Terms & Conditions

Groundlings Drama School Terms and Conditions

The Groundlings Drama School is an integral part of the Groundlings Theatre Trust, placing an emphasis on offering a holistic approach to theatre making and performance with an emphasis on drama, musical theatre, directing and behind the scenes within the program to support young artist to develop their approach to the industry, and is led by industry professional Directors, Actors and Theatre-Makers.

Our aim is to provide a fun, friendly atmosphere that enables participants to explore new opportunities, develop skills and create theatre, enjoying the range of opportunities that Groundlings Theatre has to offer.

What we offer:

Workshop classes led by industry standard professionals, offering skills sessions in different performance styles
The opportunity to perform as part of our program such as showcases and larger scale productions including potential participation in National Theatre Connections, Fringe Festivals, and Shakespeare Schools Festival.
A nurturing environment that seeks to develop your creative confidence and empower you to learn about the industry
Opportunities to develop new skills, make friends and be part of a like-minded community of young performers.

What to expect:

Groundlings Drama School is open to performers and theatre makers between the ages of 13-18 (Groundlings Youth Theatre) and 7-18 (Musical Theatre Drama School). Our class sizes are small, allowing our teachers to get to know pupils and support them individually. All our classes are taught by industry professionals with experience in both performance and production who bring contemporary theatre practice to the studio and use examples from their careers to make the learning experience accessible.

Our Team

Rhys Chant – Drama School Coordinator and Youth Theatre Lead Facilitator

Julie Faye - Musical Theatre Drama Teacher

Bee Anderson - Musical Theatre Dance teacher

Nathan Camilleri - Musical Theatre Singing Teacher

Iain Banachowicz – Operations Manager for Groundlings

How to contact us

In the first instance please contact us via email on dramaschool@groundlings.co.uk. For any urgent matters, please call our box office on 02392 737370 and either speak to a member of staff or leave a message.

Groundlings Drama School Code of Conduct

Groundlings Drama School aims to provide a positive and professional experience for young artists and theatre-makers. We believe that foremost to this experience is a safe and welcoming learning environment where participants can explore, create and experiment safely with support and encouragement. To ensure we achieve this, we ask that participants follow our guidelines and policies. We want to make sure that young artists get the best out of their sessions, so please read through the following guidance before completing your registration with us.

Punctuality

Our creative team are committed to being punctual and respectful of our participants time and would ask that participants have the same respect for others. It is vital that participants arrive on time, with the correct materials and appropriate clothing.

This enables our facilitators to start our sessions promptly, as a company, which prevents impeding the learning of others and reduces the risk of injury should participants miss the warm-up.

In some instances, lateness is unavoidable and is part of life. We would ask that participants inform staff where possible of potential or planned lateness or absence.

On site monitoring

The Groundlings Theatre Trust can only be responsible for participants when on site.

All participants must sign in on arrival and sign out on departure. Participants agree to only sign themselves in and out and must not sign on behalf of others – if they are found to be doing so, they may risk being denied permission to go off site.

If a participant wishes to arrive or leave on their own at any time, Groundlings Theatre Trust must have received written permission for a relevant and appropriate adult to do so.

Attendance

Attendance is important for continuity. If sessions are missed it can be very hard for participants to catch up, especially if the company are working towards a performance. We do however understand there will be times where cannot be avoided due to illness or personal reasons and kindly ask that we are made aware in advance.

Discipline

Groundlings Theatre promotes an inclusive, welcoming and respectful environment where all participants support one another, respect each other and are professional towards others. Anti-social behavior, such as bullying, swearing, fighting or derogatory comments are and if a participant is seen to be behaving in this way they will given a warning and conversations had with relevant adults. If the problem does not improve it may result in a request for a participant to withdraw from the youth theatre.

Poor behavior and intimidation of staff by parents or guardians is not accepted in any circumstances and failure to observe this could result in a ban from the premises. Parents and Guardians are not permitted to be in the room whilst the company is working, unless given permission by a staff member beforehand.

