Terms & conditions and safeguarding

• All students must have an online registration form completed by the person responsible for paying fees.
• Tuition fees are due at the first timetabled lesson of each five-week block. A prompt payment discount applies to fees paid within the first seven days of each block. If you are not present on that day, please pay by bank transfer.
• Fees are calculated over 30 teaching weeks a year, divided into six blocks of five weeks.
• Fees are not discounted or refunded for missed lessons. Lessons can be made up at another venue, but please check before attending.
• If a lockdown occurs, all classes will continue online. Please contact us if this causes a problem. We will do our utmost to help, taking each family's circumstances into account.
• Private lessons should be paid for when booked. A booked lesson must still be paid for if you do not attend or arrive late, and it cannot be extended because of a late arrival. 48 hours' notice is required to cancel.
• Pupils are automatically re-enrolled in classes every term and half term unless we receive notice in writing or by email to stop.
• Two weeks' notice in writing is required if a student is to be withdrawn from the school. Without this notice, a further half term's fees will be due.
• Speech and drama classes are small, so we require half a term's notice if attendance is to stop.

We want to create a safe and nurturing environment in which all our young people can flourish. Our code of conduct is designed to make that possible, and to make sure every student gains the most from their classes.

• The school is only responsible for students while they are in class.
• Students should tell their teacher at the start of each class if they have an injury.
• If a parent needs to speak to a teacher, please arrange a telephone appointment. Please avoid coming in to speak to a teacher between classes wherever possible, as it delays the start of the next class for every pupil. A parent should never enter a class in progress unless it is an emergency.
• Pupils and visitors are expected to behave in an orderly, civil and well-mannered way, and to show respect to teachers, assistants and other students. Bullying is not tolerated (see our anti-bullying policy below).
• Aggressive, abusive or anti-social behaviour is not tolerated from parents, students or visitors, in any part of the premises or at any time, whether towards GLDS staff, visitors, or other parents or students. All incidents will be reported and investigated, and may result in the person responsible being asked to leave the school.
• The school cannot be held liable for any loss of or damage to the belongings of students or anyone else attending our class venues. Please name all uniform items.
• GLDS teachers will never discuss a student's progress with anyone other than their parent or guardian. All communication with the school is strictly confidential.
• The school's emails and letters contain confidential information intended only for the recipient. Any unauthorised copying, forwarding or sharing of this material is strictly prohibited.
• When contacting the school or a teacher, please use the proper channels. It is not appropriate to contact a teacher through their personal Facebook Messenger.
• If you post on social media, please make sure you have read our social media policy below.
• Parents, guardians and students should be aware that, because of the nature of dance, teachers need to use appropriate physical contact when training dancers.
• The correct uniform is expected for each class. Outdoor clothing is not to be worn in class. No jewellery apart from small stud earrings, and no watches or fitness trackers. Hair should be in a ponytail or similar, held off the face, for all classes. From Grade 4 upwards, and in all vocational classes, hair must be in a bun. New pupils are expected to have the correct uniform by the end of their first term. Please use the changing rooms to get dressed where they are provided.
• If a student is to be dropped off early or collected late, this must be arranged with the teacher, and the student should bring a book to read quietly.
• The school must be told before a student takes part in any external dance classes, auditions or performances. Please do this in writing at the start of each school year, when a student joins us, and whenever a new activity begins.
• We do not allow our students to attend another dance school for similar styles of dance. This is also a matter of safeguarding: we want our pupils to study under responsible, highly trained and registered teachers in a safe and supportive environment. Experience tells us that a student who attends two schools picks up habits that are then copied by other students, and they take twice as long to retrain.

• Students may be photographed or filmed during school activities, and these images may be used for publicity and social media. Please tell us in writing if you would prefer your child not to take part. This cannot be applied retrospectively, but once we have been told in writing we will not publish any further photographs or videos that include your child.
• All press releases of any kind relating to a student and GLDS must be organised by the school. If you have a newsworthy achievement, please speak to Sue, Kirsty or Lara.

• Students will be told by email when they are considered ready to be entered for an examination. The correct entry fee and online form must be returned before the closing date, or the student will not be entered for that examination.
• It is very important not to miss classes, so the student makes the progress needed. Otherwise the student will be withdrawn from the exam. There is usually another class where a missed lesson can be made up.
• Examination certificates must be claimed within six months of the examination, after which they will be destroyed. If you no longer attend lessons, please send us a hard-backed A4 envelope with the correct postage so we can post your certificates.

