Terms & Conditions
All customers are agreeing to the terms and conditions set out below by signing up on out client hub. The terms and conditions must be adhered to and complied with by all those attending a class with Swim Bedminster, failure to do so may result in your booking being terminated for which Swim Bedminster is under no obligation to refund.
We reserve the right to make amendments to our terms and conditions at any time to reflect changes in our business or statutory obligations. If applicable, these changes will be communicated to all our customers via email.
General Terms & Conditions
All children attending the following Baby (Level 1), Baby (Level 2), Toddler (Level 3), Toddler (Level 4), Pre-School (Level 5) lessons must be accompanied in the water by their adult carer.
We can only accommodate one carer in the water per child due to maximum bather load.
Customers are responsible for the child in their care at all times and must inform the teacher prior to the lesson of any concerns they have.
New customers must make the office or teacher aware upon booking of any concerns or special adjustments required so they can assist with any extra help as needed.
It is the customer’s responsibility to inform the office and teacher of any medical condition(s), allergies, disabilities, SEN information that could/may affect their or their child’s capabilities in the swimming pool. You must agree to inform us and keep us up to date with any medical conditions, changes of medical conditions at all times (including pregnancy), as soon as you become aware of them. All information provided to us will be treated as strictly confidential.
Customers should always behave in a civilized manner and refrain from using offensive language. Swim Bedminster may ask a customer to leave should their behaviour be in any way offensive or disruptive.
Customers accept that there will be physical contact between their child and the teacher at certain times during their lesson. All contact will be carried out in a professional and caring manner, and only when necessary.
Customers must follow all pool procedures as advised to them at the time of booking; which will include car parking, entry and exit routes to the pool, and any additional procedures that are deemed to be applicable/necessary to the pool.
Customers are not permitted to arrive more than 15 minutes before the lesson and leave no more than 15 minutes after the lesson, as a teacher may not be present and/or this may be outside of our hire times.
All shoes must be removed or overshoes worn before entering the pool building.
Smoking and vaping are strictly forbidden within any pool building or grounds.
All teachers hold a teaching qualification from either the Swimming Teacher’s Association (STA) or Swim England (previously known as the Amateur Swimming Association). All teachers are insured through either the STA or the IOS (insurance body for Swim England) and hold a lifesaving and safeguarding qualification as well as a valid DBS check.
Our teachers also undergo extensive training with a senior member of the team before they start their own lessons, training teachers may take parts or all of the lesson as part of the training program this will be supported by a senior member of the team.
The safety and well-being of your child or the child in your care are of the utmost importance to Swim Bedminster. We have a responsibility and duty to report any inappropriate or suspicious behaviour to the relevant authorities.
We are required to ‘whistle blow’ should we suspect any child to be in danger or suffering from any form of abuse.
All participation of you and/or your child, or those in whose care you have placed your child for the purpose of attending or observing swimming lessons is done so entirely at your and their own risk, in the absence of any proven negligence, lack of due diligence or breach of duty by the teacher(s) or Swim Bedminster staff. Any injury resulting from any trip, slip or fall or any other incident is entirely at your own risk.
Booking a Class
Class bookings can be made directly with our office, either via email or through our customer portal.
In order to book a class, specific personal information must be provided at the time of booking. This information will be used to contact you with regard to lessons, other services, and marketing.
Once your booking has been completed you will receive a confirmation email detailing your booking and providing a link to set up your direct debit. Your direct debit mandate must be set up before your first lesson to secure your space.
Swim Bedminster run a direct debit payment system for all our lessons via GoCardless.
Payment for classes is by direct debit in advance of each half term. When booking in for the first time it is required to have the direct debit mandate set up prior to your first class.
All customers with an active direct debit mandate are automatically enrolled for the following half term’s lessons. If you have an active direct debit mandate, we assume that you are happy to continue lessons with us each half term, until you cancel your direct debit mandate.
All classes including but not limited to Parent & Child, Childrens Group, Private 1:1 and 2:1 lessons are booked in half termly blocks with payment being due 2 weeks prior to the first day of term.
