Swim School Terms & Conditions

  1. Lesson Fees
    1. Payment for lessons is accepted only via Direct Debit through our payments partner, GoCardless. Invoices are issued on the 1st of each month and become due on the 9th. After this date, we are unable to make any changes. Payments are collected by GoCardless shortly after and will typically leave your account around the 14th.
    2. The annual cost of lessons is spread evenly over 12 months, so your monthly invoice remains the same even if the month contains a school holiday.
    3. The Club reserves the right to amend lesson fees at any time, with at least one full month’s notice provided.
    4. If a child moves venue or changes from a 30-minute to a 60-minute class the fee will be adjusted accordingly from the 1st of the following month.
  2. Non-Payment of Fees
    1. If any fees remain unpaid for more than two months after the due date, the swimmer’s membership may be terminated.
    2. If payment has been delayed due to technical issues or financial hardship, it is essential that the member contacts us as soon as possible to discuss the situation. We will always aim to be understanding and supportive where possible.
  3. Joining Costs
    1. We do not charge a joining fee but we do charge a deposit equal to a full month's fee. This will be returned when a child graduates or otherwise leaves the swim school and may be used to fund the final invoice.
    2. The first month's invoice may be charged on pro-rata basis to the nearest half month.
  4. Cancellation Notice - Leaving Stingrays
    1. We require one clear calendar months’ notice of cancellation. This should be made in writing, preferably by email, to the Swim School Manager at [email protected].
    2. For example: If you cancel on the 1st May your membership will end at the end of June. If you cancel on the 31st May your membership will end at the end of June.
    3. Re-joining after cancellation: Any swim school member who cancels their membership and then decides to re-join within 3 months will incur a re-joining fee equal to one month's fee.
  5. Cancellation and Postponement of Sessions
    1. In the event of force majeure the Swim School is not liable for delays or cancellations caused by events beyond its control, including but not limited to extreme weather, natural disasters, pandemics, government restrictions, or utility failures.
    2. In such cases, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule sessions, but refunds may not be offered.
    3. If a swim school session is cancelled for reasons that could reasonably be deemed to be within our control including staff sicknesses, timetable clashes, etc., we will seek to offer an alternative session.
  6. Attendance
    1. If a child does not attend lessons for more than four consecutive weeks excluding recognised school holidays or official club shutdown periods they will be deemed to have left the Swim School. In this case, their membership will be cancelled, and no refund will be offered.
  7. Long-Term Absence
    1. If a child is likely to miss more than one full month of lessons, it is essential that parents or guardians inform us as soon as possible.
    2. We can only guarantee to hold a place for an absent swimmer if the full monthly fee continues to be paid during the period of absence.
    3. If a child stops attending and later wishes to rejoin within three months, a re-joining fee may apply. This fee may be waived at the discretion of the Club’s Trustees, but only if the absence and its expected duration were communicated to us in advance.
  8. General Guidelines and Policies
    1. It is the Club’s policy that teachers may accompany children in the water when necessary to support the most effective teaching and learning experience.
    2. Photographs and video footage of lessons may be taken occasionally and used for promotional purposes on our website and in other media. If you do not consent to this, please ensure your media preferences are updated in Swim Club Manager.
    3. Please do not bring your child to swimming lessons if they are unwell especially in cases of diarrhoea or vomiting. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds for lessons missed due to illness.
    4. Children should not eat within one hour before swimming to allow adequate time for digestion.
    5. Please ensure your child uses the toilet and showers before their lesson, in line with best-practice hygiene guidelines for swimming.
    6. Lockers are provided in the changing rooms and large bags should not be brought poolside.
  9. Assessment and Progress Reports
    1. Children are continuously assessed during their lessons, with teachers making regular notes on poolside charts. In addition, more formal assessments are carried out once or twice per term, with results uploaded to our online system, usually after the end of each term.
    2. Progress reports should be viewed as a guide. Completing all items on a tick sheet does not guarantee an automatic move to the next class. While we try to assess as objectively as possible, it’s normal for children to perform a skill one week and not be able to replicate it the next.
    3. Teachers may recommend a class move at any time if they feel a child is ready, so it does not have to wait until the end of term. If the next class is full, the teacher will continue to refine existing skills and begin introducing content from the next stage where appropriate.
    4. We generally find that progressing a child too early can be counterproductive. Those who take extra time to master core skills often move through the next stage more confidently and quickly.
    5. The decision to move a child is based on a combination of factors: their progress report, attitude and aptitude, and whether there is space in the receiving class. There is no one-size-fits-all policy. Some children benefit from being a “big fish in a small pond,” while others are motivated by being with more advanced swimmers.
  10. Complaints, Feedback and Comments
    1. Swim lessons often run back-to-back, which means teachers usually have limited time to speak with parents between sessions. For this reason, any questions or concerns should be directed to the Swim School Manager.
    2. If the Swim School Manager is already speaking with another parent and you are unable to wait, you are very welcome to send your feedback or query via email to [email protected]. All emails will be responded to as soon as possible.
    3. We kindly ask for your understanding as the Swim School Manager role is part-time, and while we always aim to reply promptly, responses may not be immediate.