AJ’s Dance Company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff, visitors and parents to share the commitment.
It is every dance school’s statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, as outlined by the DFE in its publication Keeping Children safe in Education.
This means that the dance school must protect children from maltreatment, prevent impairment of children’s health or development, ensure that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provisions of safe and effective care and take action to enable all children to have the best outcomes in life. Our safeguarding officer is Mrs Jane Stokey.
At AJDC we ensure that all members of staff and visitors who come into contact with the children and their families is clear of the role that they play in safeguarding children. We promote an ethos where children and parents feel comfortable sharing their concerns about their safety and wellbeing of others.
Child protection is everybody’s responsibility and all people in the dance/school community have a duty to act on any concern. If you are concerned about the safety of any child in our dance school, you must report this to the designated safeguarding lead – Mrs Jane Stokey.
All staff members of our dance school are fully DBS checked and hold a full chaperones license.
Photographs must not be taken (or recordings made) whilst on site unless authorised by the principal – Miss Aimee-Jane Stokey to do so.
AJDC fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection.
Our policy applies to all teachers and staff working in the school.
This policy applies to both children under 18 years and vulnerable adults.
AJDC has a duty of care to safeguard all children from harm whilst involved in tuition, practice and performance DURING THE TIME THEY ARE IN CLASS UNDER SUPERVISION.
The AJDC child protection policy is to follow good practice guidelines. These guidelines cover physical injury, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and staff are made aware of their responsibilities which include avoiding unnecessary physical contact and/or private or unobserved situations.
Parents will be required to sign a terms and conditions form to confirm they have understood our responsibilities set out in the policy.
Also included in our T’s and C’s will be a disclaimer for all parents/guardians/carers to give their permission for photographs and/or video recordings to be taken from time to time by school staff or appointed professionals for promotional material for the school and social media. If any parent/guardian/carer objects to this, it is their responsibility to ensure that the principal is made aware.
Standards of Behaviour expected - All members of the dance school community are expected to:
Occasionally, parents need to be more directly involved and we believe that by working closely with pupils and parents we can achieve positive results.
AJDC staff are responsible for modelling good behaviour and having high expectations of all children with regard to their behaviour. The studio environment gives clear messages to the children about the extent to which they and their efforts are valued. Resources should be arranged to promote independent learning and minimise disruption. Displays should help develop self-esteem through demonstrating the value of every individual’s contribution.
Praise should be used to encourage good behaviour as well as good work.
Here at AJDC we do not tolerate bullying of any kind and it is expected that parents will support AJDC in encouraging their children to show respect and support AJDC authority when disciplining its pupils. Any incident or apparent bullying is investigated. DFE guidance defines bullying as ‘Actions that are meant to be hurtful and which happen on a regular basis. Bullying can be direct or indirect’
At AJDC we are committed to working with staff, pupils, parents and carers to create and maintain a happy, family friendly atmosphere where all forms of bullying will not be tolerated, including when bullying is motivated by prejudice or negative attitudes towards a person’s race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, disability, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation (LGBT).
AJDC’s anti-bullying policy has been developed with due regard for our duties and obligations under existing legislation for the safeguarding and wellbeing of all our pupils and we will take all steps to ensure their safety.
AJDC aims to build a feeling of confidence in children and parents so that they know that all reports or suspicions of bullying will be investigated.
AJDC aims to equip children with the skills, attitudes and values that will prepare them for adult life. Children who exhibit bullying behaviour may carry it into adult life. Prevention of bullying In order to avoid bullying AJDC aims to establish a positive approach to behaviour.
AJDC actively promotes diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of its work and seeks to prevent discrimination against any individual or group within AJDC, on the grounds of racial/ethnic heritages, religious or political belief, socio- economic and marital status, physical attributes, disablement, gender, sexual orientation and age.
AJDC recognises that it has clear obligations towards all its students to ensure that they are all afford the opportunity to realise their full potential.
AJDC tries to anticipate the needs of all students who join with a disability or special need, or who become impaired during their course of study. The aim is that no one should be disadvantaged in any way.
If students have impairment, or have special requirements, they are encouraged to inform us as soon as possible (usually on the application form). We rely on the parent/student to tell us what is needed. This will give us time to check that we can meet particular needs or, if not, make sure that suitable provision is in place by the time that students arrive. This policy embraces the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
AJDC aims to keep the working environment clean, tidy and free from hazards. Our teachers endeavour to conduct dance classes in a safe and proper manner, encouraging good warm-up and cool-down practices and supplementing the syllabus exercises by keeping abreast of the most up to date thinking in dance/sport medicine.
AJ’s Dance Company will comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.
First aid boxes are located throughout AJDC premises and checked on a monthly basis by the Facilities Department and where necessary the contents replenished. The minimum legal provision of a suitably stocked first aid box will always be met.
Fire risk assessments have been completed in the premises which give details of the controls in place in order to minimise risk to life in event of fire. All employees are instructed on the action to be taken in the event of a fire or other emergency. All employees will be fully conversant with procedures for fire prevention, detection and evacuation.
It is AJDC’s policy that formal written risk assessments will be undertaken prior to commencement of any work, which is potentially harmful to health.
All new employees will receive health and safety induction training. A record of this training will be maintained within the HR department. Periodic refresher training will be provided, and records of such training will be maintained within the HR department.
Departmental managers will ensure that all personnel under their direct supervision have received suitable and sufficient training for the tasks that they will be expected to undertake. Where new processes/procedures are introduced training will be as provided as required.
AJDC keeps records of pupils on a computer database with password protection for the purpose of efficiency and consistency of administration. They can be viewed by you at any time. We will not share any of your personal details without your permission, aside from where the law allows. This complies with the Data Protection Act 1998
If you email us, you will share with us certain information. This will include your email address and could also include your name, your child’s name, their date of birth and any other details you tell us within the message. Only key members of our staff can read these messages and we will only use the details you provide to enable us to fulfil your request (for example, giving you details about a suitable class).
If you register your child for our classes, we will collect personal information about you and your child. This will include your name, your address, your email address and phone number as well as your child’s name, their date of birth, gender and the date they started classes.
You may also tell us about any previous dance experience your child has had, any exams they have taken and if they have any needs or conditions, we should be aware of (for example allergies, disabilities or any medication they might need to take whilst dancing). With these details we will also store a record of exams your child takes with us, invoices we issue (including when and how they were paid) and any items you order from us (for example uniform or show tickets). We store this information securely within the UK and only key members of staff have access to it. We use the information to provide our services to you, keep you informed, and help us tailor our services better to the needs of our customers. We DO NOT share your details with any third-party companies.
If You ever wish to leave a class at AJDC, we expect a terms notice. This does included payment of the term, your child can still attend this terms worth of classes if they wish too.
AJDC Likes all children to be wearing the correct uniform to all classes. We offer a settling in period (a term) before uniform becomes compulsory.
Hair is to be tied up for ALL classes.
Candy Pink velour leotard (brand the ZONE)
Black Velour shorts (brand the ZONE)
Held at Baillando Dancewear
Pink Ballet Socks
Pink canvas ballet shoes
Pink Ballet leotard
Pink Ballet skirt
Black cardigain
Held at Baillando Dancewear
AJDC T shirt
Plain black shorts/leggings
AJDC BOYS T shirt
Plain black shorts/joggers
Light pink leotard
Plain black shorts
Held at Baillando Dancewear
Candy Pink velour leotard (brand the ZONE)
Black Velour shorts (brand the ZONE)
Held at Baillando Dancewear
AJDC T shirt
Plain black shorts/leggings
Plain black jazz shoes
AJDC T shirt
Plain black shorts/ leggings
