Students and teachers planning to perform in this year’s Isle of Wight Music, Dance and Drama Festival were let down, despite all their hard work, because of issues surrounding Child Performance Licences. The popular event is now in its 94th year, so you will be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t taken part in the annual festival, but this year, some schools and groups looking to compete were told they were unable to just weeks before the festivities got underway. Having run since 1924 without a hitch, in recent years ‘red tape’ has put a stop to simply running the event as it was, with more hoops to jump through for event organisers than ever before. This includes the implementation of a Child Performance Licence. Island Echo understands that the event has run without such licencing in place in recent years, despite legislation changing in 2020. For 2024, having realised that entrants need such a license, event organisers required schools to submit certain information about the pupils competing, as per Department for Education and Child Performance Licensing legislation. The news left teachers – some in the week of the February half-term – scrambling around contacting parents to obtain copies of medical records, passports and birth certificates. Despite their efforts, several schools were told they were unable to compete in the competition which got underway earlier this month. Island Echo understands that public schools that are overseen by the Isle of Wight Council need to supply all the relevant information by a specific deadline, whereas those who aren’t such as Ryde Academy and Priory School have no such issues. It is also believed that other unitary authorities – such as those on the mainland – are less strict in enforcing these rules, but that isn’t the case here on the Island. 
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has told Island Echo:
“We acknowledge the community’s concerns regarding school participation in the Isle of Wight Music, Dance, and Drama Festival. “The requirements regarding the type of licence required for a child to perform is set out in Department for Education and Child Performance Licencing legislation, which all maintained schools and academies must follow. “Whilst the local authority adheres to all national legislation, we actively look at streamlining data processing to minimise delays and offer support to organisations as required. “While no recent entry process changes have occurred, in 2023, festival organisers engaged with the Isle of Wight Council for the first time regarding child performance licenses – a longstanding legal requirement. “Through collaborative efforts with other local authorities and the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE), the council ensured accurate information and guidance is given to the organiser. Our alignment with relevant legislation underscores our commitment to safeguarding children during events like this”.
Event organisers have told Island Echo that they were not told of the change in legislation by the Isle of Wight Council and were instead told at one point that they didn’t have to apply for any specific licence, unless the event was to be held under strict parameters. A spokesperson from the Isle of Wight Music, Dance and Drama Festival has said:
“We met with the Council to discuss licenses and we were told that we only had to complete any licensing stuff if we held a gala which we charged for. “The legislation seems to have changed sometime in 2020, and as such we would have expected to have been informed of the changes by the Council. “Since the changes we have worked very hard to get licenses etc in place, but it is an amazing amount of work, not only for us as a charity run by volunteers, but also for the Council. “The biggest disappointment is that the current situation makes it so difficult for state schools to take part in certain events without such a licence.”
The 2024 Isle of Wight Music, Dance and Drama Festival is taking place at venues across the Island until Friday 22nd March.
Well what a shame these poor nippers…they’ve been practicing for this and are being let down by the adults..sad situation indeed..
The salient points..
This includes the implementation of a Child Performance Licence.
public schools that are overseen by the Isle of Wight Council need to supply all the relevant information by a specific deadline, whereas those who aren’t such as Ryde Academy and Priory School have no such issues.
We met with the Council to discuss licenses and we were told that we only had to complete any licensing stuff if we held a gala which we charged for.
…
means, the jobsworths at the council have found another way to rinse more money from islanders, by adding in more layers of red tape, that isn’t needed.
This council needs pushing out,red tape and endless process achieving nothing except taking council tax to employ paper pushers and manager’s. If parents give permission and part of schooling there should be no problem
A rather one sided article. The IWDDF gained licences last year and the rules haven’t changed. Until the government changes its rules the council has to run by them. I’m sure parents would be pleased appropriate safeguarding measures and checks are in place for their children. I would be more worried about the organisers who were aware of the rules but did not carry out their requirements in time. No fee is taken by the council for the lengthy administration of this process.