Safeguarding and Terms and Conditions

We take the safeguarding of students and staff very seriously at Derby Academy School of Classical Dance and Performing Artistry. We ask that all parents make themselves familiar with the safeguarding policies on this page. Attending classes at Derby Academy is deemed acceptance of the Terms and Conditions set out below.

Derby Academy School of Classical Dance and Performing Artistry
Terms & Conditions

Please find below our full Terms and Conditions. By completing and signing the registration form to enrol your child with the dance school, you are hereby agreeing to the terms and conditions detailed below.

Any student currently enrolled with the school who has not signed our new registration form is also bound to these terms and conditions by their continuing to attend classes. As a matter of courtesy please advise if your child takes additional dance classes. Derby Academy is not liable for any injury related to dance if classes are taken elsewhere.

Payment

• Invoices for timetabled classes are available prior to the start of the term.
• Payments can be made by cash, online/website or by bank transfer.
• We ask that payments are done monthly or we ask that a term is paid for in full by half term. However, it is possible to spread the cost of the classes across the term. Such arrangements will be made between you and Derby Academy; all accounts must be settled by the last day of term.
• Accounts unsettled by the last day of term will have a 5% surcharge added to them.
• Statements are available at any time by contacting us info@derbyclassicalacademy.com

Discounts

• We offer a 5% discount for students taking 2 classes per week and 10% discount for students taking 3 or more classes per week.
• We offer siblings and twins discounts for all our classes.

Credit Notes and Missed Classes

• We do not offer credit notes. If the lesson or more were missed, they can be replaced by other classes (groups) in the same half term.
• Fees are not waived in respect of family holidays, school trips, school exams or short term sickness or injury.
• Instances of long term sickness or injury or other circumstances will be assessed on an individual basis.

Termination of Classes

• We ask that you give half a term’s notice prior to the commencement of the term for which notice is being given. Failure to do this could result in half a term’s fees charged.
• In the event of a student leaving Derby Academy with fees still outstanding, we reserve the right to pursue recovery of the debt by other legal means.

Cancellation of Classes

• Due to reasons beyond our control (for example; adverse weather conditions, illness or venue restrictions), it might be necessary to temporarily change the venue of a class or postpone it to a later date. Where this occurs Derby Dance Academy will try to notify parents by email, website, facebook page, text and/or phone.
• Any classes cancelled by Derby Dance Academy will either be rescheduled for later in the same term or a credit note will be issued for the following term.
• We will endeavour to schedule the replacement class for the same weekday, time and venue later that term. In the instance that a student does not attend the replacement class, no credit note will be issued.

Uniform

We have a set uniform for each class which has been put together to consider the students’ safety and needs during class. We ask that once a student has committed to classes with Derby Dance Academy that the correct uniform is purchased and worn.

We ask that all students wear their hair in a neat, classical bun for ALL classes (this again is for their safety).

Examinations

• Students have the option to take their ISTD and ARBTA classical ballet exams.
• In order to take an exam students must be taking 1 ballet class per week with good attendance.
• Exams must be paid for before the closing date of entry (parents will be notified of this).
• In most instances students will be required to attend some extra exam coaching sessions; the cost and dates for these will be made clear ahead of entering for the exam.
• It is the teacher’s discretion whether or not a student is suitable to take the exam.
• If a student does not wish to take an exam (or is advised not to), we offer in-house assessments which give the students the experience of an exam set up and receive an award without the rigour of an official exam.
• We ask that where a teacher is strongly advising a student not to take the exam, the parents respect and support this decision; the students’ wellbeing is always at the heart of our decisions and in some cases it is better for the student’s confidence to take the in-house assessment and move up with their class.
• If a student does not wish to take an exam or in-house assessment they are still invited to move up to the next grade with their year group.
• It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure their child has the required uniform ahead of their exams.

Safeguarding

All teachers are qualified, DBS checked and insured. However, due to the nature of teaching performing arts, sometimes it is necessary to correct positions physically. This is always conducted with care and professionalism.

The safeguarding of children is of paramount importance. Please read our Safeguarding Policy for more details:  
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Derby Academy School of Classical Dance and Performing Artistry

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Derby Academy School of Classical Dance and Performing Artistry believes children have the right to be safe and secure and free from threat, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs.

We at Derby Academy have an explicit duty to safeguard and protect children from abuse as defined in the Children Act 2004 and the Education Act 2002.