Customers will be notified by email from Swim Bedminster two weeks before the end of the current term with details for the following half term. An email from GoCardless will then also be sent detailing your payment is scheduled and will be taken from the bank account specified when booking.
For details of how to cancel your payment please refer directly to the email you receive from GoCardless. Swim Bedminster is unable to cancel any payment once it has been submitted to GoCardless via our system. You have the right to cancel your payment with GoCardless as specified in their emails. Swim Bedminster cannot be held responsible for a customer not cancelling their direct debit.
If your direct debit payment fails or is returned by your bank, you must make payment via bank transfer to us within 3 working days otherwise a £10 late fee will apply, this will be added to your direct debit.
If payments are made on or before the next due date, your child’s place in the class is secure. After the payment due date, if a recurring payment has failed, places are not guaranteed and will be offered to any customers waiting for a place in that class.
To cancel your ‘Direct Debit’ please contact your bank.
Please note that selecting our ‘Direct Debit’ option does not affect our refund policy.
Should you wish to stop swimming with us please notify us in writing by email.
Holiday classes/ crash courses/ intensive lessons are run separately. Payment for these will be taken separately to your regular class and do not affect your regular payment due dates.
In order to book a Swim Bedminster class, you must register your details and those of your child/children with us. These will include your name, mobile and landline phone numbers, email address, home address, emergency contact details, and any relevant conditions that could affect you or your child whilst in the pool, or a condition you feel we should be made aware of. All of our information is compliant with GDPR regulations.
By providing us with an email address you are agreeing to receive communication from us by email.
All images displayed on this website are under the ownership of the photographer concerned. Agreement to display the photographs has been reached and they are not available to be copied.
Intensive Holiday Classes
Bookings for our optional school holiday classes can be made directly with our office, either via email or through our customer portal. These bookings and payments run separately to our termly classes.
Payment is required upon booking to secure your space. A payment link will be included in your booking confirmation email. Swim Bedminster run a direct debit payment system for all our lessons via GoCardless.
If your direct debit payment fails or is returned by your bank, you must make payment to us within 3 working days otherwise a £10 late fee will apply, this will be added to your direct debit.
No refunds will be given for holiday classes under any circumstances (except for if Swim Bedminster is unable to run the classes due to a pool issue or teacher illness).
What to Wear to Swimming Lessons
Swim Bedminster have a strict ‘double nappy’ policy for children not yet fully toilet trained and dry through the night. An approved neoprene swim nappy, such as “Splashabout” neoprene swim nappy or one of a similar design (ie with snug-fitting cuffs at the waist and legs) must be worn with a disposable or eco/reusable swim nappy underneath (ie. Huggies Swimmers).
This is a requirement of attendance as should the child foul in the pool, this will stop the contents escaping. Children are welcome to wear swimming costumes, swim trunks, baby wetsuits and other similar garments over the top of the swim nappy and disposable swimming nappy.
We carry spare happy nappies however all sizes may not be available you can also purchase one for £10 it is best to email ahead to order to ensure we have the correct size available, disposable swimming nappies can be purchased poolside for £1, we are cashless environment and an invoice will be issued for any purchases.
Children are welcome to wear swimming costumes, swim trunks, baby wetsuits, and other similar garments but the ‘double nappy’ must still be worn underneath if the swimmer is not fully toilet trained.
We reserve the right to refuse entry to any child who is not suitably dressed.
Children and adults must remove loose-fitting or sharp jewellery before swimming. Hoop earrings are not permitted. All must wear appropriate swimwear in the pool, tie back long hair or wear a swim hat.
Prior to swimming, all plasters and hair clips must be removed due to the risk of them falling off in the water and damaging the pool filters.
No outdoor footwear should be worn on the poolside or alternatively please wear any poolside blue overshoes if provided.
Please ensure you treat the changing facilities and the belongings of others with respect before and after lessons.
Prescription glasses are not permitted – they must be replaced by prescription goggles.
If you are getting in the water with your little one, you will need a full costume or swim shorts, make-up, perfume and other products should be washed off before entering the pool. Please refrain from wearing any jewellery.
