Kimberly Wyatt Dance Academy

Social Media Policy

Effective Date: 1st September 2025

Review: August 31st 2026

1. Introduction

Kimberly Wyatt Dance Academy (“KWDA”) recognises the importance of social media and digital

communication in modern life while maintaining its commitment to the welfare, safety, and healthy

development of all students.

KWDA is committed to promoting responsible, positive, and safe engagement with social media

platforms, in line with UK safeguarding guidance and the Academy’s own child protection policies.

KWDA does not encourage the use of smartphones or social media by students under the age of

sixteen (16). However, KWDA acknowledges that the decision ultimately rests with parents or

carers and therefore does not impose a ban on smartphone or social media use.

KWDA expects all staff, students, and associates to uphold these principles and to act responsibly

when representing or engaging with the Academy online.

2. Purpose and Scope

This Social Media Policy sets out KWDA’s expectations, standards of conduct, and responsibilities

for all staff, faculty, contractors, and representatives when engaging with or creating content for

social media platforms associated with the Academy.

KWDA is committed to maintaining an online presence that is positive, professional, family-friendly,

and protective of the welfare and privacy of students, parents, and staff.

This policy applies to all content published on official KWDA accounts and to any online activity

where an individual may be reasonably perceived as representing KWDA.

Any uncertainty regarding the interpretation or application of this policy must be referred to Max

Rogers for clarification.

3. General Principles

KWDA requires that all social media activity conducted on its behalf:

- Reflects KWDA’s values of professionalism, inclusivity, and safeguarding.

- Protects the welfare, dignity, and privacy of students and families.

- Complies with all safeguarding, data protection, and intellectual property laws.

- Avoids any action that could bring KWDA, its faculty, or students into disrepute.

4. Approved Content (Social Media Do’s)

KWDA encourages its authorised social media personnel to:

1. Publish friendly, humorous, and family-appropriate content.

2. Share highlights and behind-the-scenes material, including Academy, Team, and Event

coverage.3. Feature Principal Kimberly Wyatt, where relevant, in Academy-related content.

4. Focus on individuals rather than wide crowd shots, ensuring identifiable persons have given

appropriate permissions or are unrecognisable.

5. Capture high-quality photographs and videos suitable for social media posts.

6. Encourage positive and supportive online behaviour.

7. Follow dancers only after they have followed KWDA’s account.

8. Share or repost teacher content where appropriate and in line with KWDA’s brand.

9. Tag dancers who specifically request to be tagged via comments, provided all relevant consent

protocols are met.

5. Prohibited Content and Conduct (Social Media Don’ts)

KWDA prohibits:

1. Following dancers aged 18 or under who have not first followed KWDA’s account.

2. Sharing or reposting dancer or student content from personal or external accounts.

3. Tagging only selected individuals (all or none), unless tagging is specifically requested as above.

4. Encouraging phone use among students under the age of sixteen (16).

5. Posting or sharing any content containing inappropriate language, imagery, or themes.

6. Breaching or overlooking photo and video consent agreements.

7. Referring to students as “our dancers” — all communications should use “KWDA Dancers” or

“The Dancers.”

8. Promoting or marketing individual dancers on KWDA platforms. While KWDA may celebrate

student achievements, their success remains their own and shall not be claimed as that of KWDA.

6. Direct Messaging and Online Communication

KWDA requires that:

- All responses to direct messages are polite, brief, and professional, and where possible, direct

enquiries are referred to kimberly@kwdance.com.

- When communicating with persons under eighteen (18), staff must keep all messages brief and

professional, and encourage the inclusion of a parent or responsible adult at the earliest

opportunity.

Handling Inappropriate or Abusive Online Behaviour

KWDA is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful online environment.

- All trolls, nuisance posts, or inappropriate messages must be ignored and reported immediately to

KWDA Directors, who will determine whether to block or report the offending account.

Safeguarding and Reporting

KWDA upholds the highest safeguarding standards.

- Any safeguarding concern arising from social media activity must be documented in writing and

reported immediately to the KWDA Directors or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

- Compliance with KWDA’s Safeguarding Policy and UK Child Protection Regulations is mandatory

for all personnel at all times.9. Compliance and Enforcement

KWDA expects full compliance with this policy.

Failure to adhere to these standards may result in disciplinary action under KWDA’s staff or

contractor conduct procedures and, where applicable, termination of employment or engagement.

Review and Amendment

KWDA is committed to regularly reviewing this policy to ensure alignment with its safeguarding and

communications framework.

This policy will be reviewed annually, or as required, and any updates will be communicated to all

staff and contributors.

Approved by: Kimberly Wyatt Dance Academy Directors