Student Behaviour Policy

Beck Academy of Dramatic Art
Unit 304, 451 Wick Lane, London E3 2TB | courses@beckdrama.com | www.beckdrama.com

Version 1.3 | Latest update: 12 July 2026

Next review due: July 2027

1. Introduction

Beck Academy of Dramatic Art (BADA) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and professionally focused training environment for all students. This policy sets out the standards of behaviour expected of every student enrolled on any course, workshop, or programme at BADA, and explains how the school will respond where those standards are not met.

This policy applies to all students regardless of course level, duration, age, or background. It covers conduct on school premises, at school-organised events, and in any context where a student’s behaviour has a direct and material impact on the school environment, on fellow students, or on members of staff.

BADA is a small independent training provider. The procedures set out in this policy are designed to be fair, proportionate, and realistic given the nature and resources of the school. This policy should be read alongside BADA’s Customer Code of Conduct Policy, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy, all of which remain in force.

This policy is governed by and construed in accordance with English law. A copy of this policy is provided to all students at the start of each course. By enrolling on, or continuing to attend, any course, workshop, or programme at BADA, a student (or, where the student is under 18, their parent or legal guardian) is deemed to have read, understood, and agreed to this policy — see the Policy Acknowledgement section at the end of this document.

2. Legal Framework

This policy is informed by and consistent with the following legislation and guidance:

Equality Act 2010 — which prohibits discrimination, harassment, and victimisation on the basis of protected characteristics including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Protection from Harassment Act 1997 — which makes harassment a civil and criminal matter.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 — under which BADA has a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of all persons on its premises.
UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 — which govern how personal data, including records of conduct matters, is held and processed.
Children Act 1989 and 2004 and associated safeguarding guidance — relevant where BADA works with or is attended by anyone under the age of 18.

BADA does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic in the application of this policy. This policy will be applied consistently and proportionately to all students.

3. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

BADA is committed to fostering an environment in which every student feels valued, respected, and able to participate fully. Behaviour that discriminates against, excludes, or demeans any student or member of staff on the basis of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 constitutes a serious breach of this policy.

Harassment related to a protected characteristic — including unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment — will be treated with particular seriousness and may result in immediate termination of enrolment.

Where a student has disclosed a disability or neurodivergent condition, BADA will consider what reasonable adjustments can be made to support both their participation in the course and, where relevant, their experience of any conduct process under this policy. What is reasonable will be assessed in light of the specific circumstances and the size and resources of the school as a small independent provider. A diagnosis or condition does not exempt a student from the requirements of this policy, and does not alter the school’s duty of care toward other students.

4. Safeguarding

BADA is committed to the safety and welfare of all students, including any student under the age of 18. Where BADA has reasonable cause to believe that a student or any other person may be at risk of harm, the school will take appropriate action in accordance with its safeguarding obligations.

Any member of staff who has a safeguarding concern is required to raise it with the Director immediately. Where the concern relates to the Director, it should be raised with another member of staff.

Safeguarding concerns may be referred to the relevant local authority or other statutory body where this is considered necessary or required by law. BADA reserves the right to share information with statutory agencies without the consent of the individual concerned where the safety of a child or vulnerable person is at risk.

4.1 Under-18 Students: Two Different Formats (new)

BADA works with students under 18 in two distinct ways, and its safeguarding role differs between them:

1-1 Coaching Clients: where a student under 18 is booked directly for 1-1 Acting Coaching or Personal Development Coaching, their parent or legal guardian is the contracting party, provides consent, and remains a contactable point of contact throughout the session, in accordance with BADA’s Terms & Conditions. BADA’s safeguarding obligations under this Policy apply in full to these students.
Schools Workshops: where BADA delivers a workshop to a group of pupils on behalf of, or at the invitation of, a school, university, or other host organisation, supervision, behavioural management, and safeguarding of those pupils remains the responsibility of the host organisation’s own staff throughout. BADA does not provide a chaperoning service and does not act in loco parentis. Where a BADA team member has a safeguarding concern during a Schools Workshop, they will raise it immediately with the supervising member of the host organisation’s staff, in addition to any obligation BADA has to make a statutory referral directly.

5. Standards of Conduct

5.1 Conduct Toward Fellow Students

All students are expected to treat fellow students with respect, courtesy, and professionalism at all times. The following behaviours are not acceptable and constitute a breach of this policy:

Harassment, intimidation, bullying, or threatening behaviour of any kind directed toward a fellow student, whether in person or through electronic communication.
Unwanted or repeated contact with a fellow student after they have indicated, directly or by reasonable implication, that such contact is not welcome.
Conduct that causes a fellow student to feel unsafe on school premises or in connection with the course, including following, confronting, or physically impeding another student.
Behaviour that prevents or discourages a fellow student from participating fully in class, rehearsal, or any school activity.
Discrimination, mockery, or derogatory conduct directed at a fellow student on the basis of any protected characteristic, including disability or neurodivergent condition.
Sexual harassment or any conduct of a sexual nature that is unwanted, uninvited, or directed at a student or member of staff who has not consented to it.

