COMPANY

The Housley School of Dance
The Housley School of Dance does not own it’s own premises and instead either hires other venues or is contracted in to a venue. For this reason The Housley School of Dance cannot take responsibility for the maintenance of these venues nor the external contractors used to maintain them.
These include but are not limited to:

• St Mary’s Church Hall, Riverhead
• Trinity School, Sevenoaks
• Riverhead Village Hall, Riverhead

The following policy aims to:

• Reduce the risk of injury to staff and pupils
• Consult employees on all issues concerning the health and safety of them and others
• Provide and maintain safe equipment
• Inform, instruct, cater for and supervise all employees and customers
• Train all employees to a level at which they are capable of performing their job satisfactorily
• Avoid accidents and work related illnesses
• Provide and maintain a safe secure and healthy environment for employees and customers
• Ensure appropriate emergency procedures are in place in case of fire or other significant event
• Continually review and update all health and safety related policies

CONTENTS

01. Responsibilities
02. Appropriate Behaviour
03. The Studio / Hall space
04. Training and Staff Competence
05. Lone Working
06. Evacuation
07. Working with Children
08. Consultation

Health & Safety Policy Statement 2026

01 RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall responsibility for Health and Safety is that of: Jane Kirkby(principal) Day to day responsibilities for ensuring this policy is put into place is that of: Jane Kirkby To ensure health and safety standards are maintained / improved, the following people have responsibility in the following areas.

• Safer recruitment: Jane Kirkby
• Emergency Contact details for carers of under 18: Jane Kirkby
• Advising teachers of changes to emergency contact details: Jane Kirkby
• Upkeep of venues: St Marys Church Hall, Parish Council and Edulettings
• Maintenance of iPad / Phone / Speaker / Dock: Jane Kirkby

All employees, guest teachers and supply staff are expected to:
1. Read and comply with this policy
2. Take reasonable care of their own health and safety as well as that of others
3. Report all health and safety concerns to Jane Kirkby in a timely manner

The Housley School of Dance does not take responsibility for injury received during class where correct tuition has been provided. Dance is an active sport and while every measure reasonably practicable will be taken to prevent them, injuries are possible.

Please read our Code of Conduct document.

03. THE STUDIO/HALL SPACE

Visual risk assessments will be taken of the studio / hall space prior to lessons. This will include, but not be limited to:

• Checking the floor surface is clear from slip, trip and fall hazards
• Checking that fire escapes are clear and accessible
• Checking the toilet or changing facilities are functioning
• Checking any electrical wirings or equipment do not show signs of damage
• Ensuring equipment being used is safe for use.

Any damage should be reported to Jane Kirkby immediately and the equipment removed from use. Written risk assessments will be recorded for specific activities such as transporting pupils to or from events, shows, examinations and outside performances.

Class attendance will not exceed that deemed safe under fire regulations for the venue. Staff will confirm with pupils at the start of each lesson if there are any injuries or medical information which will affect them during the activity.

Music must be played at a suitable volume so as not to cause distress or harm. Where individuals feel the music is unsuitable this should be raised immediately with the teacher to be addressed.

Staff will ensure the venue is secure at the end of sessions. This includes checking all windows are closed, that external doors are locked and that non essential electrics are switched off so as to reduce fire risk.

Where settings have external gates, locks or padlocks – these will also be secured if the teacher has access.

04. TRAINING AND STAFF COMPETENCE

All staff, guest teachers and supply staff will be required to read and comply with this policy at all times.

It is the teacher’s responsibility to attend class in a fit state to teach the session. No alcohol is to be consumed during teaching, including at private functions. All Staff, guest teachers and supply staff will be required to evidence of qualification relevant to the lessons being taught.

Staff, Guest teachers and supply staff will be required to evidence appropriate levels of insurance cover, including public liability, for the activity being taught. Staff, Guest teachers and supply staff will be required to evidence a relevant music licence.

Staff, guest teachers and supply staff must ensure that pupils are dressed appropriately for the activity being undertaken, specifically with respect to footwear, jewellery, belts, scarves and any other item which could present a choking, slip or trip hazard.

A first aid kit must be available in the venue. Where this is not available, a portable one must be made available to teachers.

05. LONE WORKING

There will be occasions where staff are working alone. In these circumstances the member of staff must ensure that they have access to a mobile phone and that someone knows their location and expected time of arrival. This can be a personal relation, ie partner – or a member of staff.

Staff who may be seen as higher risk for lone working, for example pregnant or with preexisting health conditions should not work alone without a specific risk assessment being undertaken.

06. EVACUATION

In each setting, clear evacuation routes must be available and well signed in the case of fire or emergency. Evacuation plans will be tested and updated if necessary. A register will be completed at the start of each class to ensure all persons can be accounted for.

If you discover a fire:

1. Raise the alarm
2. Keep calm and evacuate your pupils
3. Evacuate quickly but check, corridors, toilets on your way out for pupils.

If you hear the fire alarm:

1. Exit the building straight away with your pupils
2. Do not stop to collect belongings
3. Assemble at the agreed gathering point
4. Take a class register
5. Do not re-enter the building until the fire service or caretaker have said it is safe to do so.

07. WORKING WITH CHILDREN

It is the responsibility of the parent or carer to ensure the child is brought to class safely with all the equipment needed to participate safely. This includes but is not limited to footwear, clothing, jewellery, drinks and hair ties.

Chewing gum is not permitted.

Eating during class is not permitted.

During long events, such as festivals, shows or exams, pupils may bring food but it must not be consumed while dancing.

Staff will ensure the child is released to a recognised adult at the end of each class.

Where an adult does not attend on time, the child will wait with the teacher. Where an unknown adult attends to collect the child, the teacher must confirm with a parent or carer that it is OK to release the child into the adult’s care. This also applies if the child does not recognise the adult collecting them.

The Housley School of Dance takes no responsibility for injury or harm to children outside the class environment. This includes travelling to and from the lesson, practising outside of class time or whilst on the grounds / car park of the studio or hall space.

Appropriate chaperones will be in place during events, festivals, shows, exams or competitions where parents/carers are not able to supervise their own children.

Unless there is good reason, First Aid should not be administered without the permission of the child’s parent or accompanying adult. A child cannot give consent. If the parent is not at the premises, The Housley School of Dance will endeavour to make contact on the provided emergency contact details. However, if a child is alone and seriously injured or unconscious, the situation will need to be dealt with immediately and where necessary The Housley School of Dance will contact the emergency services for assistance.

No medication of any kind may be administered to pupils.

Where first aid has to be administered, this must be explained to the child at the time and parents/carers will be notified when they collect the child. Any treatment should be as little as necessary without threatening the child’s wellbeing.

Strictly no photographs or recordings of children will be made during class.

Appropriate Touch

When a child displays distress and seeks comfort from a teacher, it is acceptable to comfort the child with an arm around them or by holding hands. This should only be done when physical contact is wanted by the child, is appropriate for their age, development and your professional relationship.

08. CONSULTATION

Where changes to this policy are undertaken, they will be done so in consultation with staff or employees. This policy will be available to pupils and customers through the The Housley School of Dance.