We expect all gymnasts, appropriate to their age and understanding, to:

• Listen to coaches and follow instructions, particularly instructions relating to safety. 
• Use gymnastics equipment only as instructed and never use equipment without permission. 
• Stay within designated training and collection areas and do not leave the gym or Academy without permission. 
• Respect other people's personal space and keep hands, feet and objects to yourself. 
• Never deliberately hit, kick, push, trip, threaten, frighten or attempt to injure another person. 
• Never interfere with another gymnast while they are performing a skill or using equipment. 
• Tell a coach if something feels unsafe, if they are injured or if they are worried about themselves or another gymnast.

• Treat other gymnasts, coaches, staff, visitors and families with kindness and respect. 
• Use appropriate language. 
• Bullying, intimidation, threatening behaviour or deliberately frightening another person will not be accepted. 
• Respect the Academy, its equipment and facilities. 
• Help keep the gym and surrounding areas tidy. 
• Respect other gymnasts' right to train without unnecessary disruption. 

• Approach training positively and be willing to try. 
• Listen when coaches are speaking and allow others to learn. 
• Understand that mistakes are a normal and important part of learning gymnastics. 
• Ask for help when needed. 
• Work to the best of your ability while respecting your own wellbeing and the safety of others.

Gymnasts need to be both physically and emotionally ready to participate in their session.

We understand that children will not always arrive feeling happy or confident. Gymnasts may sometimes feel nervous, tired, shy, worried or overwhelmed, and our coaches will always aim to provide appropriate support and reassurance.

However, a gymnast must be willing to enter the gym and participate in their session.

If a gymnast arrives distressed, crying or unwilling to enter, PGA coaches will not physically take the child from their parent/guardian or persuade them to participate against their wishes.

Parents/guardians are welcome to take some time outside the gym to reassure and settle their child. If the gymnast then chooses to enter independently, they may join their session where appropriate. 

If they remain unwilling or distressed, they should return home and try again at another session.

Once a gymnast has willingly entered the session, coaches will of course support and reassure them if they subsequently become upset or need help during training.

Every gymnast must arrive appropriately dressed and prepared for gymnastics and must bring a suitably stocked gym bag to every session, regardless of age, programme or session length. The bag does not need to be Peacock branded.

Every gym bag should contain:

• a filled, named water bottle 
• spare suitable training clothes, including a T-shirt/top and close-fitting leggings or shorts 
• a sweatshirt, hoodie or other warm layer 
• socks 
• a personal hair kit including a brush/comb, spare hair elastics and suitable clips/slides 
• any personal or programme-specific items required for training. 

Hair & Clothing

All hair must be secured away from the face and eyes before entering the gym. Long hair must be tied back, while shorter hair, fringes and loose sections should be clipped, banded or otherwise secured. Suitable styling products may be used where necessary.

Coaches may assist younger gymnasts with their hair where required, using the gymnast's own hair items.

Gymnasts must wear suitable close-fitting gymnastics clothing. Jewellery must be removed before training unless an exception has specifically been agreed for safety or medical reasons. Socks should not normally be worn on gymnastics apparatus unless instructed by a coach, but must be available for activities where they are required, including trampoline.

Forgotten or Missing Items

PGA understands that an item or gym bag may occasionally be forgotten and, where reasonably possible, we will help resolve an occasional issue so that the gymnast can continue training safely. Regularly arriving without the items required for training will be treated as a preparedness issue and raised with the parent/guardian.

PGA does not routinely provide personal hair products, spare clothing or other personal training items. Where an item is required for safe participation, the parent/guardian may be asked to provide it before the gymnast can participate. Where available, essential items may be purchased from reception.

The availability of items to purchase at reception does not replace the requirement for gymnasts to arrive appropriately prepared for training.

Gymnasts must follow PGA's rules regarding mobile phones, photography, video and social media.

Personal phones and other devices must not be used within the gym unless permission has been given by a coach.

Gymnasts must not photograph or record other gymnasts, coaches or training sessions without permission.

Gymnasts should not contact coaches through personal social-media accounts or private online messaging. 

Communication with the Academy should take place through the appropriate PGA channels.

Children are learning, and we recognise that gymnasts will sometimes require reminders, correction and support with their behaviour.

Coaches will respond to ordinary behaviour concerns in a manner appropriate to the gymnast's age, understanding, circumstances and the nature of the behaviour.

Where concerns arise, PGA may use the following graduated approach:

First Stage
A coach will address the behaviour with the gymnast and provide an appropriate verbal reminder or warning. The parent/guardian may also be informed.

Second Stage
If concerns continue or the behaviour is more significant, the gymnast may be removed from part or all of the session. The parent/guardian will be informed and may be asked to collect their child. A temporary suspension may also be considered.

Further Concerns
Where concerning behaviour continues despite intervention and support, PGA may suspend or terminate the gymnast's membership. 

These stages provide a general framework rather than an automatic sequence. PGA will consider the circumstances and seriousness of each situation when determining the appropriate response.

The graduated behaviour process does not have to be followed where behaviour is sufficiently serious to present a significant safety or welfare risk.

Depending upon the circumstances, PGA may immediately remove a gymnast from an activity or session, require their parent/guardian to collect them, suspend participation or terminate membership.

