GDPR & data protection
Privacy statement
The Village School of Dance is committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of individuals with respect to the processing of children's, parents', visitors' and staff personal data.
Summary based on the archived privacy statement (reviewed May 2025). The school is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
GDPR states that personal data should be processed fairly and lawfully, collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes, and not processed without knowledge and explicit consent. The Data Protection Act gives individuals the right to know what information is held about them.
As a registered school for RAD and ISTD examinations, we are required to collect children's full names, date of birth, ethnicity classification and any SEN requirements. These details are provided to the organisations only at the point of exam entry and transferred electronically. Their privacy policies are available on their websites.
Your rights under GDPR
1. The right to be informed
For enrolment and critical attendance matters we collect parent/guardian full name, two contact phone numbers and email address, plus children's full names, address, date of birth and any SEN requirements. Teacher data includes contact details, date of birth and DBS checks. Data is stored in a password-encrypted system.
2. The right of access
Individuals can make a Data Subject Request at any time. We aim to respond within one month. If we refuse because of a lawful obligation to retain data, we will explain why. You may complain to the ICO if unhappy with the decision.
3. The right to erasure
You may request deletion where there is no compelling reason for continued use. The school has a legal duty to keep children's and parents' details for a reasonable time: records for 6 years after a student leaves; accident records for 19 years (or until the child reaches 21); child protection records for 22 years (or until the child reaches 24).
4. The right to restrict processing
Parents, DDMIXers, visitors and staff can object to processing so that records are stored but not used for purposes such as exam reports or marketing communications.
5. The right to data portability
Data may be transferred securely to dance associations for examinations. Recipients use secure file transfer and have their own GDPR policies.
6. The right to object
You can object to data being used for certain activities such as marketing or research.
7. Automated decision-making
The Village School of Dance does not use personal data for automated decision-making or profiling for marketing purposes.
Storage and use
From September 2018, data has been collected via Dance Studio Pro software which is password protected. Information about individuals is confidential and records are deleted after the retention period.
Waiting-list and enquiry records are deleted if the child or adult does not attend, unless permission has been given to remain on a mailing list.
Cookies
Our website may use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to improve the experience. Types can include strictly necessary, analytical/performance, functionality and targeting cookies. You can manage cookies in your browser settings.
Web server logs may collect technical information such as IP address, browser type and pages visited. Questions about privacy can be sent to Katherine.
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