Academy Handbook

Welcome to Fleigh! We’re so glad you’re here to join our dance family. Whether you're here to become a pro or just have fun, we're thrilled to have you

This handbook is your "Survival Guide" everything from class dress code and etiquette to show day essentials. We know you’d rather be doing, well, anything but reading this, but please give it a look so we’re all on the same beat.

Early is on time

If you’re sliding into class sideways while the music is playing, you’ve missed the gossip & the warm-up. Aim for 5 minutes early. We know sometimes it can't be helped being late so, in that case, wait for the music to stop before entering the studio so's not to distract our dancers.

If you are going to be late or won't be attending class, please inform the studio.

Your Lovely Locks

If your hair is hitting you in the face, it’s hitting everyone else too. For the safety of your eyes (& your neighbour's), we need those locks secured.

Creative Freedom: It doesn’t HAVE to be a traditional bun, we love a fierce braid or a slicked pony just make sure it’s up, secure, & off your face.

Safety First: This isn't just about looking sharp; it’s a Health & Safety thing. Loose hair is a distraction & a literal whip during turns.

Note for the Littlies: We totally get that some of our tiniest dancers don't have enough hair for a full ponytail or bun yet. As long as those wisps are pinned back & they look presentable, we’re golden!

The Money Talk

Let’s be honest, talking about money is about as fun as watching paint dry, but it keeps the music playing & the lights on. Here's how we handle term fees:

Small Studio = small staff numbers & small class sizes. This ensures everyone gets individual attention BUT spaces are extremely limited. To keep your spot on the roster, you've gotta be on top of the admin!

The "Save Your Spot" Rule: Spaces are not guaranteed unless your fees are paid in full. If the bill isn't settled, we may have to give your spot to the next dancer on the waiting list.

Pay As You Go (PAYG): If you aren't ready to commit to the full term, we do offer a PAYG option. However, please note that this does not guarantee a spot each week—it’s strictly first-come, first-served.

PAYG Rate: £3.50 per class.
Term Rate: £3.25 per class
The Early Bird Gets the... Discount: We love our returning dancers! At the end of every term, we offer an Early Bird Discount to our current families. Pay early, save some cash, and breathe easy knowing your spot is locked in.

The Late Fee: We don't want to be the "bad guys," so please pay on time! Late payments will incur a fee of 50p per class, per week until the balance is cleared.

Look Good = Feel Good

The Official Look: We have a set studio uniform to keep everyone looking like a cohesive team, prepare for exams & to avoid 'brand bullying'. Everything you need—leotards, tights, socks, and shoes—is compulsory & available on our website under the "Uniform" tab. You can also order direct at our studio or have a look through our donation box (more info below),

The "Optional" Layers: Warm-ups (jackets, sweats, etc.) are totally optional, but be ready to shed them once we get going!

The Fit Matters: Wearing form-fitting dance wear isn't just about style; it’s a Health & Safety requirement. Teachers need to see your alignment to ensure correct technique & form—it’s the best way to prevent injuries & keep you dancing longer.

The Bling Policy: To keep things safe, we have a "less is more" rule. Small ear studs & a watch are allowed. Everything else needs to stay in your bag or at home.

Note: Please put your name on EVERYTHING. Uniform is identical, so if something gets left behind or mixed up, we need to know who's is who's.

Parents In Class

We know you’re their #1 fan, but we handle our viewing a little differently depending on the age of the dancer. We aren’t quite ready for a full-blown audience in every class yet!

Acorns - Parents are welcome to stay & watch in the studio during our Acorns classes, although not necessary. We understand that it can be a big step for little ones to participate in activities without you right by their side, so we want to make the transition as smooth as possible. Your presence is welcome, & you're encouraged to participate with them whenever necessary.

Seedlings & above- These classes are designed for school-aged children, & we have found that they thrive when given the space to learn on their own. To help our students grow into independent & confident learners, we kindly ask that parents refrain from watching from inside the studio. We find that students are more engaged & focused on instructions when parents aren't in the room, which helps them get the most out of every class.

Parents are welcome to wait in our Cafe area, enjoy a tea or coffee & relax!

Be Prepared

To keep the momentum going & avoid constant door-swinging, we ask that all dancers are fully prepared before the music starts.

Please ensure water bottles & any other dance shoes required for class are brought into the studio at the start of class to avoid any unnecessary distractions & interruptions.

Don;t worry, they won't go thirsty! Students will be given adequate water breaks by our teacher & assistance when changing shoes. For our younger dancers, we advise swapping laces in tap shoes to elastics to help with this.

Charity Work

At this academy, we don’t just care about great footwork; we care about doing some good in the world, too! We love using our platform to give back, and we want you right at the heart of it.

