Terms & Conditions

1) Bookings and payments

·        All bookings must be made via ClassForKids / our website.

·        Payments must be completed at least 7 days before the start of term.

·        If you have any issues with payment, please contact info@eastsussexschoolofcircusarts.co.uk.

2) Sign in and sign out (handover)

·        Every student will be signed in using the ClassForKids software in the café.

·        At the end of the session, children will only be handed back to a parent/carer once the instructor has seen them.

·        If someone else is collecting your child, you must inform a teacher in advance. If we have not been informed, we may not be able to release your child until we have been able to contact you.

3) Lateness and early collection

·        If you arrive 10 minutes late, we reserve the right to refuse entry to the class. This is to ensure safety, as a proper warm-up is required before training begins.

·        Please arrive 5–10 minutes before your lesson.

·        An appropriate cool-down must be completed before a student goes home. If your child needs to leave early, please inform a teacher in advance.

4) Late collection (not picked up)

·        If a child is not collected within 15 minutes of the session end time, we will contact the parent/carer and then the emergency contact.

·        If we are unable to make contact and there is still no collection, we will escalate further in line with safeguarding procedures.

5) Behaviour, safety and consequences

ESSCA is a safety-led environment. Circus training carries risk, and all students must follow staff instructions immediately.

Breaking this code of conduct may result in:

·        Being refused entry to the school

·        Being asked to leave a lesson

·        Exclusion

·        Parental involvement

·        Police involvement

·        Loss of booking without a refund or credit

5.1 Warnings and removal from class

·        Instructors will normally issue warnings where appropriate.

·        Instructors will make the initial decision to remove a student from a class if behaviour or actions put safety or learning at risk.

·        Serious incidents may result in immediate removal.

5.2 Violence / use of weapons

·        If staff or students are thought to be at risk due to the actions of any student, we will take precautions needed to ensure everyone’s safety (for example, evacuating the area of risk).

·        We reserve the right to call the Police.

·        Force will only be used to enhance safety and in consideration of individual needs (for example, SEND and age).

5.3 Bullying

Bullying in any form will not be tolerated. This includes cyberbullying. If bullying is identified, action will be taken accordingly and this could jeopardise a student’s place within the school. 

5.4 Use of words (respectful language)

All members of our community will be challenged for using offensive, discriminatory and/or intimidating words. Language is always offensive if it is:

·        Threatening

·        Sexist and/or sexualised

·        Racist

·        Homophobic

·        Disrespectful of individuals’ beliefs or religion

·        Disrespectful of individuals’ physical appearance

5.5 Drugs, alcohol, smoking and prohibited items

·        Drugs and alcohol are not permitted on site.

·        Any item(s) that could cause harm, concern, or offence to others are not permitted.

·        Smoking is not permitted on the East Sussex School of Circus Arts premises, except in designated areas.

5.6 Stealing and damage to property

·        Stealing is a criminal offence. All incidents of theft that are not immediately resolved will be reported to the Police.

·        All incidents of damage will be recorded and the Founder/Director will be notified. We may use CCTV and/or photographs to ascertain responsibility.

·        We may request a contribution towards the cost of repair or replacement. Repeated acts of damage or vandalism may result in Police involvement and legal action.

6) Safeguarding and injuries

·        All teachers are DBS checked and have safeguarding training.

·        There is always a first aider present.

·        If a child sustains an injury during a class, an accident report will be completed (and sometimes a witness statement). The parent/carer will be required to sign this upon collection.

·        For serious injuries we will call the emergency contact number and 999 if required.

7) Equality and inclusion

East Sussex School of Circus Arts offers circus training to a diverse range of students and is committed to a welcoming, inclusive and safety-led environment.

8) Mobile phones, photography and video

·        Students are not allowed to use phones for photography or filming during class unless they have asked for permission and a teacher has agreed.

·        Any permitted filming must be done in a way that protects safeguarding and privacy. Students must ensure no other child is in the photo/video.

·        If a staff member asks you to stop filming/photographing, you must do so immediately.

9) Parents/carers watching

·        Due to health and safety reasons, parents/carers are not allowed to watch sessions.

·        In some circumstances, parents/carers may be allowed in for the first trial.

·        At the end of each term we allow parents/carers in for the last 30 minutes, where each child will show something they have learnt over the past 6 weeks.

10) Car parking

Please make sure you park at East Sussex School of Circus Arts and not at the Ski Centre or Knockhatch Adventure Park, as these are separate businesses. If parking is required in a different location, you will be informed. Please avoid parking on the grass, especially during the wetter seasons – you will get stuck!

11) Clothing, uniform and equipment

·        All students are required to purchase an ESSCA T-shirt (available on our website). Other clothing is also available.

·        Full-length trousers must be worn all year round to reduce the risk of injuries.

·        Please bring a water bottle to keep hydrated.

12) CCTV

We use CCTV on our premises and within the building to help protect staff, teachers, students, and anyone else who may enter our premises.

13) Payments, refunds and cancellations

13.1 Parent/carer cancellation

·        If a parent/carer cancels, no refund is offered.

·        No credit is offered.

13.2 ESSCA cancellation

If ESSCA cancels a class, you will be offered one of the following options:

·        Attend another class (subject to availability)

·        A refund

·        A credit

14) Force majeure

A “Force Majeure Event” is an event outside ESSCA’s reasonable control that prevents or significantly delays us from delivering classes (for example: severe weather, fire, epidemic, government or local authority restrictions, changes in law, civil commotion, or other events beyond human control).

Where a Force Majeure Event occurs, ESSCA will communicate as soon as reasonably possible and will confirm the available options (for example rescheduling, credit, or refund where applicable).

15) Raising concerns and complaints (no victimisation)

·        Where appropriate, concerns should be raised first with the instructor, the programme lead, or a senior member of staff on site.

·        If informal resolution is not appropriate or does not resolve the issue, concerns should be raised under ESSCA’s Complaints Policy.

·        ESSCA will not tolerate victimisation of any learner or parent/carer who raises a concern in good faith.

16) Contact

·        Website: eastsussexschoolofcircusarts.co.uk

·        General enquiries: info@eastsussexschoolofcircusarts.co.uk

·        Phone: 01323 325957