The Derby Academy Principal

Marija Sipka Bogdan

Telephone: 07710506688

Email: info@derbyclassicalacademy.com

is the person responsible at our school for managing child protection and safeguarding. They are the person to report to at any time.

Everyone at our dance school shares an objective to help keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe by:

• Providing a happy and safe environment where children can learn to dance;
• Acting with integrity, treating children with respect, listening to their concerns and acting upon them;
• Identifying and responding to children, young people and vulnerable adults in need of support and/or protection;
• Supporting children’s development in ways which will foster a sense of self-esteem and independence;
• Fostering a learning environment in which every pupil feels valued and able to articulate their wishes and feelings in their preferred method of communication in an atmosphere of acceptance and trust;
• Ensuring that students will receive professional tuition from a qualified teacher with appropriate facilities following safe practice.

At Derby Academy we will endeavour to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected from harm while they visit or are attending our classes.

We will do this by:

• Making sure our staff members are carefully selected.
• Ensuring all staff members have sought appropriate training in issues of child protection.
• Ensuring all staff members undergo an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure.
• Establishing and maintaining an ethos where children and young people feel secure and 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.
• Not physically, emotionally or sexually abusing any child or vulnerable adult in contact with us.
• Taking all reasonable steps to prevent any staff member, persons working for us or member of the public from putting any child or vulnerable adult in a situation in which there is an unreasonable risk to their health and safety.
• Taking all reasonable steps to prevent any staff member, persons working for us or member of the public from physically, emotionally or sexually abusing any child or vulnerable adult.
• Reporting to the Principal any evidence or reasonable suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult has been physically, emotionally or sexually abused in contact with us or anyone in our organisation.
• Referring to statutory authorities all incidents reported to the Principal.

Everyone working or applying to work for our organisation is to be made aware of our policy for children’s welfare. Furthermore, this document should be issued to all staff and other people who are likely to have contact with children as part of their work with us. Copies of the policy will be held by the Principal.

Roles and Responsibilities for All Staff

These guidelines apply to:
A situation involving children and young people up to age 18, whether or not accompanied by adults. At Derby Academy we also recognise that vulnerable people of any age will benefit from similar safeguards. Wherever guidelines refer to children, this broader meaning applies.

General Duties for All Staff

In regard to the safety and welfare of children and similarly vulnerable people all staff members are required to:

• Undergo an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check (DBS formerly CRB) through the Disclosure and Barring Service;
• Take all reasonable steps to protect children from hazards;
• Strictly observe the code of behaviour in this document;
• Take appropriate action if an accident occurs;
• Take all reasonable steps to prevent abuse of children in contact with anyone within the organisation.

Safety and Welfare Requirements

Safety of participants and staff is of prime consideration at all times. In regard to the safety and welfare of children and similarly vulnerable people, all staff members are required to:

• Record all accidents involving anyone in the dance school’s accident book immediately or as soon as practicably possible;
• Familiarise themselves with building/facility safety issues, such as, fire procedures, location of emergency exits, location of emergency telephones and first aid equipment;
• Report suspected cases of child abuse to the named responsible person.
• Access to any parent/carer consent/emergency consent forms for all children taking part in any activities should be confidential.
• Ensure that classes start and end on time;
• Promote, demonstrate and incorporate the values of fair play, trust and ethics throughout.

Code of Behaviour

Working at our organisation must always observe the following requirements where children, young people or similarly vulnerable people are concerned:

Do’s and Don’ts for working with Children

DO:

• Behave professionally
• Listen to children
• Treat everyone with respect
• Communicate at an appropriate level
• Be aware of policy and procedures
• Report any suspicions within our guidelines
• Be aware, approachable and understanding

DO NOT:

• Harm a child or frighten a child
• Touch inappropriately
• Use inappropriate language
• Threaten, shout or be aggressive
• Force a child to do something they do not want to do
• Mistreat, demean, ignore, or make fun of
• Show favouritism to any one individual or groups of individuals
• Let a child expose him/herself to danger
• Make racist, sexist or any other remark which upset or humiliate
• Take photos of children without permission

Do’s and Don’ts for working with Vulnerable Adults

DO:

• Be respectful, responsible and professional
• Act in an appropriate manner
• Listen and communicate
• Use common sense; be caring, attentive and aware
• Be sympathetic to their needs
• Be aware of your responsibility
• Be aware of policy and procedures as outlined in this document

DO NOT:

• Treat vulnerable adults as children
• Engage in inappropriate behaviour
• Be aggressive or physically restrain
• Do anything of a personal nature they can do for themselves
• Place yourself in a vulnerable position

You have a strict duty never to subject any child to any form of harm or abuse. Failure to adhere to these procedures will be treated as gross misconduct.

