Every Child Matters:
- Be Healthy
- Stay Safe
- Enjoy and Achieve
- Make a Positive Contribution
Helping Every Child to Achieve More
The Marble Hill Dance Studio Anti-Bullying Policy covers all students in attendance.
Any form of bullying, whether verbal, physical or psychological or cyber, and whether one-off, occasional or repeated, is completely unacceptable at Marble Hill Dance Studio.
Definition
Bullying is behaviour by an individual or a group, repeated over time (or possibly one serious incident) that intentionally hurts another. Bullying can take many forms and is often motivated by prejudice, for example on grounds of ability, special need, race, religion, culture, gender, sexual orientation, or because a child is adopted or has caring responsibilities.
Stopping violence and ensuring immediate physical safety is obviously the school’s first priority. Although bullying in itself is not a specific criminal offence in the UK, it is important to bear in mind that some types of harassing or threatening behaviour may in some circumstances be regarded as such.
Bullying can be
- Emotional – being unfriendly, excluding, and tormenting (e.g. hiding uniform, threatening gestures).
- Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence.
- Racist – racial taunts, graffiti, gestures.
- Sexual – unwanted physical contact or sexually explicit and/or abusive comments.
- Homophobic – because of, or focusing on, the issue of sexuality.
- Verbal – name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.
- Disability – because of, or focusing on, a disability.
- Cyber – using electronic means such as social websites, mobile phones, text messages, photographs or e-mail to cause pain and distress to a victim.
- Religious/Cultural – religious or cultural intolerance of any sort.
Bullying can seriously damage a young person’s confidence and sense of self-worth. It can lead to serious and prolonged emotional damage for an individual, and, at its most extreme, suicide. Those who conduct the bullying or witness the bullying can also experience emotional harm, and the impact on parents and instructors can be significant. Marble Hill Dance Studio understands that some students, those with disabilities or special educational needs, can be more of a target for bullying, and watch for this.
Marble Hill Dance Studio accepts that as well as pupils bullying pupils, instructors can be bullies, or the victims of bullying, as can parents. The school sees all incidents of bullying as unacceptable, and all known incidents are addressed with equal importance.
All members of the school community (parents, pupils, and instructors) have a responsibility to ensure that, in so far as it reasonably practicable, bullying is prevented, and when it does occur, it is dealt with effectively and in accordance with this policy.
Who to Contact:
- Abigail Cova or Amy Shelton
This policy is available to parents via the school web-site.
Aims
- To promote a consistent approach to managing behaviour with the emphasis on preventing bullying throughout the whole school
- For instructors to take the lead in ensuring policies are implemented effectively.
- To create an atmosphere of trust and openness.
- To promote strongly positive behaviour of all types.
- To ensure that concerns of all types are raised at an early stage and dealt with swiftly, fairly and with consistency.
- To ensure both bullies and those being bullied are supported appropriately and systems put into place to monitor progress.
- To ensure all concerns and reports of bullying of all kinds are recorded fully.
Objectives
To communicate the contents clearly to all so that;
- All instructors, pupils and parents have an understanding of what bullying is.
- All instructors know what the school policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
- All pupils and parents know what the school policy is on bullying and what they should do if bullying arises.
- Everyone takes bullying seriously at all times, so that pupils and parents are assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
The Equality Act 2010 – the school complies with the aims of this act as follows:
- We aim to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act.
- We work to advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
- We promote and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
Safeguarding Children and Young People
Under the Children Act 1989 a bullying incident should be addressed as a child protection concern when there is ‘reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm’. Where this is the case, instructors should follow the safeguarding policy and report their concerns immediately to the school’s DSL, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Abigail Cova or Amy Shelton, who will then inform the local authority children’s social care officer.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The DSL and instructors will deal quickly and effectively with incidents. All instructors and pupils have a vital role in preventing bullying within the school.
Recording of incidents
A record of all incidents of bullying (register) is kept by Mrs Abigail Cova, Principal. All relevant incidents occurring at any time are recorded.
Cyber Bullying
The school considers online safety a part of both safeguarding, anti-bullying and mobile devices. This includes the use of cyber technology to bully, including social media, websites, mobile telephones, text messages, photographs and emails. The Department for Education offers advice documents for both parents and school instructors on Cyber Bullying and these documents are available on the Department for Education Website. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and- tackling-bullying The school would also treat seriously cyber bullying of its instructors by any parent or student.
