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Policies

Policies
Performanze has many policies which are regularly reviewed annually. Performanze uses their policies to ensure best practice is shown and maintained throughout the dance school to keep students, staff and parents safe and ensure everyone knows the expectations at Performanze.
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Our main policy documents can be accessed by clicking on the links below.
For more information call
07745099472

Miss Rosie and Miss Jill are registered with all the main dance bodies: ISTD, RAD, IDTA, and UKA. We chose the UKA exams because they embody our Performanze values: encouragement, support, positivity, fun, power to the dancer, reward, and recognition. Teachers enter the room with the students and can emotionally and physically support the students.
We do ballet and modern exams every year. You do not need to enter your child in for exams if you choose not to. Please be reassured though that we aim to make them a fun event with very little pressure.
If this is your first exam, please speak to your teacher about what level your child can start at. If they are younger (under 5), you can assume that they will start with their Princess award.
If this is not your first exam, please enter your child into the next level up from what they did last year - we have listed this on your ClubLink App under 'Achievements'. We don't encourage jumping levels except in exceptional circumstances. If you can't remember/don't have a record of what stage your child took last year, then check with Leanne as she will have the information on file if you can't find it on your ClubLink App.
Hair must be done at home PRIOR to arriving at the exams. Please note that presentation is an element of their exam. Please make sure they have a ribbon around their bun that is the same as their uniform colour. If your child's hair is too short for a bun, please ensure it is neatly gelled back and held with a thin sports headband.
Hair Ballet bun (hair gel, hair spray, band X2, lots of hair grips, hair pins, hair net, nit comb or fine tooth comb, ribbon to match their uniform colour)
Small child: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqqdaU7rwdU
Short hair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QTpBDMO8TU
Long, thick hair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yG7Hcozrf8&t=3s
Presentation is a key element of their exam, so please make sure that everything is clean and there are no holes.
They will need:
clean ballet shoes
clean pink tights with no holes
leotard and skirt (in their class colour)
tan or white underwear
hair in a ballet bun (see 'How do I do my child's hair for an exam') with a ribbon that matches your leotard
All children over the age of six are given the chance to join our London Squad - all that is required is for you to sign up and agree to commit to the extra rehearsals that we run.
The show is a really supportive event - all the other schools that attend are really good at cheering each other on backstage.
We get an opportunity to perform two dances in the show.
Costumes are hired at a small extra cost for the London show - these are issued to the dancers in the lessons prior to the show.
They will need to bring:
Costumes (to be handed out in class in advance)
Show finale clothes - black t-shirt, black leggings, and dark non-marking shoes
Pink ballet tights (please make these have no holes)
Pink ballet shoes with elastics on
White or tan underwear
They will need to apply make up and complete a ballet bun prior to arrival in London
Extra hair accessories and make-up to touch up when needed
Snacks, packed lunch/tea, lots of water (no nuts)
PRIOR to arrival:
Pack all of the items needed (see 'What will my child need to bring on the day?')
Do hair and make-up before arriving (some of the senior girls are willing to help with hair and make up on the day - you need to have arranged this with them yourselves in advance)
TRAVEL arrangements:
You will need to arrange for both you and your child's transport to and from the venue
ARRIVE AT STAGE DOOR -timings below are examples, TBC closer to the time
From mid-morning - arrive at the London venue and sign your child in with a teacher
Children - will get an induction and practise the finale dance with the other groups
Parents - can go explore London whilst waiting for the show
TBC time: showtime - see all the dance schools perform. We will have one dance in the first half and one in the second
Hair and make up must be done at home PRIOR to arriving at the theatre. There is an option to arrange one of the senior girls to help as there are often volunteers - but this must be arranged in advance with the girls directly by yourself. There will be very limited availability for this option as it is an incredibly busy day!
Make up (brown & white eyeshadow, black eyeliner, black mascara, pink blusher, red lipstick)
Little dancers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdUX3H5UfUQ
Older dancers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Nt7EhfA4k
Adjust between the two depending on your child’s age/size.