Admission Procedures

At Derby Academy a register of names, addresses, next of kin and contact addresses and telephone numbers for emergencies will be kept.

Photographing and Filming Children

The Derby Academy policy states that photographs and filming of students might be taken and reproduced for class aids and general marketing purposes as the default position. If a parent or carer does not want their child to be photographed under any circumstances they must advise the Principal in writing by opting out on the registration form.

Online Classes

The Derby Academy policy states that any classes participated in online via the platform Zoom/Skype/WhatsApp are taken at the students or students parents/carers risk. Reasonable effort will be made by Derby Academy to ensure the safety of participants during online classes, for example classes will be password protected; the host/teacher will ensure that only they can share relevant and safe content; and a waiting room will be enabled so the host/teacher has to invite participants in to the class. If anyone should hack into the class, the class will be terminated immediately.

Social Media

The Derby Academy may use pictures of students on social media (Website/Facebook and Instagram), this is our default position and is utilised for general marketing purposes. A parent/carer can opt out of this by ticking the relevant box on the registration form, and/or by speaking with the Principal.

Any pictures taken will be done so by prior permission, both from the parent/carer on the registration form and by verbal consent with the student at the time; we will also endeavour to speak with relevant parents/carers at the time. These pictures will only be used as teaching aids or for marketing purposes only, officially through Derby Academy.

It’s our policy for staff’s personal social media sites not to befriend any student below 18 years of age on social media sites whilst they are taking part in classes within our school. Contact may be made between students or parents/carers and staff via social media to discuss matters to do with dance classes only, but we would rather this was done face to face or via email.

Official Derby Academy social media sites that are public, are open to all students and parent/carers.

What to Do if an Accident Happens

Depending on your judgment of the situation, go to the scene immediately if possible and/or summon First Aid assistance and/or contact the emergency services. With children it can be hard to assess whether they have been injured or the extent of the seriousness of an injury. If you have any doubt about this, you should contact the emergency services. Even if a child is accompanied and you think an accident is not being treated seriously enough, get medical assistance on your own initiative if necessary. All accidents should be reported in the Health and Safety book.

First Aid

All staff members are first aid trained. Unless there is good reason, First Aid should not be administered without the permission of the child’s parent/carer or accompanying adult. A child cannot give consent. If the parent/carer is not at the premises, obtain their phone number and try and make contact. However, if a child is alone and seriously injured or unconscious, the situation will need to be dealt with immediately and the teacher will act loco parentis. If at all possible, treatment should only be given by a trained First Aider. Provided this does not in itself put the child at risk, always try to administer First Aid with another adult present. Always tell the child exactly what you are doing and why. Unless it is irrelevant, ask the child if they use medication (e.g. for asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy) or have any allergies. Some children have allergic reactions to stings. For minor injuries, you may not offer any medication, including antiseptics or pills of any kind. If you have any doubts about helping someone to use their own medication phone the emergency services. Any treatment should be as little as necessary without threatening the child’s wellbeing.

If a child comes to you for comfort because of a minor accident or fright, it is acceptable with the Code of Behaviour to hold their hand or put your arm around them.

Just ensure:

• You know about any injury and do nothing to make it worse;
• Physical contact is what the child wants, and the kind of contact between you is appropriate to their age and stage of development;
• You do your best to stay in sight of other adults.

If a child needs a doctor or hospital, call the emergency services. It is nearly always best to stay with them and wait for the ambulance. You should only take the risk of bringing in the child yourself if the emergency services ask you to do so because of exceptional circumstances.

Child Abuse Guidelines

The NSPCC has a written document which outlines the requirements for professionals reporting child abuse in the United Kingdom. To read this information, please follow the link below:

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/recognising-and-responding-to-abuse

The Department of Health web-site https://www.gov.uk/childcare-parenting/safeguarding-child-protection contains a practical guide to the law relating to child protection, particularly The Protection of Children Act 1999. The site also provides a publication entitled: “What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused”. This publication has been developed to assist practitioners to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. It sets out the process for safeguarding children. It is aimed at those who come into contact with children and families in their everyday work.

