Terms & Conditions

1. Members now pay their chosen subscription based on the amount of class hours participated in weekly.

2. Fees are payable monthly on the 1^st of each month they will be directly taken from your account. If your child turns up to class without fees having been paid, they will not be allowed to participate.

3. Fees are based on a monthly basis, if you miss a class for any reason, you will not be credited. They are also subject to change; however, you will be given a minimum of 30 days’ notice of any decrease/increase in fees.

4. We will assume that your child’s class attendance will follow on to the next term, unless advised otherwise. One months written notice must be given for any pupil wishing to discontinue any class or leave the school. Should any pupil wish to discontinue any class or leave the school within the month, refunds for any unused classes will not be given.

5. There is a new members set up fee of £15, and then an annual fee of £5 for existing members. This is to be paid additional with January fees.

6. If a class does not take place due to unforeseen circumstances then you are able to make up this session attending another class. We also offer make up sessions if you miss a class due to illness or holiday if authorised with the Principal.

7. Classes do not run Christmas week – New Year.

8. Please make sure all contact details and medical records are up to date on our system, this is the parent/guardians responsibility.

9. Prior permission must be sought for any pupil wishing to participate in any external dance classes or competitions, to prevent a breach of the IDTA/ADFP rules.

10. Parents who book private lessons must pay in advance, invoices will be emailed around week 3 of the month before, payments to be made manual on or before the 1^st. Refunds will not be given in the event of the pupil not attending a pre-booked private lesson. Private lessons are a higher rate if not regular; weekly/fortnightly.

11. Pupils are required to attend class wearing the correct clothing, i.e. Stepz uniform. Appropriate footwear must be worn for Rock n Roll and Street Dance. No jewellery is permitted to be worn other than stud earing’s, any other body piercings should be covered to prevent injury.

12. Please ensure that your child goes to the toilet before class and brings a drink into the studio, so that they are not constantly going in and out. Students should drink plenty of water and ensure they keep their energy levels up by eating healthy snacks in between classes. If a child wants to leave the studio for any reason permission must be given by a teacher. Also, if students hurt themselves in class or feel unwell at any point, they should tell their teacher immediately.

13. Try not to forget any belongings, we will always collect anything we clearly see has been left by a Stepz a pupil however we do not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to property left on the premises. Please throw any rubbish away in the bins provided and to keep noise to a minimal outside the dance studio.

14. Stepz work towards IDTA examinations. Pupils will only be entered when they have reached the required standard decided by the teacher. Rosette awards can be taken for children up to 8 years old.

15. Fees for exams must be returned by the deadline on the form. Late fees will incur a £5.00 administration charge, assuming the IDTA will accept a late entry.

16. Stepz endeavour to ensure that your children are dancing in a safe and comfortable environment. We ask you to bring and collect your child promptly and provide us with written details of changes in weekly drop off/pick up arrangements, special medical needs etc.

17. Pupils will not be allowed to leave the dance areas until they are collected. Should you wish your child to be allowed to leave unsupervised parents must let the Principal Teacher know.

18. All students must be registered for the classes they attend. Unregistered children will not be allowed to participate in the class unless agreed by the Principal Teacher.

19. Please ensure that Stepz receives any changes to pupil’s details. All details will be held in strict confidentiality and will not be passed on to outside parties except to the IDTA/ADFP for children doing dancing exams/competitions.

20. Mobile phones can be bought into the studio but must be handed to a member of the Stepz team at the start of class. Authorisation by a teacher must be given for a pupil to use their mobile phone in a class. Filming and photography are not allowed by students, parents, except by permission and with the discretion of the teacher. 

21. If a pupil does not show respect to their teachers, they will be asked to leave the class immediately, only to return to the class with an apology and a change of attitude. Behaviour will be monitored, and pupils may be asked to leave the school if consistent bad behaviour continues. A pupil will be asked to leave without notice for any serious breach of the school’s terms and conditions or for any other serious misconduct - This is relevant for Parents also. 

*Please read in full our conduct policy below the Terms and Conditions.

22. The school does not discriminate on background, race or religion and regularly monitors staff, who are fully trained or in training and are DBS checked. Stepz adheres to Health and Safety procedures to ensure that each child dances in a class appropriate to their level of development.

23. From time to time it is necessary for the teachers to use physical contact when helping to improve pupils’ posture or assist in movements. This includes physical contact between students i.e. lifting legs, stretching toes, placing arms. Teachers are not responsible for any injuries that occur in class.

24. I understand and give consent to use photographs and video recordings for press and promotional development of the school, usually used on social media platforms i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Stepz website. (If at any point a child or parent changes their mind regarding the above and is unhappy with this, then it is their responsibility to let us know in writing).