Procedures – What can Instructors do if bullying is suspected? Signs to look for include withdrawal, low self-esteem, poor attendance, children flying into tempers (usually at home) weight loss, bursting into tears at the slightest criticism. Instructors should develop positive relationships with pupils so that they feel confident enough to report bullying. When bullying is reported, it is important to act quickly and to get the facts right noting times, names, places, witnesses, theft, damage, injuries. It may be advisable to ask the victim to keep a diary of events. All reports of bullying must be taken seriously. Any meetings with parents, copies of letters and the action agreed upon will also be recorded. It is important to fully investigate and hear ‘both sides of the story’.
If complaints of bullying are the result of normal, albeit distressing, changes in friendships, they may be best resolved in a low-key manner, with a minimum of disruption to pupil’s progress. In such situations, parents may not be automatically informed.
When a bullying incident is witnessed the instructor should remove both parties from the situation and hear both sides of the story. As soon as possible a written record of the incident should be made. Very minor incidents may be dealt with swiftly and verbally, and may require no further action – nonetheless positive action by instructors is necessary and a record made of the conversation. When a pupil complains of being bullied, he or she will be taken seriously and listened to. Any specific incidents will be noted down in writing, as well as a record of the pupil’s general feelings. When a parent raises an initial concern, the same process applies.
At all times a calm, unbiased and reflective investigation is carried out of any allegations made, in consultation with all parties involved. The school will remain impartial, and make any decision regarding further action based on the evidence. If possible both parties should be reintegrated into the group/classroom as soon as possible. If not the parties should be taken to a safe place where a suitable adult can stay with them until an instructor attends.
In cases of cyber-bullying, any evidence in the form of text messages or other postings should be retained. The principal should be involved in all such instances.
All parties will meet at the earliest possible opportunity to try to find a solution, and agree a plan of action to prevent such incidents happening again. It is often helpful to have an impartial witness at such meetings, such as another instructor. All incidents of bullying should be reported to the instructors concerned, via a written report. In addition a copy will be sent to the Principal for the bullying central file.
More severe cases of bullying will be reported to the Principal who will inform the parents and hold an investigation. If decided necessary, the Principal will decide whether to inform the Police or other agencies as needed.
Parents
Parents will be involved early in the process, and their support requested and desired. All incidents of bullying will be reported to parents/guardians. Parents’ support will be asked for, to help to prevent further incidents of bullying or anti-social behaviour. Regular communication will play a key part in resolving an incident. In low key issues as highlighted above parents may not be informed unless it becomes clear that the situation remains an issue.
Teaching classical ballet is a physical activity and appropriate physical contact between students and instructors in class is essential to ballet training.
Instructors can make physical contact with a student to illustrate a concept or to adjust a student’s alignment. Ballet posture often requires adjusting of the rib-cage and the buttock area simultaneously and it is sometimes necessary to touch the inner thigh, hips, back and waist especially with younger students.
In choreographic teaching, instructors demonstrate positions and movements to the students by moving parts of the students’ bodies and by moving dancers in relation to each other: this often involves a considerable amount of contact with students.
Marble Hill Dance Studio recognises that such physical contact is a potentially complex area; and the school also fully recognises its responsibilities for safeguarding students and instructors and for protecting their welfare.
The following principles and procedures are in place to fulfil the School’s obligations:
- Contact by the instructor is made with particular awareness of the needs of each individual, to assist the dancer in correcting placement
- All instructors will treat any physical contact with due sensitivity and care, and with due regard for the wishes of the student
- Contact will not involve force or the use of any instrument
- Instructors will be mindful of location and avoid situations where they are isolated with a student; all private classes should be held in studios and dance areas with windows or with the parent/carer present
- Students and parents are encouraged to discuss any worries with any instructor or an indepentent listener.
- Both students and instructors should feel free to report any concerns to the Abigail Cova, the Principal, the DSL Designated Safeguarding Lead and Amy Shelton.
We will ensure your child’s safety at Marble Hill Dance Studio and as parents you understand that certain dangers are present when travelling home alone or catching a bus.
Year 6 parents will be sent consent forms to give permission for their children to travel home independently.
We must remind parents that children progress at varying rates, therefore students are entered into examinations at the discretion of the instructors who are qualified professionals. The exact exam date and other pertinent information relating to the exams will be communicated via email.
To be considered for examinations children must attend at least 2 sessions of that level and discipline per week for a minimum of 8 weeks.
