Find the information about us, how to contact us and our terms and conditions.
THE SWIM SKOOL LTD TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully before booking.
These Terms & Conditions apply to swimming lessons and related services provided by The Swim Skool Ltd ("The Swim Skool", "we", "us" or "our"). By making a booking, you ("you" or "the customer") agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions affects any legal rights you have as a consumer that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.
1. How to Contact Us
You can contact us by telephone or email. Current contact details are available at www.theswimskool.co.uk.
If we need to contact you, we will normally use the telephone number, email address, SMS or postal address you provided when booking.
In these Terms & Conditions, "writing" or "written" includes email.
2. Our Swimming Lessons
The Swim Skool provides swimming lessons for customers of different ages and abilities, including swimmers with additional support needs.
Our teachers are appropriately qualified for the lessons they deliver, and we take reasonable steps to ensure lessons are delivered safely and professionally.
Swimming development is individual and depends on factors including attendance, engagement, ability, confidence and practice. We cannot guarantee a particular level of attainment or rate of progress. Customers pay for swimming instruction and not for a guaranteed outcome.
An initial lesson may be used as an assessment to help place a swimmer in a suitable class. If another class is more appropriate, this may involve a change to the day or time offered.
3. Booking, Fees and Payment
The Swim Skool offers lessons by monthly subscription and/or individual trial pay-as-you-go sessions, depending on location and availability.
Once your booking has been accepted, we will send confirmation of the lessons booked and relevant pool/class information. A contract will then be formed between you and The Swim Skool Ltd, subject to these Terms & Conditions.
Lesson fees and applicable charges will be displayed through our booking system and/or communicated before booking.
Fees must be paid through The Swim Skool's approved booking/payment system. Payments must not be made directly to teachers unless expressly authorised by us in writing. Unauthorised payments made to teachers may not be treated as payment to The Swim Skool.
You are responsible for keeping your online account details, password, contact details and payment information secure and up to date.
If a payment fails or becomes overdue, we may contact you to arrange payment and, where appropriate, temporarily suspend lessons until the account is brought up to date. We will act reasonably and in accordance with applicable consumer law.
You remain responsible for fees properly due under your booking, including during any applicable cancellation notice period.
4. Cancellation by the Customer
A minimum of one calendar month's notice is required to cancel lessons.
Cancellation requests must be made in writing by email to theswimskool@gmail.com.
The cancellation notice period starts on the date The Swim Skool receives the written cancellation request.
Lessons and payments will continue as normal during the notice period unless we confirm otherwise in writing.
Nothing in this section limits any statutory cancellation or refund rights that may apply to you.
5. Missed Lessons and Absence
If a swimmer is unable to attend a booked lesson because of illness, holiday, personal circumstances or any other reason, the lesson remains payable and will not normally be refunded.
Late arrival does not entitle the customer to an extension, replacement lesson or refund.
6. Your Right to Change Your Mind
Where you book a service online, you may have a statutory right to cancel within the applicable cooling-off period. These rights are subject to the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and any later applicable legislation.
If you ask us to begin providing lessons during a statutory cooling-off period and then exercise a cancellation right during that period, you may be required to pay for services supplied up to cancellation where permitted by law.
Where a statutory cancellation right applies, we will process any refund due in accordance with applicable legislation and the payment method used.
7. Pool Closures and Adverse Weather
If a pool is closed because of adverse weather, safety concerns or circumstances outside our reasonable control, we will notify you as soon as reasonably practicable.
Where a scheduled swimming lesson cannot take place due to the pool being closed, where possible, we will aim to offer a suitable catch-up lesson, subject to availability and the circumstances of the closure.
If the pool remains open and the lesson goes ahead, the normal attendance and missed-lesson provisions apply.
Pool closures can sometimes occur at short notice. Where we receive short-notice information from a pool operator, we will pass it on as soon as reasonably practicable.
8. Pool Maintenance and Facilities
The Swim Skool uses swimming pools operated by third parties and cannot control all aspects of those facilities.
If a pool becomes unavailable because of maintenance, technical failure or another issue outside our reasonable control, we will notify you as soon as reasonably practicable.
Where possible, we will aim to offer a suitable catch-up lesson, subject to availability and the circumstances of the closure.
We are not responsible for delays or closures caused by the pool operator or other circumstances outside our reasonable control, subject to your statutory rights.
9. Medical Information and Additional Support Needs
Accurate and up-to-date medical and additional support needs (ASN) information is important for the safe delivery of lessons and in an emergency.
Adult swimmers, and parents or guardians of swimmers under 16, are responsible for providing relevant information and updating it at least every 12 months and whenever there is a material change.
Medical and ASN information should be updated through the online account or by contacting The Swim Skool if the online system is unavailable.
You must provide information accurately and completely. The Swim Skool cannot be responsible for risks arising from information that you have not provided, or that is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date, subject to our legal duties.
We will handle medical and ASN information in accordance with applicable data protection law and our Privacy Policy. Health information is sensitive personal data and will be handled with appropriate safeguards.