Dress Code

Participants are expected to wear appropriate attire for sessions, this is for safety and to be able to fully participate, as well as support the idea that we are a company of developing actors and artists. Participants should come to sessions in appropriate clothes such as jogging bottoms, leggings, a t-shirt or jumper and comfortable trainers. No jeans, crop tops, skirts or inappropriate footwear including boots, heels, open toe shoes etc. We have a policy where no-one is allowed to go barefoot in the building.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are an integral part of society and social interaction, Groundlings Drama School acknowledges the potential benefits of technology and skill building that devices such as phone can offer to theatre-makers. However, it is also important that Groundlings Theatre Trust promotes a culture of safety and use of mobile devices must be appropriate and proportionate to relevant tasks. Participants are asked to keep their mobile devices in their bags during sessions. No participant should be on their phone without instruction from a member of staff, and taking photos and videos of themselves or other participants is not permitted.

Medical

Participants should bring plenty of water to keep hydrated, and a healthy snack to boost their energy.

Guardians must ensure that the medical questionnaire is filled out correctly and kept updated. If a participant has any medical issues that may impact their time whilst with us, please let us know privately, so we can work together to make sure that participants are safe and healthy.

Since COVID-19, we ask participants to be far more conscious of their personal health. If a participant is suffering f rom symptoms of the infection and/or is in direct contact with someone who is suffering symptoms, they should not come to youth theatre until a doctor has said it is safe for them to do so.

Emergency Contact Details

Please provide Groundlings Theatre with a contact number where you can be reached in an emergency. Ensure this number is updated if your details change.

Photography & Videography Policy

Groundlings Theatre Trust works with children and families as part of its activities. These include our Drama school, cast members in our in house productions and other events and activities held at the theatre.

The purpose of this policy statement is to: 

protect children and young people who take part in Groundlings Theatre Trust’s services, events and activities, specifically those where photographs and videos may be taken
set out the overarching principles that guide our approach when photos and videos are being taken of children and young people during our events and activities
to ensure that we operate in line with our values and within the law when creating, using and sharing images of children and young people.

 This policy statement applies to all staff, volunteers and other adults associated with Groundlings Theatre Trust.

We believe that: 

children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to take, share and use images of children safely.

We recognise that: 

sharing photographs and video footage of our activities can help us celebrate the successes and achievements of our children and young people, provide a record of our activities and raise awareness of our organisation
the welfare of the children and young people taking part in our activities is paramount
children, their parents and carers have a right to decide whether their images are taken and how these may be used, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation
consent to take images of children is only meaningful when children, their parents and carers understand how the images will be used and stored, and are fully aware of the potential risks associated with the use and distribution of these images
there are potential risks associated with sharing images of children online.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by: 

always asking for written consent from a child and their parents or carers before taking and using a child’s image
always explaining what images will be used for, how they will be stored and what potential risks are associated with sharing images of children
making it clear that if a child or their family withdraw consent for an image to be shared, it may not be possible to delete images that have already been shared or published
changing the names of children whose images are being used in our published material whenever possible (and only using first names if we do need to identify them)
never publishing personal information about individual children and disguising any identifying information (for example the name of their school or a school uniform with a logo)
making sure children, their parents and carers understand how images of children will be securely stored and for how long (including how we will control access to the images and their associated information)
reducing the risk of images being copied and used inappropriately by:
only using images of children in appropriate clothing (including safety wear if necessary)
avoiding full face and body shots of children taking part in activities such as swimming where there may be a heightened risk of images being misused
using images that positively reflect young people’s involvement in the activity.

Photography and/or filming for personal use 

When children themselves, parents, carers or spectators are taking photographs or filming at our events and the images are for personal use, we will publish guidance about image sharing and announce details of our photography policy before the start of the event.

This might include:

reminding parents, carers and children that they need to give consent for Groundlings Theatre Trust to take and use their images
asking for photos taken during the event not to be shared on social media or asking people to gain permission from children, their parents and carers before sharing photographs and videos that include them
recommending that people check the privacy settings of their social media account to understand who else will be able to view any images they share
reminding children, parents and carers who they can talk to if they have any concerns about images being shared.

Photography and/or filming for Groundlings Theatre Trust’s use 

We recognise that our teachers may use photography and filming as an aid in activities such as music or drama. However, this should only be done with Groundling Theatre Trust’s permission and using our equipment.