5.2 Conduct Toward Staff

All students are expected to engage with teaching staff, administrative staff, and any other representatives of BADA in a courteous and professional manner. The following behaviours are not acceptable:

Rude, aggressive, abusive, or threatening conduct toward any member of staff.
Conduct of a sexual nature directed toward a member of staff that is unwanted or inappropriate.
Attempting to manipulate, coerce, or unduly pressure a member of staff.
Conduct designed to undermine the authority or professional standing of a member of staff.

5.3 Conduct on School Premises

Students are expected to behave professionally and considerately at all times while on school premises. This includes:

Using all shared spaces, including studios, communal areas, corridors, and toilet facilities, in a manner that is considerate of other students and staff.
Not using school premises as a venue to pursue personal disputes, relationship matters, or conflicts that originate outside of the course.
Complying with any reasonable request made by a member of staff regarding conduct on premises.
Reporting any health and safety concern to a member of staff promptly.

5.4 Personal Relationships Between Students

BADA recognises that personal relationships may develop between students. Where this occurs, students are reminded that:

The school environment must remain professional and focused at all times, regardless of any personal relationship between students.
Any conduct arising from a personal relationship that causes a fellow student to feel harassed, unsafe, or unable to participate in the course will be treated as a conduct matter under this policy.
The ending of a personal relationship does not change either student’s obligations under this policy. Both students remain fully bound by its requirements.
BADA’s role is not to investigate the detail of personal relationships but to ensure that the conduct of all students on school premises and in connection with the course meets the required standard.

5.5 Attendance and Punctuality

Students are expected to attend all scheduled sessions punctually and to notify BADA in advance where attendance is not possible. Persistent unexplained absence or lateness may be considered a breach of enrolment conditions and may affect a student’s ability to complete the course.

Where a student’s absence is caused or affected by a conduct matter involving another student, BADA will take this into account and will take appropriate steps to support the affected student’s continued participation.

5.6 Alcohol and Substances

Students must not attend school premises or any school-organised activity under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances. The possession or use of illegal substances on school premises is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate referral to the relevant authorities and termination of enrolment.

5.7 Health and Safety

All students have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others while on school premises. Students must follow all health and safety instructions given by staff, not behave in a way that creates a risk of injury to themselves or others, and report any accident, injury, or hazard to a member of staff immediately.

5.8 Confidentiality Within the Training Environment

The nature of actor training frequently involves the sharing of personal, emotional, and creative material. Students are expected to treat all such material shared by fellow students with discretion and respect. Sharing or disclosing personal material revealed by a fellow student in the context of training — whether in person, online, or through any other means — without that student’s consent is a serious breach of this policy.

5.9 Social Media and Public Conduct

Students must not post, publish, or share content online or in any public forum that identifies or references a fellow student or member of staff in a way that is derogatory or harmful, discloses confidential material shared within the training environment, misrepresents BADA or its staff, or constitutes harassment of any kind. Conduct on social media that falls within these categories will be treated as a conduct matter under this policy regardless of whether it takes place outside of school hours or away from school premises.

5.10 Academic and Professional Integrity

Students are expected to engage honestly and with integrity in all aspects of their training. Misrepresenting their experience or qualifications, or behaving in a way that brings the school into disrepute in a professional context, may constitute a breach of this policy.

6. Reporting a Concern

Any student who feels that their safety, dignity, or ability to participate in the course has been affected by the conduct of another student or a member of staff is encouraged to raise this with the Director as soon as possible, either verbally or in writing.

All reports will be taken seriously, handled with appropriate discretion, and recorded in writing. A student who raises a concern in good faith will not be disadvantaged, penalised, or treated less favourably as a result of doing so.

Anonymous reports may be made but may limit BADA’s ability to take action. Where a report is made anonymously, BADA will consider what steps, if any, are practicable in the circumstances.

7. Procedure When a Concern is Raised

When a conduct concern is brought to BADA’s attention, the following procedure will ordinarily be followed. BADA is a small independent provider and does not have a dedicated HR function. Procedures will be carried out by the Director with the support of a second member of staff where available. BADA reserves the right to depart from this procedure where the circumstances require it, including where immediate action is necessary to protect a student or member of staff.