Safe Recruitment Procedure

In order to safeguard and promote the welfare of its students and ensure that risk of harm is minimised, our organisation employs a safe recruitment and selection policy which complies with national and local guidance.

All teachers, freelance teachers, relevant contractors, administrational and ancillary staff, will be DBS checked.

The Role of the Principal

The Principal should ensure that they are knowledgeable about child protection and that they undertake any training considered necessary to keep updated on new developments.

The Principal is the link between the members of the public, and staff. The Principal will have the following functions:

• Be an advisor to all organisation and freelance staff on best practice in regard to the child protection policy;
• Agree incident reporting procedures;
• Keep records of incidents and reports, together with any other relevant information;
• Report incidents to the Statutory Authorities and ensure that appropriate information is available at the time of referral and that the referral is confirmed in writing;
• Ensure that individual case records are maintained of any complaint, injury or action.

Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure

All staff including teachers, freelance teachers, relevant contractors, administrational and ancillary staff will be DBS checked. It is the Principal’s responsibility to view the contents of the disclosure and decide about whether that staff member should be excluded from working with young people within their organisation.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually. The policy was last reviewed on: 1 December 2025

Name: Marija Sipka Bogdan

Job Title: Principal and Teacher

Signature: Marija Sipka Bogdan

Any concerns will be reported immediately. If the child or young person is in immediate danger of harm, we will contact the police on 999.

In all other cases, we will report concerns to the local Protection Team

Contact: 01332 641172

Additional Guidance B: Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance

Teaching dance is a physical activity and a teacher will sometimes need to make physical contact with a student to show an idea or to correct the student’s position.

This can include:

• Lifting
• Adjusting arms, legs, rib cage, hips, feet, hands
• Moving one student in relation to another

Where contact is needed, we will remain sensitive to the student’s wishes and put their welfare first. In all cases, we will say why and how we will be correcting the student’s position before making any contact. We encourage students to report any concerns.

Additional Guidance C: Chaperoning Children to, from and at Dance Events

When chaperoning students to an event, we will:

• Provide parents/carers and students with information about what the event is for;
• Provide parents/carers and students with the full address of the event;
• Supply the planned journey route with parents/carers and students upon request;
• Make sure that students are aware of what they should do if they get lost;
• Ask parents/carers and students for their contact details in case of emergency;
• Have a clear idea of how students will be cared for while at the event and ensure students know who is responsible for their wellbeing and safety at all times.

We will ensure that chaperones hold all required checks and licences and are aware of our Child Protection Policy.

Additional Guidance D: Use of Photographs and Film of Children

We recognise that taking images of students in our care may not always be appropriate and that some children and parents/carers may not want images taken at any time. Therefore, before taking images of a child or young person, we will:

• Make clear to the child and parent/carer where and when the image will be taken;
• Clearly identify the person who will be taking the image;
• Explain how the image will be used, e.g. whether it will be posted on social media or printed to be displayed at the school;
• Seek written agreement from parents/carers that images can be taken of their child.

At school events, if parents are not present, then Derby Academy staff will be the responsible adults. No student will be allowed to leave any premises unless a parent is there to collect them UNLESS the principal has been informed that alternative arrangements are in place, ie a child can walk home alone.

If any parent has a concern regarding safeguarding then please inform the Principal immediately so that it can be rectified.

Photography and Filming

As per our guidelines on Derby Academy website.

Liabilities

• Derby Academy does not accept responsibility for loss, damage or injury arising from errors or omissions on the registration form whether completed by you or the person in charge of your child at the time of enrolment.
• Please do not leave your child with us without having signed this registration form.
• Derby Academy does not accept liability for personal injury to any student attending class, with the exception of such injury being caused by negligence or default of any member of our staff or any other default on our part.
• Derby Academy does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to personal property whilst on site.
• Derby Academy does not accept responsibility for any loss or expense due to circumstances beyond our control.
• Derby Academy is only responsible for students while they are in their class. Students cannot be supervised whilst they are outside class. Young children must be collected promptly at the end of their class. If there is no parent to collect them, they must stay in the studio with the teacher until a responsible adult collects them.