Serious behaviour may include, but is not limited to:

• deliberate or attempted hitting, kicking, pushing or other physical aggression 
• attempting to injure another person 
• deliberate interference with another gymnast while they are performing a skill 
• threatening or intimidating behaviour 
• deliberately frightening another gymnast 
• serious misuse of gymnastics equipment 
• leaving designated areas without permission 
• serious or repeated refusal to follow safety instructions 
• behaviour that prevents coaches from safely supervising the wider group 
• any other behaviour presenting a significant safety or welfare risk.

A coach may remove a gymnast from an activity or the remainder of a session where their behaviour presents a safety risk, significantly disrupts the safe running of the session or prevents safe supervision of other gymnasts.

Removal from an individual session does not automatically mean that membership will be terminated. However, serious or repeated incidents may result in suspension or termination.

Behavioural history and previous interventions may be considered when PGA determines an appropriate response.

Warnings do not automatically expire after a set period.

PGA may consider the nature and seriousness of previous incidents, their frequency, the gymnast's attendance, periods of absence, previous interventions and support, and subsequent behaviour.

A period of absence from training does not reset a gymnast's behavioural history or previous warnings. 

Where a gymnast returns following an absence, previous incidents and interventions may be taken into account if concerning behaviour resumes.

PGA recognises that individual gymnasts may require different levels or types of support.

Individual needs and circumstances will be considered wherever reasonably possible, and we encourage parents/guardians to share relevant information that may help us appropriately support their child.

We ask families to work constructively with the Academy where behaviour, safety or support concerns are raised.

Support for an individual gymnast must always be balanced with PGA's responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of everyone attending the Academy.

Where an individual's continued participation presents an unacceptable safety or welfare risk, the safety and wellbeing of the wider group will take priority.

Parents and guardians play an important role in creating a safe, positive and supportive gymnastics environment.

We ask parents/guardians to:

• Ensure their child is willing and ready to enter their gymnastics session. 
• Never expect a coach to take a distressed or unwilling child from them or persuade their child to participate against their wishes. 
• Ensure their child arrives on time, appropriately dressed and prepared for training. 
• Ensure their child brings the required gym bag and personal items to every session. 
• Ensure hair is secured and jewellery removed before entering the gym. 
• Inform PGA of relevant injuries, illnesses, medical information, additional support needs or other circumstances that may affect safe participation. 
• Keep PGA informed of relevant changes that may affect their child's participation or support needs. 
• Be a positive role model by encouraging effort, progress, enjoyment and respectful behaviour, and avoid comparing gymnasts or focusing solely on results.
• Treat gymnasts, coaches, staff, officials and other families respectfully. 
• Communicate respectfully with coaches and staff and raise concerns appropriately through the Academy's designated communication channels. 
• Respect coaching decisions, gymnast placements and training programmes. 
• Support and respect PGA decisions made in the interests of gymnast safety and welfare. 
• Allow coaches to coach and avoid giving instructions or coaching from the sidelines. 
• Remain outside the gym unless invited into the training area. 
• Follow PGA's photography, filming and safeguarding requirements. 
• Work constructively with PGA when behaviour, safety, attendance, preparedness or support concerns are raised. 
• Notify PGA of absences where required. 
• Ensure fees are paid in accordance with the Academy's terms. 
• Collect their child promptly at the end of training or whenever requested by the Academy. 

Unacceptable or abusive behaviour towards gymnasts, coaches, staff, officials or other families may result in a parent/guardian being asked to leave the premises and may lead to a review of the gymnast's membership.

Being selected for a Peacock Gymnastics Squad carries additional responsibilities.

Squad gymnasts are expected to demonstrate appropriate behaviour, commitment, attendance and preparation for their competitive programme.

Gymnasts must attend the training required for their programme and arrive ready to participate fully in the complete training session unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed in advance.

Competition participation is subject to the gymnast being appropriately prepared and meeting the training and attendance requirements set by the coaching team.

Squad membership is conditional upon gymnasts continuing to meet the training, behaviour, attendance and competition expectations of the programme. PGA reserves the right to review, suspend or withdraw a Squad place where these expectations are not being met. Serious safety or conduct incidents may result in immediate removal.

The Code of Conduct creates responsibilities for the Academy as well as for gymnasts and their families.

Peacock Gymnastics Academy will aim to:

• provide a safe, positive and supportive training environment 
• treat gymnasts fairly and respectfully 
• provide coaching appropriate to each gymnast's programme and development 
• listen to gymnasts and take their concerns seriously 
• support children appropriately when they are worried, upset or finding something difficult 
• communicate significant concerns with parents/guardians 
• consider individual needs and circumstances wherever reasonably possible 
• respond proportionately to behaviour and safety concerns 
• maintain appropriate professional and safeguarding boundaries 
• prioritise the physical and emotional wellbeing of the children within our care.

A successful gymnastics environment depends upon gymnasts, parents and coaches working together.

Our aim is not simply to enforce rules. It is to create an Academy where children can learn, make mistakes, develop confidence, enjoy their gymnastics and progress safely.

By participating at Peacock Gymnastics Academy, gymnasts and their parents/guardians are expected to follow this Code of Conduct and the Academy's associated policies and membership terms.

Peacock Gymnastics Academy Ltd
2026/27 Season