The Director will speak privately with the student raising the concern to understand what has been reported and to record this in writing.
Where appropriate, the student who is the subject of the concern will be invited to a formal meeting with the Director. Before this meeting takes place, the student will be informed in writing of the general purpose of the meeting, so that they are able to prepare. A second member of staff will be present at the meeting as a witness wherever possible.
All students invited to a formal conduct meeting are welcome to bring a support person of their own choosing. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange this. BADA is not able to source or provide a support person on a student’s behalf. Students wishing to bring a support person should inform the Director in advance.
Where a student has disclosed a disability or neurodivergent condition, BADA will consider what reasonable adjustments to the conduct process are practicable given its size and resources. Students are encouraged to make the Director aware of any specific needs in advance of a meeting.
The student who is the subject of the concern will be given a fair opportunity to respond to what has been raised. The purpose of the meeting is to set out concerns and establish expectations, not to adjudicate between competing accounts of events.
Both students will be given the opportunity to raise any concerns of their own. BADA’s duty of care applies equally to all students.
Where a student who is the subject of a conduct concern also raises a complaint about another student’s conduct, this will be treated as a separate matter and considered on its own merits. A counter-complaint does not suspend or neutralise the original concern, and both matters will be handled in accordance with this policy.
Following the meeting, BADA will set out in writing any expectations or conditions placed on the student’s continued participation in the course, and the potential consequences of any further breach.
A written record of the concern, the meeting, and any action taken will be created, retained securely, and held in accordance with BADA’s obligations under UK GDPR.
Where behaviour continues or escalates following a formal meeting, BADA reserves the right to move to the consequences set out in Section 8 without the need for a further meeting.

8. Consequences of a Breach

The consequences of a breach of this policy will be proportionate to the nature, severity, and context of the conduct, and to any relevant history. BADA reserves the right to apply any of the following, individually or in combination:

A verbal warning, with clear expectations set for future conduct.
A formal written notification setting out the school’s position and the conditions for continued enrolment.
Temporary removal from one or more sessions or classes.
Separation of students within the course programme, including assignment to separate working groups.
Suspension from the course pending further consideration.
Permanent termination of enrolment. Where enrolment is terminated on conduct grounds, the student will not be entitled to a refund of fees already paid, except at BADA’s absolute discretion.
Referral to the police or other relevant statutory authority, where the conduct may constitute a criminal matter.

BADA reserves the right to take immediate action, including removal from a class or from premises, where it considers this necessary to protect the safety or wellbeing of any student or member of staff. In cases of serious misconduct, BADA may proceed directly to termination of enrolment without prior warning.

9. Student Complaints

BADA is a small independent training provider and does not operate a formal multi-stage complaints process. Where a student has a concern about the conduct of another student, a member of staff, or the way a matter has been handled, they are encouraged to raise it directly with the Director in writing at courses@beckdrama.com.

The Director will read and consider every concern raised and will respond as soon as is reasonably practicable. The aim will always be to resolve concerns informally, fairly, and with the least possible disruption to the student’s training.

Where a concern cannot be resolved to the student’s satisfaction through direct communication with the Director, the student may seek independent advice or legal counsel at their own cost. BADA is not affiliated with any external complaints body.

A student who raises a concern in good faith will not be disadvantaged or treated less favourably as a result of doing so.

10. Data Protection

Personal data collected in connection with this policy, including records of conduct concerns, meetings, and outcomes, will be held securely and processed in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Such records will be retained for a period of seven years from the date of the relevant incident, after which they will be securely destroyed unless there is a legal requirement to retain them for longer.

Students have the right to access personal data held about them, subject to any applicable exemptions. Requests for access should be directed to the Director in writing.

11. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any significant conduct incident or change in relevant legislation. The current version is available on request from the Director and will be provided to all students at the start of each course.

Policy Acknowledgement

A copy of this policy is provided to all students at the start of each course and is available at all times on our website. Formal acceptance of this policy is built into the enrolment process: by booking, paying for, or attending any course, workshop, or programme at BADA — or, where a student is under 18, by their parent or legal guardian booking on their behalf — the student (and, where applicable, their parent or guardian) confirms that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Student Behaviour Policy (Version 1.3, 12 July 2026) for the duration of their enrolment. No separate signature is required.

This includes acknowledgement that a breach of this policy may result in consequences up to and including permanent termination of enrolment, and that fees already paid will not be refunded where enrolment is terminated on conduct grounds.

Students are welcome to bring a support person of their own choosing to any formal conduct meeting; it is the student’s responsibility to arrange this.

Any student or parent/guardian who wishes to discuss this policy before enrolling, or who has a question about a specific course, should contact the Director at courses@beckdrama.com.