Terms & Conditions

Off the Ground (OTG) Youth Theatre – Terms & Conditions

By enrolling your child in Off the Ground (OTG) Youth Theatre, you agree to the following terms and conditions regarding their participation, safety, and conduct.

1. Registration, Bookings, and Eligibility

  • Eligibility: Youth theatre sessions are open to students with a minimum age of 10 and a maximum age of 21.
  • Online Booking: All students must be strictly enrolled through our online booking system prior to joining any session.
  • Parental Responsibility: It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to ensure that all student details, including emergency contacts and medical information, are kept accurate and up to date at all times.

2. Arrival and Pick-Up

  • Timings: Parents and guardians are responsible for the drop-off and pick-up of students at the stipulated start and end times of each session.
  • Location: Students are to be dropped off and collected at the gate at the rear of Calday School.
  • Authorized Persons: Only trusted adults, as established in advance with OTG, are permitted to conduct drop-offs and pick-ups.

3. Enrolment, Fees, and Refunds

  • Fees & Extenuating Circumstances: All fees must be paid at the start of term, or via appropriate subscription model as selected. Refunds are generally not offered on youth theatre fees unless extenuating circumstances allow. Extenuating circumstances are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Bursaries: OTG offers bursary places in good faith to support accessibility. Please note that bursary places can be withdrawn at any time.
  • Right of Refusal: OTG reserves the right to refuse youth theatre provision to any student.

4. Safeguarding and Child Protection

  • Staff Checks: All of OTG’s tutors are fully DBS checked.
  • Safeguarding Practices: OTG maintains up-to-date safeguarding practices and policies that are strictly in line with educational institutions.
  • Training & Review: We conduct regular safeguarding training with all staff and review our safeguarding policies regularly to ensure ongoing compliance and maximum safety for all students.

5. Health, Medical, and First Aid

  • First Aid Consent: By agreeing to these Terms & Conditions, parents/guardians consent that qualified tutors and staff may perform first aid on their child/ward where appropriate or necessary.
  • Disclosure: Parents/carers must disclose all known allergies, medical conditions, and dietary requirements during enrolment.
  • Nut-Aware Environment: OTG operates a strict Nut-Aware Policy, meaning young people and staff are prohibited from bringing nuts or nut-containing products to sessions or performances.
  • Medication & Auto-Injectors: Participants prescribed Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIs) must bring two in-date auto-injectors to every session, rehearsal, and performance.
  • Risk Assessments: An Allergy Risk Assessment will be created for any participant with a diagnosed allergy, prescription AAI, or specific medical requirement, detailing emergency contacts, triggers, and step-by-step emergency instructions.

6. Responsibility for Personal Belongings

  • Liability: Off the Ground Theatre accepts no responsibility or liability for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal items brought to youth theatre sessions, rehearsals, or performances. Students are advised to keep valuables at home.

7. Code of Conduct

  • Respect & Inclusivity: Participants must treat all individuals with kindness, courtesy, and respect, and avoid any behavior that could be considered bullying, harassment, or discrimination. Students are expected to support and encourage fellow participants, fostering a spirit of teamwork and ensuring everyone feels valued.
  • Commitment & Professionalism: Students are expected to arrive on time, come prepared, and follow instructions from directors, tutors, and staff promptly and respectfully. Participants must respect the time and effort of others by committing fully to the youth theatre’s schedule and notifying staff as soon as possible if unable to attend.
  • Safety & Property: Participants must report any unsafe situations, hazards, or concerns to staff immediately and follow all health and safety guidelines. All theatre property and costumes must be handled with care and returned in good condition.
  • Prohibited Conduct: Use of inappropriate language, physical or verbal aggression, any actions that disrupt activities, and possession of alcohol, drugs, or weapons are strictly prohibited.
  • Digital Conduct: Students must use social media responsibly, obtain consent before sharing images or videos of others in the youth theatre, and avoid any online behavior that could harm the reputation of the theatre company or its members.
  • Consequences: Violations of the Code of Conduct will be addressed promptly and may result in warnings, notification of parents/guardians, or removal from the youth theatre, with severe breaches leading to permanent exclusion.
  • For further details, please see OTG’s YT Code of Conduct.

8. Mobile Phone Policy

  • "Off and Away": Mobile phones are not permitted during active youth theatre sessions to maintain a safe, professional, and distraction-free environment.
  • Storage & Access: Phones are placed in a designated box in the studio. Students are permitted to have their phones before the session begins and during scheduled breaks; otherwise, they must remain in the box at all times.
  • Exceptions: Exceptions for health and medical monitoring (such as CGMs for Type 1 Diabetes), young carers, or neurodiversity and accessibility needs must be requested in person by a parent/guardian.
  • Emergency Contact: In the event of an emergency, parents can contact Youth Theatre Directors Dan Meigh (07966176899) or Connor Wray (07756553092), who will immediately relay the message to the rehearsal room.
  • For further details on OTG’s phone policy, please see the YT Code of Conduct.

9. Data Protection (GDPR)

  • Compliance: OTG complies with all applicable UK GDPR regulations. Personal and medical data collected via the online booking system is stored securely and processed exclusively for administrative, safeguarding, and health & safety purposes. For full details on how we protect and use your data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

10. Complaints Procedure

  • Reporting Concerns: OTG is committed to providing a high-quality and safe environment for all our young performers. Should you have any concerns or complaints regarding the youth theatre provision, all complaints must be directed in the first instance to Connor Wray at connor@offtheground.co.uk.