UNIFORM

1. Compulsory items: Steppin Out T-shirt, Steppin Out Baseball Jacket, plain black joggers/ leggings (without any logos), plain black socks. 
2. Dance trainers are not allowed in the school for safety reasons.
3. No jewellery is to be worn at any time including Apple watches and fit bits.
4. Long hair must be neatly tied back for classes (this applies to all genders).
5. Footwear: Step 1: Plain black closed plimsolls (No patterns) OR black laced split sole jazz shoes (no logos/ patterns/coloured laces on shoes or bars across the shoe showing socks or flesh.
6. All children in Step 2 and above must wear compulsory split sole, laced jazz shoes. These should be purchased from Dance International in Crowthorne, Caversham or Camberley.
7. No uniform can be exchanged or refunded once ordered so please ensure you order the correct size is ordered.
8. Parents should leave coats, jackets, etc in the car to prevent too many items going in and out of the school due to Covid.
9. Jazz shoes must be kept in good condition ie: No holes and fitted correctly. Any children wearing poorly fitted shoes or ones with holes in will be asked to remove them and dance in bare feet.
10. Long sleeve tops are not allowed to be worn underneath T-shirts even in the colder months.
11. Any child that has not purchased full uniform by week 3 of joining will be suspended without refund until the uniform is purchased.

COSTUMES

1. Costumes will be required for shows. We may ask you to purchase some, others we will ask for a small contribution. If you have been asked to purchase or source a costume it will be yours to keep. If you have been asked for a contribution fee these costumes are being hired from Steppin Out and will remain our Property and we will ask these to be returned.
2. Any costumes of ours not returned will be charged at the full price.
3. Any hired costumes from us must come back in prime condition or the full amount will be charged.

FEES

1. From 31st July 2023 all existing and new students will move over to the GoCardless method and fees will be deducted automatically.
2. A £10 admin fee will apply if a direct debit needs to be changed or if it does not go through.
3. Fees not paid on time will incur a £10 late payment charge.
4. As of 31st July 2023 fees cannot be paid by cash, cheque or BACS.
5. We do not accept split payments via cash or cheque but you can split payments via GoCardless. This must be done giving a terms notice and must be approved by the Principal.
6. Admin fees of £3 per transaction occur if you are splitting your payments over 3 months.
7. Fees are reviewed annually in April.
8. We do not accept child care vouchers.
9. We offer a 50% discount for the first sibling, then for 3 children the first 2 go full price and the 3rd has a 50% reduction with no exception of group.
10. If you are late picking up your child a £10 late payment fee will apply. If you are longer than 15 minutes we will charge for the whole hour.
11. Costume, ticket, chaperone and extra rehearsal fees may apply for shows. “Steppin Out” endeavours to keep these reasonably priced and affordable for parents.
12. We do not offer refunds for Private lessons, Tap or Main Step fees if an outside activity clashes with a Steppin Out event that your child has committed to such as Formula 1, Disney etc or if your child is sick or doesn't attend. Teachers still have to be paid for thier time and so do our venues.
13. Should there be a National or Regional lock down then we will not refund any classes, where possible we will try and extend the term and we will revert back to teaching on Zoom with a full timetable. 
14. In the event of another lock down we will not have a reduced timetable but will endeavour to provide class times almost exactly as in person, but still allowing the children enough time to get on and off each Zoom meeting.
15. Steppin Out LLP nor any of our local theatres will offer any refunds on tickets for any reason.
16. Private lessons if cancelled less than 48 hours notice will not be able to be rescheduled and you will still be charged.

LEAVING

1. If a student leaves before the end of term or during a summer school for any reason, then NO refunds will be given.
2. Your Principal must be notified via e-mail giving half a term’s written notice if a student wishes to leave. This must be acknowledged by the Principal and if not, full fees will apply.
3. Unless the Principal is otherwise notified in writing by you before the sixth (6th) week of the Term, a Student is automatically re-enrolled into their class for the following term.
4. If you do not notify the Principal before the sixth week of the term that you do not wish a Student to be re-enrolled onto the following term, then you will remain liable for half of the full-term fees in respect of the next term, regardless of attendance of the Student.
5. If invoices for the term ahead have been issued then the full terms fees will be due for that term.

CLASSES AND PERFORMANCES

1. If a student is regularly disruptive or rude the school will issue a verbal warning. If this continues a written warning will follow, then exclusion from the school.
2. We operate a zero tolerance on bullying of any kind.
3. We are a fully inclusive school but if we feel a child is in anyway a danger to themselves or others then we will terminate the contract with immediate effect. The safety of our students and staff is paramount.
4. The Principal has the right to suspend or permanently exclude a student or parent at their discretion without refunding fees.
5. Any child auditioning for any show, advert or talent show must seek permission from the Principal.
6. Any child not wanting to participate in a show must let the Principal know before auditions take place.
7. If a child cannot commit to all shows for our annual show they will not be able to take part unless they are a Step 1 when they will only be required for the Sunday Matinee show.
8. No parents are allowed backstage at any time.
9. Private Singing lessons CANNOT be taken by anyone else apart from the agreed student at their allocated time. No swapping of singing lesson time or teacher is permitted.  
10. If your child has private lessons and is sick then we will try and offer a catch up lesson via Zoom. This may not be at their usual time or day and is down to staff availabilty.
11. If your child is self isolating or sick then they will not be offered an additional class to catch up and no refunds will be given.
12. All children must adhere to the rules of a show. This will include having to wear particular costumes and have their hair in a certain way. If the child refuses to abide by these rules then sadly they will not be able to take part.