Exams are NOT compulsory, however our syllabi; the RAD – Royal Academy of Dance and the ISTD – Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance are two of the most highly recognised dance syllabi worldwide. If your child is considering continuing to dance vocationally as they grow older, we strongly recommend that your child enters onto these programmes as they will assist their progression.
On a side note, our vast experience shows that formal exams present a unique opportunity for students to display and take pride in their efforts, motivation and performance. Our exam candidates have always found their exam experience to be uplifting, beneficial and rewarding.
As part of the exam preparation, exam dancers will occasionally need to attend intensive exam workshops and private coaching. Dates will be made available prior to examinations.
The cost of exams and preparation classes are in addition to your termly bill and payment for these costs are due no later than the examination date. Included in the examination costs are studio hire fee, pianist fees, music operator fees and instructor/staffing costs.
If you have not paid by this date, unfortunately your child will not be eligible to sit their exam.
I acknowledge that participation in dance is potentially dangerous and there is an inherent risk of injury involved.
In allowing my child to participate in Marble Hill Dance Studio activities, I hereby assume all the risks associated with the performing arts.
I understand the importance of myself and my child following the instructions and rules set by their instructor/s, and I agree to release Marble Hill Dance Studio and its instructors of any and all liability which may arise as a result of my child’s participation in activities at Marble Hill Dance Studio.
I give permission for Marble Hill Dance Studio to use video footage and / or photographs of my child. This usage may include (but is not exclusive to) displaying publicly, distributing, or publishing, photographs, and/or video of my child for use in materials that include, but may not be limited to:
- printed materials (eg – brochures and newsletters)
- online and offline advertising and promotion
- videos and digital images such for use on Social Media.
By signing this form, I acknowledge that I am giving unrestricted permission for my child’s image to be used in print, video, and digital media.
I agree that these images may be used by Marble Hill Dance Studio for a variety of purposes and that these images may be used without further notification. I do understand that any identifying information including surname and location will not be used in conjunction with any video or digital images.
The ultimate question asked by every aspiring young ballerina: “When can I start pointe ?”
At MHDS we welcome this question because it provides us with an opportunity to educate our dancers and parents. Dancing en pointe maybe the dream, but there are a few factors to be considered first. Also, students at Marble Hill Dance Studio are invited to pointe at the discretion of the schlool principal.
Pointe work is not an automatic right and is not necessarily for everyone. The physical demands of pointe are huge and should not be taken lightly. The number one priority at MHDS is safe dance training and injury prevention. If we decide that your daughter is not ready or that pointe is inappropriate for her, it is because we deem this an unsafe option.
Readiness for pointe is not determined by: your age, the number of years you have been dancing, your friends being put en pointe or your desire to be en pointe. Rather, we assess the following;
- Your work ethic (pointe may look easy… but it is hard work !)
- Your attendance in ballet class and how many classes you attend on a weekly basis
- Do you have good posture and alignment ?
- How flexible are your feet ?
- How high is your demi-pointe ?
- How strong are your feet ?
- How strong are your calves ?
- How well can you use your metatarsals ?
- Do you engage your turnout muscles properly ? (ie: from inside the hip joint and not the feet !)
- How good is your balance ?
- Do you have strong technique ?
- Do you have any injuries ?
All students are individually assessed by the principal Abigail Cova and another instructor.
Prior to pointe work it is expected that every student will have successfully complete a course of pre-pointe exercises for a minimum of 6 weeks.
Prior your first pointe shoe fitting you should communicate with your teacher in regards to the most appropriate pointe shoe brands, fittings, etc for you
Further Reading
Lisa Howell – pysiotherapist specialising in the education and treatment of dancers:
perfectpointeparentsmanual.pdf
International Association for Dance Medicine and Science:
“When can I start Pointe Work ?” Resource Paper:
iadms-resource-paper-guidelines-for-initiating-pointe-training.pdf
Gaynor Minden website:
“When to start Pointe ?”
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 and carers is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
The purpose of the policy:
- To provide protection for the children and young people who receive Marble Hill Dance Studio’s services, including the children of adult members or users.
- To provide instructors and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm
- This policy applies to all instructors including volunteers, students or anyone working on behalf of Marble Hill Dance Studio.
We will seek to safeguard children and young people by:
- Valuing them, listening to and respecting them
- Adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for instructors and volunteers
- Recruiting instuctors and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
- Sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, instructors and volunteers
- Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
- Providing effective management for instructors and volunteers through supervision, support and training
- We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
By paying your membership and your child attending classes at Marble Hill Dance Studio, you accept and agree to our terms and conditions.
FINANCIAL 24/25
- All fees are payable by monthly membership, collected via Stripe
- Classes run for 35 – 39 weeks per year depending on venue.
- Our costs are fixed, fees remain payable in cases of absence and are non refundable, there are no reductions for sickness or holidays
- A 48hr cancellation notice must be given for private coaching, otherwise fees will remain payable
- To withdraw your child or drop any classes at Marble Hill Dance Studio, 8 weeks notice (prior to the end of school term) must be given in writing via email, otherwise payment in lieu will be due
- A 10% discount on fees is offered to families who children attend 3 or more classes, 15% for 5 or more.
- Unpaid memberships will incur a 10% fee on the missed charge
- Children can only attend their booked class and not transfer days unless arranged in advance with the principal
UNIFORM & GROOMING
- Grooming and uniform is an important part of preparing for dance class, it should become part of the routine of getting ready and parents are expected to assist with younger students
- Dancers must wear our regulation uniform purchased from out website
- Please only purchase uniform from our designated uniform store to keep regulation and consistency of styles and colours. Wearing our uniform gives children a sense of belonging and identity
- Hair must be tied back in a bun for all ballet classes Grade 1 and above, if there is not enough time to do a bun before you enter class you must have brush, pins, spray and hair nets in your dance bag
- Greying ballet tights or socks and shoes with holes are NOT permitted
CODE OF CONDUCT
- Students MUST arrive promptly to class. They need to be ready, dance shoes on, correctly dressed for their class and wait to be called into class by their teacher
- Students MUST attend classes regularly
- Competition Squad and Associate dancers attendance is vital. If dancers miss training repeatedly they will not be allowed to perform
- During class, students are expected to listen, we discourage unnecessary talking. If a child is causing disruption, they will be asked to leave the lesson
- We do not tolerate bullying of any kind and students found to be causing distress or upset to another will be dealt with and asked to leave the school
- Mobile phones are not to be used during classes and must be stored away on silent mode. At the instructors discretion, mobile phones may be collected before the class commences
HEALTH & SAFETY
- Physical contact maybe necessary when helping to demonstrate or correct. Please see our physical contact policy
- Students will only be entered into examinations at the discretion of their teacher
- Students under 8 years old are not allowed to leave the studio unless accompanied by an adult
- Please inform your instructor of any injuries before class
- It is important to keep hydrated during physical exercise, please always pack water for your child regardless of class duration
- Marble Hill Dance Studio reserves the right to change the timetable without prior notice. All amendments will be communicated to parents and guardians
- Marble Hill Dance Studio does not accept the responsibility for items lost or stolen although anything we do find will be placed in lost property
FOR PARENTS
- At Marble Hill Dance Studio, we aim to foster and instill independence. For younger students, please bring them underdressed (ie leotard under outer clothes) so they may enter and leave the studios independently.
- Please wait outside studios until you are called by the teacher. Do not escort your child in class.
- Parents are asked to please not enter the studios at any time.
- Class observations will take place in the Summer term
Marble Hill Dance Studio (the “School”) acts as the Data Controller for the purpose of Data Protection Law.
Registered Address:
6 Glen Falloch Way, Carrickstone, Glasgow, G68 0FL
Company Number: SO306244
DATA PROTECTION LAW
General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679)
UK Data Protection Act 2018
INTRODUCTION
This Privacy Policy is intended to provide information about how the School will use (or “process”) personal data about individuals including: its instructors; its current, past and prospective students; and their parents, carers or guardians (referred to in this policy as “parents”). This information is provided because Data Protection Law gives individuals rights to understand how their data is used. Instructors, parents and students are all encouraged to read this Privacy Policy and understand the School’s obligations to its entire community. This Privacy Policy applies alongside any other information the School may provide about a particular use of personal data, for example when collecting data via an online or paper form. Anyone who works for, or acts on behalf of, the School (including instructors, volunteers and service providers) should also be aware of and comply with this Privacy Policy.
WHY THE SCHOOL NEEDS TO PROCESS PERSONAL DATA
In order to carry out its ordinary duties to instructors, students and parents, the School needs to process a small range of personal data about individuals (including current, past and prospective instructors, students or parents) as part of its daily operation. Some of this activity, the School will need to carry
out in order to fulfil its legal rights, duties or obligations – including those under a contract with its instructors, or parents of its students. Other uses of personal data will be made in accordance with the School’s legitimate interests, or the legitimate interests of another, provided that these are not
outweighed by the impact on individuals, and provided it does not involve special or sensitive types of data.
