LSC consults with dance industry bodies, such as One Dance UK, and Higher Education partners, and is constantly looking to review and enhance its practices to provide students with the best possible support.
Our Student Welfare Department strive to deliver excellent student support. We were thrilled to be One Dance UK Dance Healthcare Team Award winners in 2021 and shortlisted in 2020.
During induction week at London Studio Centre, student will undergo physical tests, to assess their strength, flexibility and biomechanics. Throughout their Independent Professional Development and Dance Science classes, they will learn how to independently manage their physical well-being, and address any weaknesses identified during their physical tests.
During the first term, students will be invited to a health and wellbeing 1:1. This is a 20-minute conversation between the student and a member of the Student Welfare Department. Topics discussed can include medical information, Specific Learning Differences (SpLD), mental health, preparedness for training and injury history.
Head of Student Welfare: Lucy Walliker
Head of Dance Science: Laura Erwin
Support for injury and physical Wellbeing is primarily managed by the Head of Student Welfare.
LSC boasts an impressive Physical Support team of dance-specialist practitioners who provide treatment and rehabilitation for injury. Students benefit from in-house physiotherapy, osteopathy, soft tissue therapy, strength and conditioning, and Pilates. Read more here about the LSC Physical Support Scheme and the services provided.
Students also have access to a dietician and can self-refer for dietary advice to help to support their physical wellbeing, manage their energy balance or get advice on nutrition for recovery from injury, or for performance.
Dance Science and Pilates based conditioning are threaded throughout our courses and pathways to support students dance training.
Students are further supported throughout their training with Health and Wellbeing in-house conferences twice per year. World renowned speakers and practitioners visit LSC to run talks and workshops for students to support their wellbeing.
LSC has an open-door policy and welcomes feedback from students about the support services available to them. All staff have completed an enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training.
The team includes:
Student Counsellor and Head of Pastoral Care: Lizzy Du Verney
Students can access free counselling, pastoral, and psychological Support here at LSC, there is a choice of online or in person.
Counselling is available to support students with any concerns that may impact their academic journey. The provision offered is extensive and includes specialist psychological recovery support for long term injury and other chronic health issues.
LSC also offers regular drop-in sessions for pastoral support, advise and signposting to other, external services which may be useful.
Head of Learning Support: Dr Deveril
Across practical studies and other areas, such as critical and contextual studies, LSC has support structures and procedures to help you as best we can.
Whether you are concerned about:
We try to find strategies for you to get the most out of your experiences here. These could include:
LSC tutors aim to be as inclusive as possible, and we work together to provide a supportive environment, nurturing self-empowered and capable people. We encourage self-advocacy and professional attitudes to ensure students enter their chosen careers with self-understanding and self-acceptance of who they are.
Each student has a Personal Tutor with whom they have regular contact, either in the form of group tutorials or individually as required. The Personal Tutors help guide the students through the course. Issues of a more personal nature are referred (with student consent) to the Head of Pastoral Care who supervises the Personal Tutors. Issues requiring medical or injury support are referred (with student consent) to the Head of Student Welfare. Issues arising are dealt with in strict confidence and in the case of post 16-year-old students no information is divulged to external sources without explicit permission from the student. Counselling, physiotherapy, massage and nutritional support is available to students on site throughout each term. London Studio Centre also has information on a range of specialist practitioners and resources involved in the care and wellbeing of young people, should the student wish to seek support externally.
Each student also has a number of Course Tutors who deal with specific techniques and contextual studies, and each of whom offer regular feedback, both verbal and written.
All LSC students will be registered into our physical support scheme, which is designed to help students suffering from injury or who have other physical support needs. Students will benefit from in-house injury treatment and management from the moment of injury through to their return to full practice, along with other necessary clinical investigations.
From time to time, injuries or medical conditions can be more complicated than in-house practitioners can manage, and for this reason, private medical insurance is encouraged.
All students are advised to insure their personal belongings.
London Studio Centre has a Health and Safety Committee that monitors every aspect of the development and application of the Health and Safety Policy at the conservatoire.
London Studio Centre also has comprehensive Student Welfare Policy, with supporting guidelines across a number of health and wellbeing areas, including safeguarding.