Children, young people, parents and carers must also be made aware that photography and filming is part of the programme and give written consent.  

If we hire a photographer for one of our events, we will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

providing the photographer with a clear brief about appropriate content and behaviour
ensuring the photographer wears identification at all times
informing children, their parents and carers that a photographer will be at the event and ensuring they give written consent to images which feature their child being taken and shared
not allowing the photographer to have unsupervised access to children
not allowing the photographer to carry out sessions outside the event or at a child’s home
reporting concerns regarding inappropriate or intrusive photography following our child protection procedures.

Photography and/or filming for wider use 

If people such as local journalists, professional photographers (not hired by Groundlings Theatre Trust) or students wish to record one of our events and share the images professionally or in the wider world, they should seek permission in advance.

They should provide:

the name and address of the person using the camera
the names of children they wish to take images of (if possible)
the reason for taking the images and/or what the images will be used for
a signed declaration that the information provided is valid and that the images will only be used for the reasons given.

Groundlings Theatre Trust will verify these details and decide whether to grant permission for photographs/films to be taken. We will seek consent from the children who are the intended subjects of the images and their parents and inform the photographer of anyone who does not give consent.

At the event we will inform children, parents and carers that an external photographer is present and ensure the photographer is easily identifiable, for example by issuing them with a coloured identification badge.

If Groundlings Theatre Trust is concerned that someone unknown to us is using their sessions for photography or filming purposes, we will ask them to leave and (depending on the nature of the concerns) follow our child protection procedures.

If consent to take photographs is not given 

If children, parents and/or carers do not consent to photographs being taken, we will respect their wishes. We will agree in advance how they would like to be identified so the photographer knows not to take pictures of them, and ensure this is done in a way that does not single out the child or make them feel isolated.

We will never exclude a child from an activity because we do not have consent to take their photograph.

Storing images 

We will store photographs and videos of children securely, in accordance with data protection law. Photographs or videos of children and young people will be stored on a secure server that is only accessible by Groundlings Theatre staff.

Related policies and procedures 

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies and procedures, including:

Safeguarding policy
Code of conduct for staff and volunteers.

Groundlings Drama School Terms & Conditions

By enrolling your child at Groundlings Drama School, you accept these terms and conditions ("Terms & Conditions") and sign your agreement to them as an ongoing agreement between you and The Groundlings Youth Theatre ("Agreement").

The Agreement is made between the parent/guardian ("Parent", "you" or "your") of each enrolled student ("Student", "Pupil") by a Parent and The Groundlings Theatre Trust ("Groundlings Youth Theatre", "we", "our", "us") (trading as Groundlings Drama School) and is valid at all times whilst the Student is enrolled on any Groundlings Drama School and until such time as written notice is given in accordance with these Terms & Conditions.

1. INTRODUCTION 

1.1 These Terms & Conditions apply to all our Groundlings Drama School classes.

1.2 For participation of a Student in a Groundlings Drama School all Parents are required to consent to these Terms & Conditions by signature on the New Student Contact form. We may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time. By receiving these Terms & Conditions and the student continuing to attend Classes, you are verbally agreeing to the conditions set out in this agreement regardless of whether Groundlings Theatre Trust receive a signed copy of the agreement.

1.4 Any changes to these Terms & Conditions require the written consent or approval of Groundlings Theatre Trust.

1.5 A "Course" refers to a course of classes offering tuition in dance, drama, and singing which will be delivered during the Term. Course classes will take place once per week for a certain number of hours, as detailed at the time of booking.

1.6 "Groundlings Theatre management" refers to a member of the management team at Groundlings Theatre Trust

1.7 "Term" refers to one normal academic term of Groundlings Drama School during which Courses are run. There will be a minimum of twelve (12) classes per term.

1.8 "Term Dates" refers to the dates for the relevant Term.

1.9 "Workshop" refers to a one-off course offering tuition in drama, theatre-making, directing or other performing arts related activities which will be delivered for a certain number of hours per day for a period of between one (1) and five (5) consecutive days and can run at any time throughout the year.

