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Health & Safety Policies

Our organisation takes seriously its responsibility to ensure the safety of its 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 their responsibilities.
  3. Our organisation will undertake regular assessment of risks regarding the premises 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 organisation's responsibility to keep a fully equipped First Aid Box at all premises. In case of an incident – an Accident/Incident report must be filled in
  6. If required the organisation will contact the emergency services first, then the parent/guardian of the student(s) involved by the telephone number on file.
  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 organisation 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 outside the building.
  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. Students may be refused entry if they are continuously late for class as they are missing out on warming up safely for class
  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 is allowed in the studio. Chewing gum is prohibited from the building. Water is permitted in cap bottles
  14. Please ensure that the elastics on your child's ballet shoes are secure and neither too loose nor too tight

Public Liability Insurance

The organisation has public liability insurance. Any locum teacher who teaches classes will be either covered via this insurance or will have their own personal insurance.


Smoking Policy

The organisation has a no-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 hold activities which involve young children.


Drugs & Alcohol Policy

The organisation 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. Further incidences will be dealt with appropriately and may lead to dismissal. Parents will be advised of any such incident if the pupil is under the age of 18 years.


Safe Dance ​Practice Policy

Hydration

It is important the students keep hydrated, especially in the warmer months. Pupils who are in class for over 30 mins are encouraged to bring a drink of WATER into class with them. These should be placed safely away from the dance floor area and consumed during breaks specified by the teacher.


Warm up / Cool down

Classes will include a physiologically sound warm-up and cool down. Most of the syllabi include a warm up to prepare the body for harder and more demanding exercises / dances. If a class plan includes starting the lesson with a more demanding exercise or straight to a routine then a basic warm up will be done first (aerobic, mobilisation, stretch). Senior students are encouraged to arrive in time to warm themselves up before classes and undertake stretches specific to their own needs in addition to the planned class warm ups.


Individuality

Teacher and parents are reminded that each student is an individual and their abilities or range of movement will be different to others in the class. Whilst teachers always want the pupils to strive to be the best they can be, it is important they are not pushed beyond their individual capacity.


Rest

Dance Factory Studios encourages well-nourished and healthy bodies that are fit to dance and plan for a balanced workload and rest time in classes. For example, perhaps doing exercises/routines in 2 groups not only gives additional dancing space, but also gives students opportunity to rest. Injuries are most likely to occur on a tired body that doesn’t have the strength to hold technique.


Stretching

Whilst a limbered body is important to a dancer it is important not to push students beyond their capabilities. Younger students will not be allowed to push each other in stretches. If older students are allowed to work together to aid stretching it is important that they communicate and we have a strict policy where the stretch can be stopped quickly at any point.


Positivity

It is important to foster mutually respectful relationships between dancers and teachers. Teachers will use clear communication and instruct and give feedback in a positive manner. We will praise effort and progress and avoid comparing with others to help promote positive attitudes about oneself. Whilst as teachers we are here to correct and improve – it is important to put a positive spin on this feedback.

We will make effort to praise every student and also give constructive criticism (feedback) so each individual feels they have learnt something and improved.


Age Appropriate

Dance sessions will be tailored to the age of the student, as the body and mind changes throughout childhood and adolescence. Our syllabi are all age appropriate so it is important to keep children close the grade that is suitable for their age (individuality may give some leeway here – but only by a grade or 2).


Correct Attire/Equipment

To help prevent injury it is important that students wear the correct uniform and footwear for class. The correct attire allows the body to move freely, and allows teachers to see the body and correct poor technique appropriately.

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