Covid-19 Protocols

Last revised Sept 2021

In order to reassure our teachers and students, certain aspects of our COVID-19 Protocols will remain in place.

Preparation

• We have installed additional basins in the studios to allow for hand washing to not take up class time.
• We have air purifiers in each studio (2 in Studio 1) so that we do not have to leave doors open but we will also do this if it is not too cold outside.
• Our cleaning regime is rigorous and we are using clinical standard floor cleaner, wipes and sprays.
• We have 70+% alcohol hand sanitizer handwashing facilities with appropriate standard handwash and papertowels going in no touch bins that are emptied regularly.
• Our waiting rooms will be used to space out students and keep crowding to a minimum and will be regularly cleaned  – we will not be allowing additional non-dancers or staff into the studios for the forseeable future
• Our staff will continue taking Lateral Flow Tests

Booking Classes

• Classes should be booked and confirmed through Basingstoke Academy of Dancing by email tanya@basingstokeacademy.co.uk or via the online booking system.
• We will continue to use contactless payment systems. Invoices will be sent by email.
• We will not be using daily health declarations but it is VITALLY important that consideration of symptoms is noted every time you bring your children/yourselves to the studios.  DO NOT BRING SICK STUDENTS TO THE STUDIO.
• If the individual, or a member of their household, is currently showing symptoms, the student will not be able to attend the classes at the studio.
  • Symptoms to be aware of include: high temperature, continuous cough, loss of or change in sense of taste and smell
  • For advice on what to do if a member of your household is displaying symptoms, please follow the Government’s guidance. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
• There are limited numbers per studio and reserve lists may be run for popular classes. If you/your child can no longer attend, please contact Basingstoke Academy of Dancing as soon as possible so that the spot can be given to another student.

Arriving at/leaving the studio

• Please be careful of cars outside the studio – all drivers, particularly round the back should drive slowly and be mindful of children need to cross the car park.
• Students should arrive 5-10 mins prior to start of class. There must be timely pick ups and drop offs
• Only teachers, the Pastoral Supervisor, pre-booked students, and any other BAD worker needed onsite specifically, will be on the premises. There will be no admittance to any other persons.
• Entrances and exits will be as follows so that passing people flows are minimized and surface contact is reduced.
  • Studio 1: Back door
  • Studio 2 & 3: Waiting Room Doors at front of studio
• Students arriving for more than one class are generally in the same room but where they do have to change rooms this will be supervised and managed to avoid children passing each other necessarily. Students will leave the building based on the last class – so may be a different exit from entrance.
• Teachers will maintain online registers.
• Anyone entering the building will be required to wash their hands on arrival. You can also watch this at the following link:
  https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
• Students are not permitted to wait in the studio when it is not their class.

Preparing for class

• Students are requested to come “almost” ready and bring a small/medium size bag that will take all their belongings. This should be limited to:
  • Outer covering
  • Shoes
  • Water bottle (we cannot allow access to the kitchen for students)
  • Individual towel
• Any tasks that can be done at home (hair/dressing) should be done at home.
• Each student will have a designated chair to change and keep their belongings  – these may now be 1m or more apart.
• Each studio has designated areas for class participants, separate from the other studios.
• The kitchen will be out of bounds, so please ensure the student brings sufficient water.
• It is encouraged that students use the toilet before arriving at the studios.
• Toilets will operate on a ‘one in, one out’ basis in order to maintain personal spacing (please see below in regard to cleaning). The toilet that was denominated as the “male” toilet has been made unisex to allow for better people flow.

During class

• Classes will still be operated in a manner that respects personal space on the whole although strict adherence to 2m distancing may be relaxed a little.
• Students will be clearly informed by teachers of where to stand during each part of the class.
• Any coughs or sneezes should be covered by a tissue or flexed elbow, then hands should be washed.
• Props will available for use and sanitised each time.
• Travelling movements will be performed in smaller groups with other class participants waiting in designated waiting spots/personal spaces to allow for increased distancing between students.
• When travelling, class participants will not be face to face
• There will very limited contact work but not in normal grade classes.

Masks/Face Coverings

• We understand that some participants may feel more comfortable wearing a mask/face covering and if they decide to, the following should be noted:
  • Masks should fit snugly over the nose and mouth and should not be touched once placed on the face
  • Masks should be worn fully and not around the chin or neck
  • If the mask gets damp, it should be changed.
• Teachers will not be wearing a mask/face covering as this makes it difficult to speak clearly to the class. They will don a mask if any closer contact is needed, such as help with shoelaces, but the Pastoral Supervisor will mainly do this.
• The PS will be wearing a mask/face covering if needing to come in close contact with any of the students.

Developing symptoms

• In the event of someone developing symptoms while at the studio, the individual will be isolated in the reception area until they can be collected and monitored by the Pastoral Supervisor.
• The individual will be advised to follow the current guidelines set out by Public Health England and seek guidance from a GP or healthcare professional.
• In this instance, Public Health England will decide whether other participants also need to self-isolate.
• If someone identifies as contracting COVID 19, we will inform the necessary people through our ‘track and trace’ record for appropriate precautions to be followed.

Cleaning

• The studios will be cleaned thoroughly, daily and at other appropriate intervals during the day.
• The Pastoral Superviosr (as well as teachers) will be cleaning high contact surface areas regularly (inclusive of personal space chairs, dance floors and barres).
• Toilets will be cleaned and cleared of waste regularly throughout the day. A schedule will be displayed.
• Paper towel dispensers and foot pedal bins have been installed in the toilets and kitchen. NHS and government guidelines recommend drying hands and turning off the taps using paper towels.
• Bins will be emptied frequently.
• No-contact hand sanitisers have been installed at the studio.
• The studio will have sufficient, appropriate cleaning products available. These will be stored safely away from children. 

Please see the Government and Public Health England websites for further information. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tanya at Basingstoke Academy of Dancing to discuss 07768 124062