Risk Assessment Policy Covid-19

Liberty School of dance

Risk Assessment Policy

We are welcoming our students back to St. Mary’s church halls from 12th September 2020 and have undertaken an extensive risk assessment in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. All government guidelines are being closely followed on a regular basis and amendments will be made to this risk assessment if the need arises. All procedures have been put in place to minimise the risk of Covid-19 to our students and families.

Below are the precautions which all of us at the school will take in order to ensure that the environment is safe so that we help to prevent the possible transmission of the Covid-19 virus as much as we can. We will consider the risks faced and do everything reasonably practicable to minimise them, but we recognise that we cannot completely eliminate the risk of Covid-19.

One

Whilst it is necessary to maintain social distancing for the foreseeable future, there will be reduced access for parents and carers inside the building. There are only three instances when a parent or carer will be allowed into the building and this must never exceed the maximum of 5 adults in the lobby area at any one time.

  • Nursery aged children who are reluctant as they are so young.
  • The parents of new students.
  •  In the event of an emergency.
Two
Whenever an adult enters the building, according to government guidelines referring to community centres, a mask will need to be worn.
Three
There will be a one-way system operating, whereby students will be dropped off at the main entrance and collected at the fire exit of the Richardson Room. All will be clearly signposted. Please could everyone follow the markings on the floor to adhere to social distancing when dropping off and collecting your children.
Four
Hand sanitiser will be available and requested to be used by everyone on arrival to class and when leaving. I will ensure the sanitiser chosen is appropriate for use.
Five
As the teacher, I do not intend to be wearing a mask as I feel it inhibits the joy of dancing and it is important for the children to see my facial expressions when I am teaching them. I have also taken this from the government website referring to when a mask is permitted not to be worn; if you are undertaking exercise or an activity and it would negatively impact your ability to do so.
Six

All adults and Children aged 11+ must wear a face mask in the lobby area and myself and all helpers will wear a facemask when dismissing and welcoming new classes. All teachers and helpers will wear a visor for classes with small children as naturally there are times when teachers may need to get a little closer to them to ensure social distancing is occurring between them. I, Marina O’Brien will make immediate amendments to this set up as and when/if the government make changes to these guidelines. Parents will be notified by email and social media platforms if this occurs.

Seven
In the event of needing to help a child with basic first aid, a face mask, visor and gloves will be worn.
Eight
Non-slip floor spots will be used inside the hall, to help aid social distancing. Each dancer will have a spot to dance on/around and these will be spaced 2-3 metres apart. During classes, I will aim to avoid face-to-face activity and there will be no hand-holding as usually occurs with young children when dancing in partners. The nature of the dance class means that at specific times during class, dancers will need to ‘queue’ along the side of the room to prepare for their turn to dance. Colour coded floor spots will be used for queuing. More of these spots will be used in the Richardson room so that social distancing is maintained for the dismissal of class.
Nine
There will be 5-minute intervals timetabled between classes to allow for one class to leave and another to arrive. Start and end times of classes will be strictly adhered to from September and larger classes may end a couple of minutes early to assist with the safe changeover.
Ten
There will be 5-minute intervals timetabled between classes to allow for one class to leave and another to arrive. Start and end times of classes will be strictly adhered to from September and larger classes may end a couple of minutes early to assist with the safe changeover.
Eleven
All dance classes will have a maximum of 15 students. This will not be exceeded.
Twelve
During classes, the small windows at the top of the hall will be opened to allow for ventilation and on warm days, the back doors will also be opened.
Thirteen
Students will be requested to arrive at the hall, dressed and ready. Clothes must be worn over uniform and left on a floor mat in the lobby area, which will all be distanced 2 metres apart. Students will not be requested to change leotard from one dance class to the next. Students are requested to bring as few personal items as possible. These mats will be sanitised with spray at various intervals throughout the dance session.
Fourteen
Dancers must not wear ballet shoes outside of the studio. Outdoor shoes should be taken off and left outside of the hall, in the lobby. Ballet shoes should only be put on immediately before entering the studio and removed immediately after class. If possible, please could parents wipe down the soles of dance shoes with an antibacterial wipe before and/or after classes.
Fifteen
There will be no dancing in bare feet. For modern classes, children will wear ballet shoes, or grippy socks if your son or daughter does not study ballet.
Sixteen
Where possible, yoga mats will be used for floor work in Modern classes and the stretch and conditioning class.
Seventeen
Only the main girls’ toilets will be open for use, but we recommend that students go to the toilet before class where possible.
Eighteen

List of cleaning to be completed at end of the day:

  • Wipe down all doors and handles – front door, side door, a door in between the entrance and lobby, pin number pad, the doors to the Richardson and Lait rooms, doors to the toilets and all doors to the Hall. These will be done with antibacterial wipes or Dettol spray.
  • Wipe down the surface area of cupboards in the lobby and the table used for teaching equipment.
  • Mop the hall floor
  • Clean toilet area
  • All social distancing floor spots will be taken home to be sanitised.
Nineteen
There will be no parent watching allowed during the Autumn term due to social distancing measures.
Twenty
We will assist test and trace by contacting those who have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19. Contact details of all new students or those trialling classes will be kept for a minimum of 21 days to assist with test and trace, even if they do not intend to continue with classes.

Other points to note:

In an emergency, for example, an accident, the provision of first aid, fire or break-in, people will not be expected to social distance if it is deemed unsafe.
What to do if Liberty school of Dance has a suspected COVID-19 case

  • Immediately cease activity and isolate the person until they can be taken home where they should self-isolate
  • Inform others who may have been in contact that they may have been exposed to COVID-19
  • All students, the teacher and class assistant who were in a class with anyone that may be infected must self-isolate and not return to class for the appropriate number of days.

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