Terms & Conditions

Procedures, Policies, Terms and Conditions –

·        The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama operates a zero tolerance bullying policy.

·        Parents and Guardians are expected to be punctual when collecting children at the end of their class.

·        Advance payment in full of the entire term cost will only secure a place at the Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama.

·        There is a no refund policy for children who miss classes for their own reasons (including personal illness, injury or Covid 19 symptoms or illnesses in their households)

·        We operate a no refunds policy, however, this is ultimately up to the discretion of the Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama and refunds may be issued from time to time in exceptional circumstances.

·        In the event of a force majeure, including natural disaster, terror attack, large scale weather event, pandemic, and forced closures, no classes will be expected to take place or extra classes put on to make up for classes that did not go ahead and no refunds will be given for any classes cancelled due to the particular force majeure. Refunds and extra classes are at the complete discretion of the Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama.

·        If parents/guardians and/or children are found in breach of the schools anti bullying policy, no refunds will be given for classes and/or terms cancelled and terminated by The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama.

·        The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama will tastefully use selected images and recordings of students performing in classes for their social media pages. These images and recordings will only be distributed on The Carrick Academy of Speech and Dramas’ social media pages and to no other personal or commercial accounts. The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama is very sensitive to any images and recordings taken. Parents are given the option to opt in or out of photographs and recordings at the time of online registration.

Child Protection Policy, Anti Bullying Policy and Codes of Conduct

Contents

1.   Policy Statement

2. Standards Evaluation

3. Designated Person

4. Photography and Social media

5. Communication and Anti- Bullying Policy

6. Reporting Incidents

7. Areas of Good Practice

8. The Various Codes of Behaviour

1. Policy Statement

Children are of the utmost importance to The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama. We at The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama aim to promote the participation of children in the school by creating a culture of safety and fun. “Children have the right to be protected from all forms of violence. They must be kept safe from harm and they must be given proper care by those looking after them” (Article 19: UN Convention on the Rights of the Child). All children’s activities should be conducted in an atmosphere of fairness. The Children’s Act (2001) is based on a clear and consistent set of principles designed with the common aim of promoting the welfare of children. Children have the right to be safe. All tutors should ensure that this fundamental principle takes precedent over all other considerations.

2. Standards Evaluation

Standards out set by The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama will be achieved through the following:

·        Awareness of the issues which lead to children being harmed

·        Safe recruiting procedures for all tutors/volunteers through careful selection

·        Application of codes of behaviour for all tutors/volunteers

·        Application of codes of behaviour for children/young people

·        Application of good and safe working/playing practices

·        Establishment of procedures for dealing with child protection issues /recording of complaints/accidents, report books detailing facts, witnesses, circumstances etc.

·        Procedures relating specifically to bullying and photography Identification and maintenance of parental responsibility

·        Availability of information – each parent should receive a copy or have access to the Child Protection Policy

·        All children are treated equally; the School will promote anti-discriminatory practices.

The policy applies to all those involved in The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama as Tutors, administrators, volunteers, parents/guardians and children.

3. Designated Person (with respect to Child Protection)

The ‘contact person’ or Designated Person within The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama is:

Name: Lorna Pia Greene

Address: The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama, Gaelscoil Liatroma, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim

Telephone number: 086 4454444

The name of designated person shall be made known to all in the School. She is the person to whom child protection concerns will be addressed. The School has procedures in place for dealing with concerns or allegation of abuse or neglect either within the School or externally but the first point of contact for the child, parent/guardian or tutor is the designated person. However, any individual has the right to contact Social Services or An Gardaí directly if they have concern about a child’s welfare.

4. Use of Photography and Social Media

On occasion, photographs and videos will be taken for promotional purposes. Parents/Guardians will be informed when this takes place.You and your child have the right to opt out of official images and videos at the time of online registration.

Use of Images and videos

The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama’s use of images and videos can be assumed to be acceptable, providing the following guidelines are strictly adhered to.

·        Permission to use any photos or video recordings should be sought in line with the school’s digital and video images policy noted above. If anyone, for any reason, has asked that their children not to be filmed or photographed then their wishes should be respected.

·        Under no circumstances will photographs or film be shared or uploaded online other than via school owned social media accounts

·        Staff should exercise their professional judgement about whether an image is appropriate to share on school social media accounts. Students should be appropriately dressed, not be subject to ridicule and must not be on any school list of children whose images must not be published.

5. Anti Bullying Policy

The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama has a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying.

All students are expected to act in a polite and courteous manner with each other. The positive atmosphere in our classes can be seriously undermined by disruptive and unreliable members. Students acting in an inappropriate manner or whose conduct could cause hurt or injury to others may not be admitted to class.

Types of Behaviour that are not tolerated:

·        Physical aggression

·        Damage to property

·        Intimidation

·        Gestures

·        Silent telephone/mobile phone calls

·        Abusive telephone/mobile phone calls

·        Abusive text messages

·        Abusive email/Facebook/Social media messaging

·        The production, display or circulation of written words, pictures or other materials aimed at intimidating another person

Isolation & exclusion

·        Harassment based on any of the nine grounds in the equality legislation e.g. sexual harassment, homophobic bullying, racist bullying etc

·        Name calling

·        Slagging

·        A combination of any of the types listed

Steps that are taken to deal with bullying incidents include:

Where an incident of bullying is observed by or reported to a member of staff the following measures will be taken:

·        The Tutor will speak with the accuser to ascertain what has taken place

·        The Tutor will monitor closely the activities of the respective students and their classmates

·        Persons involved in or witnessing alleged incidents of bullying are asked to write an account of the incident. This does not

·        necessarily imply that these persons have engaged in bullying behaviour

·        The investigation and questioning will be sensitive to the needs of those involved

·        The Tutor will bring their findings to the attention of the Designated Person who will then take appropriate action

·        Those who have been found to have engaged in bullying will be encouraged to recognise the inappropriateness of such behaviour and the seriousness of its effects on others

·        They will also be encouraged to apologise for their behaviour to the victim in question

·        A record of the bullying incident will be maintained in the incident book and retained in the school’s files.

Where bullying behaviour has been established as having taken place and where there is a repeated or serious offence, the parents/guardians will be notified. Parents/Guardians are expected to co-operate with these policies and to re-enforce them in the home. Appropriate sanctions will be imposed which may ultimately result in exclusion from the school. Retaliation against students or others, following or during an investigation will be regarded as a very serious breach of discipline and will merit the most serious of sanctions.

6. Guidelines for Reporting an Accident

In the event of an accident the following procedure will be followed:

·        Contact parents/guardians in the event of all accidents

·        Fill in details to the incident book

·        For more serious accidents:

– Contact emergency services/G.P. if necessary

– Record detailed facts surrounding accident, witnesses etc.

– Complete accident book as above

 Guidelines for Reporting Allegations/Incidents

·        Record all incidents reported or observed in incident book

·        Ensure confidentiality – a ‘need to know basis’

·        The designated person is responsible for report security

7. Good and Safe Working Practices

The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama will ensure:

·        Promotion of a healthy lifestyle by practice and example

·        Proper supervision of children within the school

·        Use of safe equipment where required

·        Supervision of equipment used where required

·        Public Liability Insurance covering all students of the school

·        A safe environment for students

·        Facilitation of open discussion on student protection issues

·        Tutors to be made aware of any special needs (disability) relating to a child and respond accordingly

·        Appropriate action is taken if students breach standards of reasonable behaviour

·        The establishment and maintenance of a student register

·        The setting of standards of good practice

·        The Designated Officer has knowledge of child protection procedures and responsibility in reporting concerns

·        That parents/guardians are kept informed and have access to the school’s policy guidelines for use of photography/videos

·        The implementation of good and safe working practice is developed to the mutual benefit of the students and tutors

The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama has the right to:

·        Expect Tutors to comply with its Code of Conduct

·        Expect all children to maintain standards of reasonable behaviour

·        Take appropriate action if Tutors breach the Code of Conduct or Child Protection Policy

·        Take appropriate action in the event of accusations

·        Maintain records on individuals in line with advice from data protection agency, i.e. only hold records on individuals that they have justifiable reason for holding

Children are expected to:

·        Enjoy their time at The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama

·        Keep within the defined school area

·        Behave acceptably and listen to the Tutors

·        Respect the school’s personnel and equipment

·        Take care and responsibility for any costumes or props either on loan from the school or on hire from costume hire

·        Refrain from using bad language and racial/sectarian references

·        Refrain from bullying and rough/dangerous play

·        Respect other children and adults

·        Keep safe

·        Report inappropriate behaviour and risky situations

·        Play fairly

·        Not use violence

Children have the right to:

·        Safety

·        Be listened to

·        Respect

·        Privacy

·        Enjoyment of a safe environment

·        Protection from abuse

·        Equality and fair involvement

·        Be believed

·        Ask for help

Any misdemeanours and general misbehaviour will be dealt with by the Tutors and reported to the designated person where deemed necessary. Persistent misbehaviour will result in dismissal from the School. Parents/guardians will be informed.

Dismissal can be appealed with final decisions taken by Lorna Pia Greene.

8. Codes of Behaviour for Parents/Guardians

Parents/Guardians are expected to:

·        Complete and return School registration form for The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama

·        Deliver and collect children punctually

·        Adhere to all existing updated school guidelines, policies and procedures

·        Ensure child is properly attired for classes

·        Take care and responsibility for any costumes or props either on loan from the school or on hire from costume hire

·        Detail any health concerns or special needs pertaining to the child on the consent/registration form, particularly respiratory problems, and allergies. Any health concerns should be notified to the Tutor before class

·        Inform the Tutor beforehand if the child is to be collected early/ or is expected to arrive late to class

·        Encourage the child to do his/her best

·        Show good example

·        Encourage all children’s efforts, listen and be positive

·        Be realistic

·        Ensure child’s hygiene and nutritional requirements are met

·        Promote child’s participation for fun

·        Behave and interact with tutor(s) of the Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama at all times in a respectful and ethical way that is non-threatening, slandering or defaming in manner - be this face to face, by telephone, email, text or on social media platforms. To be in breach of this will result in immediate termination of classes and terms paid for by the Parent/Guardian, with no refunds given.

·        Behave and interact with the school and the brand that is The Carrick Academy of Speech and Drama at all times in a respectful and ethical way that is non-threatening, slandering or defaming in manner - be this face to face, by telephone, email, text or on social media platforms. To be in breach of this will result in immediate termination of classes and terms paid for by the Parent/Guardian, with no refunds given.

Parents/Guardians have the right to:

·        Know the child is safe

·        Be informed of problems or concerns relating to the child

·        Be informed if the child is injured

·        Be communicated with in an honest, ethical and reasonable way at all times

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