STEPZ CONDUCT POLICY

Policy: Behaviour Policy (Members)

Purpose and Statement: 

Children’s learning in all areas, academic, social and personal is best supported in an environment where children feel happy, safe, valued and motivated to achieve. At Stepz we create a positive learning environment that ensures our approach to behaviour management and discipline is consistent and understood by all staff, pupils and parents. 

We firmly believe that the best way to ensure high standards of discipline is to recognise achievement and celebrate success. To support this, we believe that Stepz need a system of rewards for good and improving behaviour and sanctions where standards fall below our expectations. These rewards and sanctions must be applied consistently and fairly. 

Main Aims for the policy: 

·       To outline Stepz expectations of behaviour and the systems used  

·       To ensure we promote and develop good behaviour 

·       To promote good choices which lead to effective relationships so that everyone can support 

each other, work together and learn well 

·       To help children to become positive, responsible, and increasingly independent members of Stepz and a wider community  

Distribution: 

·       To be distributed to all members 

·       To all staff and volunteers 

Review and monitoring of policy: 

·       Reviewed annually or in instances of legislative change 

·       Monitoring is part of Management and Supervision  

The following policy is based on the below principles: 

·       All members of Stepz School of Dance community have a right to expect that they learn and learn in a safe place.  

·       Stepz expects every member of its community to behave in a considerate way towards others.  

·       There will be a zero tolerance of violence, threatening behaviour and disorderly conduct, including abuse in all forms, against Stepz staff or other members of the Stepz community. 

·        Where such behaviour does occur, action will be taken to deal with the person or persons concerned.  

What do we mean by Abusive or Threatening Behaviour? 

The Public Order Act 1986 defines “disorderly conduct” as: verbal abuse, threatening abusive or insulting words or behaviour or any disorderly behaviour whereby a person is caused alarm, harassment or distress. 

“Threatening behaviour” is when a person fears that violence or threat of violence is likely to be provoked. In Stepz context, this could mean a parent or student shouting at a member of staff, either in person or on the phone, acting aggressively towards staff or other students, including using intimidating body language, as well as actual violence. It also covers comments posted on social networking sites or situations where members of staff are approached off premises. 

 Expectations: 

We believe that good behaviour is essential to enable all our pupils to achieve their full potential. Good behaviour promotes effective learning; effective teaching and learning promotes good behaviour.   

No member will be allowed to behave in a manner which adversely affects the learning opportunities of others. 

We believe it is important for children to be aware of their behaviour and its impact on others. Pupils need to take responsibility for their behaviour and be actively involved in finding solutions.  

The school has a set of golden rules of behaviour which are aimed at promoting respect, honesty and good relationships, so that people can work together in a supportive atmosphere with the common purpose of helping everyone to learn, to be creative, to grow emotionally and physically and to be happy.  

Do not hurt anyone                  Do not interrupt 

Do be kind and helpful             Do be open and honest 

Do work hard                             Do not waste your and other people's time 

Do look after property            Do not waste or damage things 

Do listen to people                   

Stepz expects every member of the school community to behave in a considerate way towards others. Central to this is choice: we refer to good choices and bad choices. By using the language of choice, we: 

·       promote self-management of behaviour and enable some reflection on what behavioural choices exist; 

·       avoid labelling children – instead we refer to the choices we all make and that we should always try to make good choices. 

Praise is key to nurturing motivated, engaged children who make good choices and consequently build positive relationships. Throughout school, we aim to ‘catch’ good behaviour. 

Children are encouraged to make good choices at all times. They will be supported to: 

·       follow the golden rules 

·       understand what good behaviour means 

·       be aware of their behaviour and its’ impact on others 

·       take responsibility for their actions 

·       learn to care for themselves and each other 

Staff Will: 

Ensure all children are clear about our expectations of behaviour and remind them during classes: 

·   Treat each child fairly, with respect and understanding 

·   Regularly discuss the golden rules and remind children of Stepz expectations  

·   Plan quality learning tasks which engage and motivate learners 

·   Praise good choices, behaviour and achievements 

·   Ensure they are fully familiar with the children’s needs and make every effort to be positive, motivational and inspiring – thus minimising the risk of poor behaviour during lessons 

·   Follow the guidance in the disciplinary policy in a fair and honest way 

·   Use Stepz guidance to ensure they are consistent when deciding on consequences 

·   Keep a record and relevant notes on any misbehaviour 

·   Keep parents/carers informed about their child’s behaviour and relationships 

·   Ensure the health, safety and welfare of all children  

We expect parents and carers to: 

·       Be aware of Stepz expectations of behaviour 

·       Celebrate their child’s achievements and show an interest in their Stepz tuition 

·       Ensure that children arrive at Stepz on time 

·       Work with Stepz to model high expectations of behaviour 

·       Work with Stepz to support us in improving children’s behaviour 

·       Act promptly at the request of Stepz in the instance of a discipline problem 

·       Support Stepz decision when applying consequences 

Bullying/Violence: 

Stepz has a zero-tolerance bullying and violence policy. 

