Schools and Group Visits Risk Assessment Information

The Terry O'Toole Theatre is committed to providing its audience with a safe environment and an enjoyable visit.

Before you come to the venue, you may wish to conduct a risk assessment.  While the Terry O'Toole Theatre cannot write this risk assessment for you, we will be pleased to provide information that you feel is appropriate or relevant to your visit.  [The Theatre does not have a generic risk assessment for attending a performance because there are many variable factors, according to the make-up of the visiting party and the staging of each production].

Under our licensed conditions, we are not permitted to do anything which might endanger our audience.

The theatre is licensed by North Kesteven District Council as a Place of Entertainment and complies with guidance given by the council on fire risk, staffing levels and safe evacuation of the public and staff.

We have a dedicated Front of House Team which manages the safety of the public from 1 hour before a performance to 30 minutes after the show ends.  All members of staff are CRB Enhanced checked.

The Terry O'Toole Theatre, and NK Centre has health and safety policies, safeguarding procedures and work practises and fire risk and emergency evacuation assessments in place.

We aim to ensure the safety of our vistors and staff and in particular will ensure the following:

• Public and backstage areas will be kept clear of trip hazards.
• All electrical equipment will be PAT tested and regularly assessed.
• Where a production features strobe lighting, loud sound effects, warning notices will be clearly posted.

The theatre is fully accessible, with dedicated wheelchair spaces in the auditorium, disabled toilet, infrared induction loop and disabled parking bays immediately adjacent to the NK Centre entrance.

Guide/assistance dogs are welcome - please advise Box Office staff at the time of booking if you wish to bring a companion dog to a performance; a bowl of water can be provided on request.

The NK Centre carpark can be very busy at peak times; please ensure that members of your party are supervised in this area.

Planning a School or Group Visit?

For all group booking enquiries please call the Box Office on 01522 88331.

Children, young people and vulnerable adults remain the responsibility of teachers, guardians or chaperones and must be accompanied at all times during their visit, both inside the theatre and in all outside areas.

We ask that there is a minimum of 1 teacher/person with duty of care for every 10 students and that during performances the teacher/s and/or carers sit amongst their party.

School and College Group Concessions (Parties of 10+)

Please enquire about concessions for school and group bookings.

As a general guide, TOTT offers 1 free ticket with every 10 tickets purchased for professional programme performances; group discounts for community and hire events are available only at the discretion of the promoter.

Before Your School/Group Visit

• We recommend that a member of staff/visit organiser makes a visit to the theatre to carry out a risk assessment in advance of the party visit. Please contact the Theatre  Administration Office on 01522 870251 to arrange a mutually convenient time.  A minumum of 48 hours notice is appreciated as the performance schedule may preclude access at certain times.
• We recommend that your group include one teacher, or accompanying adult, for every 10 group members
• For information about the performance, on anything from lighting effects to running times, please phone the Theatre Admin. Office on 01522 870251
• To enquire about pre or post-performance workshops or talks linked to the production that you are seeing, email Al Duncombe [Theatre Development Officer] at alison.duncombe@leisureconnection.co.uk

Arriving at the Theatre

• We suggest you aim to arrive 30 minutes before the advertised start time in order to locate the venue, your seats and other facilities.
• We ask that students/patrons do not bring large bags with them as we do not have a cloakroom at the theatre and bags can constitute a tripping hazard.
• Latecomers will only be admitted to the auditorium at a suitable break in the performance at the discretion of the FOH Manager.
• School parties and groups are welcome to bring their own drinks to consume in the Front of House areas.

In The Auditorium

• Do not take food and drink into the auditorium
• Please ensure your group sits in the correct seats.  The row and seat number are printed on each ticket.
• Teachers should seat themselves amongst the group and, if possible, at the ends of rows
• Please remind your group that disturbances or noise, however small, can be distracting for other members of the audience, as well as the actors.
• Check that mobile phones, MP3 players, etc are turned off.
• Photography/filming is not permitted in the auditorium.

ARTS AWARD Spring/Summer Season Tickets Offers

Oshima and the Big Sea    MapDance    Hamlet   Freddie Kofi   The Buried Moon

Skip 'Little Axe McDonald'    Storm in a Teacup   Kit Downes Sextet

                    If your students are working towards their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award and would like to review a show, contact Al Duncombe [Theatre Development Officer] for a discounted ticket to any of the above shows  It may also be possible to arrange for students to meet and interview visiting companies for their portfolio; let Al know at least a fortnight in advance if you would like us to set this up for you.