Terms & conditions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please note that our terms and conditions are very simple but failure to adhere to them will result in your child being sent home straight away or being suspended. Please do not assume that if you drop your child off that they will be able to stay unless you know 100% that all terms and conditions have been followed. Until they are past reception they will still be your responsibility. For standards to be kept high and improved a team effort is non-negotiable. Hence why we take a firm approach to the terms below.
All terms and conditions below are for all branches of the Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School.
Fees
* The Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School is a not for profit organisation.
* Failure to stick to the payment contract will result in heavy fines.
* All fees must be paid by the deadline set in the weekly letter. This is normally a month in advance of the new term starting.
* If you choose to pay in two instalments it is on the understanding that the second half must be honoured even if the student decides to leave for whatever reason.
* If a cheque is returned it will need to be replaced straight away along with a £20 charge. There will then be a £10 administration fee per week until the fees are paid up. Therefore it is in your interest to contact the office straight away to avoid excessive fines rather than have the office having to chase you up.
* This fine will also be applied to any payments that are late.
Fees – Exceptional Circumstances
* Although we are a not for profit organisation and receive no funding, we do try to help a percentage of families that cannot afford the fees up-front by offering an instalment policy.
* However, before an instalment policy is offered the parent / guardian will have to satisfy the office that their financial circumstances really need this support.
* Again this instalment policy is only offered on the understanding that all fees must be covered even if the student decides to leave. We have many excessive expenses and every penny has been accounted for.
* Please remember that by taking out an instalment policy you are effectively getting the school to loan you the money. Therefore heavy fines are in place for those that do not respect the deadlines and solicitor’s fees will be added to these fines if needed.
How to terminate a student’s place at the School
Deadline for termination: Half term
* If your child decides they no longer wish to attend the school you need to give written notice by the half term break of the current term.
* You need to do this either by e-mailing the office or by sending in a letter to the Head Office.
* Once this termination has been received you will be sent an acknowledgement via e-mail within 7 working days.
* If you do not receive this notification it is your responsibility to chase it up by the 7th working day.
* If you do not give the required noticed you will be liable for the full amount of the following term’s fees.
Broken Terms and Conditions
What happens when a terms and conditions is broken?
* If a student breaks a term and condition whilst at the school their parent / guardian will be sent a letter home.
* If a student gets 3 broken terms and conditions in a term a parent will be contacted and depending on the severity may be called in for a meeting.
- Should you be sent a terms and conditions letter by mistake please contact the office to discuss.
Communication with parents / guardians
* If you accept a place at this school it is on the condition that you spend time each week reading and absorbing the information given out in the weekly letter.
* Currently a hard copy of the letter is given to every student Every Week. This is our only form of communication with many parents and is vital for the smooth running of the school.
* The weekly letter is also up-loaded on the website every week so if your child misses a week it is your responsibility to download the letter from the website.
* Certain requests may be given in the weekly letter. For example, a form may need to be signed for the following week. Unless we get 100% returns many opportunities may be lost.
* Show rehearsals and individual projects organised by teachers can be very ambitious and may need the authorisation of parents/guardians.
* If we discover that weekly letters are not being read by the parent/guardian and not being adhered to, the student will be asked to leave the school.
Punctuality is a must for any Performer
SATURDAY MORNING SCHOOL: Doors open at 9.15am. All students must arrive before 9.25am.
After 9.25am they will be marked down as late and get a broken Terms and Conditions letter.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON SCHOOL: Doors open at 2.15pm. All students must arrive before 2.25pm.
After 2.25pm they will be marked down as late and get a broken Terms and Conditions letter.
WEDNESDAY EVENING SCHOOL: Doors open at 4.45pm. All students must arrive before 4.55pm.
After 4.55pm they will be marked down as late and get a broken Terms and Conditions letter.
RUNNING LATE: Phone the school’s mobile. If you phone to say you are running late this will prevent a broken Terms and Conditions letter. However, frequent lateness will result in a broken terms and conditions.
Dismissal of Students
SATURDAY MORNING SCHOOL: Students must be off the premises by 2pm
Doors will open at 1.45pm. When parents/guardians arrive they must write their child’s name down at reception.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON SCHOOL: Students must be off the premises by 5.30pm.
Doors will open at 5.20pm.
WEDNESDAY EVENING SCHOOL: Students must be off the premises by 8pm.
Doors will open at 7.50pm.
Note to parents / guardians: Even if you see your child please allow them to be formally dismissed before they come to you.
