Parents are responsible for ensuring that:

• pupils attend class wearing correct uniforms, and hair should always be tied back and off the face.

  • Uniform requirements for each class can be confirmed with the class teacher​

• Topaz is kept informed of the change of any emergency details, especially phone numbers if parents/guardians will be leaving their child(ren) here unsupervised.

• your child has gone to the toilet before class, so that all pupils benefit from minimal disruptions.​​

  • Permission will ​always be granted for child to use the toilet if they do need it, but we ask you to encourage a pre-class visit to try to minimise the chances of them needing a toilet visit during class.

• students bring a bottle of water or other suitable drink into class. This must be in a resealable container, and clearly labelled.

• students arrive to and are collected from class promptly

• we are kept informed of any changes to drop off/pick up arrangements. We cannot allow a child to leave with somebody we are unfamiliar with, just like at school.

• we are kept informed of any changes we need to be aware of regarding medical history. This includes

  • Short term injuries and illnesses. (Please keep home any child who has a contagious illness, as per government guidelines.)​

  • Long term injuries and illnesses.

  • Allergies - including what to do in the event of a reaction. You must ensure that treatment is always available, either by the child's grown up remaining on the premises, or by the student having the appropriate treatments and instructions in their dance kit bag.

  • Neurodivergence and mental health issues. We strive to be a fully inclusive setting, so please disclose any issues to allow us to work with you to provide the accommodations needed.

• ensuring that all fees are paid in a prompt and timely manner.

  • Any invoice breaching 2 weeks overdue, without prior arrangement, will be liable to incur a £5 administrative fee.​

  • If your child adds another class onto their subscription, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that the additional class is paid for. If you notice a class missing on an invoice, then it is your responsibility to to inform us so we can amend the invoice and apply the appropriate discount level.

    • Any classes left unpaid will be charged at the non-discounted rate.​

• ensuring that notice of 2 calendar weeks is provided to Topaz Dancentre if your child is going to leave. Until we receive this notice you remain liable to pay for the class fees, as the place cannot be reallocated without formal notice to quit.

• ensuring that your child(ren) have suitable footwear for travelling to and from Topaz. We are not in control of our immediate environment and we worry about children walking outdoors in dance shoes, which are not suitable protection, for example, should they stand upon broken glass.

  • This will also allow shoes to remain serviceable for longer, which will benefit your finances.​

• ensuring that during pick up and drop off that you are respectful of our neighbours. Our location means we are very limited with options for car parking, and we ask that you avoid blocking drop down kerbs or any other behaviours which may inconvenience our neighbours. We have always maintained a good relationship with our neighbourhood, and have started to receive some complaints about inappropriate parking.

Students are responsible for ensuring that:

• mobile phones are switched off during class; using phones during class is strictly forbidden.​

• they always behave in an appropriate manner, including any free time between classes.

• interactions with fellow students are positive; no bullying or similar behaviour will be tolerated.

Topaz Dancentre

• does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to property brought onto or left on the premises.​

• endeavours to ensure that your child is dancing in a safe and comfortable environment.

• will, within safe and appropriate practices, reserve the right to use physical contact with students. This is essential to helping students to improve their posture, positioning and movements. This includes physical contact between students such as hand holding.

• will never ask a student to perform any movements beyond their capabilities.

  • Reviews of each child will be made periodically in each class, ensuring that all students dance in a class appropriate to their level of development and skill.​

• does not accept any responsibility for accidental injury. Dance is a physical activity and injury is always a possibility. All of our class teachers are qualified in Level 3 First Aid and are capable of dealing with minor injuries.

• will ensure that pupils will not be able to leave the dance area until collected.

  • Please advise us if you would like your child to meet you at the entrance. They will NOT be occupied to the entrance in  this instance. (Written consent for this is encouraged, but is mandatory for all pupils aged 10 and under).​

• will ask to leave, without notice, any pupil who seriously breaches any of the school's terms and conditions, or for any other serious misconduct.

• will not discriminate on the basis of background, race, religion or any other criteria.

• will regularly monitor staff to maintain the school's teaching policies and adherence to health and safety procedures.

• reserves the right to periodically increase fees. We will always keep any increase to a minimum, and will provide as much notice as possible in these circumstances.

• permits 2 weeks of payment holiday per class per academic year. These must be requested in advance and will be deducted from the invoice prior to payment.

  • In all other circumstances fees must be paid in full, even if classes are missed. We have a limit on class sizes, so the fees must be paid to reserve your child's place in the class, regardless of attendance.​

• will send out invoices in a timely manner, usually 2 weeks before the end of the current term for the next term.

Data Protection

• Topaz Dancentre ​will treat all personal information in the strictest confidence, in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR regulations.

  • After receiving consent from parents/guardians, Topaz Dancentre reserves the right to share essential information with IDTA and UKA for examinations, and with the student’s local council to obtain permission for performance. We are requested to provide this data to Liverpool Council, Knowsley Council, Halton Council, Wirral Council, Sefton Council, St Helen’s Council and other performing council areas; this information is sent to the Local Authority via secure electronic file transfer system.​

• Topaz Dancentre will only use your information to contact you with relevant information regarding billing and payments, or with information regarding events or classes taking place which are of relevance to your child.

• Topaz Dancentre is a registered Performing Arts provider with IDTA and, as such, is required to collect and manage certain data. We need to know:

  • Parent/Guardian’s names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses.​

  • Children’s full names, addresses, date of birth and educational school, along with any medical or SEN requirements.

• Topaz Dancentre will ensure consent is obtained and recorded when photography and videography are to be used.

  • Any permissions granted for photography and videography include permission for Topaz Dancentre to use the produced materials for promotional purposes, on printed media, the Topaz Dancentre website or social media feeds.​