Full-time Professional Circus Training - Learning Agreement
Learning Agreement
When you arrive we will need you to read and sign a 'Learning Agreement'.
The Learning Agreement says that the student agrees to :
- attend all classes regularly and punctually, including learning support where identified.
We expect an attendance rate of at least 80% over the term.* - inform the School Administrator as soon as possible if you are absent for any reason.
- supply us with a Doctor's Certificate if you are 'off sick' for more than 7 consecutive calendar days.
- accept personal responsibility for your learning programme, and find out what is expected of you while on the course.
- discuss your progress with your personal tutor.
- switch off mobile phones in learning and study areas.
- keep to the timetable and targets set out in your individual learning plan.
- submit work / prepare presentations for assessment at the agreed times.
- not to borrow any materials without permission; and return any borrowed equipment and materials by the agreed date.
- only present your own work for assessment. Presenting other people's work as your own, or allowing others to use your work in this way will result in disciplinary action.
- follow our 'Behaviour Code' (below), behave responsibly in class, taking care not to disrupt the learning of others, acting with respect and courtesy towards your tutors, students and others on site at all times.
- adhere to our 'House Keeping Rules'and avoid leaving litter or personal belongings and equipment lying about.
- wear the appropriate clothing & footwear for each of the activities (see 'What to Wear').
- read and adhere to 'Circus Maniacs School Rules and Safety Procedures' which include:
- agree to comply with our 'Injury Management Policy'(below).
- consult your tutors and your parents/guardians before taking any decisions to seek a change of course or to leave the School.
- That you agree to comply with the school's 'Leave of Absence Policy' (see Student Attendance).
* Any 'Authorised' absences for the purpose of furthering your training, project work or professional career are excluded from this calculation, so have no effect on the resulting figures.
However 'Unauthorised' absences and time 'off sick' do count within this calculation.
The Learning Agreement says that the school agrees to :
- Provide you with an induction programme.
- Provide you with a learning plan and information about your programme of study e.g. attendance requirements, coursework, deadlines for assignments, possible extension times, final assessment dates and appeals procedures.
- Provide qualified and experienced staff who will attend all sessions on time. You will be informed when they are absent.
- Ensure that you have a personal tutor to support you through your course.
- Provide full-time students with careers guidance.
- Provide you with feedback on your progress and evidence of your achievement.
- Provide opportunities for you to express your opinions about the service we provide and to report back to you the action taken on your suggestions, concerns or complaints.
- Return your work after assessment within an agreed period of time.
- Provide you with advice on progression.
Behaviour Code
There are 3 types of behaviour which are unacceptable and non-negotiable at Circus Maniacs School of Circus Arts.
Any person behaving in any one of the following ways will be asked to leave the school immediately
- Violent behaviour directed at other people or property**
- Verbal abuse including bullying and racist, sexist, or homophobic language
- Being under the influence of, or in the possession of drugs or alcohol.
If you are involved in any of these three activities you will be asked to leave the school premises immediately and only allowed back into the school at our discretion.
**Including being in possession of an offensive weapon
'Injury Management Policy'
All full-time students must agree to:
(a) an Initial Physical Assessment with a recommended outside specialist.
(b) listen to and take teachers advise; warm-up, stretch and cool down properly.
(c) take care to manage any strains, pain & injuries, and if a problem arises, you agree to get professional medical advice straight away.
More specifically, if the problem persists for more than 3 days we expect you to get medical advice.
It is in your own best interests to do all of the above, because:
(i) If there is something going on it needs appropriate action.
(ii) If it is diagnosed as a non-issue regarding your training, it will put your mind at rest.
In our experience, if the student does not take action in this way - training and/or recovery becomes impossible, and it simply wastes time!
What happens if students break the Learning Agreement
If your tutors feel that you are not keeping this agreement they will first discuss the matter with you.
If they are not satisfied with the result, disciplinary action may be taken. You will be given in this order:
- first verbal warning
- second verbal warning
- a written warning
- a letter from college management asking you to leave
For very serious breaches of the Learning Agreement, such as breach of the 'Behaviour Code', plagiarism, interfering with the college's computer system, interfering with other equipment or acting in a way that might endanger others, or where the learning of others has been very seriously disrupted, more serious action can be taken immediately. These actions can result in suspension and possible expulsion.
If you are under 18 years old, copies of second verbal and written warnings will be sent to your parents/carers. If you have committed a serious breach of the Learning Agreement and a written warning is given straight away, a copy will be sent to your parents/carer.
If you are employed, and your employer is contributing to your course and /or exam fees, copies of second verbal and written warnings will be sent to your employer.
If You Think the School has Broken the Learning Agreement
If you think that this agreement is not being kept you can raise the matter with your personal tutor.
Alternatively please contact: The School Administrator, Circus Maniacs, Office 8a, The Kingswood Foundation, Britannia Road, Kingswood, BRISTOL BS15 8DB and your complaint will be dealt with as soon as possible.
We welcome suggestions on how to improve our Service. Please address your comments to Jackie Welbourne, Director, Circus Maniacs at the above address.
Tel / Fax: 0117 9477042 Email: info@circusmaniacs.com
Back to Full-time Professional Training