BRIGHTON BALLET SCHOOL

PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO RECORDING AND MEDIA POLICY

1. Policy Statement

Brighton Ballet School (“BBS”) recognises the importance of photography and video recording in supporting student development, celebrating achievements and promoting the School.

We are committed to balancing these benefits with our safeguarding responsibilities and the privacy rights of all students, staff and visitors.

This policy applies to all classes, rehearsals, examinations, workshops, performances, holiday courses, theatre trips, outreach projects, competitions and any other activity organised by Brighton Ballet School.

This policy should be read alongside the School’s:

  • Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
  • Staff Code of Conduct
  • Whistleblowing Policy
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

2. Purpose of Photography and Video Recording

Brighton Ballet School may take photographs and video recordings for the following purposes:

Educational Purposes

Photography and video recordings may be used to:

  • Support teaching and learning.
  • Assist students in understanding corrections and technical improvements.
  • Review rehearsals and performances.
  • Support examination preparation.
  • Track student progress and development.
  • Assist teachers in providing constructive feedback.
  • Create educational resources for students and staff.

Educational recordings may be viewed by students, teachers and authorised Brighton Ballet School personnel only.

School Records and Administration

Images and recordings may be retained for:

  • Attendance records.
  • Health and safety investigations.
  • Incident investigations.
  • Safeguarding matters.
  • School archives and historical records.
  • Administrative and operational purposes.

Marketing and Promotional Purposes

Brighton Ballet School may use photographs and video recordings for:

  • The Brighton Ballet School website.
  • Social media platforms.
  • Printed marketing materials.
  • Press releases and media coverage.
  • Prospectuses and promotional publications.
  • Recruitment campaigns.
  • Outreach activities.
  • Funding applications and reports.
  • Celebrating student achievements and School events.

3. Consent and Opting Out

By enrolling at Brighton Ballet School, parents, guardians and adult students acknowledge and accept the terms of this Photography, Video Recording and Media Policy unless they have formally notified the School in writing of their wish to opt out.

Parents, guardians or adult students who do not wish photographs or video recordings to be used must notify the School in writing by emailing:

[Insert School Office Email Address]

The request should clearly state:

  • Student’s full name.
  • Any restrictions requested.
  • Whether the objection applies to:
    • Educational use only.
    • Promotional use only.
    • All photography and video recording.

Brighton Ballet School will take reasonable steps to comply with such requests.

Opting out of promotional photography will not affect a student’s participation in classes, rehearsals, examinations, performances or any other School activities.

4. Parent, Guardian and Audience Photography and Recording

To safeguard all students and protect the privacy of families:

Parents, guardians, audience members and visitors must not:

  • Photograph students during classes.
  • Video record classes.
  • Photograph or video rehearsals.
  • Photograph or video workshops.
  • Photograph or video holiday courses.
  • Photograph or video examinations.
  • Photograph or video performances.
  • Photograph or video backstage areas.
  • Photograph or video any Brighton Ballet School event.

unless prior written permission has been granted by Brighton Ballet School.

Any permission granted may be subject to specific conditions determined by the School.

Brighton Ballet School reserves the right to refuse permission for photography or filming at any time.

5. Professional Photography and Videography

Brighton Ballet School may engage professional photographers and videographers to document classes, rehearsals, examinations, performances and other School activities.

Professional photographers and videographers engaged by the School will:

  • Operate under the direction of Brighton Ballet School.
  • Follow safeguarding requirements.
  • Comply with UK GDPR and data protection requirements.
  • Use images and recordings only for agreed purposes.
  • Handle images securely and responsibly.

6. Official Performance Photography and Videography

Brighton Ballet School may arrange for professional photography and/or videography at performances, examinations, workshops, showcases, competitions and other events.

Where official photographers or videographers are engaged:

  • They will operate under the direction of Brighton Ballet School.
  • They will be required to comply with safeguarding and data protection requirements.
  • Images and recordings may be made available for purchase by students, parents and guardians where appropriate.
  • Brighton Ballet School may use selected images and recordings for educational, archival or promotional purposes in accordance with this policy.

To protect the safety, privacy and experience of all participants, and to comply with copyright, licensing and venue requirements, personal photography and recording by audience members may be restricted or prohibited.

Brighton Ballet School reserves the right to:

  • Restrict or prohibit audience photography or filming at any event.
  • Require unauthorised recording to cease immediately.
  • Request the deletion of unauthorised photographs or recordings.
  • Remove individuals from an event who fail to comply with this policy.

7. Social Media

Parents, students, staff and visitors must not:

  • Share photographs or recordings of other students without permission.
  • Publish content that could compromise the privacy or welfare of a child.
  • Tag children or families without consent.
  • Share confidential information alongside images.

Staff must comply with the Staff Code of Conduct and all safeguarding requirements when using social media.

8. Storage, Security and Data Protection

Brighton Ballet School will:

  • Store images securely.
  • Restrict access to authorised personnel only.
  • Take reasonable measures to prevent unauthorised access.
  • Remove images when no longer required where appropriate.
  • Comply with UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation.

9. Safeguarding Concerns

Any concern relating to photography, filming or image use should be reported immediately to:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Sonya Pettigrew
Principal and Proprietor
Brighton Ballet School

The School reserves the right to stop photography or filming immediately where safeguarding concerns arise.

10. Copyright and Ownership

All official photographs, videos and recordings produced by or on behalf of Brighton Ballet School remain the property of Brighton Ballet School and/or the appointed professional photographer or videographer unless otherwise agreed in writing.

The unauthorised reproduction, distribution, publication, sale or commercial use of official photographs, videos or recordings may constitute a breach of copyright law.

11. Breaches of this Policy

Failure to comply with this policy may result in:

  • Removal from an event or venue.
  • Restrictions on future attendance.
  • Requests to delete unauthorised photographs or recordings.
  • Suspension of filming or photography privileges.
  • Further action where safeguarding concerns arise.

12. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation, safeguarding guidance or operational requirements change.

Approved By:

Sonya Pettigrew
Principal & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Brighton Ballet School

Date Approved: 19th June 2026

Review Date: 19th June 2027

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