The School expects that the following uses will fall within that category of its “legitimate interests”:
• To provide performance arts education and artistic services,
• Maintaining relationships with alumni (see below) and the School community
• For the purposes of management planning and forecasting, research and statistical analysis, including that imposed or provided for by law (such as tax, diversity or gender pay gap analysis);
• To enable relevant authorities to monitor the School’s performance and to intervene or assist with incidents as appropriate;
• To give and receive information and references about past, current and prospective students, including relating to outstanding fees or payment history, to/from any educational institution that the student attended or where it is proposed they attend; and to provide references to potential
employers of past students;
• To enable students to take part in examinations, and to publish the results of examinations or other achievements of students of the School;
• To safeguard students’ welfare
• To make use of photographic images of students in School publications, on the School website and (where appropriate) on the School’s social media channels
• To carry out or cooperate with any school or external complaints, disciplinary or investigation process; and
• Where otherwise reasonably necessary for the School’s purposes, including to obtain appropriate professional advice and insurance for the School.
In addition, the School will on occasion need to process special category personal data (concerning health, ethnicity, religion) or criminal records information (such as when carrying out DBS checks) in accordance with rights or duties imposed on it by law, including as regards to safeguarding and instructor agreements, or from time to time by explicit consent where required. These reasons will include:
• To safeguard students’ welfare and to take appropriate action in the event of an emergency, incident or accident, including by disclosing details of an individual’s medical condition or other relevant information where it is in the individual’s interests to do so: for example, for medical advice, for social protection, safeguarding and cooperation with police or social services, or for insurance purposes;
• To provide educational services in the context of any special educational needs of a student;
• In connection with employment of its instructors
TYPES OF PERSONAL DATA PROCESSED BY THE SCHOOL
This will include by way of example:
• names, addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and other contact details;
• past, present and prospective students’ attendance records, information about any special needs, and examination marks;
• personnel files, for the use of safeguarding;
• where appropriate, information about student and staff health, and contact details for their next of kin;
• references given or received by the School about students, and information provided by previous dance education establishments and/or other professionals or organisations working with students;
• correspondence with and concerning instructors, pupils and parents past and present;
• transaction and order details
• demographic information
• information relating to surveys and other feedback
HOW THE SCHOOL COLLECTS DATA
Generally, the School receives personal data from the individual directly (including, in the case of students, from their parents). This may be via an online form, the customer portal, or simply in the ordinary course of interaction or communication (such as email or written assessments). However, in some exceptionally rare cases personal data maybe supplied to third parties (for example the local authority in the event of a safeguarding incident).
HOW WE USE DATA
• We do not and never will sell, rent, trade or distribute your personal data to any third parties for marketing purposes. Data may be shared with trusted service providers who are authorised to act on the School’s behalf and have entered into data processing agreements with us.
• These services may include payment processing, event ticketing, database services, website hosting and email delivery services. In these circumstances your data will only be used for the agreed purpose relating to the service that they are providing. We do not transfer any personal data to countries outside of the European Economic Area (EEA).
WHO HAS ACCESS TO PERSONAL DATA AND WHO THE SCHOOL SHARES IT WITH?
Occasionally, the School will need to share personal information relating to its community with third parties, such as professional advisers (lawyers, insurers, PR advisors and accountants), government authorities (HMRC, DfE, police or the local authority); and appropriate regulatory bodies (e.g. The
Royal Academy of Dance, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, the Information Commissioner).
• For the most part, personal data collected by the School will remain within the School and will be processed by appropriate individuals only in accordance with access protocols (ie on a‘need to know’ basis). Particularly strict rules of access apply in the context of medical records held and safeguarding files.
• However, a certain amount of any SEN student’s relevant information will need to be provided to instructors more widely in the context of providing the necessary care and dance education that the student requires.
• Instructors, students and parents are reminded that the School is under duties imposed by law and statutory guidance (including Keeping Children Safe in Education) to record or report incidents and concerns that arise or are reported to it, in some cases regardless of whether they are proven, if they meet a certain threshold of seriousness in their nature or regularity.
This is likely to include file notes on personnel or safeguarding files, and in some cases referrals to relevant authorities such as the LA or police. For further information
• Finally, in accordance with Data Protection Law, some of the School’s processing activity is carried out on its behalf by third parties, such as IT systems, web developers or cloud storage providers. This is always subject to contractual assurances that personal data will be kept securely and only in accordance with the School’s specific directions.
