School attendance and absences information for parents and carers

Performance licence

If your child is participating in a performance, it may be necessary for the producer or company leading the production to apply for a performance licence, which should be done at least 21 days before the event.

If a performance licence is necessary, you will need to complete a medical declaration as part of the application and provide passport style photographs, a copy of the child's birth certificate and a letter from the head teacher if the production will affect school attendance.

Performance licences ensure that a child's health, safety and education are not adversely affected if they spend significant amounts of time taking part in performances.

You can find out more information on the performances that apply in the government's child performance activities guidance.

A child will need a licence if:

• They are required to miss school
• They are receiving any form of payment
• They perform on more than 3 days in a 6 month period

School productions do not require children to be licensed or an exemption because they are regarded as school activities.

Apply for a performance licence for a child

Body of Persons Approval (BoPA)

There are some cases where a child may be exempt from requiring a licence, for example if they are involved in an amateur production. In this situation, the organisation producing the production must be registered with the local council and hold a Body of Persons Approval (BoPA).

Groups of responsible adults, which usually include community youth groups, amateur dramatic societies and dance groups who work on an amateur basis may apply for a Body of Persons Approval. In this context, the term 'amateur' is defined by no payment being made to any person involved in the performance.

We make the decision on whether to grant a BoPA.

Find out more and apply for a Body of Persons Approval

Chaperones for children with a performance licence

Any child who holds a performance licence must be accompanied at all times by a licensed chaperone.

A chaperone is a responsible adult who holds a licence to look after children who work in entertainment. This may include theatrical productions, film, television and modelling work.

A chaperone is responsible for a child's safety, comfort and wellbeing at all times while they are rehearsing and performing. It is their role to liaise with the production company where there are any concerns about the child's working conditions.

A child's parent can act as a chaperone only to their own child without holding a chaperone licence.

It is the chaperone's responsibility, together with the licence holder, to ensure that the regulations (and any additional requirements issued by the council) are upheld at all times. You may find yourself under pressure, by the production company from time to time, to relax the regulations due to re-scheduling but you must remember that your first duty is to the care of the child. A good knowledge of the regulations, knowing where to go for additional advice together with firm negotiating skills, are crucial elements to good chaperoning.

Records, by law, should be made available by producers to a visiting officer of the council. Chaperones are often designated to keep these in respect of the child, and will include:

• Times child is at the place of performance
• Times child performs and/or rehearses
• Times child has breaks and meals
• Times child is waiting between performances, such as re-scheduling

Apply for a chaperone licence

Privacy notice

Herefordshire Council is the data controller under data protection law and will use the information you provide in order to provide you with the licence you apply for. The legal basis for processing this data is your consent to do so. You can withdraw your consent at any time by notifying us, however, this will result in a licence not being provided or withdrawn. Our contact details to do so, or for any other queries, are Enforcement Officer, Plough Lane, Hereford HR4 0LE.

We will keep your data for 2 years after the licence ends. Your information will not be shared further, unless it is necessary to do so in cases such as preventing or detecting crime. Individuals have a number of rights under data protection law, including the right to request their information. You also have a right to make a complaint about our handling of your personal data to the Information Commissioner's Office.