PHOTOS AND PROPERTY

1. We may take promotional pictures and use these for press and promotional sources. If you do not want your child to be used in any promotional material or photos, we must receive a written letter and an e-mail at the beginning of term.
2. Our annual show will be professionally recorded. Personal cameras, phones and recording equipment will strictly be prohibited in the auditorium/performance space unless advised.
3. Any student using a mobile phone during classes will receive a written warning unless this is being used as part of a TV project. The phone will be confiscated and returned at the end of the session.
4. Please do not bring any valuables to classes.
5. “Steppin Out” does not take responsibility for any lost items, including uniform. If a child loses an item of clothing or a personal belonging “Steppin Out" will not e-mail other parents to try and source its location.

OUT OF OUR CONTROL

1. If a session is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or for a reason out of our control, no refunds will be given, where possible a catch up session via Zoom or an extra week will be added to the term if the venue can accomodate this. We may also offer classes at an alternative venue to catch up that particular class.
2. In the event of staff absence, we may need to put a replacement in place. All replacements will be DBS security checked and where possible chaperone licensed too.
3. Any child wearing “Steppin Out” uniform is representing the school. Any inappropriate behaviour when wearing this can result in your child being asked to leave.
4. No pets are allowed on any school premises at any time.

SIGNING IN AND OUT

1. Parents must escort their child and collect thier child to and from their studio door unless they are a Step 4 student who can do this themselves.
2. Parents must wait with their child until the class starts and should never just drop and leave their child unaccompanied.
3. If there is a parent of a Step 4 student who does not agree for their child to leave without them being escorted then this must be acknowledged by the Principal in writing otherwise we will release all of our Step 4 students at the same time.
4. Our responsibility ends when the session ends.
5. If a child is being picked up by an alternative parent or person then the Principal must have this in writing 24 hours before this occurs or in an emergency the Principal must be called.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND TERMINATION

1. Any negative comments/references to Steppin Out on any Social Media platforms or groups using the Steppin Out name or any misuse of the Steppin Out brand will not be tolerated. This will result in instant dismissal from the school and where necessary this will be reported to the Police. Court action will be taken if necessary.
2. In a situation where the relationship between a family and Principal or a member of staff has broken down beyond repair then the Principal has the right to terminate participation at the school with immediate effect without refunding fees.

TROUPE

1. All students must wear a Troupe Jacket to all rehearsals (Purchased online via the usual method) and a royal blue T shirt, black leggings, black socks that meet the leggings. Hair should be neatly tied back, and no jewellery should be worn at any times.
2. Uniform including jazz shoes must be kept up to a high standard and should never be torn, worn or too small.
3. Troupe Jackets can replace the normal Steppin Out Jackets in normal classes however, if a student should leave Troupe yet still attend Steppin Out classes then they must purchase a standard Steppin Out Jacket.
4. Troupe terms will differ on the number of weeks depending on what is happening that term regarding Troupe shows. Parents must understand that extra rehearsals although no extra cost to them still incurs a cost to the business for staff and venues.
5. Being a Troupe member is a privilege and the Principal has the right to terminate a Troupe members place at any time. This may/may not affect a child’s place in normal classes depending on the reason without refunding fees.
6. Troupe fees will be revised annually.
7. Troupe will always have a specific slot in the bi-annual show, The May Fayre (not the year that the Disney cast perform), The Awards night and the Woodley Carnival. They may/may not be asked to perform at other events.
8. Solos, duets and trios will be given to the best students we have at that time and will be dependent on what show we are doing. This may or may not be by audition.
9. All Troupe students must give a full terms notice upon leaving as it is hugely disruptive to the team.
10. If a Troupe student is playing a significant part in a school production/show that the Principal deems will assist with their training then Troupe rehearsals can be missed for the show only, not for a rehearsal.
11. If a student is performing in another show or residential trip that is not Steppin Out related then the Principal must be given 3 months’ notice of this, if not then that rehearsal absence will not be granted.
12. Refunds for Troupe mid-way or a few weeks into the term are non-negotiable.
13. If a student is absent for sickness, then the Principal must be given notice of at least 24 hours via email and not on the Troupe group.
14. Whatsapp groups can only be used by Troupe parents during working hours 9-5pm apart from a Thursday when the Principal will not expect any messages after the session has finished at 8.30pm giving parents a 10-minute window after the session has finished.
15. Late collections, drop offs and absences will result in a strike. Three strikes will result in a meeting with the student, Principal and parent and may result in dismissal from the Troupe.
16. Communication to the Principal should always be via email and not directly on Whatsapp or text and never via a Voice Note or out of working hours 10-5pm.This will also result in a strike. The school is incredibly busy, and it is important that the Principal and staff are given time away from the business to give you the best possible service that we can.
17. Staff Troupe members should never be contacted directly about anything only the Principal.
18. If a parent has a concern with anything Troupe related then the Principal should be called directly and not via voice note, email, Whatsapp or text. 
19.  Any kind of correspondence on the Troupe groups and or in any other form deemed inappropriate or in any way shape or form detrimental to the Principal, the Steppin Out Team or another Troupe member this will result in instant dismissal from the Troupe team.
20. We will expect Troupe parents to help by chaperoning/front of house/backstage or perhaps in the office when it is in a show.
21. Additional costume costs will incur when it is a show. The Principal will try and keep these as low as possible.
22. Disruptive behaviour from any Troupe member(s) will result in missing a show/performance and if this continues then the Troupe member will be asked to leave.