TERMS AND CONDITIONS    IMPORTANT - please read carefully

 

In order for students to benefit fully from the teaching and directing we provide, regular attendance to classes is paramount. Parents and students should recognise that in joining Theatre Arts Academy they are making a commitment. Without dedication, commitment  and support from our students and their families we are unable to produce the high quality productions we have become known for.  

As a small independent business  we work hard to deliver quality training and performance experiences at the lowest possible rates and to be as inclusive as possible. Prompt payment by parents and fee payers is a vital for our survival.
Whilst all fees must be paid in full (unless the student is on Scholarship) we ask that if parents or fee payers are experiencing any difficulties in meeting fees, they speak directly to us and we will try to arrange a mutually convenient payment plan, however we will always endeavour
to recover all unpaid fees. Where necessary will do this through the small claims court process where fees are unpaid after 6 months, (or 3 months if the student  no longer attends  Theatre Arts Academy)  Details of overdue fees will be passed to our overdue accounts manager who
will seek to recover monies owed either directly or, where necessary, through the small claims court .
 NB: Under no circumstances can Theatre Arts Academy act as negotiator or offer arbitration services to separated parents regarding who is responsible for payment of fees. 
 

If a parent wishes to withdraw a child from any of our classes, a minimum of half a terms notice via email is required. If notice is not

received, half a term's fees will be charged in lieu. This is a shorter notice period than  standard  practice throughout independent & vocational schools who usually require a full term. Where a child wishes to take a term or half term out of classes  (due to professional performance work, school commitments, 11+ tutoring or any other reason) half a term's notice  or fees in lieu is still required.  If  the student then returns after a break of up to 6 months (subject to a place being available) Any fees paid in lieu of notice will be deducted from their return invoice. This is non-transferable to other students. To 'hold open' a place for a student during a temporary period of absence, fees must be paid in full for the whole of the intended absence period.
 

LAMDA exam coaching runs for 8 weeks each term. If a LAMDA student does not wish to renew their coaching for the following term, parents
must inform us by email on, or before, their child's final coaching session. If no email to the contrary is received, students will automatically continue to be enrolled for LAMDA exam coaching the following term. (NB: LAMDA exam coaching times/groups/timetables /tutors will change from term to term as students move classes or grades. New timetables are sent out before the start of each term) LAMDA exam coaching and LAMDA exams are optional extras. 
When entering students for LAMDA exams, Theatre Arts Academy pay the student's exam fees directly to LAMDA and invoice parents/fee payers. who then make their exam fee payment directly to Theatre Arts Academy.
Parents/fee payers must make their payment promptly upon receipt being invoiced. Late payment can have a negative impact on our small business, causing cash flow issues and extra administrative work, therefore Theatre Arts may charge an additional £25 administration fee where exam payments are not received within 7 days of being invoiced, unless we are informed of there being exceptional circumstances. 
Parents are advised  of exam dates in advance of their student being entered for an exam. If the student is then unable to attend the exam after
the entry has been submitted to LAMDA the full exam fee must still be paid by
the parent . If the exam absences is due to illness, parents may apply to LAMDA with a doctors letter for a refund of up to 50% of the exam fee paid, provided they do so within 5 working days of the exam date.
 

Notice for LAMDA students
 If a student stops LAMDA coaching without giving the required notice parents will be charged for the LAMDA coaching in full until we have
received emailed confirmation that the student is not continuing, after which any shortfall must be covered by parents for the remainder of the 8 week term or until their place is filled by another student. 
In the event of forced or advised temporary closure of the Academy for any reason beyond the control of the Academy, 
including bad weather / acts of (or threats of) terrorism, riot or  war / the outbreak of (or containment of) contagious illness,
we will advise parents via email. If this happens classes will be delivered on-line at their usual time. Dance routines, songs and acting tasks will be taught using private you-tube links and lyrics and scripts etc will be sent via email. LAMDA coaching will be delivered as scheduled but via online face-time.
If we are unable to deliver classes on-line or we have to cancel rehearsals, performances, exams or any other events already 
paid for by parents,  all monies paid will be carried over to the following term, or until classes resume.
 
 A £10  Early Bird discount is applied to Saturday Junior, Inter or Advanced lessons when a terms fees are paid in full on or before their due date. The Early Bird discount only applies to those who attend Saturday Junior or Senior classes and is not applicable after the date that fees are due. If payment is being made half termly (by arrangement only) the first half payment must be received on the first week of term.
Parents/carers sign in agreement to our terms and conditions on their child's registration form when joining.

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Professional representation
If a student is represented by an agency other than Theatre Arts Academy we must be informed. Unless a student has informed us that they have alternative representation, or that they do not wish to be considered for professional work, we will suggest students who fit a casting brief to trusted casting directors.  We will fully support our students and clients through the audition process and if they are offered work will will represent them and manage all contracts, payments, invoices, license applications etc. Our agency commission for current students is reduced to 8% of all child earnings. (Commission is charged at 12% for children who are not current students at Theatre Arts Academy)

Expected standards of behaviour.
All students and their parents and carers are expected to behave politely and with respect to all staff,  assistants and students, both whilst at classes, rehearsals and TAA performances and events and at all other times away from Theatre Arts Academy.  This expectation of behaviour extends to social media.
Students are expected to act with encouragement and  support to fellow students at all times, both in person and via all social media and messaging sites.  Theatre Arts will look into any allegations of behaviour falling short of this expectation and if the situation cannot be resolved
the perpetrator will be expelled from Theatre Arts Academy and no fees will be refunded. 
Please also see our child protection policy and our photographic and social media policies.

Casting for productions:

Whilst  some children may be very confident  performing for parents and friends at home, they may present themselves quite differently at
Theatre Arts Academy when they are among a large group of other talented children. When casting productions we consider attendance,  confidence, work ethic and ability as we see it . All our casting is final and we ask parents to support our casting decisions. When a student's
fees are overdue, they will not be including in any external performance opportunities or invited to take part in any extra activities, eg theatre trips that involve an additional cost or participation fee. This is to ensure monies owed do not continue to increase.

All classes must be paid for in full including those missed for any reason, including illness or leave for professional or amateur performance work. Sibling discounts are set at 10% for two children and 20% for three or more children from the same family. We ask for a minimum of one  term's initial commitment if starting at the beginning of a term. This ensures consistency for our existing students and gives new students a reasonable time to settle in, make friends and decide if Theatre Arts Academy is right for them.  

To ensure the safety of all our staff and students, we will not tolerate rude, intimidating or aggressive behaviour from students, or from parents or carers of children, whether directed at staff, fellow students or parents of students. Behaviour that offends or intimidates will result in the child or the child of the offender, being expelled from all classes, workshops and performances and no refund of fees paid will be made.