Your Voice, Your Choice: Each year, we support one specific chosen charity. The best part? You guys decide who it is! We put it to a vote with our dancers & the general public to make sure we’re supporting a cause that truly matters to our community.

The Charity Pot: 100% of our event raffle money goes to our cause.

The Donation Station: Proceeds from our pre-loved uniform station & studio money boxes also go straight into the pot.

Donation Station

For all your gently used dance uniforms!

As your children grow, their old uniforms often have plenty of life left in them. Instead of letting them go to waste, you can now donate them at the studio.

Here’s how it works:

For every item you donate, you'll receive a 50p Fleigh credit to use with us.
The donated uniforms will be available for other students & parents to look through.
Each item will cost just £1 to purchase, & all proceeds will be donated to our chosen charity of the year.

Of course, if you'd prefer to keep your old uniform, swap it with friends, or do something else with it, that's completely fine. This is just a simple & easy option for anyone who wants to ensure their old uniform finds a new home and supports a good cause at the same time.

Recycling Scheme

Did you know that 8 billion pairs of tights go to landfill every year? That's a huge amount of microplastics that can be saved from our environment.

We're introducing a new initiative to help make a difference! You can now recycle your old dance tights and ballet socks with us. We will have a dedicated container at the studio where you can drop off any dance tights & ballet socks that are no longer fit to be worn.

Instead of throwing them in the bin, please bring them to us. We will then recycle them through ‘Imperfect Pointes' recycling scheme, which helps to keep our planet a greener place for the future.

Examinations

We aim to start working towards our first set of exams following the BBO syllabus in May, for those that wish to take them. Exams will come at an additional cost and will generally be carried out on a weekend day. Compliant studio uniform will also be required to enter exams. More information to follow.

Volunteers & Chaperones

We couldn’t run our big events without our amazing volunteers, but to keep the magic happening behind the scenes, we have to keep a tight ship!

The Selection Process: For every show or trip, we’ll put out a call for a specific number of chaperones. Once those spots are filled, we cannot take any more helpers. If you're really want to be involved, get your name in quick!

The "Drop and Go" Rule: Please don't drop your child off & assume you can stay & help. As our academy grows, managing a crowded backstage area becomes a major Health & Safety headache.

Space & Focus: Our dressing rooms are cosy! We simply don't have the room for extra people to linger. Plus, we’ve found the dancers are much more focused & calm with fewer "chiefs".

Official Helpers Only: We truly appreciate every offer of help, but please only stay if you have been officially selected & put your name down. on the volunteer sheet It’s the only way we can ensure everything runs smoothly and safely for the kids!

Costume fees

When it’s time to hit the stage, we want everyone looking like a superstar! Here is how we handle the "glitz and glam" side of things:

We endeavour to keep costume costs as low as possible by using things we already have from the Academy wardrobe or hiring as & where we can.

Optional Performance: Taking part in shows is totally optional. You also get to choose how many "numbers" (routines) your child participates in. There is absolutely no pressure—we want this to be fun, not stressful!

Pay Before We Play: Because costumes are custom-ordered, fees must be paid in full before we place the order. Unfortunately, we can’t order a costume on a "maybe," so keep an eye on those deadlines so your dancer doesn't miss out.

No Refunds: Once those sequins are ordered, we can't amend the order, so costume fees are non-refundable.

Cancellations & Refunds

We get it—life happens! However, because we are a small studio with limited spaces, we have to stick to a few rules to keep the music playing.

The "No Refund" Policy: Once the term has started, we do not offer refunds for missed classes or change of heart. Your fee secures your spot for the entire term, whether you’re there or not.
Exceptions to the Rule: We aren't monsters! We will consider refunds or credits if there is a very good reason, such as:
- A long-term medical condition (with a doctor's note).
- You are moving out of the area.
Studio Cancellations: In the rare event that we have to cancel a class (snow days, floor floods, or teacher emergencies), we will do our best to offer a make-up session or a credit toward the following term.

Show Time

Like everything else at our academy, shows are optional, students can still participate in learning choreography even if they do not wish to participate in the show. Please confirm if your child is participating BEFORE the allocated deadline.

Pre-Show Preparations

Before every show we will hold a photo shoot & a dress rehearsal.

What to Expect:

Full Costume Run-Through: Students must arrive with their full, complete costumes (including shoes, tights, & any accessories) so we can ensure everything is perfect for the stage.
Group Photos: We will be taking official group photos of all classes & all numbers.
Dedicated Parent Photo Opportunity: This is your chance to get a fantastic, clear shot! Instead of trying to snap a picture on show day, we will dedicate time during this class for parents to take a good picture of their little star in their costume.

Please ensure your dancer is prompt & in full costume for this important rehearsal & photo session!

Show Day Preparation Guide

1. Costumes and Accessories

This is the most important part! To ensure all our beautiful costumes remain in top shape for their return (as we are hiring most of them), we kindly ask that you prepare them as follows:

Hanging is Key: Please bring the costumes hung up (not folded) to prevent creasing.
Matching Accessories: Ensure all corresponding accessories are with the costume.
Costume Bag: Please place the hung costume & accessories inside a protective costume bag. This keeps everything together & avoids wrinkles while transporting.

Costume Bags: If you need a new costume bag, they are available to purchase at the studio (yours to keep).

Note: Please label any items that belong to you & any costumes that are not hired.

2. Snacks and Drinks

Please pack a small, non-messy snack & a drink for your child to have backstage. Energy levels need to stay high for their big moment!

3. Labelling Everything!

To avoid any confusion or lost property backstage, please put your child's name on all of their belongings, including:

Ballet shoes
Tap shoes
Trainers
Tights
Water bottles
Snack bags
Outerwear
Label your child if you have to!

Putting names on items makes a huge difference!

Hair & makeup

To ensure a polished look on stage, please follow these guidelines:

Hair:

Please style hair in a neat ballet bun positioned halfway up the back of the head.
If a bun is not possible (due to length), a neat ponytail is perfect.
If hair is too short for a ponytail, please ensure it is neat, tidy, & clipped off the face.
Makeup: For our younger dancers, makeup is completely optional. However, if your child wishes to wear makeup, they may wear the same as our older students. Our standard stage colours are a red lip and blue eyeshadow.

Timing is Everything: Please strictly adhere to the drop-off & pick-up times provided in your show pack. We run a very tight schedule to get everyone through rehearsals, hair, & makeup. If you're late, it throws off the whole rhythm!

The "Drop & Go": Once you’ve dropped your dancer at the stage door, it’s time to grab a coffee & relax. We’ll take it from there!
Prompt Pick-Ups: Please be ready to collect your dancer at the scheduled time. Our staff and volunteers have had a long day of magic-making & are usually ready for a sit-down (and a large chocolate bar).

Activewear Policies

Bookings, Cancellations & Rescheduling

Important notice: Please be aware of our updated booking policy. Cancellations made within 12 hours of the class start time will not be eligible for refunds, and rescheduling is also not possible within this time frame. While walk-ins are still welcome to pay on the door, we cannot guarantee availability, so booking and paying online is recommended to avoid disappointment. These policies are in place to ensure the sustainability of our business.

In the event of a class cancellation by us, we will provide a refund or transfer option to our customers. We will credit or transfer the full amount paid for the cancelled class, allowing participants to choose whether to receive a refund or apply the credit towards a future class. This ensures that our participants have the flexibility to adjust their schedules accordingly and minimize any inconvenience caused by unforeseen circumstances.

Garment Care

To ensure the longevity and quality of our garments, we strongly recommend the following care instructions: wash inside out on a low temperature, iron on the reverse side, and avoid tumble drying. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in damage to the garment, and Fleigh will not be held responsible for any resulting defects. As a result, we regret that refunds will not be issued in cases where improper care has led to damage. By purchasing from us, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these care instructions

Refunds & Returns

Thanks for purchasing our products at Fleigh Activewear operated by Frances Leigh. In order to be eligible for a refund, you have to return the product within 28 calendar days of your purchase. The product must be in the same condition that you receive it and undamaged in any way. After we receive your item, our team of professionals will inspect it and process your refund. The money will be refunded to the original payment method you’ve used during the purchase. For credit card payments it may take 5 to 10 business days for a refund to show up on your credit card statement. If the product is damaged in any way, or you have initiated the return after 28 calendar days have passed, you will not be eligible for a refund. If anything is unclear or you have more questions feel free to contact our customer support team.

Delivery

Shipment processing time

All orders are processed within 2-3 business days. Orders are not shipped or delivered on Sundays or holidays.

If we are experiencing a high volume of orders, shipments may be delayed by a few days. Please allow additional days in transit for delivery. If there will be a significant delay in shipment of your order, we will contact you via email or telephone.

Shipping rates & delivery estimates United Kingdom

Shipping charges for your order will be calculated and displayed at checkout.

Standard Delivery

Delivered within 5 working days

£4 FREE on orders over £50

Next Day Delivery

Order by 10pm on weekdays or 5pm on weekends for next day

£5

* Next day delivery is only available for orders with delivery addresses within the United Kingdom. Delivery delays can occasionally occur.

Dispatch Confirmation

You will receive a dispatch email once your order has left our depo containing your tracking number(s). The tracking number will be active within 24 hours.

Damages

Fleigh Activewear is not liable for any products damaged or lost during shipping. If you received your order damaged, please contact the shipment carrier to file a claim.

Please save all packaging materials and damaged goods before filing a claim.

International Delivery Policy

We currently do not ship outside the U.K.