Terms & Conditions

Please take the time to read and familiarise yourself with Swims’cool terms and conditions, teaching policies, procedures and parental responsibilities.

• Here at Swimscool we have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. All members of the Swimscool must be treated with respect; this applies to staff, pupils, and parents/guardians alike.
• Please note that due to child protection regulations photography (including camera phones) and video filming are NOT permitted during swimming lessons. Staff will on occasions take pictures/videos for promotional purposes only. They will request permission for this from parents.
• All accidents and injuries should be reported to the on-duty staff prior to leaving the building. An accident form must be completed.
• Any communications regarding swimming/lessons should be done outside of teaching hours or directed to lessons@swimschoolmhc.co.uk.

Staff Responsibilities

• All lead swimming teachers are Swim England/STA qualified.
• As some physical contact with your child is unavoidable all staff adhere to Child Protection Procedures and have undergone DBS checks.
• In the event of a teacher being absent. Swimscool will endeavour to provide a cover teacher and we may provide a temporary replacement swimming teacher.
• At times there may be assistant swim teachers present alongside lead swim teachers.
• Swimming teachers are responsible for the safeguarding and welfare of pupils during their swimming lessons. The swimming lesson begins when the swimming teacher accepts charge of the pupil and ends when the lesson finishes.
• Swimscool staff are not able to take children to the toilet during lessons.

Parental Responsibilities

• No child should enter the poolside without a member of staff present.
• Parents/guardians are responsible for their children at all times when the child is not in their swimming lesson. They should always be under the direct supervision of an adult who is not taking part in the lesson and never be left unattended.
• We ask that parents/guardians supervise their child to get to and from their lesson station, ensuring a smooth transition in and out of the pool/building. Please ensure you arrive to your lesson on time.
• There is male, female and family changing rooms. Children over the age of 7 years old must change in the changing room that corresponds to their gender.
• We ask that parents and guardians always remain nearby on the premises while the pupil is in their lesson in the event of medical/other emergency and building evacuation.
• Swimscool staff are not able to take children to the toilet during lessons, parents are therefore required to do so if the child needs to go.
• It is important that Swimscool has up to date contact details and relevant information. This can be updated in HomePortal.
• Ensure that their child is properly and adequately attired for their lesson. Swimming hats are mandatory and can be purchased at reception. (Please see below for dress code and hygiene).
• Encourage children to obey the rules set by the teacher and always try their best.
• Parents and guardians must not distract or try to engage with the swimming teacher during lessons.
• Any concerns that you have as a parent need to be raised immediately and directly with swimming teacher or management team.

Pupil Illness

• If your child is unwell, we recommend that you do not bring them to their swimming lesson.
• If your child has been ill with vomiting/diarrhoea, they should not attend their lesson. To protect others, they should not swim for 48 hours post illness.

Learn to Swim Programme

• All pupils on the Learn to Swim Programme develop in accordance with the Swimscool Learn to Swim Framework, which has been designed, progressed, and improved over the last 30 years.
• The majority of our Learn to Swim classes are held over 30-minute timeslots (some advanced and adult classes might be 45 or 60 minutes) this includes time to take registers and assessments.
• Progression of all pupils will be at the judgment of the Swimming Teacher who will continually assess individuals.
• Pupils will be moved up to the next level when they meet the skills criteria required and if there is adequate room within the next level class.
• Upon completion of a stage, the parent/guardian will be contacted via email/phone, explaining that the child is ready to move up to the next stage.
• Due to the progressive nature of our programme, and the variety of ability levels within each session, we cannot guarantee the same time slot when moved to a more advanced class. Those waiting for spaces will be kept in their current stage until a place becomes available.
• Pupil to Teacher ratios are developed in line with Swim England Guidelines.
• Swimscool reserves the right to combine classes at short notice, if necessary, under the safe supervision guidelines for swimming lessons.
   

Dress Code & Hygiene

• All children should wear appropriate fitting costumes/trunks and shorts specifically designed for swimming. Baggy costumes/trunks can hinder movement.
• No jewellery should be worn during a swimming lesson. Religious or medical bracelets are allowed but should not distract the swimmer from their lesson.
• The use of goggles is permitted but pupils will be asked to remove them if they are a distraction and when performing certain skills (unless there is a medical reason for goggles to be worn).
• All swimmers should shower before their lesson. Please ensure that all hair gel/body lotions etc are removed. This will help to keep the water clean. Make sure your child uses the toilet before the lesson commences.
   