If you are late collecting your child: There will be a £2 penalty fee if you do not arrive by 2pm, (Saturday Morning) , 5.30pm (Saturday Afternoon) or 8pm (Wednesday Evening). This will increase to £4 if you are more than 15 minutes late and then £1 per 5 minutes after that. An invoice for late penalties will be sent to you. If you arrive after the building is closed you will be invoiced any charges that may be incurred to pay for staff over-time and keeping the building open.
What to do if a student is ill
* If you know by 4pm on Friday (for Saturday classes) or 4pm on Wednesday that you cannot make Saturday due to illness you must phone the office on 020 7682 1403
After 4pm the following applies:
SATURDAY MORNING SCHOOL: Students must leave a message on the school mobile before 9am on the Saturday.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON SCHOOL: Students must leave a message on the school mobile before 2pm on the Saturday.
WEDNESDAY EVENING SCHOOL: Students must leave a message on the school mobile before 4.45pm on the Wednesday.
* The above makes sure that reception has enough time to let teachers know of any absences so that any alterations to lessons can be made.
If you cannot make a class during a normal school term (different Terms and Conditions apply for a show term)
* Two weeks written notice must be given if you wish to have a week off.
* Please e-mail the office. Any correspondence given directly to the school’s reception will not be acknowledged.
* You will get an acknowledgement e-mail in return. If you do not get a response it is your responsibility to chase this up.
* If you do not have internet access and cannot get internet access at work, a school or library, please phone 020 7682 1403.
* The above ensures that teachers can plan as effectively as possible.
Unexpected Absences
* If the student needs to take a week off unexpectedly and has been unable to give 2 weeks written notice you must get authorisation from the office.
* You must e-mail the office giving as much notice as possible.
* Once this e-mail is received all teachers will be contacted and asked if there are any projects that will be disrupted with the student’s absence.
* If all is ok the office will let you know that you have an authorised absence.
* If it is going to cause disruption and you still go ahead with the absence the student will be given a broken terms and conditions letter.
Student Provision
* Students are expected to come to the school each week with a professional attitude and the eagerness to learn new skills.
* To help achieve this they must always have a notebook and pen as well as a folder for any photocopied music sheets, scripts etc.
* Students are to respect any materials that are handed to them and keep them in an orderly fashion.
* Any materials that are handed out and lost will be charged for and invoiced to the parent.
Uniform
The school uniform which consists of a branded T-shirt and bottoms is compulsory. Uniforms can only be purchased via the school.
Other requirements:
* Black socks
* Black jazz shoes for all lessons
* Plimsolls with white bottoms for dance
* Plain black sweater for when cold
* No jewellery except small studs
If any student ignores the basic requirements above they will be sent out of class immediately and given a broken terms and conditions letter.
Classroom Etiquette
* As soon as students enter the classes they should put all bags and coats to the side and be ready to listen as soon as the teacher or director starts the class.
* Disruption of classes will not be tolerated.
* If a student is asked to leave the class they will be sent a broken terms and conditions letter.
* If a student is disruptive on a regular basis or does not participate to the best of their ability they will be asked to come to a meeting and may be asked to leave the school.
Mobile Phones
* Mobile phones must be completely switched off and left in the student’s bag during all class times and during any performances
* If a parent / guardian needs to contact their child they must do so by phoning the school mobile.
Lost Property
* The Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School will not be held responsible for any lost or damaged property. We encourage students not to bring expensive items with them.
* If a student loses something it is worth asking at reception the following week. We will keep all lost property for a maximum of 3 weeks before it is donated to a charity shop.
Food Glorious Food
* No students regardless of their age will be allowed off the premises once they have signed in.
* Therefore they must be provided with lunch or a small snack and plenty of water.
* We encourage healthy eating and ask that instead of sweets and fizzy drinks they are provided with fruit and water.
* No student will be allowed to have access to hot water.
* Students must only eat during assigned break times.
* Water can be drunk at anytime and is encouraged.
* Of course if a student feels faint and needs to eat during the class time they should never hesitate to tell a teacher so that a space can be provided.
Student Supervision
* Students must remain in the communal area at the start of the day, during all breaks and before they are dismissed.
* If a student needs to leave to go to the toilet or get changed they must ask a member of staff.
* At the end of the day teachers will bring their classes to the communal area where weekly letters will be given out and notes given.
* Students must go straight to the communal area with their teacher and not make a detour until they are dismissed in the proper manner.
* Students must not go to their parents in reception until they are properly dismissed.
Glass Bottles / Chewing Gum
* Glass Bottles and chewing gum are not permitted on the premises
* If a student is seen chewing gum a terms and conditions letter will be sent home.
* Chewing gum poses a health hazard for performers and destroys clothing and furniture!
Bullying
* Bullying will not be tolerated.
