Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions

1.       Class booking

a.       Please ensure that you have received booking confirmation before attending a class. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

b.       Class should be booked at least 24 hours before session is due to begin, unless otherwise agreed via email.

2.       Payment

a.       Payment is due for the child’s place in class for the term as opposed to paying for a weekly session.

b.       Termly payments are due in full or by an agreed payment plan for all classes in the term.

c.       If a child does not attend class, payment is still due, and this session will not be refunded.

d.       At the discretion of the principal, refunds may be issued due to extreme circumstances surrounding grief, illness or unforeseen circumstances resulting in the child being unable to attend classes for the rest of term.

e.       Children will not be admitted to class if payment has not been made.

f.          If a class is cancelled by DPA, parents will be offered a refund or DPA will make up the time elsewhere.

3.       Illness

a.       If your child is unwell, please inform DPA as soon as possible so that classes can be planned for accurately.

b.       In case of emergency, please ensure that you have informed your principal at your earliest convenience.

4.       Class Types

a.       Parent/Carer Sessions

                                                                                            i.        Children attending a parent/carer stay session will need to always have an authorised minder/parent/carer/guardian with them.

                                                                                         ii.        Parents are not permitted to leave their child in the care of staff at DPA when they are partaking in a parent/carer stay session.

b.       Drop-off Sessions

                                                                                            i.        Children attending a drop off session must be dropped off at the main door and no parent should enter the classroom without express permission from the staff at DPA.

                                                                                         ii.        Parents are welcome to wait in the building until class is over, however must not enter the classroom for any reason.

                                                                                      iii.        DPA will not have any adults without a DBS through DPA in the classroom with children.

5.       Class Levels

a.       Class levels at DPA are predominantly determined by age, however this will be decided on an individual basis with parents.

b.       If a child is permitted into a class with children that are not their age, the success of this will be determined by the staff at DPA and discussed with parents.

6.       Children Age

a.       Due to the nature of classes at DPA, children will not age out of our classes at 18 years old.

b.       In the event that a child turns 18 and wishes to continue with our sessions, this will be discussed at length with staff members and parents to ensure the safety of all minors in the class, and will potentially result in new classes being opened to suit the ages of our students.

7.       Special Educational Needs

a.       DPA adhere to laws set out in the Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Act 0-25.

b.       DPA will determine the teacher to student ratio in classes depending on the needs of the children, however this will never exceed 1:5.

c.       All needs will be considered and welcomed in our classes. If we feel we cannot successfully cater to your child’s needs, this will be discussed with parents/carers in length to find a suitable conclusion.

8.       Behaviour

a.       Students at DPA have a wide variety of needs which will be considered when implementing our behaviour policy in class.

b.       Behaviour towards staff.

                                                                                            i.        Students should be respectful towards staff and not exhibit verbally abusive language.

                                                                                         ii.        Students should not use profanity in class.

c.       Behaviour towards peers.

                                                                                            i.        Students should not act in a way which could physically or emotionally harm another child.

                                                                                         ii.        Students should be respectful of their peers.

d.       If a student is acting in a way which is causing potential harm to another student or staff member, the following steps will be taken.

                                                                                            i.        Staff will discuss with the student why their behaviour is being exhibited, and the effect this could have on their peers.

                                                                                         ii.        Staff will discuss with parents and attempt to come to a resolution, working through any potential triggers or misunderstandings which may have occurred.

                                                                                      iii.        Staff will continue to discuss with parents until they feel there is no comfortable resolution to the child’s behaviour which ensures the safety of their peers, at which point the child will be asked to leave DPA until they feel they are able to regain control of their behaviour.

9.       Safeguarding

a.       Staff will not touch any student at DPA except for the following reasons.

                                                                                            i.        Children have given explicit consent to be touched for reasons of comfort or compassion.

                                                                                         ii.        Children have given explicit consent to be touched to help develop their performing arts technique.

                                                                                      iii.        Children are feeling overwhelmed or upset and initiate touch with a staff member, through appropriate touch.

b.       Children will not be left alone without a staff member at any point.

c.       Staff will not go into the toilets with children unless previously discussed with parents and written permission is given.

d.       Students will not be dismissed without a parent present unless discussed with parents and written permission is given.

e.       Staff will always use appropriate language with children.

f.          DPA classes will not exceed a suitable number of children in class at any time.

g.        DPA will not use any equipment which could cause potential harm to students.

10. Bringing equipment to class

a.       Children should bring a water bottle to class with them with a drink in it.

b.       Children should not bring food to a drop off class in case of allergies and food sharing.

c.       Children are permitted to bring any comfort items which may help them with class or with their transition.

d.       DPA will not be held liable for any damage which occurs to items brought in by children, so ensure to leave special and important items at home.

e.       Children should not bring electronics such as phones, iPads, or cameras to class without explicit permission from teachers.

                                                                                            i.        Any speech aid devices are welcome.

11.  Lost Property

a.       All property is the responsibility of the child and parent and DPA cannot be held liable for any lost or damaged belongings.

12. Insurance, First Aid, DBS

a.       All staff hold a DBS check.

b.       DPA have public liability insurance which includes accidental injury to any person or property caused in connection with our company.

c.       All teachers have a First Aid qualification or awareness certificate.

d.       All teachers have completed safeguarding training.

e.       All staff are qualified or experienced working with children with Special Educational Needs.

f.          Copies of all certificates are available upon request.

Photography and Filming Policy

Parents are permitted to take photos and videos of their child, however if a parent is seen to be using a device to take photos or videos of other children without explicit permission from a member of staff, they will be asked to stop and delete any photos or film they may have. If the parent refuses, they will be asked to leave class without ability to return. No refunds will be permitted in this case.

During a showcase, a member of staff from DPA will tell you if you are permitted to take photos and videos and how they can be shared, based on the media consent of children in the class.

DPA take photos and videos on two separate phones, which are then collated to one device and deleted from phones after class. Before children attend class media consent is given by parents, and only then will photos or videos be used and shared to social media. Once media is shared, it will be deleted and not stored or shared elsewhere. Images and videos will only be shared on social media platforms in connection with DPA.

If attending an event or public performance with DPA, media usage will be shared with parents beforehand who can then decide if they wish to participate.