Hair Ballet bun (hair gel, hair spray, band X2, lots of hair grips, hair pins, hair net, nit comb or fine tooth comb)
Small child: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqqdaU7rwdU
Short hair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QTpBDMO8TU
Long, thick hair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yG7Hcozrf8&t=3s
If your child's hair is too short for a bun, please ensure it is neatly gelled back and held with a thin sports headband
Can you help backstage? Many parents/carers have helped out as chaperones and absolutely love it - you get to see the excitement of all the children and witness the flurry of activity that goes on behind the scenes at a London Theatre!
We are looking for female chaperones so please email Miss Rosie to let her know if you can help and at what time: performanze@live.co.uk . Could you also cc: accounts@performanze.co.uk.
For our London shows, we need chaperones to apply fairly early on. This is because the London theatres require them to have an enhanced DBS check and a chaperone licence that is issued by their local council. We will ask for chaperones in an email prior to a show.
On the day:
chaperones will need to bring their chaperone licence (preferably on a lanyard), and food/drink for themselves
please ensure children stay quiet when near the stage, and ensure the dancers walk between the backstage area the the stage
please make sure you know which side of the stage to stand whilst dancers are performing, and to be in the correct place when they leave the stage
To join Performanze you must be aged between 2 and 21 years old
Entry is subject to class availability
Performanze is non-selective; however we are not able to cater for the needs of children with significant behavioural and learning difficulties in group classes - please discuss with Miss Rosie as we may be able to offer one-to-one coaching for children with additional needs
Sign up for a free trial or a subscription should be done by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page
It is important that all staff uphold the values of our school by behaving in a proper and professional manner. If a student or parent feels that there has been an incident of staff abuse or unprofessional behaviour, the following procedure should be followed immediately:
Email directly to the Principal Rosie Baker: performanze@live.co.uk
If Miss Rosie is unavailable – or is involved - the deputy head Jill Burnett or administrative lead Annie Jacobs accounts@performanze.co.uk should be informed
An impartial and fair investigation will be performed to try and establish what has happened
If any party feels this is a safeguarding issue, it is advised to contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (01865 810603)
We aim to develop a school ethos that encourages civilised behaviour, recognises everyone’s individual strengths, and deems bullying of any type to be unacceptable.
It needs to be made clear to all pupils that it is important to speak up about anything that is troubling them - bullying can only exist and thrive in an atmosphere of secrecy
Staff provide an environment where differences are not only accepted but are be embraced
If a there is a report of bullying then every incident will be taken seriously and followed up - the student should feel they can approach any member of staff and be heard
Allegations about bullying will be followed up with vigour and sensitivity. Under some circumstances, it may not be appropriate to identify the pupil making the allegation, but all those involved will usually be interviewed and, with the everyone's consent, might be brought together to help everyone appreciate the impact of the behaviour
Attempts will be made to defuse tensions between pupils and to repair relations so that the bullying does not develop
If the pupil continues to feel bullied, they must continue to seek help. Written statements from both sides may be asked for, and sanctions (e.g. moving classes or sitting out for a period) are likely to be imposed
Parents/carers are kept informed as necessary throughout the victim support process
Good behaviour is a necessary condition for effective teaching and learning to take place.
It is our aim to:
Ensure that staff and pupils know and understand what is meant by good behaviour and that they aspire to this
Encourage the development of self-discipline and sense of responsibility
Encourage good relationships between pupils and teachers
Ensure that pupils respect others feelings, values, and beliefs - encouraging an environment where differences are not only accepted but embraced
Staff will be clear, fair, and friendly. Teachers need to be consistent in the behaviour that they will accept or not accept. They will maintain discipline throughout the class to ensure noise levels don't get too high and that children are following instructions safely. We will confidentially communicate with parents/carers where sanctions are necessary or poor behaviour choices have been shown.
Parents/carers are expected to ensure that their children arrive at class on time and that their children are dressed appropriately. Parents/carers are expected to support the staff in maintaining positive class behaviour and may be called into class if their child’s behaviour is poor. Parents/carers are responsible for children outside the classroom, prior to, and after each class.