10. Personal Belongings
Whilst some swimming pools provide locker facilities, The Swim Skool has no control over those facilities or their security.
The Swim Skool Ltd accepts no responsibility for the loss of, theft of, or damage to personal belongings brought to swimming lessons, except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
Swimmers and their parents/guardians are advised not to bring valuable items to lessons and should keep belongings secure.
11. Attendance, Supervision and Pool Venue Rules
Swimmers, parents, guardians, siblings and other accompanying persons must comply with all pool entry requirements, rules and safety procedures, together with reasonable instructions given by The Swim Skool, the pool operator and pool staff.
Pool Venue Rules
The Swim Skool hires swimming pools and facilities operated by third-party venues. As we are using these facilities under the terms set by the pool operator, we are required to follow and comply with the venue's rules, policies, safety procedures and instructions.
Parents, guardians, swimmers and accompanying persons are therefore expected to comply with both The Swim Skool's rules and the rules of the pool venue.
Pool venue rules may vary between locations and may include requirements relating to:
Pool entry and access
Supervision of children
Changing rooms and toilets
Poolside behaviour
Appropriate footwear
Photography and mobile phone use
Food and drink
Parking and access to other facilities
Health and safety requirements
Instructions given by pool staff
The Swim Skool does not control the rules or policies imposed by the pool operator and must comply with them in order to continue using the facility.
Pool staff may refuse admission where their rules or safety requirements are not met.
Where a lesson cannot be attended because admission has been refused due to a customer's actions or failure to comply with pool rules, no refund or credit will normally be due.
Failure to follow pool venue rules may result in the swimmer or accompanying person being asked to leave the premises. Serious or repeated failure to comply may result in the suspension or termination of the customer's booking, subject to applicable consumer law.
For health and safety reasons, swimmers should not go to poolside more than two minutes before the lesson unless instructed otherwise.
Children must be collected promptly after lessons and will only be released in accordance with the collection arrangements provided to us.
A responsible adult must remain on the pool premises and be contactable throughout a child's lesson unless we have expressly confirmed an alternative arrangement.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that emergency contact and collection information is accurate and up to date.
12. Teachers and Teacher Changes
The Swim Skool works with suitably qualified swimming teachers and carries out appropriate safeguarding and background checks in accordance with its policies and legal obligations.
The appointment and allocation of teachers is at the discretion of The Swim Skool.
We strive to maintain consistency by keeping swimmers with the same teacher wherever possible.
Teacher changes may occasionally be necessary because of availability, illness, holidays, staffing requirements or other operational reasons.
A change of teacher does not, by itself, entitle a customer to a refund or reduction in fees.
We will endeavour to ensure that any replacement teacher is suitably qualified and able to continue delivering lessons to an appropriate standard.
If you have concerns about the conduct or suitability of a teacher, please contact The Swim Skool office so that we can investigate and address the matter appropriately.
13. Parent, Customer and General Conduct
Everyone attending or accompanying a swimmer at a Swim Skool lesson is expected to behave respectfully and appropriately towards our staff, teachers, pool staff, children, adult swimmers, parents and other customers.
We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and respectful environment for everyone attending our lessons.
The following behaviour will not be tolerated:
Aggressive, threatening, abusive or intimidating behaviour.
Shouting, swearing or using offensive or inappropriate language towards staff, pool staff, children or other customers.
Bullying, harassment or discriminatory behaviour.
Verbal or physical aggression.
Refusal to follow reasonable safety instructions given by The Swim Skool or pool staff.
Behaviour that significantly disrupts lessons or affects the safety, wellbeing or enjoyment of others.
Damage to pool or Swim Skool property.
Inappropriate or threatening communication, including through telephone, email, text message or social media.
Any behaviour that causes a member of staff, child, adult swimmer, parent or other customer to feel unsafe or intimidated.
Managing Inappropriate Behaviour
Where appropriate, we will aim to resolve concerns calmly and professionally and may issue a verbal or written warning.
However, where behaviour is serious, threatening, abusive or presents a risk to the safety or wellbeing of staff, children, adult swimmers, parents, pool staff or other customers, we reserve the right to take immediate action without a prior warning.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include:
Asking the individual to leave the pool premises.
Restricting communication to written correspondence.
Suspending attendance.
Requiring the customer to follow specific conditions in order to continue attending.
Ending or terminating the customer's booking.
Where a customer's booking is suspended or terminated because of serious or repeated inappropriate behaviour, we will provide the reason for the decision where appropriate.
Any cancellation, refund or outstanding payment will be dealt with in accordance with these Terms & Conditions and applicable consumer law.
The Swim Skool reserves the right to take appropriate action where a parent's, carer's, swimmer's or customer's behaviour negatively affects the safety, wellbeing or operation of our lessons.
Respect for Staff and Pool Staff
Our staff and teachers are expected to treat customers fairly and professionally. We ask that the same standard of respect is shown towards our staff, teachers and the staff of the pool venues we hire.