Health and Safety
You should not go swimming if you/your child have any illness such as an ear infection, chickenpox, impetigo, conjunctivitis, hand foot and mouth or a bad cold. Children should not be brought into the pool for 48 hours after sickness and 2 weeks after diarrhoea. For any other illness and to avoid any doubt, please wait until your doctor has given the all-clear before returning to classes. NB: Children can return to swim once the chickenpox spots are no longer contagious, this is usually once the spots have scabbed over and dry. However please be aware the chlorinated water may cause some discomfort to the skin while dried spots are still visible.
Any child with significant needs may require a letter from your child’s GP or consultant.
Only enter the pool when told it is safe to do so and must tell the teacher if leaving the pool before the end of the session.
Please take all your used nappies away with you unless a clearly marked nappy bin has been provided.
No person is permitted to run on the poolside, drink alcohol prior to the lesson or take any substance which may cause drowsiness, do not eat or chew gum during the lesson and allow an hour where possible after eating before swimming.
Please refrain from wearing makeup and perfumes in the pool as this deteriorates the water quality.
You or your child are not permitted to enter the pool without the teachers consent, you are only permitted to enter the water when your teachers invites you to do so, please refer to your confirmation email regarding pool specific regulations.
Always change your baby on the floor using a suitable changing mat rather than a raised surface, this is to prevent babies from rolling onto the floor from high surfaces which can cause serious injury or death.
Whilst waiting on poolside for your lesson to commence, customers must keep noise to a minimum whilst the previous class is in the pool a must always be in control of their children.
In the interest of safety, we ask you not to distract your child during their lessons.
Spectators should remain seated if possible and as far back from the edge of the pool as practicable, and not walk up and down the poolside, this is both distracting for the children and teachers.
Spectators are asked to keep noise on poolside to a minimum as it can be distracting for the classes and the teachers in the pool.
Once children are in the lesson, unless it has been previously agreed that parents are spotting due to a medical condition or otherwise, the children are the responsibility of the teacher and spectators and parents should not be talking to or distracting their child as it may impact their child’s progress and overall ability to listen to their teacher.
If you or a member of your household has any Covid symptoms or has come into direct contact with a person that has tested positive for Covid, please do not attend. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a refund for the lessons we are providing.
Photography and Video Recording
Photographs or video footage may not be taken during our lessons without the consent of the teacher and staff and you must adhere strictly to the following
Photos are ONLY allowed when the teacher states and must not interfere with the lesson, they may not be possible due to time restraints.
You may only take photographs and/or video footage of your own child. You must ensure (unless explicit consent is gained from the guardian) that no other child is visible in your photo due to child protection.
Please remain sensitive to the feelings of others and always stop filming should you be asked to do so. In all instances the decision of our staff is final.
No underwater cameras or underwater recording equipment of any description may be used by a parent/carer during a lesson.
Lost property and valuables
Property is left at your own risk. We will not accept any liability for articles lost, damaged or stolen. Please make sure you have all your belongings with you before leaving.
Any lost property found, after two weeks, will be disposed of or donated to charity. Please note lost property such as dummies, socks etc will be disposed of at the end of each day.
Lesson Changes or Cancellations
In the unfortunate event that we should have to change or cancel a lesson for any reason, you will be notified by WhatsApp message (or text message where WhatsApp is unavailable) and by email. We will provide as much notice as possible. We will not reimburse any expenses caused by a customer failing to pick up their message. Therefore, we must have your up-to-date contact details.
For a lesson cancelled by us, we will issue a catch-up class credit to the customer portal for you to use within 90 days. In some instances, it may be possible for us to re-schedule your lesson for one of our holiday dates, this will be communicated to you via email.
If we have to cancel more than 1 of your classes within a half term, a credit will be issued for the subsequent cancellations on the customer portal which will reduce your payment of the following term’s fees.
We are unable to refund or credit the cost of any missed lessons due to sickness, holidays or other absences.
If your lesson is cancelled part way through, you will only be credited if you were in attendance, and for the part of the lesson that had to be cancelled, on a pro-rata basis.