Performanze fully recognises its responsibilities for Safeguarding and Child Protection. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, regardless of age, ability, culture, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Rosie Baker.
If there is immediate danger to a child contact 999.
If there is immediate concern for example:
Allegations/concerns that the child has been sexually/physically abused
Concerns that the child is suffering from severe neglect or other severe health risks
Concern that a child is living in or will be returned to a situation that may place him/her at immediate risk
The child is frightened to return home
The child has been abandoned or parent is absent
Please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0345 050 7666 during office hours (8.30am – 5pm, Monday to Thursday, 8.30am – 4pm, Friday) or call the Emergency Duty Team 0800 833 408 during outside office hours.
If there are concerns or allegations about a professional working with children please contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 01865 810603 or email lado.safeguardingchildren@oxfordshire.gov.uk
More details about our policy:
This policy aims:
To ensure all our pupils are safe and protected from harm
To allow children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse
To raise the awareness of the whole school community (including staff, governors, volunteers, and contractors) of the importance of Safeguarding and Child Protection and of their responsibilities for identifying and reporting actual or suspected abuse
Prevention: Establish and maintain a positive and safe environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to, where there is accessible pastoral care, careful and vigilant teaching, and good adult role models.
Protection: Agreed procedures are followed; staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to any safeguarding concerns.
Support: For pupils who may have been at risk of significant harm, for staff and the way they respond to concerns, and for any subsequent work that may be required.
All staff
Are:
familiar with this safeguarding policy and have an opportunity to contribute to its review
alert to the signs and symptoms of possible abuse
able to record and report concerns as set out in this policy
able to deal with a disclosure of abuse from a pupil
involved in the implementation of individual education programmes, integrated support plans, child in need plans, and inter-agency child protection plans as required
Do:
create a safe environment by offering the child a private and safe place if possible
stay calm and reassure the child, and stress that he/she is not to blame
tell the child that they were right to tell you, and that you know how difficult it must have been to confide in you
listen carefully and tell the child that you believe them and are taking what is being said seriously, and that you have to speak to someone who can help to keep them safe
keep questions to a minimum and encourage the child to use their own words; questioning should only include T. E. D. questions:
o Tell me more about....
o Explain to me...
o Describe to me...
and/or use the mirroring technique: i.e. ‘My dad hit me last night’ respond with ‘Your dad hit you last night?’
tell only the Designated Safeguarding Lead and contact any of the above numbers if deemed necessary
record in detail using the Child Welfare/Child Protection Incident or Concern Form without delay, using the child’s own words where possible, what you heard or what you saw
explain what the next steps are to the child
Do not:
take photographs of any injuries
postpone or delay the opportunity for the child to talk
take notes while the pupil is speaking or record the conversation on any device
ask the child to write down what they said or repeat it to another adult
promise confidentiality, e.g. saying you will keep ‘the secret’/promising not to tell anyone else
investigate the allegation yourself
approach or inform the alleged abuser
At the end of the class, children will be handed over to the parents/carers or other authorised adults from a designated area outside the dance studio. Parents/carers are reminded that once the handover has taken place, they are responsible for their children’s safety, behaviour, and well-being.
In the event that a child is not collected by an authorised adult at the end of a class, Performanze puts into practice agreed procedures. These ensure the child is cared for safely by an experienced teacher/adult who is known to the child.
Procedures for non-collection
Parents/carers of children starting at Performanze are asked to provide specific information which is included in our registration form, including home address and telephone numbers
On occasions when parents/carers or the persons normally authorised to collect their children are not able to do this, parents can email in advance or speak directly with the teacher at drop off to discuss who will be collecting and when (such information will not be accepted verbally from young children (primary age) themselves)
If a child is not collected at the end of class, parents/carers are contacted using the contact details they have given us
If this is unsuccessful, the adults who are authorised by the parents to collect the children, and whose telephone numbers are recorded, are contacted
While the above procedures are taking place, children are kept safe in the next class within the studio
At the end of the dance school time and after every effort has been made to make contact with parents/carers and as a last resort, we would contact Children’s Services of the Local Authority in accordance with agreed inter-agency procedures
Procedures for missing children
The missing child will be looked for thoroughly and efficiently. Other children will be supervised by a senior student teacher.
