Schools and learning

Children's Performance Licences

Local Authorities are responsible for licencing children who take part in TV/theatre, modelling and paid sporting activities in accordance with "The Children and Young Persons Act 1963" and "The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968".

A licence for children taking part in Performances is issued to the Applicant, the Applicant being: "the person responsible for the production of the performance in which the child is to take part" (production/theatre company), for the specified performance and for the duration of the specified performance (not exceeding 6 months).


Once the application has been assessed and is in order, taking into account the current regulations including the number of hours the child will be required on set, will there be any late nights required, etc and the Pupil Attendance and Support team is satisfied that all guidelines are being met, a licence will be issued.

Photographic, Modelling and Theatre work

Part I of the form is completed by the Applicant. Part II of the form is to be completed by the child’s parent. Once Part I and Part II have been fully completed, the following documentation must be attached:

• Two passport size photographs of the child taken within the last six months
• A copy of the child's birth certificate
• A completed Parental Declaration of Health form, letter from child's parent stating they are fit and healthy or a medical certificate or letter from the child's GP or a registered doctor stating they are fit and healthy. Theatrical productions which run for more than 1 week require a medical certificate/letter from the child's GP or a registered body.
• A letter from the child's Headteacher authorising any absences they may need to have

The fully completed form with all relevant documentation attached can then be sent to: The Performing Licence Co-Ordinator, Children, Schools & Families, Local Services Division, Room 152 County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford, Herts, SG13 8DF.

Broadcast and recorded performances (TV/Film/Radio)

The licence is applied for in exactly the same way as above with all the same documents attached except that a medical certificate from the child’s GP or a registered doctor stating that the child is fit and healthy is required. A parental health declaration is NOT acceptable for broadcast and recorded performances.

The application form(s) fully completed with all relevant documentation attached must arrive at our offices no later than 5 working days before the performance takes place.

The Performing Licence Co-Ordinator,
Children, Schools & Families,
Local Services Division,
Room 132a County Hall,
Pegs Lane,
Hertford,
Herts,
SG13 8DF

Any applications received less that 5 days before the first performance will not be processed.

Licences for Matrons/Chaperones

Please note that these licences are subject to criminal background checks. To obtain more information on how to apply, please contact The Performing Licence Co-Ordinator.