Swimming Lesson Payment

• All fees for swimming lessons must be paid monthly, the first payment must be confirmed before starting lessons.
• Direct Debit payments are taken on 1st of each month.
• New joiners will pay a pro-rata payment for any lessons which take place prior to the first Direct Debit being taken and a registration fee this will be done online on home portal.
• No notice of cancellation is needed however, no refund will be given if cancelled after the 1st of the month, other than extenuating circumstances, which is left to the discretion of management.
• Swimscool reserves the right to change the price of swimming lessons at any time. Direct Debit customers will be notified in writing with at least 14 working days notice of any change.
• For any failed Direct Debits, Swimscool reserves the right to restrict access to lessons, until a payment of the outstanding amount has been paid in full. If the payment has not been made your child’s space maybe filled and will not be reserved until payment is made.
• The monthly Direct Debit is fixed at the price set, regardless of the number of lessons that are delivered during the month. i.e. some months there will be five lessons, while most months there will be four. Over a 12-month period, with 12 equal Direct Debit payments a total of 43 swimming lessons will be available to attend.
   

Accidents/ Injuries

• All accidents and injuries should be reported to the on-duty staff prior to leaving the building. An accident form must be completed.
   

Changing & Moving Lesson

• You may request a change of time, day or Swimming Teacher and we will try to accommodate your request,provided a space is available. If you cannot be accommodated at that time your child will be added to the movements list and you will be able to make movements through Home Portal when a space becomes available.

Pool Closure & Cancelled Swimming Lessons

• In the event of a pool closure, we will make every attempt to contact our customers as soon as possible. Contact will be via email/phone.
• In the event of a planned pool closure wherever possible you will be offered an alternative class to accommodate your lesson.
   

Missed Lessons

• Lesson fees are non-refundable where the pupil has either missed lessons or decided to withdraw from the programme altogether.
• In exceptional circumstances management may exercise discretion on refunds but this would only be on production of a medical certificate or documentation from a medical centre, hospital, or GP.

Changing Teacher

• We will use reasonable endeavours to provide the same instructor for each lesson within a course. However, relief instructors may be used without prior notification.
• We reserve the right to appoint a new teacher at any time and may, at times need to provide an alternative teacher for a class or classes due to illness or for any other unforeseen circumstances.
• In the event a teacher is away for a long period of time we will try to keep the same cover teacher where possible.
• If a teacher is absent, we reserve the right to join classes together if considered appropriate and safe according to Swim England guidelines. We would always try to put a replacement teacher in place immediately however, if this is not manageable, we would put the classes together in order to avoid the cancellation.
   

Communication

• We like to encourage communication and welcome issues to be raised with our team. The on-duty staff will help resolve any immediate poolside issues. However, any additional problems or issues can be conveyed through email to lessons@swimscoolmhc.co.uk
• Questions regarding the progression of pupils should also be directed towards lessons@swimscoolmhc.co.uk
• All parents/guardians are required to supply us with a valid email address and contact/mobile number for quick communication purposes. This is essential so that we can notify you with regards to any changes or important information.

Viewing Lessons

• Parents/guardians are permitted on poolside but must sit on the seating provided but they must not interfere with the lessons or distract the Swimming Teachers.
• It is difficult for the teaching staff to gain full attention from their pupils if they are being distracted; progress can be affected if children are not fully able to concentrate.
• The poolside is a Shoe Free Zone and all footwear is to be removed and/or wear shoe covers provided.
• No photography or filming is permitted on poolside or in the changing area.
   

Behaviour & Conduct

• Parents accept that their child is under the supervision, control, and care of the Swimming Teacher, during the lesson period. Should the behaviour of the child be unsatisfactory, and the class is being disrupted, the Swimming Teacher has the right to remove the pupil from the class.
• The Teacher may employ reasonable measures as necessary to maintain the smooth delivery of the class. We reserve the right to request that your child should be removed from classes should they persistently disrupt or are seen to be putting themselves or anyone else at risk during the class. If a child is removed under these circumstances and suitable alternative arrangements cannot be made, no refund will be provided.

Valuables

• Swimscool will not accept liability for the loss of or damage to any personal effects brought to any session and you are therefore requested to ensure that no valuable items are brought to the swimming lessons. Valuable items should be kept with you at all times.

Conditions of pool premises

• Swimscool will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the condition of the pool premises, including the changing rooms, shower areas and the pool and poolside area are in suitable condition. We do not accept liability for any injury sustained whilst on the premises due to misuse of facilities and inappropriate behaviour.

Changes to Terms & Conditions

• Swimscool reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions.
• Reasonable notice will be provided to any changes and customers will be made aware of any changes.