Parent/carers will be contacted
If there is no response, or the parent/carer does not have knowledge of the child's whereabouts, the police will be called and their missing child protocols will be followed
Performanze is committed to ensuring that complaints will be treated seriously and that there are no impediments to anyone with a legitimate interest making representations or complaints.
A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction by a parent with a real or perceived problem. At all times, the aim will be to resolve concerns as quickly as possible and at the right level. Procedures will be applied with the aim of enabling individuals to raise any concerns and to allow a full and open evaluation of all the relevant issues.
Complaints against staff will generally be dealt with by the Principal Rosie Baker - performanze@live.co.uk . If Miss Rosie Baker is unavailable – or is involved - the deputy head Jill Burnett or administrative lead Annie Jacobs accounts@performanze.co.uk should be informed as soon as once.
Stage 1: Informal Resolution: It is hoped that most complaints and concerns will be resolved quickly and informally. If parents/carers have a complaint, they should contact their child’s class teacher. Each complaint will be taken seriously and investigated impartially. In many cases, the matter will be resolved straight away, in an informal manner, and to the parent/carer’s satisfaction.
Stage 2: Formal Resolution: If the complaint cannot be resolved on an informal basis, then the parent/carers will be asked to put their complaint in writing to the Principal (or as above, if Miss Rosie is involved to either Miss Jill or Annie Jacobs), who will decide, after considering the complaint, the appropriate and next action to take. In most cases, the investigating member of staff will speak to the parents/carers concerned within forty-eight hours of receiving the complaint to discuss the matter. If possible a resolution will be reached at this stage. It may be necessary for the the investigating member of staff to carry out further investigations; these will be completed in seven working days.
Promoting equal opportunities is fundamental to the aims and ethos of Performanze. Indeed, we value the individuality of all within our community. We are especially committed to giving children and adults every opportunity to achieve the highest standards. Applications from candidates with a diverse a range of backgrounds are welcomed. This enriches our community and is vital in preparing our pupils for the world. We concentrate on educating the individual and providing a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, where each individual feels valued and can flourish.
Performanze is committed to equal treatment for all, regardless of an individual’s ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, learning difficulty, body image, or social background. Bursaries are offered in order to make it possible for as many local children to attend - please speak to Miss Rosie performanze@live.co.uk if you are struggling financially.
GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation and replaces the previous Data Protection. GDPR states that personal data should be ‘processed fairly and lawfully’ and ‘collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes’ and that individuals' data is not processed without their knowledge and is only processed with their explicit consent. The Data Protection Act gives individuals the right to know what information is held about them. It provides a framework to ensure that personal information is handled properly.
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What we do at Performanze
We store our registration data on software 'Club manager' (which is being phased out) and 'ClassForKids' - each software is an encrypted online database and is password-protected
Hard copy information is shredded
We do not disclose or sell personal data to third parties
In the interest of child safety, as per our safeguarding policy, details may be shared with relevant authorities
Where children need licences for events, details are passed to relevant companies with parents'/carers' prior permission
The school uses contact numbers and emails for newsletters, updates, whole-school and individual communication
Please note that parents/carers have various WhatsApp groups; these are optional groups that you can choose to join and it should be noted that we cannot maintain GDPR for your telephone information if you add yourself to these WhatsApp groups.
Emergency parent/carer contact numbers are given to teachers for the use of emergency contact only
Performanze stores personal data held visually in the form of photographs or video clips, or as sound recordings. No names are stored with images in photo albums, displays, on the website or on Performanze social media sites
Parents/carers can request on registration if they do not want their children to be in photos or filmed. In circumstances where we are taking group photos or filming (e.g. during a show), we will contact these parents/carers in advance to ask what they would like us to do, and if the parent/carer feels is is necessary we will ask these children to stand to one side if we are taking photos or filming.
If a parent/carer wishes to photograph or film classes, they may do so with the permission of the Principal and the teacher's consent: however we operate a policy that protects families that do not wish their children to be photographed or filmed (see above). Any such recordings must not be posted on any form of social media. If this policy is found to be breached we will ask you to remove all evidence of the photography/filming.
Performanze uses our own photographs/filming as a platform to advertise the school and to celebrate its students' achievements.
The decision to close in adverse weather conditions is not taken lightly and is always a last resort. In the event of closure we aim to inform parents by lunchtime if it is necessary to close. We will do this by texting on WhatsApp, posting on Facebook, putting a message on our website, and emailing.
The welfare of the children, parents/carers and staff is always paramount. We do not want people unnecessarily placed at risk.
Performanze dance school provides physical activity and involves aerobic activity in an enclosed space; with this is in mind it is important that children who are feeling unwell (beyond mild cold symptoms) should be kept at home.
If your child has:
had sickness or diarrhoea in the last 48 hours
needed paracetamol during the day
flu like or Covid symptoms
a fever
not been in school
then it is really important that they do NOT attend the dance school. Similarly, if a parent is symptomatic - we ask that they do not come into the building. If you send the teacher a WhatsApp message on the correct group, they will walk them out to the car for you.
As a school, we ask parents to also do the following to help us reduce the risk of spreading the winter bugs by:
bringing your own named water bottle and encourage children not to share
naming all your items
having a dance bag or basket for your items to go in
wearing the correct uniform and bring ballet cardigans/Performanze jackets to stay warm
bringing personal hand sanitiser
bringing tissues and a plastic bag to dispose of the dirty tissues
If you need any dance bags, cardigans, uniform or Performanze jackets please email Jill@performanze.co.uk
After your free taster sessions, you will receive an email that has links to click on based on membership packages (e.g. £25 per month for 30 mins). The link leads you to a page where you can fill in a full registration form and provide payment details. You will need to email Leanne at accounts@performanze.co.uk to let us know what classes you would like to register for and we will directly add you to the register. Please check your spam folder if you do not receive an email - and email us if you do not receive one at all.
Payments are processed on the 1st of every month. They are payable over 12 months and cover 33 weeks of lessons over the year.
One month's notice is requested to cancel your payment. You can either choose to continue classes for that month or let accounts@performanze.co.uk know to 'hold' that one month in reserve for if your child decides to rejoin.
Fees include termly classes. We provide 33 weeks of lessons over the year divided over 3 terms per year (please note some terms have different lengths). This fee includes pupil entrance to the Kenton Theatre annual showcase.
Parents are responsible for purchasing:
- Uniform
- Show tickets
- Examination Entry
- Additionally some students make take part in London shows. Additional fees vary depending on the event and entry fees - we do our best to keep these to an absolute minimum.
We hope that children enjoy their time with us and will stay with us and progress through their dance training for many years. However we know and understand that sometimes it is necessary to cancel classes.
We stipulate a minimum of 1 month's notice to be given.
Notice must be emailed through to accounts@performanze.co.uk .
Parents can then choose to keep their child in lessons for that month, or ask us to put them on 'hold' for future use if they decide to rejoin us at a later stage.
You can pay for examination fees, group theatre trips and show entry costs via our ClubLink App. You are encouraged to sign up for the ClubLink App in an email after you have signed up. Please let Leanne know at accounts@performanze.co.uk if you do not receive this email.
The exceptions to this rule:
- The annual showcase at Kenton Theatre where parents must book and pay for their own spectator seats individually through the theatre's website.
- Uniform can be ordered from Miss Jill directly at Jill@performanze.co.uk
You will buy spectator tickets for the Kenton Show directly from the theatre. We will send out the link for this and post it here closer to the time.
