The National Centre for Circus Arts is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment where all users, visitors, students, and staff can train, learn, and work effectively. All users are expected to follow the guidelines outlined below.

1. Respect & Responsibility

• Treat all staff, students, visitors, fellow users, and the building with respect and consideration at all times.
• All National Centre users are asked to take responsibility for the cleanliness, tidiness and care of the equipment and studio spaces, changing rooms and other facilities.
• All users must behave responsibly at all times. Any inappropriate, aggressive, violent or unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action.
• Discrimination, bullying, or harassment of any kind is not accepted and should be reported immediately to a staff member.

2. Safety & Communication

• Report any safety concerns relating to teaching, equipment or facilities to a member of staff. Urgent issues should be reported immediately to the duty manager.
• Users must report all accidents, regardless of their severity, to a member of staff, teacher or duty manager immediately.
• Users must report any loss of blood or bodily fluid while training to a member of staff immediately. The National Centre takes its responsibilities regarding blood-borne viruses very seriously.
• If you witness or are subject to bullying, discrimination, or unsafe behaviour, speak to a staff member in person or via email. For more details see our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion page.
• The National Centre takes its responsibility for ensuring all young or vulnerable users are kept safe very seriously and has a comprehensive safeguarding policy with which all staff are required to comply.
• Users must follow staff instructions at all times, including during emergency procedures.

3. Participation & Preparation

• Users must be registered, have paid any fees, and be signed in before participating in any activity. Unauthorised activity may lead to disciplinary action as outlined below.
• All users are required to comply with the Latecomer Policy and to participate in a suitable warm up prior to any course or class.
• Prior to participation in any activity any user who has a medical condition or injury must inform their class teacher or another member of staff. The National Centre reserves the right to refuse users entry to a class if it is believed that they are not in an appropriate physical condition to participate.
• Only use equipment you have been inducted on and follow staff guidance when doing so.

4. Clothing & Equipment Use

• Please ensure suitable clothing is worn for all classes. In general this means clean, close fitting training clothes.
• Remove all jewellery, facial and body piercings before training.
• Contact lenses are preferred to glasses during activity.
• Do not wear outdoor shoes on equipment or in training areas.
• Where instructed, users must utilise any personal protective equipment issued or provided by staff.
• Return all equipment to its proper place after use.

5. Use of Spaces

• Keep training and communal spaces clean and tidy.
• Food and drink are only allowed in designated areas. Only water in a sealed container is permitted in training spaces.
• Mobile phones must not be used in training areas. No filming or photography is allowed without prior permission.
• Practice outside of scheduled classes is only permitted if you are an authorised practice time member of the relevant programme.
• Practice at the National Centre is only available outside of formal classes and courses when an individual is an authorised practice time member of the programme they are affiliated to.

6. Substance Use

• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on National Centre premises, including the Courtyard.
• The use of illegal drugs or substances is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disciplinary action and exclusion from the premises.

7. Disciplinary Procedure

Breaches of the Code of Conduct may result in the following actions:

• A verbal or written warning,
• Immediate suspension from the building on a temporary basis,
• Referral to the Senior Management Team for further action.

In serious or repeated cases:

• Permanent exclusion or an extended period of exclusion may be invoked.
• Any incident which could be a possible criminal offence will be reported to the police.
• Appeals must be made in writing to the Chief Executives within 21 days. Appeals will be reviewed by a panel including the CEO and Chair of the Board. A response will be given within 21 days of the receipt of an appeal. The decision of the panel is final.

Disciplinary matters relating to National Centre HE students or staff members will be dealt with in accordance with existing disciplinary policies detailed in the student and staff handbooks respectively.

8. Children & Young People

• Children are only permitted in training spaces if attending a designated class or activity.
• Children under 8 must be supervised by an adult at all times.
• Children aged 8+ may wait in reception unsupervised but must behave appropriately. Any unacceptable behaviour may result in the parent being contacted or the child being asked to leave, and banned from waiting unaccompanied in the future.
• Staff may require proof of age if they are in any doubt about a young person waiting in reception alone.

This policy is to ensure the safety of children and young people in our building as well as the safety of class participants who may be distracted during a class or practice session.

9. Additional Codes

Please note that additional Codes of Conduct may apply to specific activities, in particular to students on the Higher Education programme, so please see specific areas of the website for more information.