Last reviewed: April 2026. Next review: April 2027, or sooner if legislation, guidance or operational needs change. Responsibility: the School Principal, Sue Cook.

Scope

This policy applies to all teachers, volunteers, chaperones and anyone working on behalf of GLDS with children and young people under 18.

Statement of intent

The Geraldine Lamb Dance School (GLDS) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child and young person who attends its classes, rehearsals, performances, competitions, workshops, trips, online sessions and any related activity. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. GLDS will take a child-centred approach at all times, acting in the best interests of the child and responding promptly to concerns about abuse, neglect, exploitation or inappropriate behaviour.

All children have a right to protection from harm and abuse, regardless of age, ability, gender, racial heritage, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, identity or additional vulnerabilities.

GLDS makes sure staff are trained appropriately, understand the procedures for reporting concerns, and know how to support children affected by safeguarding issues. Our policy aligns with the latest statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025). We aim to make sure every pupil receives timely protection and effective support.

Policy aims

Everyone at our school shares the aim of keeping children and young people safe by:

• Providing a safe environment in which to learn
• Identifying and responding to children and young people in need of support or protection
• Supporting children's development in ways that encourage self-esteem and independence
• Fostering a learning environment in which every pupil feels valued, and able to express their wishes and feelings in their preferred way, in an atmosphere of acceptance and trust
• Making sure all staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and know how to report concerns effectively
• Demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding pupils, and to working together with parents and carers
• Complying with statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025)
• Reviewing this policy every year, or sooner if needed, so it stays in line with updated legislation, guidance or incidents

Safeguarding children is the action taken to promote the welfare (or wellbeing) of children and protect them from harm. Child protection is part of safeguarding, and focuses on the action taken to protect individual children identified as suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. A child includes babies, children and young people up to 18 years.

Responsibilities

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility at GLDS. We all have a unique opportunity to notice the signs that a child is at risk of harm, and all staff should stay alert to signs that a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect.

We will do everything we reasonably can to protect children from harm while they are visiting or attending class. We will do this by:

• Selecting our staff carefully
• Making sure all staff hold a current DBS certificate
• Building and keeping an ethos in which children and young people feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to
• Taking all reasonable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of any child or vulnerable adult in contact with us
• Never physically, emotionally or sexually abusing any child in contact with us
• Taking all reasonable steps to stop any member of staff, or anyone working for us, from putting a child at unreasonable risk to their health and safety
• Taking all reasonable steps to stop any member of staff, or anyone working for us, from physically, emotionally or sexually abusing any child
• Treating all children with respect, including respect for diversity
• Reporting to the principal any evidence or reasonable suspicion that a child has been physically, emotionally or sexually abused by anyone in contact with us or in our school
• Referring all incidents reported to the principal to the statutory authorities
• Using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with the agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
• Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
• Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment, with a policy and procedure to deal effectively with any bullying that does happen
• Making sure we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place

If a student tells us about a concern

• Stay calm and listen carefully, without showing shock or disbelief.
• Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking up.
• Avoid leading questions. Only use open prompts, such as "Can you tell me more?"
• Do not promise to keep it secret. Explain that the information must be shared to keep them safe.
• Record what was said straight away, using the child's own words where possible.
• Report the concern without delay to a Designated Safeguarding Lead or the principal.
• Keep it confidential, sharing the information only with the relevant safeguarding staff.

Everyone working for, or applying to work for, GLDS is made aware of this policy. It is issued to all staff and anyone else likely to have contact with children as part of their work with us. Copies are held by the principal.

What we mean by safeguarding and child protection

Safeguarding means:

• Providing help and support to meet children's needs as soon as problems emerge
• Protecting children from maltreatment, inside or outside the home, including online
• Preventing harm to children's mental and physical health or development
• Making sure children grow up in circumstances consistent with safe and effective care

Child protection is any action taken to protect specific children who are suspected to be suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm.

External authorities

• Plymouth Safeguarding Children Partnership
• Plymouth Early Help and SEND Advice Line
• Devon MASH
• Cornwall child protection and safeguarding

We define bullying as any behaviour, whether physical, verbal or written (online or in person), that targets another dancer to their detriment. It counts as bullying when it physically or emotionally harms a dancer, targets a dancer for any actual or perceived characteristic, or creates a hostile environment in the dance studio.

We know that under-reporting is the biggest obstacle to stopping bullying. Students and parents can report bullying anonymously or with their details. If you would rather not give personal information, please tell us the date, time and location, who was bullying, and what happened. Any member of GLDS staff who witnesses bullying must report it to the senior management team.