Responsibilities of Parents or Carers

• Attendance at class is deemed to be acceptance of the current Terms and Conditions.
• It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to notify Derby Academy of any illness or injury that may affect the student’s participation at class.
• It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to ensure that we have the correct details for you and your child and keep us updated of any changes to health.
• Derby Academy hires venue for classes; therefore all staff, parents and students must be respectful to our neighbours and other centre users by arriving and leaving responsibly.
• It is the parent/carer responsibility to keep children under control when they’re not in class.

Medical Information

• It is the parent/carer’s responsibility to ensure their child brings any necessary medical equipment to classes/courses/productions/events run by Derby Academy.
• It is the parent/carer’s responsibility to ensure medicines are always within date.
• Please ensure your child knows where this is kept when attending classes/courses/productions/events run by Derby Academy.
• Please make the teacher/Principal aware of its whereabouts in the instance that the student is unable to administer the medicine themselves.

Any changes to these Terms and Conditions will be announced on this page of the website.

Contact Details

Senior lead for safeguarding and child protection

Name: Marija Sipka Bogdan — Designated Safeguarding Lead (Level 6)

Phone: 07710506688

Email: info@derbyclassicalacademy.com

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually. This policy was reviewed on 30.03.2026

Derby Academy

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers, paid staff, volunteers, freelance teachers, students or anyone working on behalf of Derby Academy School of Classical Dance and Performing Artistry.

The Purpose of this Policy

• To protect children and young people who receive Derby Academy services. This includes the children of adults who use our services.
• To provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

Derby Academy believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We acknowledge the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and are committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and regulatory requirements. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

We Recognise That

• The welfare of the child/young person is paramount.
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
• All children have a positive and enjoyable experience of dance and the associated arts with Derby Academy in a safe and child centred environment and are protected from abuse whilst participating in activities provided by Derby Academy.

We Will Seek to Keep Children and Young People Safe By

• Valuing them, listening to and respecting them.
• Adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers.
• Developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures;
• Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
• Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made;
• Sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers.
• Sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately.
• Where we do have safeguarding concerns we will contact the parents first, except where there is a child protection or medical emergency.
• Ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
• We will carry out safe recruitment including DBS checks on every staff member we employ.
• Any allegation made against any members of our staff, we will act accordingly.

We Are Committed to Equality

• We do our best to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
• We make our classes and courses a safe, secure and stimulating place for everyone.
• We recognise that people have different needs, and we understand that treating people equally does not always involve treating them all exactly the same.
• We recognise that for some pupils extra support is needed to help them to achieve and be successful.
• We welcome our general duty to eliminate discrimination, to advance equality of opportunity and to foster good relations; we ensure that no-one experiences less favourable treatment or discrimination because of their age; any disability they may have; their ethnicity, colour or national origin; their gender; their gender identity or reassignment; their marital or civil partnership status; their religion or beliefs; their sexual identity and orientation.

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. Summaries of key legislation and guidance is available on:

• Online abuse — learning.nspcc.org.uk
• Child protection — learning.nspcc.org.uk

We Believe That

• Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind.
• We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to take, share and use images of children safely.

We Recognise That

• Sharing photographs and films of our activities can help us celebrate the successes and achievements of our children and young people, provide a record of our activities and raise awareness of our organisation.
• The welfare of the children and young people taking part in our activities is paramount.
• Children, their parents and carers have a right to decide whether their images are taken and how these may be used, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
• Consent to take images of children is only meaningful when children, their parents and carers understand how the images will be used and stored, and are fully aware of the potential risks associated with the use and distribution of these images.
• There are potential risks associated with sharing images of children online.

More information about this is available from learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/briefings/photography-sharing-images-guidance

We Will Seek to Keep Children and Young People Safe By

• Always asking for written consent from a child and their parents or carers before taking and using a child’s image.
• Always explaining what images will be used for, how they will be stored and what potential risks are associated with sharing images of children.
• Making it clear that if a child or their family withdraw consent for an image to be shared, it may not be possible to delete images that have already been shared or published.
• Changing the names of children whose images are being used in our published material whenever possible (and only using first names if we do need to identify them).
• Never publishing personal information about individual children and disguising any identifying information (for example the name of their school or a school uniform with a logo).
• Making sure children, their parents and carers understand how images of children will be securely stored and for how long (including how we will control access to the images and their associated information).
• Reducing the risk of images being copied and used inappropriately by only using images of children in appropriate clothing; avoiding full face and body shots of children taking part in activities such as swimming; using images that positively reflect young people’s involvement in the activity.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually. This policy was reviewed on 06.02.2025