Catch-Up Lessons
We will try our best to accommodate a catch-up class for our customers if another class is available, however, please be aware that this is not always possible. Catch-up classes are a gesture of goodwill have no cash value and cannot be transferred between terms. We cannot refund a lesson if you have missed one due to ill health, holiday or any other reason, this is due to our overheads remaining the same and your child’s place is held in that class regardless of whether you attend or not. We are not responsible for if you are unable to make an alternative catch-up class day/time. If there isn’t a space available for you in an alternate class, this lesson will be lost.
A catch-up class will not be allowed to be extended, they have to be taken within the same term as your missed lesson and will expire at the end of the term, there are no exceptions to this rule. Prior notice of non-attendance allows us to be able to offer a catch-up session to others so you must notify us of any absences in advance where possible via email to admin@swimbedminster.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 07938031068.
Private Lessons
If you are undertaking 1:1 or 2:1 lessons, then we require at least 48 hours’ notice if you are to miss a lesson, less than 48 hours’ notice will result in this lesson being lost and you will be unable to reschedule this lesson.
Merging Classes
As time progresses you may find your class size is smaller, as children move up into a new classes or parents return to work etc.
If a class becomes too small to function properly and is not viable, we will need to merge it with another. We try to keep class times as similar as possible but unfortunately cannot always guarantee this. If the merger of your class with another results in a change of your class dates, times or venue, we will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible.
Recommend a Friend
Recommend our lessons to a friend and when they join us and book in for a term, you will get a £10 credit on your account to be used against future lessons. You must ensure that your friend mentions your name when they book in. Unfortunately, we cannot backdate and apply a credit after the time of booking.
Customer Credits
A credit is a numerical value that is credited to your Swim Bedminster customer account and held to be used against a future booking, this has no cash value and cannot be used against other purchases.
You will be entitled to a credit should you recommend a friend and they mention your name at point of booking (please refer to Recommend a Friend above) or if we have to cancel multiple classes within a term (please refer to the Cancelled Lessons section above).
Moving Classes
Should your child be ready to move up into the next level, your teacher will notify the office who will automatically move your child into the next level, we will endeavour to keep your child swimming on the same day with the same teacher if possible, please note that this isn’t always possible and it may be necessary to move to a different session, you will receive an email notification from the office to notify you know of your new class details.
At any point if you wish to change your selected swimming lesson to another day or time you should email the office who will run through the options with you and if your preferred session is full we can add you to the waiting list.
Refund Policy
For new customers (anyone who hasn't swam with us in the previous 12 months), we offer a 'three lesson cancellation' policy. If you feel our lessons aren’t the right fit for you, you may request to cancel at any point up to 48 hours before your 4th scheduled lesson (whether or not you have attended the first 3 lessons), and we will refund all remaining lessons. A request to cancel must be received in writing (email will suffice). Cancellations after this time or not received in writing are not eligible for a refund.
Should you wish to cancel your lessons with Swim Bedminster, please in the first instance email us at admin@swimbedminster.co.uk.
All refunds will be subject to a £15 admin fee.
Customers who have attended 4 lessons or more become an existing customer and no refunds will be offered. Existing customers are required to give formal written notice via email to admin@swimbedminster.co.uk, once written notice is received you will be able to attend all remaining paid for lessons and we will not enrol you into or charge you for the following term.
Data Protection
To book a set of swimming lessons you must register your details with us. These will include your full name, contact phone number, email address, home address and any relevant medical conditions. Please be assured that we will not share this data with any third party other than those required to process your booking or other members of staff as required to complete their job or where we are legally required to do so.
Should you wish to have your information removed from our database send an email to admin@swimbedminster.co.uk
Complaints Procedure
We hope you will be delighted with our service but if you are at all unhappy please follow our complaints procedure:
Bring your concerns to the attention of your teacher in the first instance, if this cannot be resolved:
Email our office admin@swimbedminster.co.uk who will endeavour to deal with your complaint quickly and sensitively.
Changes to Terms and Conditions
We reserve the right to make amendments to our terms and conditions at any time to reflect changes in our business or statutory obligations. If applicable these changes will be communicated to all our customers by email.
These Terms and Conditions do not affect your statutory rights.
Swim Bedminster is the trading name of Emma Stott Swim School Limited.
Registered company number 14212577.