Reports go directly to the senior management team, who are responsible for putting this policy into practice across the school. The team will contact the alleged bully, the alleged victim, and any teachers, assistants and parents who may have witnessed what happened. If they find evidence that supports the report, this will be the basis of a meeting to agree a course of action. GLDS staff must step in whenever they become aware that bullying may be happening, including when they witness it.

GLDS will not tolerate bullying in any form, whether physical, emotional, social or otherwise. Bullying does not only happen between students. It includes parents or guardians who harass another student, parent or member of staff. Our aim is to empower people and embrace individuality, so a single documented bullying incident will have consequences, which may include being asked to leave the school. Tuition fees will not be refunded.

Respect and compassion are two of our core values. Every dancer has the right to learn and develop their art in a positive, respectful environment. We recognise that each report may need its own follow-up.

• Please make sure your behaviour on social media stays in keeping with the GLDS code of conduct.
• Any comments or posts that could be seen as obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, discriminatory or hateful towards GLDS staff, students or families may lead to disciplinary or legal action.
• If you post on social media while identifying yourself as a GLDS dancer, parent, volunteer or member of staff, please do so with integrity and respect, and follow our privacy and confidentiality policy. Sensitive school information must not be shared online.
• Intellectual property, such as costume design and choreography, must be respected when posting online. This also covers manuals, forms, handbooks and syllabus material.
• While you are connected with our school (for example, in images of your child in GLDS uniform), we will not tolerate any posts that are racially, sexually, physically or religiously offensive.
• Matters relating directly to the school, whether fees, scheduling, placements or performance opportunities, must not be discussed on social media. We have an open-door policy and encourage all communication, complaints and feedback to go directly to the principal.
• We discourage parents, students and teachers from becoming friends or followers on social media unless they already know each other. We think of all our members as family, and so we respect and look after personal boundaries.
• Please do not contact teachers through their personal social media accounts or Messenger. To contact a teacher, please use the school Facebook page or email the school.
• Families found discussing school matters in hidden or private groups set up for that purpose will be encouraged to join our closed Facebook group instead, and asked not to discuss school matters in private groups.
• Photos or videos taken at performances or rehearsals must not be posted online without permission from GLDS.
• You must not post photos or videos online that feature GLDS dancers other than your own child without proven consent from their parent or guardian and from GLDS.
• Any identifying information about children featured, including names, ages or locations, must be removed when posting on social media.

We would like to assure students and parents that we comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). There are some points you should be aware of:

• All pupils must have completed a registration form to attend class. Information given on the registration form is only seen by the school's teachers.
• We do not share this information with any third party. Some limited information does need to be shared with examination boards if a student is entered for an examination. This is made clear on the entry form.
• Personal information is deleted when a student leaves the school, unless you ask to keep receiving updates from us. If a student is absent for a half term without contacting us, we will delete their personal information.
• We keep an archive of examination results, which is stored securely.
• Pictures of our students may appear on the website, on social media or in publicity material. We do not name students unless we have permission from their parent or guardian. If you do not want pictures of your child published in this way, please tell us in writing or by email.

The following is a broad description of how the school, as data controller, processes personal information. To understand how your own information is processed, you may need to refer to any personal communications you have received, check any privacy notices we have provided, or contact us about your circumstances.

We process personal information so that we can provide education and training outside the state system, and welfare and educational support services; administer the property used by the school; keep our own accounts and records; organise alumni associations and events; fundraise; and support and manage our staff.

Types of information we process

• Personal details
• Family details
• Financial details
• Education and employment details
• Disciplinary and attendance records
• Vetting checks
• Visual images, personal appearance and behaviour
• Details of goods and services provided

We may also process sensitive types of information, including physical or mental health details, racial or ethnic origin, religious or other beliefs, membership details, and information about offences or alleged offences.

Whose information we process

• Employees
• Pupils and students
• Professional advisers and consultants
• Sponsors and supporters
• Service providers and suppliers
• Complainants and enquirers

Who the information may be shared with

We sometimes need to share the personal information we process with the individual themselves and with other organisations. When we do, we comply with all aspects of data protection law. Where necessary or required, we may share information with:

• Educators, careers services and examining bodies
• Staff, students and school boards
• Current, past and prospective employers
• Family, associates and representatives of the person whose data we are processing
• Central and local government
• Healthcare professionals, and social and welfare organisations
• Police, courts, tribunals and security organisations
• Voluntary and charitable bodies
• The media
• Financial organisations
• Suppliers and service providers
• Professional advisers