2. ENROLLING A NEW STUDENT IN THE GROUNDLINGS DRAMA SCHOOL

2.1 To apply for a place for a new Student on a Groundlings Drama class, the Parent must agree to these Terms & Conditions and complete a registration form before the student joins a class.

2.2 If The Groundlings Drama School is unable to accept the Student due to capacity reasons, the Student may, at the Parent's discretion, be placed on a reserve list.

2.3 Current Term Dates, Times, Fees and all relevant course details for Groundlings Drama School will be confirmed and sent via email. It will also be available in writing to collect from the box office.

2.4 All such terms and conditions detailed in any further literature shall be incorporated into this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Parent upon payment by, or on behalf of, the Parent.

2.5 Fees for The Groundlings Drama School will vary between the different classes available.

2.6 The first session a student undertakes is known as a taster session. Once the session is finished there is no commitment to further continue the classes and no fees will be required. If the student continues with further classes then all parts of the Terms & Conditions come into effect.

2.7 If a student completes two or more classes in the term the Parent or Guardian will be liable for the full term’s fees. Exceptions will be made upon appeal to the Groundlings Theatre Management and made in outstanding circumstances.

3. BALANCE PAYMENTS

3.1 For a Student enrolled on a Course, Parents are required to either pay the full term’s fees up front or set up the appropriate payment plan as instructed by Groundlings Drama School (the "Balance").

3.2 If paying the Balance in full the following methods are offered:

Bank transfer; Credit card (American Express is not accepted); Debit card; Cheque (Payable to Groundlings Theatre); Cash;

3.5 If the payment is being paid monthly:

3.5.1. this payment must be made by Direct Debit via GoCardless.

3.6 If payment has not been made or is overdue and a warning given, Groundlings Drama School has the right to refuse entry to the student until the balance owed is paid.

3.7 The Groundlings Drama School has the right to refuse re-enrolment to the following Term if balances owed are consistently overdue.

4. COURSES

4.1 Once enrolled on a Course, Term Dates for the next Term will be made known to Parents at the end of the current Term.

4.2 If a Course session falls on a bank holiday then a replacement class will also be added onto the end of the current Term timetable or the subsequent Term.

4.3 If in an exceptional circumstance, a class is cancelled, a replacement class will added on the end of the current Term timetable or the subsequent Term.

4.4 Unless The Groundlings Drama School is otherwise notified in writing by you before the eighth (8th) week of the Course, a Student is automatically re-enrolled onto the Course for the following Term. If paying by the monthly payment plan the monthly payments owed to complete payment for the present term must be completed.

4.5 If you do not notify The Groundlings Drama School before the eighth (8th) week of the Course that you do not wish a Student to be re-enrolled onto the following Term of the Course, 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. COURSE TRIAL PERIODS 

5.1 Where a new Student is attending a Course for the first time, subject to availability, The Groundlings Drama School allows a one (1) session taster ("Taster Session") so that the Student may try the first (1) session of the Course. The Taster Session only applies to Courses for new Students.

5.2 If the Student attends a further session after the Taster Session, you are liable to pay for the full term regardless of whether the student completes the term.

5.3 If no cancellation is made in accordance with clause 5.2, the Agreement for the Course will continue for the duration of the Term and, unless written notice is provided to The Groundlings Drama School by the Parent before the end of the eighth (8th) week of the Term, the Agreement will automatically renew for the following Term's Course in accordance with clause 4.4. For the avoidance of doubt, if you do not choose to exercise your right to cancel in accordance with clause 5.2 and the Student later wishes to stop attending the Course during the Term, then The Groundlings Drama School is unable to refund the Balance for the Term and notice for cancellation will take effect from the start of the next Term.

6. USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

6.1 The personal data (as it is defined in the Data Protection Act 2018) of a Student and/or Parent will be processed by The Groundlings Drama School in accordance with its Privacy Policy. A hard copy of the Privacy Policy can be requested from Groundlings Theatre.

6.2 The Groundlings Drama School owns all the rights, title and interest in and to its websites, including software, text and media and its trade marks, logos and brand elements. Nothing within these Terms & Conditions affects or licences the ownership of these rights. Any intellectual property created during any Course, is owned by The Groundlings Drama School.

