Child Protection Policy
The function of the organisation ‘Success Singing and Piano’ is to provide a safe area in which children and adults are taught the skill of music and associated performance techniques with a basic understanding of core skills in order to train their bodies safely. Relaxation skills are also included for the well-being of the participant.
SSAP is a division of Amanda Warwick Dance Arts, and as such carries Public Liability Insurance which will cover your child whilst in our care. We are also covered by alternative insurance for complimentary therapy. Both teachers are Enhanced DBS Police checked for security purposes. Ms Warwick is a council registered chaperone, a qualified dance practitioner, a first aider, including paediatric, and a clinical hypnotherapist.
Attendance: The space that the children occupy at the venue will be checked for dangerous objects (to the best of our ability). We are insured for pupils plus one parent only. Attendees who use areas of the building not relevant to the tuition, do so at their own risk. It must be remembered that electrical equipment is being used for these lessons and pupils must respect the outcome of mis-treating such equipment.
On occasion, rehearsals will be at a local public venue. The safety of such a building is the sole responsibility of the hall owners themselves. We cannot be held responsible for ‘out of bounds’ areas, such as store cupboards within the venue, and an adjacent recreation park, which is not owned by the dance school or the dance venue. Pupils should be respectful of other hirers equipment and the safe storage of this should be the responsibility of those hirers. Such objects will be checked for safety by AWDA/SSAP staff where possible. Damage to other hirers property by pupils is the financial responsibility of their parents.
Collection/Late pick-ups: Pupils will not be released from our care without being escorted to the person whom we know will be collecting them. We will supervise pupils until collected, but we cannot be held responsible for older children who refuse to comply with these guidelines. If someone else needs to collect a child unexpectedly, the regular guardian must telephone (classroom number 07740 981622) giving permission to release the pupil to the adult concerned. If we feel is not safe to release a pupil to travel home by themselves, then we reserve the right to make suitable arrangements to cover their safety and will contact their parents.
Payment: New pupils must pay after each lesson for their first term. Thereafter, payment can continue after each lesson, or can be made after a period of several lessons for which an invoice will be issued. If a pupil cancels 3 or more lessons in one term, we reserve the right to invoice at the start of future terms in advance.
We require at least 24 hours notice of lesson cancellation. We will do our best to offer you an alternative time, but please understand that this will not always be possible.
Pupil responsibility: Parents are held responsible for all aspects of the pupil’s attendance, including payment and dress conduct, until the pupil is eighteen years old. If a pupil is absent it is the responsibility of the parent to make sure that enquiries are made about lesson re-booking and practice missed during that absence. For adults, we ask that they are respectful of the fact that some children attending are very young and that they, the adult, behave and dress accordingly.
Changing facilities: At events which require a costume change, sufficient changing areas are available for boys to dress in a different room from the girls. All children would be in a section which is screened from the adults. Fathers should not attend dressing rooms, but where dancers change near the external door, they must be aware that their personal changing should be done in the ladies or gents rest room.
Lost property: The loss of items at the school is at the parents own risk. We will endeavour to find missing objects if they are named. Lost property will usually be left at the venue for collection from the lost property point.
Photographs and video: The school reserves the right to photograph and video pupils for training purposes and for promotion of the school (those unable to agree may need ‘opt out of certain activities). Group lessons may not be filmed by parents. Solo lessons do not apply if a parent wishes to film BUT this film must not be broadcast, unless with the agreement of the teachers and for a specific commercial purpose such as YouTube promotion.
Examination board syllabi and music may NOT be displayed on the internet, and where copyright is infringed the parents are wholly responsible. This includes most musical items and it is best to ask our advice on this matter.
Official DVD’s are sometimes produced following performances. Parents not wishing for the photograph to be used, or children who object, must inform us. Children will not be named in publicity unless they have received a public accolade, which by the very nature will mean that their parent has been willing for them to participate and will decide if this should be put in the public eye.
Study filming by the teacher: Ms Warwick may film practice for the sole purpose of the pupil involved being able to learn and practice their pieces. This video is her personal property and is not intended for publication. Once items are completed, the film will be deleted.
PLEASE NOTE: It is increasingly necessary to submit a security photograph for trips, public events and examinations. We reserve the right to retain a passport type picture of each pupil for their own safety in these matters. There is also a growing number of examinations and awards where a performance video must be submitted. These circumstances are under the control of the education body and their guidelines will be adhered to.
Pupil relations: We encourage an ‘open discussion’ policy and bullying has been rare (non-existent in our music school). We reserve the right to withdraw children from the working area if their behaviour becomes so excitable that they are hindering other children in their enjoyment and safety. This measure is generally only needed for a few minutes. Anything more serious would be discussed with the parents but without compromising the child’s trust. We follow the guidelines in the Child Employment booklet, set down by the Guildford Child Employment Office. In the unlikely event that a serious case of a ‘child at risk’ should arise, a local child welfare officer would attend.
If your child discloses a family secret or is openly discussing something that would not involve a welfare officer being called, then the teacher concerned must be able to alert those parents as to the situation.
The Legislation and Guidance That Supports This Policy
The Children Act 1989; The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000