PINK dancers only (2-4yrs old)
If you have a Pink dancer who is taking part in the show - they do not go backstage as they are still quite young. Instead they sit in the audience with the parents/carers and will get a FREE TICKET. Please call the Box Office on 01491 525050 (between 11:00am and 15:00 Monday to Saturday) to book your tickets. Please tell them that you have a pre-school/Pink performer and they will allocate you one additional ticket free as preschool sit in the audience with parents/carers. Please note Pink dancers only perform in the first show.
All children are given the chance to showcase their work - everyone is included.
All dancers will dance in both shows, with the exception of the Pink class who will only perform in the first show - they will sit with their parents/carers in the auditorium during the show.
It is a supportive family show where we ask all audiences to support all performers.
Every year we run TWO shows so that parents/carers can easily help backstage. That way volunteers can help backstage for one show and get to watch the other show from the audience.
All children (apart from Pinks) are in BOTH shows. Our pre-school Pinks are only in the first show and don't come backstage - they get a free ticket to sit in the audience with their parents/carers until they are called up to dance.
We provide costumes to the children in their lessons prior to the show.
They will need to bring:
Costumes (to be handed out in class beforehand)
Show finale clothes - party clothes - something they want to wear!
Pink ballet tights (please make these have no holes)
Pink ballet shoes with elastics on
White or tan underwear
They will need to apply make up and complete a ballet bun prior to arrival
Extra hair accessories and make-up to touch up when needed
Snacks, packed lunch, and lots of water (no nuts)
PRIOR to arrival:
Pack all of the items needed (see 'What will my child need to bring on the day?')
Do hair and make up before arriving (some of the senior girls are willing to help with hair and make up on the day - you need to have arranged this with them yourselves in advance)
ARRIVE AT STAGE DOOR (corridor to the left of the theatre) - times below are an example - timings TBC closer to the time
from mid-morning - there is a staggered arrival - seniors to arrive first (more details of exact timings TBC)
13:00 Chaperones arrive and eat packed lunch
13:30 All get into costumes ready for first show
14:00 First show (Pink dancers to arrive and sit in the auditorium with parents/carers)
15:30 Finish first show and tea time - either packed tea or optional pizza with the crew (£5tbc) - all to stay on-site
16:30 Back into costume for second show
17:00 Second show
18:30 All home and celebrating!
Hair and make up must be done at home PRIOR to arriving at the theatre. Some of the senior girls are willing to help with hair and make up on the day - you need to have arranged this with them yourselves in advance
Please be assured this is fun show and we are keen for everyone to participate comfortably. If you are not keen on wearing much make up then don't worry, we just encourage it as faces are difficult to see on stage.
Make up (brown & white eyeshadow, black eyeliner, black mascara, pink blusher, red lipstick)
Little dancers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdUX3H5UfUQ
Older dancers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Nt7EhfA4k
Adjust between the two depending on your child’s age/size.
Hair Ballet bun (hair gel, hair spray, band X2, lots of hair grips, hair pins, hair net, nit comb or fine tooth comb)
Small child: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqqdaU7rwdU
Short hair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QTpBDMO8TU
Long, thick hair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yG7Hcozrf8&t=3s
If your child's hair is too short for a bun, please ensure it is neatly gelled back and held with a thin sports headband
Kenton Theatre is professional stage in Henley. The address is: 19 New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2BS.
In the past parents/carers have parked at:
Waitrose - 33 Bell St, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BA - be aware of different days and maximum stays
Grey's Road Pay and Display - 33 Market Pl, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2AA
Henley Rugby Club parking - Dry Leas, Marlow Rd, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2JA
Can you help backstage? Many parents/carers help every year and absolutely love it - you get to see the excitement of all the children and witness the flurry of activity that goes on behind the scenes! We are looking for female chaperones so please email Miss Rosie to let her know if you can help and at what time: performanze@live.co.uk . Could you also cc: accounts@performanze.co.uk.
For taster sessions dance uniform is not required. We advise that dancers wear clean comfortable clothes that they can move easily in. Trainers for tap dance and soft shoes for ballet/acro and modern/contemporary. Please note that we can not allow students to dance in clothes they have worn to school, clothes must be clean and we regreat that at this present time all students must be wearing shoes for dance class. Thank you for your understanding