7. HEALTH AND INJURIES

7.1 Students participate at their own risk and are obliged to inform The Groundlings Drama School and its staff of any existing injuries or medical condition. All application forms must have any known medical conditions stated and any changes to such information must be notified to The Groundlings Youth Theatre immediately in writing.

7.2 If you are unsure whether a Student should participate in any activity please consult the Student's GP before enrolling the Student on a The Groundlings Drama School.

7.3 Any medication left on the school premises must be clearly labelled and the Student should, unless The Groundlings Drama School has agreed in writing otherwise, be able to administer it themselves.

7.4 Students must wear suitable footwear and clothing at all times, including The Groundlings Youth Theatre uniform for all Courses. If footwear is removed, Groundlings Theatre are not liable for any injuries that may result. Suitable footwear is shown on the uniform sheet.

7.5 If a Student is unwell or has an accident requiring emergency treatment, the Parent will be contacted via the emergency contact details provided. If necessary, Groundlings Theatre will take a Student to emergency facilties before they have the Parent’s consent. If you do not wish this to happen in any circumstance you may state this clearly in writing. This number must always be contactable whilst the Student is attending the The Groundlings Youth Theatre Activity.

7.6 Parents are solely responsible for ensuring that the emergency contact details on The Groundlings Drama School's records are up to date.

8. PERSONAL PROPERTY

8.1 Students are obliged to take care of their own belongings. The Groundlings Drama School can accept no liability for lost or damaged belongings.

8.2 You acknowledge that the maximum aggregate liability of The Groundlings Drama School to a Student or Parent under these Terms & Conditions shall not exceed the The Groundlings Drama School fee to which a claim relates.

8.3 The liability of The Groundlings Drama School and that of its staff is restricted to class time only and then only to gross negligence.

9. GENERAL

9.1 The Groundlings Drama School may, at its own discretion, refuse a Student entry to a The Groundlings Youth Theatre Activity or session of a The Groundlings Drama Schoolif it is felt that the Student's behaviour is unacceptable.

9.2 The Groundlings Drama School reserves the right to make changes to the timetable and to the teaching staff from the advertised programme in the event of illness or other circumstances beyond our control.

9.3 Where a session of a The Groundlings Drama School has to be cancelled by The Groundlings YDrama School, Groundlings Theatre Management will give as much notice as possible. In the event of a last minute session cancellation, you will be notified by email, text message, a call to your mobile phone or through a designated The Groundlings Drama School social media site. Parents must ensure that they provide Groundlings Theatre Management with up-to-date contact details.

9.4 It is occasionally necessary to change the time and/or venue of a The Groundlings Drama School session. This will only be done if absolutely necessary and The Groundlings Drama School will do its best to keep class times and locations as similar as possible but unfortunately this cannot always be guaranteed.

9.5 In the event that a Student is unable to attend a The Groundlings Drama School session, due to sickness, holiday or a decision by the Parent or Student not to attend, The Groundlings Drama School regrets that it is unable to refund any payment.

9.6 All Students must be collected on time after a session. The Groundlings Drama School is unable to supervise Students after a session and consistent late collection will result in additional charges.

9.8 If a Student is denied entry for whatever reason to a class then The Groundlings Drama School is unable to supervise the Student and is not liable for any further responsibility.

9.9 The Groundlings Drama School fees are reviewed annually and may be increased in September of each year or within 30 days notice by Groundlings Theatre Management.

9.10 These Terms & Conditions, together with any further literature, constitute the entire agreement between the parties which supersedes and extinguishes all previous agreements, promises, assurances, warranties, representations and understandings between them, whether written or oral, relating to its subject matter.

9.11 In the event that one or more of the provisions of the Agreement are found to be unlawful or otherwise unenforceable, those provisions shall be deemed severed from the remainder of the Agreement.

9.12 The Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England and Wales and any dispute, proceedings or claim shall fall within the jurisdiction of the English courts.

10. COMPLAINTS

10.1 Any complaints or grievances must be made in writing to the Groundlings Theatre Management. The Groundlings Drama School will not accept any situation where staff are confronted or any complaints are addressed outside of an arranged meeting.