Please read carefully!
2025/26 Season
The procedure for managing absences is detailed below.
The compulsory conditions require students to be committed during PADA term time, as per the calendar available on our website. The Main Team requires 2 hours and 15 minutes per week, while the Small Group Team requires 1 hour per week. Missing a session affects both the individual and the entire team.
Performing Team Strikes may be assigned for absences and other reasons specified in the table below.
All strikes last 12 months per strike at PADA.
Procedure is:
Step 1
On rare occasions, students may miss the required Acrobatic Arts or Body Conditioning Class before or after the Performing Team session. However, it is imperative that students attend the PADA Performing Team session. Should students need to arrive late or leave early, PADA can adjust the order of dances to accommodate their participation, as long as this has been communicated and agreed by the principal via email at least 1 day in advance.
Step 2
If you need to request time off for a session specifically for the PADA Performing Team, and Step 1 is not viable, you must fill out the PADA Performing Team Absence Request Form Online at least 14 days prior to the requested date, providing detailed information. This form is exclusively for PADA Performing Team Sessions. Submit one form per date for each performing team session. Approval depends on conditions, policies, and overall student availability. If the request is not approved, students are expected to attend the Performing Team Session; absence without approval will result in a strike.
Some reasons that the Performing Team Absence Requests will be denied include, but are not limited to:
Social events such as parties, birthdays, and sleepovers; attendance at concerts, festivals, and shows; revision or homework for school or college; GCSE, SATs or A-Level preparation; tutoring commitments; tiredness; family gatherings; last-minute holidays; and failure to complete the Absence Request Form. The PADA Main Team session is 2 hours and 15 minutes per week, and the Small Group Team session is 1 hour per week during the PADA Term Time, activities mentioned above can happen outside of the PADA Performing Team Sessions.
Students are not permitted to miss two consecutive weeks.
PADA retains the authority to deny or rescind Performing Team Absence Requests at any time, regardless of prior approval, for any reason. Notification will be provided via email.
IMPORTANT
Performing Team Strikes may be issued for various reasons. Please refer to the Performing Team Agreement & Conditions Policy for further details or additional information. Parents should retain a hard copy of their signed agreement, but a general copy of the Performing Team Agreement & Conditions is available on the policies page of our website.
Click Here For The Policies Page.
To prepare students for the performances, there will be PADA Performing Team Sessions where attendance is mandatory to ensure the team is together. The following dates require all PADA Performing Team students to attend:
Friday 19th, 26th September & 3rd October 2025 - Preparations For The Comps
Saturday 20th, 27th September & 4th October - Preparations For The Comps
Friday 10th & 17th October 2025 - Preparations For The Showcase
Saturday 11th & 18th October 2025 - Preparations For The Showcase
Friday 20th February 2026 - Rehearsal at StoneX Stadium London
Friday 13th, 20th & 27th March 2026 - Preparations for Saracens Showdown 6
Saturday 7th, 14th & 21st March 2026 - Preparations for Saracens Showdown 6
Absence requests must be submitted at least 14 days in advance.
Requests made less than two weeks before the requested date will not be approved.
Please check our calendar on our website to confirm the availability of the requested date. If the Performing Team is closed on the requested date, a form does not need to be submitted.
PADA reserves the right to deny or revoke Performing Team absence requests at any time.