If you have a concern or complaint, please raise it through our complaints procedure. Staff should not be subjected to aggressive, abusive or intimidating behaviour when dealing with a complaint or disagreement.
We reserve the right to end a conversation or interaction if a customer becomes abusive, threatening or aggressive and may request that any further communication takes place in writing.
Nothing in this section affects any statutory rights you may have as a consumer.
14. Condition of Pool Premises
We take reasonable steps to ensure lessons are delivered in suitable facilities. However, where pool premises are operated by a third party, we do not control all aspects of their condition, maintenance or operation.
If you identify a safety or maintenance concern, please tell the instructor or The Swim Skool office promptly so it can be addressed or reported to the pool operator.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
15. Illness and Infectious Conditions
A swimmer who is unwell or suffering from an infectious condition should not attend a swimming lesson if doing so could place themselves or others at risk.
A swimmer with diarrhoea must not swim until at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
We may refuse participation where a swimmer appears unfit to swim or where participation would create a health or safety risk.
The Swim Skool cannot guarantee that swimmers will not be exposed to infections in a shared swimming environment. We will take reasonable steps within our control to promote a safe environment.
16. Changes to Lessons, Classes, Venues and Arrangements
We aim to keep lesson days, times, teachers and venues consistent, but reasonable operational changes may sometimes be necessary.
Changes may be required because of pool availability, staffing, safety requirements, class levels, demand, maintenance or other circumstances outside our reasonable control.
Where a significant change is required, we will provide reasonable notice where practicable and work with you to identify an appropriate alternative where available.
Nothing in this section removes any statutory rights you may have where a change amounts to a failure to provide the service agreed.
17. Our Responsibility for Losses or Damage
If we fail to comply with these Terms & Conditions, we are responsible for loss or damage you suffer that is a foreseeable result of our breach of contract or our failure to use reasonable care and skill.
We are not responsible for loss or damage that is not foreseeable or for matters outside our reasonable control, subject to your statutory rights.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
18. Health and Safety Rules
Swimmers must follow the pool's health and safety requirements, including showering before entering the pool where required.
No swimmer should enter the pool area without a parent / carer or Swim Skool staff being present.
Food and drink must not be taken into pool facilities where prohibited. No-smoking and other pool policies must be observed.
Outdoor shoes must not be worn on poolside where prohibited by the pool's health and safety policy. Please follow the pool's footwear or shoe-cover requirements.
Mobile phones and audio-visual equipment must not be used in changing rooms, showers or poolside.
Unauthorised recording, photography or filming of swimmers or staff is prohibited. Serious or repeated breaches may result in removal from the premises and/or termination of the booking, subject to applicable law.
Other pool facilities, such as gyms, spas or leisure areas, are subject to the pool operator's rules and charges. The Swim Skool does not control access to those facilities.
The swimmer's parent or guardian must bring the child to the lesson unless we have been informed in advance of an alternative responsible adult who is authorised to collect them.
19. Safeguarding
The Swim Skool is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable swimmers and will operate in accordance with its safeguarding procedures and applicable legal requirements.
We may take appropriate action, including contacting a parent/guardian, pool management or relevant authorities, where we have a safeguarding or welfare concern and believe this is necessary or permitted by law.
Parents and guardians must provide accurate information relevant to a swimmer's safety and notify us of any change that could affect participation or collection.
20. Complaints and Dispute Resolution
We hope you will be happy with our service.
If you have a concern or complaint, please contact theswimskool@gmail.com and provide as much detail as possible.
We will aim to acknowledge and investigate complaints fairly and within a reasonable period.
Nothing in this section prevents you from exercising any statutory rights or pursuing an appropriate external complaint route where available.
21. Privacy and Data Protection
We process personal information in accordance with applicable data protection law and our Privacy Policy, available on our website.
We may process information about swimmers, including medical and additional support information, where necessary for the safe delivery of lessons and other lawful business purposes.
Certain health information is special category data and is subject to additional legal requirements.
You are responsible for ensuring information you provide to us is accurate and up to date.
Please refer to our Privacy Policy for information about the data we collect, why we use it, who we may share it with, retention periods and your rights.
22. Website
Information on our website is provided for general information and is subject to change.
We take reasonable care to keep information accurate, but do not guarantee that every page is complete or error-free at all times.
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. These are provided for convenience and The Swim Skool is not responsible for their content or operation.
Website content, branding, graphics and materials are owned by or licensed to The Swim Skool or their respective owners and must not be reproduced without appropriate permission.
Unauthorised use of our website or its content may give rise to legal action.
23. General
If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply to the extent permitted by law.
A failure or delay by The Swim Skool to enforce a provision does not mean that we have waived our right to enforce it later.
These Terms & Conditions, together with the booking information and any specific terms communicated before booking, form the agreement between you and The Swim Skool for the relevant services.
These Terms & Conditions do not affect any consumer rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.
24. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales will have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory rights you may have as a consumer.