy, and smoking is not permitted anywhere within the centres where lessons take place. This is due to the health hazards of smoking and passive smoking, and also because the centres regularly holds activities which involve young children.

Drugs & Alcohol Policy

MBD has a strict no drugs & alcohol policy.  Any pupil, teacher or volunteer found using drugs or alcohol whilst attending classes or working at the school, will be presented with a verbal warning.  Parents will be advised if the pupil is under the age of 18 years.

Child Protection Policy 

MBD believes that:

• The welfare of children is vital
• All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
• All staff (paid/voluntary) working in dance have a responsibility to report concerns to the principal or other identified staff

MBD has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in dance from harm. All children have a right to protection and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account. MBD will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in dance through adherence to the Child Protection guidelines which is authorised on the registration  when you join the school. A child is defined as under 18 The Children Act 1989.

Policy Aims

The aim of the MBD Policy is to promote good practice:

• Providing children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of the studio
• Allow all staff/volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues

Promoting Good Practice

MBD will encourage the following:

• Always working in an open environment (e.g. avoid private or unobserved situations and encouraging an open environment i.e. no secrets)
• Treating all young people/disabled adults equally, and with respect and dignity
• Always putting the welfare of each young person first.
• Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance with dancers (e.g. it is not appropriate to have an intimate relationship with a child). A disclaimer regarding “safe” contact with students when necessary in teaching is authorised on the student registration form when joining.
• Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children to share in the decision making process
• Making dance fun, enjoyable and promoting team spirit.
• Ensuring that if any form of manual/physical support is required, it should be provided openly and according to guidelines provided by the RAD and ISTD. Young people should always be consulted and their agreement gained. Parents/guardian views are always be carefully considered.
• Keeping up to date with the technical skills, qualifications and insurance in dance
• Involving parents/carers wherever possible (e.g. for the responsibility of their children in the changing rooms). If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms, always ensure parents/teachers/coaches/officials work in pairs particularly during shows
• Being an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people
• Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism
• Recognising the developments/ needs and capacity of young people and disabled adults – avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will
• Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
• Requesting parental consent if dance centre officials are required to transport young people in their cars

Practice not acceptable You should never:

• Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games
• Share a room with a child
• Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching
• Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged
• Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
• Reduce a child to tears as a form of control
• Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon
• Do things of a personal nature for children or disabled adults that they can do for themselves

Guidelines for use of photographic filming at dance events

If any kind of photographic material or video of your child is required e.g. DVD of a performance or for advertisement material/purposes then parental permission will be requested. Students/parents/carers are not allowed to record or take photos during classes or performances unless told otherwise by MBD.

Recruitment and selecting staff and volunteers

MBD recognises that anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way and that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from working with children. When undertaking pre selection checks the following should be included:

• Teachers and Volunteers are required to arrange their own DBS check and are required when asked by the principal/staff to provide a copy when necessary.
• Staff are required to provide confidential references, including one regarding previous work with children. These references must be taken up and confirmed through telephone contact.
• Evidence of identity (passport or driving licence with photo)

Responding to suspicions or allegations

It is not the responsibility of anyone working at MBD in a paid or unpaid capacity to take responsibility or to decide whether or not child abuse has taken place. However, there is a responsibility to act on any concerns through contact with the appropriate authorities. MBD will assure all staff/volunteers that it will fully support and protect anyone, who in good faith reports his or her concern that a colleague/volunteer is or may be abusing a child. When there is a complaint against a member of staff there may be three types of investigation:

• A criminal investigation.
• A child protection investigation.
• A disciplinary or misconduct investigation.

The results of the police and child protection investigation may well influence the disciplinary investigation.

Suspected abuse

Any suspicion that a child has been abused by either a member of staff or a volunteer should be reported to the principal who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk.

Action to help the victim and prevent bullying in dance

• Take all signs of bullying very seriously
• Encourage all children to speak and share their concerns
• Help the victim to speak out and tell the person in charge or someone of authority
• Create an open environment
• Investigate all allegations and take action to ensure the victim is safe
• Speak with the victim and the bully/ies separately
• Reassure the victim that you can be trusted and will help them, although you cannot promise to tell no one but can ensure will only involve those necessary.
• Keep records of what is said (what happened by whom, when etc)
• Report any concerns to the Principal

Action towards bullies

• Talk with the bully/ies explain the situation and try to get the bully/ies to understand the consequences of their behaviour
• Seek an apology to the victim/s.
• Inform the bully’s parents
• Provide support for the teacher of the victim
• Impose sanctions as necessary
• Encourage and support the bully/ies to change behaviour
• Hold meetings with the families to report on progress
• Inform all appropriate members of the action taken
• Keep a written record of action taken (whom, when etc)

Payment of fees/reserving your place and giving notice to finish

Fees will always be sent via email and must be paid via online bank transfer. Single fees payments MUST be paid prior to the term starting and before the given due date. A Late payment fee will be charged for all overdue fees. If you need to make other payment arrangements, then this must be done prior to the due date for each term and arranged directly with MBD principal Lisa Stephens.

After agreeing to attend MBD, your place is instantly reserved until notice from the parent/carer/guardian via email, telephone or in person. You are otherwise committed to a FULL TERM each rolling term. It is common courtesy to let the principal know if you no longer wish to continue-as in many cases this could be a place for someone on a waiting list.