* We pride ourselves on creating a friendly family atmosphere where students can feel able to experiment and not have to worry about making mistakes.
* The beauty of the performing arts industry is that it attracts all sorts of people and differences should be celebrated.
* If a student feels upset by any comments from another student we encourage them to speak confidentially to a member of staff.
* Alternatively they may prefer to speak to their parent / guardian so that they can ring the school.
* We also ask students to look out for fellow students that they feel may be being teased and to speak to a member of staff on their behalf.
* If it is discovered that a student is deliberately bullying another student they will be asked to come for a meeting and may be asked to leave the school.
Complaints Procedure
* Disrespectful behaviour towards staff, volunteers and other students will not be tolerated.
* Should you have a complaint or concern and need to speak to the principle or her executive, an appointment must be made.
* Please contact the office to arrange an appointment.
* Please do not vent frustrations in the reception area.
Need to speak to a Teacher or the Principal?
* Should you need to speak to the principal or any member of the teaching staff please contact the office.
* A message will be passed on and you will be contacted within 7 working days.
* All communication to teaching staff must come through head office. Teachers are there on Saturdays to teach and are not be expected to give up their short break time to answer queries.
Parents / Guardians being contactable
* A parent / guardian must be contactable at all times that their child is at the school.
* It is the parent / guardian’s responsibility to inform the office of any change of phone numbers and contact details.
* Please e-mail the office with any changes. You will get a notification e-mail when this has been received. If you do not get this notification it is your responsibility to chase this up.
Ways Parents / Guardians can get involved
* Volunteering
There are several ways you could volunteer your time occasionally. Maybe helping out on Saturdays or offering skills that help small businesses grow. For more information please e-mail the office.
* Get your company involved
We are a not for profit organisation with virtually no funding and often have to hold fundraising events so that we can keep our instalment policy going, raise money for our shows and give the occasional bursary or subsidised place. Many companies out there have a social responsibility department and often sponsor organisations like this one. However, they usually need a personal contact who can vouch for us. If you or anybody you know works for a company that may consider sponsorship or working in partnership for mutual marketing possibilities do get in touch by e-mailing the office.
* Doing a sponsored event
If you decide to do a sponsored event such as a walk, bike ride or swim please consider making us the organisation you raise money for. There are thousands of worthwhile organisations out there but we can only rely on the people that know about us. You will see exactly where your money goes and can be a part of the decision making process.
* Spread the word
Without huge sponsorship we rely on our places being filled to meet growing expenses. At the same time we do not want standards to drop and so will only accept students that we feel really want to train with us. Please spread the word about us to family and friends. Remember we have branches in Hackney, Docklands and North London so spread the word far and wide.
* Reading weekly letters and following deadlines
Just by paying your fees by agreed dates, reading your weekly letters and following the deadlines you can help cut our administration costs and give us more time on expanding the services we offer.
SUMMER SCHOOL TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please note that our terms and conditions are very simple but failure to adhere to them will result in your child being sent home straight away or being suspended. Please do not assume that if you drop your child off that they will be able to stay unless you know 100% that all terms and conditions have been followed. Until they are past reception they will still be your responsibility. For standards to be kept high and improved a team effort is non-negotiable. Hence why we take a firm approach to the terms below.
1. All fees must be paid by 15th July. After this date has passed, this will be non-refundable, as your place will have been reserved. Should a cheque be returned your child will NOT be allowed to continue until it has been replaced.
2. The deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances unless a place is not given.
3. All students must arrive promptly, ready to start at 10.00am. Lateness will not be tolerated unless a phone call is made to the Head Office on 0207 682 1403, with an explanation before the student arrives.
4. Any unexpected absences due to illness must be phoned through before 10.00am, so the staff can be notified.
5. Your child must be provided with a lunch for the break time and plenty of water to last the day. Nothing too heavy and nothing that requires hot water. Children are not permitted off-site to buy there lunch, so they must bring it with them.
6. Chewing gum and glass bottles are not permitted on the premises.
7. No food or drink, apart from water, may be consumed outside the break time. If the student feels faint due to hunger they must inform the teacher straight away and a place will be allocated for them to go and eat.
8.. Students must have with them at all times a notebook and pen/pencil.
9. Disruption of performing arts classes will not be tolerated.
10. Disrespectful behaviour towards staff and teachers and other students will not be tolerated.
11. Should you have a complaint or concern and need to speak with the principal or her executive, an appointment must be made. Please e-mail us or ring 020 7682 1403.
12. Whenever possible, a parent/guardian must be contactable at all times that the child is at the school. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to inform the school of any contact or medical changes that may have occurred.