Members who bully other members of the Stepz community and/or use violence will have their membership revoked and they will be asked to leave. 

Bullying is unacceptable behaviour used by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally.  

Bullying can be: 

·       Emotional - being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding property, threatening gestures) 

·       Physical - pushing, kicking, biting, hitting, punching or any use of violence 

·       Racial - racial taunts, graffiti, gestures etc. 

·       Homophobic - because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality 

·       Sexual - unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments 

·       Verbal - name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing etc. 

·       Cyber - All areas of internet, such as email and internet chat, Twitter, Facebook misuse etc. Mobile threats by text messaging and calls, Misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera and video facilities, iPad, games consoles etc. 

Bullying may be related to: 

·       Race 

·       Gender 

·       Religion 

·       Culture 

·       SEN or disability 

·       Appearance or health condition 

·       Home circumstances, including young carers and poverty 

·       Sexual orientation, sexism, or sexual bullying, homophobia 

Bullying can take place in the classroom, playground, toilets, to and from Stepz, on trips and cyberspace. It can take place in group activities and between families in the local community. 

Students must not hesitate to report bullying on site. Staff will investigate any allegation of bullying, which may result in any perpetrator being asked to leave. 

Staff remain vigilant about bullying behaviours and approach this in the same way as any other category of Child Abuse; that is, do not wait to be told before you raise concerns or deal directly with the matter. Children may not be aware that they are being bullied; because they may be too young or have a level of Special Educational Needs which means that they may be unable to realise what others may be doing to them. 

The ethos and working philosophy of Stepz means that all staff actively encourage children to have respect for each other and for other people’s property. Good and kind/polite behaviour is regularly acknowledged and rewarded. 

Peer on Peer Abuse: 

Bullying and violence is not the only form of peer-on-peer abuse Stepz students may experience, both at Stepz or in the wider community. Any form of peer-on-peer abuse will result in the perpetrator being asked to leave and may result in further serious investigation. 

Examples of peer on peer abuse may include, but are not limited to: 

·       Physical abuse e.g. (biting, hitting, kicking, hair pulling etc.) 

·       Sexually harmful behaviour/sexual abuse e.g. (inappropriate sexual language, assault etc.) 

·       Bullying (physical, name calling, homophobic etc.) 

·       Cyber bullying 

·       Sexting 

·       Initiation/Hazing 

·       Prejudiced Behaviour 

·       Teenage relationship abuse 

Stepz will deal with any situation of peer abuse immediately and sensitively. 

Special Needs: 

Whilst every effort is made to ensure our procedures support children to make good choices, we know that some children have additional needs. When this happens, we will work closely with parents/carers to provide additional interventions which may include:  

·       Establishing an individual behaviour plan 

·       Support from the parents 

Stepz is unable to provide 1-to-1 support, which is made clear to any parent at the time of booking should they disclose additional needs information to us.  

Stepz will do everything within our power to integrate children with additional needs into our classes, however, should behaviour become disruptive in any way, Stepz must reserve the right to ask children to rescind membership. 

Managing Behavioural Challenges: 

Stepz is an extra-curricular activity, and as such we expect that students want to attend classes. Behavioural difficulties are rare, but Stepz sometimes does have to manage situations. 

Staff must never raise their voice beyond what is appropriate and must never lose their temper. 

Staff are expected to consult with the Principal Teacher before initiating any type of disciplinary measures. 

Examples of appropriate disciplinary techniques: 

Splitting up groups who are not paying attention 

Setting clear objectives and behavioural expectations  

Rewarding good, positive behaviour (praise and Stepz also allow stickers) 

Time outs 

Speaking to troublemakers 

Examples of inappropriate disciplinary techniques: 

Bribery (eg. money) 

Violence or threats of violence 

For more serious behavioural problems, use a traffic light system. This can only be initiated and advanced by the Principal Teacher.

The Traffic Light System is a ‘three strikes’ technique. A student is put on the traffic light system after other disciplinary techniques have failed. The begin with a green warning.  

Green Warning: 

Student is told they have been put on a green warning because their behaviour has led to this. The Principal will use tangible examples and not be vague about the reasons for this action. Parents/Carers will also be told in person and in writing. 

Orange Warning: 

Student is told why their warning has been advanced by the Principal with a tangible example. Parents/Carers will also be told in person and in writing. 

Red Warning: 

Student is told why their warning has been advanced by the Principal with a tangible example. It is made clear that this is the student’s final chance. Parents/Carers will also be told in person and in writing. 

If a student continues to misbehave, they will be asked to leave Stepz.