HOW LONG WE KEEP PERSONAL DATA
• The School will retain personal data securely and only in line with how long it is necessary to keep for a legitimate and lawful reason. Typically, the legal recommendation for how long to keep ordinary instructor and student personnel files is up to 7 years following departure from the School. However, incident reports and safeguarding files will need to be kept much longer, in accordance with specific legal requirements.
KEEPING IN TOUCH AND SUPPORTING THE SCHOOL
• The School will use the personal data of parents, alumni and other members of the School community so that we may keep them informed, by post, mobile phone or email, of the School’s developments, provide opportunities to attend events, and identify ways they can support the School. We may occasionally submit surveys to gain their feedback and views to help improve the service we currently deliver.
• We may also keep personal data of alumni and provide a resource for alumni to support their professional career and/or public image.
• Should you wish to limit or object to any such use, or would like further information about them, please contact [email protected]. You always have the right to withdraw consent, where given, or otherwise object to direct marketing. However, the School may need nonetheless to retain some of your details (not least to ensure that no more communications are sent to that particular address, email or telephone number).
RIGHTS OF ACCESS
• Individuals have various rights under Data Protection Law to access and understand personal data about them held by the School, and in some cases, ask for it to be erased or amended or have it transferred to others, or for the School to stop processing it.
• The School will be better able to respond quickly to smaller, targeted requests for information. If the request for information is manifestly excessive or similar to previous requests, the School may ask you to reconsider or require a proportionate fee, but only
where Data Protection Law allows it.
You should be aware that certain data is exempt from the right of access. This may include information which identifies other individuals, or information which is subject to legal professional privilege by the School for the purposes of the education, training or employment of any individual.
REQUESTS THAT CANNOT BE FULFILLED
You should be aware that the right of access is limited to your own personal data, and certain data is exempt from the right of access. This will include information which identifies other individuals (and parents need to be aware this may include their own children, in certain limited situations – please see further below), or information which is subject to legal professional privilege (for example legal advice given to or sought by the school, or documents prepared in connection with a legal action).
You may have heard of the “right to be forgotten”. However, we will sometimes have compelling reasons to refuse specific requests to amend, delete or stop processing your (or your child’s) personal data: for example, legal requirement, or where it falls within a legitimate interest identified in this Privacy Policy. All such requests will be considered on their own merits.
PARENTAL REQUESTS, ETC
• It should be clearly understood that the rules on subject access are not the sole basis on which information requests are handled. Parents may not have a statutory right to information, but they and others will often have a legitimate interest or expectation in
receiving certain information about pupils without their consent. The school may consider there are lawful grounds for sharing with or without reference to that student.
Parents will in general receive verbal updates about their children when requested. Where parents are separated, the school will, in most cases, aim to provide the same information to each person with parental responsibility, but may need to factor in all the circumstances including the express wishes of the child.
All information requests from, or on behalf of, or concerning students – whether made under subject access or simply as an incidental request – will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.
CONSENT
Where the School is relying on consent as a means to process personal data, any person may withdraw this consent at any time (subject to similar age considerations as above). Please be aware however that the School may have another lawful reason to process the personal data in question even without your consent.
That reason will usually have been asserted under this Privacy Policy, or may otherwise exist under some form of contract or agreement with the individual (eg an employment or parent contract, or because a purchase of goods, services or membership of an organisation such as a parents’ association has been requested).
WHOSE RIGHTS?
The rights under Data Protection Law belong to the individual to whom the data relates. However, the School will often rely on parental authority or notice for the necessary ways it processes personal data relating to students.
Where consent is required, it may in some cases be necessary or appropriate – given the nature of the processing in question, and the student’s age and understanding, to seek the student’s consent.
Parents should be aware that in such situations they may not be consulted, depending on the interests of the child, the parents’ rights at law or under their contract, and all the circumstances. In general, the School will assume that students’ consent is not required for ordinary disclosure of their personal data to their parents, eg for the purposes of keeping parents informed about the student’s activities, progress and behaviour, and in the interests of the student’s welfare. That is unless, in the School’s opinion, there is a good reason to do otherwise.
However, where a student seeks to raise concerns confidentially with a member of staff and expressly withholds their agreement to their personal data being disclosed to their parents, the School may be under an obligation to maintain confidentiality unless, in the School’s opinion, there is a good reason to do otherwise; for example where the School believes disclosure will be in the best interests of the student or other students, or if required by law.
Students are required to respect the personal data and privacy of others. Instructors are under professional duties to do the same.