IMPORTANT UPDATE:

29/10/2020

Nottingham is headed into Tier 3 as of tomorrow, which inevitably causes more disturbances with day to day activities. The guidance issued by local authorities ‘strongly discourages’ indoor classes but activities for under 18’s remain exempt, as per national tier 3 guidelines.

Based on that, and in agreement with the NATD and the Ravenshead leisure centre, I have decided at this time we will continue to run our classes for under 18's but we will not be running adult classes for the next half term.

This decision hasn't been made lightly and I respect the individual circumstances of each of our students and their families, so please don't feel pressured into making a decision that you're not comfortable with. The health and wellbeing of our students remains our number one priority and we will remain vigilant on all COVID compliance measures.

Updates

  • We will not be running our DanceFit classes or any of our Adult Ballet and Tap classes in person for this half term due to the age restrictions given in the government guidelines. (Zoom lessons will be available, we’ll be in touch with further details on this).

  • It remains compulsory for our students aged 12+ to wear a mask before, in between, and after classes and we strongly suggest wearing masks during classes.

IMPORTANT

You must book onto all of the classes for the next half term please. This can be done here.
Obviously, things can change very quickly so we ask everyone to keep an eye out for further updates. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation at this time. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.


Dance classes will resume from 7th Sept!

Following further guidance issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (9 July) we were delighted to see that dance schools and dance studios in England were able to re-open for classes from 25 July.

As a dance school we strongly advise that all our teachers, pupils, staff and parents follow the best practices as laid out in the government guidelines and additional guidance from AJ School of Dance & the Ravenshead. We have completed the following:

  • Undertaken a COVID-19 Risk Assessment

  • Created a written Health and Safety Policy specifying extra measures to be taken on account of COVID-19

  • COVID-19 Prevention course.

Official guidance

We furthermore suggest that you all read and comply with the latest UK government advice on this topic. While this guidance applies to England, you should always consider whether there are additional local restrictions in place in your area. If so, you should first read the guidance relevant to your area as this may supersede guidance in these documents.

Additional detail on social distancing and sports at grassroots and community level can be found in the outdoor sport and recreation guidance.

Key Measures in place

  • Minimising contact with individuals who are unwell by ensuring those who have Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms do not attend classes. This also applies if a member of their family has symptoms or if they have been advised by NHS Test & Trace as ‘a close contact’ to isolate at home. Teachers should hold the relevant data to assist with Test & Trace.

  • Encouraging all staff and students to wash their hands more often than usual, including before and after class and before and after using toilet/washroom facilities

  • Ensuring good respiratory hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach

  • Cleaning frequently touched surfaces more often than usual using standard products, such as detergent or bleach

  • Increased frequency of cleaning of toilets and washrooms

  • Where possible, temporary floor marking defining required spacing per individual should be provided

  • Encourage students to arrive in uniform

  • Manage occupancy of classes and allow long enough breaks between classes to ensure enough time for cleaning

  • Avoid attendance by spectators and non-attending children

  • Introduce more one way flow routes through buildings

Anxious about going back to dance class?

Our primary concern is the health and wellbeing of our teachers, students, exam candidates and our wider communities. We understand that people may feel anxious about a return to the dance studio. We have guidelines from the NATD, in line with current government advice, to help us to prepare for a safe return.

We’ve created a robust and transparent policy following risk assessments

Anyone concerned about their health in relation to COVID-19 should follow Public Health England guidance and contact NHS 111 (or NHS 111 online) if the guidance advises them to do so.

Guidance

New guidance on what to do if you have symptoms

Please stay at home for 14 days if you or any of your family have either:

  • a high temperature

  • a new continuous cough

This will help to protect others in our community while you are infectious.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

COVID-19: stay at home guidance.

The NHS website has more information about how the virus is spread and answers common questions about the virus.

Advice

Advice for teachers, students & parents of AJ School of Dance.

Latest health advice

See the latest NHS guidance on coronavirus for the current situation in the UK and abroad.

The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) has also produced general advice on preparing for foreign travel and how everyone can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.

Latest Travel Advice

Foreign & Commonwealth Office travel advice is advising against all but essential travel to some countries, cities and regions. You must check the travel advice to the country you are travelling to.

Many countries and territories have introduced screening measures (temperature checks and health/travel questions) and entry restrictions at border crossings and transport hubs.

If you have recently been in a country affected by the virus, you may need to be quarantined, or you may not be allowed to enter or travel through a third country. Check the travel advice pages for all countries you are planning to visit or transit.

Trusted Sources of information

Please stay informed by visiting the Government’s website and the following websites: