Parents/guardians are children’s primary carers. We work in partnership with parents/guardians to ensure children’s safety and enjoyment of the activities we offer. We ask you to take some time to read our guidelines and programme information. 

GDPR Data Protection Rights

We would like to make sure you are fully aware of all of your data protection rights. Every user is entitled to the following:

The right to access – You have the right to request copies of your personal data. We may charge you a small fee for this service.

The right to rectification – You have the right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate. You also have the right to request that we complete the information you believe is incomplete.

The right to erasure – You have the right to request that we erase your personal data, under certain conditions.

The right to restrict processing – You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.

The right to data portability – You have the right to request that we transfer the data that we have collected to another organization, or directly to you, under certain conditions.

If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us

 Safeguarding Statement

1. Nature of Service: Educational Life Skills

Arts Education through Speech and Drama, Presentation and Communications Skills, Public speaking and Performance

2. Principles to Safeguard Children:

We successfully deliver  quality creative experiences that promote creative and social development for children and young people aged 4-18. These theatre related activities include: 

Elocution Classes, Speech and Drama Classes, Public Speaking Classes, Effective Communication and Presentations classes, Trips to Theatres,  Performance at Athlone’s Christmas Lights, Workshops, Examinations. 

3. Risk Assessment: A Risk Assessment has been carried out to identify any potential risks our students may encounter regarding Child Protection and Welfare. This Risk Assessment is reviewed at minimum every 12 months and is available upon request. 

Mary Whelan Fox, School of Elocution, Speech and Drama endeavours to ensure that all children are appropriately supported and respected through clear communication of rules and guidelines within their Classes. Staff endeavour to constructively work to protect the privacy and dignity of children.

4. Procedures: Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015 and in line with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017). In addition to the procedures listed in our risk assessment, the following procedures support our intention and dedication to safeguarding young people while they are availing of our services. 

>All staff are aware of the procedures for the management of a disclosure of allegation of abuse or misconduct made to or against workers relating to a young person availing of our service. 

<Our DLP is Mary Fox. 

>Procedures are in place for  Multiple class venues and senior students Theatre Trips

>Anti-Bullying Policy

All procedures listed are available upon request and are available to view on our website 

Access our Child protection policy HERE 

5.  Implementation:We recognise that implementation is an on-going process. Mary Whelan Fox, School of Elocution, Speech and Drama are committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep young people safe from harm while availing of our classes /services. 

This Child Safeguarding Statement has been reviewed in  June 2024