Dramalam Performing Arts, Health and Safety Policy August 2023

Dramalam Health and Safety Policy 2023

School: Dramalam Performing Arts

Website: www.dramalamperformingarts.com

Email: info@dramalamperformingarts.com

Phone: 07515 145601

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY 

Our Health & Safety Policy is to help you understand what measures we currently have in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students during their time with us, so you can rest assured in the knowledge we do our utmost to always protect your child. 

HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER 

Name: Lianne McHugh

Job Title: Director and Principal

Telephone: 07515 145601

Email: info@dramalamperformingarts.com 

This is the person responsible for managing our health and safety policy, reviewing, and updating it annually, and will also be able to chat through any questions or concerns you may have. 

 

1

Health and Safety Policy 2023 

CHILD PROTECTION 

We believe that children have the right to be safe and secure and free from threat, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, or beliefs. 

We have an explicit duty to safeguard and protect children from abuse as defined in the Children Act 2004 and the Education Act 2002. Please see our Child Protection policy for more details. 

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

Providing a happy and safe environment where children can learn to dance, act and sing. 


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. 
For toilet visits, children aged 5 and under are to be accompanied by an appropriate adult, and children aged 6 – 10 years are to use our facilities in pairs. STAFF TRAINING 
It is a requirement that our staff hold both PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) memberships and that updated checks are less than 3 years old; and a current First Aid qualification. All staff hold appropriate qualifications from their accreditation bodies. Every teacher has been confirmed to have insurance and the school has sufficient Employers Liability and Public Liability insurance. 


 

2 

Health and Safety Policy 2023

All staff have been trained in how to appropriately deliver instruction to various ages. We host regular training sessions to ensure the highest quality control. Younger children may not understand some of the language that adults use, therefore, it is important to us to make sure that dance moves, singing and drama techniques; are explained using language that they understand or demonstrate the moves to them to make sure that they understand what they need to do. They have also been trained in correct methods. 

All our staff are regularly consulted about the school policies and procedures, including safety measures, safeguarding, and reporting requirements. 

COMING TO AND FROM CLASSES 

Parents/carers should arrive to the building no more than 5 minutes before class is due to start. Students below the age of 12, should not be left in the building until the teacher has invited them into the lesson. All students should be collected from class as soon as it has ended. If a parent/carer is running late the student will be kept with their teacher - please phone ahead to let us know if you are running late. 

No student under the age of 12 should be dropped off and allowed to enter the building alone, unless otherwise arranged and agreed with our team. 

DURING CLASS 

All students are registered within the first few minutes of class time. 

All staff members have access to our electronic registers, which also include any relevant medical information and Individual Risk Assessments. 

Class timetables are arranged according to the age and ability of the students, and class structures are arranged so that students are warmed up at the beginning of class and given time to cool down at the end. 

Students are reminded to eat properly before (but not immediately before) class, they may bring a small bottle of water in a non-spill bottle to each class and will be given sufficient break time during class to rest and stay hydrated. 

 

3 

Health and Safety Policy 2023

Students must always wear appropriate clothing and footwear during classes, it should not be restrictive, uncomfortable, revealing and footwear should be properly fitting. 

No outside clothing is allowed during class, only school branded clothing and dancewear. 


No jewellery is to be worn in class at any time 


Hair must be neatly tied back in a bun or pony tail. 
Teachers ensure that the studio spaces are free of hazards, and sufficiently clean. Both staff and students must be reminded of personal hygiene, hands should be regularly washed especially after using the toilet. Due to the nature of our physical activity, dance clothing should be washed after every use. 
FIRST AID 
There will always be a minimum of one member of staff present with a minimum of a one-day Emergency First Aid qualification. Our studio has a designated first aid supply and Accident Report book. These will be checked every 6 months and supplies replaced as necessary. Teachers are not responsible for the safety and wellbeing of students outside of the dance class or during any online classes we may run. Parents/carers must ensure their children act safely and respectfully outside of the class or during online classes and ensure students are dressed appropriately when arriving, participating in class, or leaving the building. Our teachers are committed to safe practice whilst teaching in all capacities, but students partake at their own risk. Whilst every care is taken to reduce the risk of injury and infection, the school does not accept responsibility for any injury or infection caused either within or outside of the dance class. Parents/carers or students must inform their teacher of any existing injuries, medical conditions/needs (e.g. Asthma, use of an EpiPen or diabetic monitoring) or any if they/anyone in their family are showing symptoms of infection. In an emergency all teachers are first aid trained and will act in loco parentis if parents/carers are not present and will call an ambulance. 

 

4 

Health and Safety Policy 2023

FIRE SAFETY 

All of our hired venues have clearly marked fire exits, and meeting points have been established outside the building. Should there be need to evacuate, anyone on the premises will be asked to leave their belongings and calmly leave the building, convening at the meeting point for registration. Fire evacuation drill schedules are dependent on the venue we are hiring from. 

All staff are familiar with our fire safety procedures. 

There is strictly no smoking permitted in the building or on site. 

All staff equipment has been PAT tested and we run our power cables to the nearest access points, out of reach of students. 

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually. 

This policy was last reviewed August 2023 and will be reviewed again June 2024

Name: Lianne McHugh

Job Title: Director & Principal

Signature: Lianne McHugh