Welcome to Sussex Swim Specialists

We provide high quality, safe and structured swimming lessons in small groups or 1-1s. Swimmers progress through our swimming lessons, having fun as they learn to swim and receive a progress report indicating achievements each term. Our teaching structure recognises that everybody will learn to swim at a different rate and we set out to ensure that every swimmer is truly competent.

It is important that all members of Sussex Swim Specialists agree to and adhere to our Terms and Conditions which are detailed below. Your agreement with Sussex Swim Specialists will be effective when booking with the swim school. This booking may have been made through e-mail, in writing or over the telephone.

Bookings and Payment

Payment is required in full to secure your/your child’s place on a course before the commencement of lessons. Places are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and we are unable to reserve spaces without payment due to the high demand for lessons. You are, therefore, advised to enrol and re-enrol promptly.

When the original booking is made a lesson day and time will be allocated for the term. This time cannot be guaranteed each term but if the day cannot be accommodated, you will be contacted to try and make a mutually convenient time,

If you are wishing to change the location/day/time, please e-mail/phone the office on 07855217413 or SussexswimSpecialists@gmail.com will endeavour to do our best to comply with the request but this cannot be guaranteed.

Sussex Swim Specialists swimmers have priority regarding re-enrolment for a new term and payment needs to be made to secure a place. Enrolment is usually the last week of term and invoices will be sent on the penultimate week via e-mail. Payments must be made by the due date or your place will be offered to new swimmers on our waiting list and new enquiries.

Payment can be made by Bank Transfer to Sussex Swim Specialists.

We require all parents and swimmers to agree and adhere to the Sussex Swim Specialists’ Terms and Conditions.

Cancellations All requests to cancel membership must be made in writing and supported by medical evidence if applicable.

No refund will be given after the start of the term.

Refunds and credits will not be given if your child refuses to get into the water.

Any cancellations due to power cuts, adverse weather or disasters will not be refundable, as these are out of our control.

In the event of exceptional circumstances, a refund may be granted even if the term has commenced, however, evidence such as a doctor’s letter may be requested – this is entirely at the discretion of Sussex Swim Specialists.

Sussex Swim Specialists reserves the right to change or cancel sessions at any time. Arrangements to reschedule will be made where possible, if not, credits will be given.

Should you take a holiday during the term, you will still be charged for the term. Your place will, of course, be retained on the course for that term.

Staff

All instructors are qualified and insured swimming teachers with the relevant British Swimming/STA (Swimming Teaching Association) qualifications.

Our swimming groups have up to five swimmers and the time allotted for a lesson is 30 minutes.

A degree of some physical contact with your child is unavoidable and all staff adhere to Child Protection procedures and are DBS checked regularly.

Sussex Swim Specialists have the right to replace teachers or courses where it is unavoidable.

If a teacher is unwell or cannot attend a session, Sussex Swim Specialists will endeavour to provide a cover teacher.

Supervision

All users of our pools are to adhere to the rules of each venue.

Parents/Guardians are responsible for their children on entry to the pool area and changing rooms before lessons and following the lesson until they leave the pool. Children should always be under the direct supervision of an adult and should never be left unattended.

Parents/Guardians should remain on poolside throughout the duration of the swimming lesson.

Sussex Swim Specialists takes responsibility for children during lesson time during the water but does not accept responsibility for them if they leave the lesson for any reason i.e., to visit the toilet.

Sussex Swim Specialists does not take responsibility for any spectators whilst on site.

Oak Wood Spa designated area for anyone not swimming is on the seating provided. Swimmers must wait on the seating provided to prevent any accidents around the pool area.

Swimmers will be ‘beach ready’ with their swimsuits on under their clothing at Oakwood Spa and use showers and changing rooms after the lesson.

Behaviour, Conduct and Exclusions

Swimmers should use the shower and toilet facilities before entering the pool.

Children aged 8 and over must change on their own and should use the appropriate male/female changing room. Responsible adults accompanying children into the pool for swimming lessons, can take children aged under 8 into the ‘opposite sex’ changing room where no other adult is available to take the child onto the ‘same sex’ changing room. For example, a girl of 7 accompanied by her dad should change in the male changing room. On no account should an adult enter the changing room opposite to their sex to change their child.

No food or drink should be consumed in the pool area or changing rooms.

Buggies should not be taken onto poolside to keep poolside clean.

Swimmers should not eat for at least 30 minutes prior to swimming.

Please arrive 10 minutes before your lesson so you are ready when the swimming teacher takes the register.

Swimmers must not enter the pool until instructed by the swimming teacher.

Appropriate swimwear should be worn with swimming shorts above the knee.

Spectacles should be removed for swimming to avoid injury and prescription goggles can be used if necessary.

Please note that Sussex Swim Specialists only hire the pool area and toilet facilities and other areas such as the sauna or garden are not to be used.

The following behaviour is not allowed on poolside: running, diving (unless instructed by the swimming teacher), ducking, fighting, bombing, shouting, and throwing items. A warning will be given for any of these behaviours, and if this persists you will be asked to leave.

No jewellery is to be worn during lessons including earrings in newly pierced ears and no refunds will be made during the initial period of piercing.

Swimming hats are recommended at Oakwood Spa with long hair being tied back.

Sussex Swim Specialists expects acceptable behaviour from all swimmers, parents, guardians, and we reserve the right to exclude anyone who fails to maintain this standard. Every one of our swimmers, teachers, other members of staff, parents and guardians deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of their age, gender, racial origin, disability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, economic background, or level of ability.

We do not tolerate discrimination or bullying of any kind. Any verbal or physical act of aggression made by anyone towards a member of staff, swimmer, parent, or guardian will result in the exclusion of this person from the swim school. If the matter is deemed serious enough, the relevant authorities i.e., the police may be contacted.

Medical Information and Illness

Medical conditions must be disclosed to Sussex Swim Specialists regarding yourself, your child or any guardian who is attending swimming lessons with your child. All information received is treated in confidence and with sensitivity.

Once the booking form has been completed with Sussex Swim Specialists, you have accepted these terms and conditions. If you have answered ‘yes’ regarding any medical conditions check with your doctor that there is no issue for yourself or your child to swim. Medical conditions must be disclosed to Sussex Swim Specialists.

Swimmers should not attend if they are unwell and for health and safety reasons, swimmers should not attend if they have coughs, colds and sinusitis, ear infections, stomach upset, and infectious disease i.e., COVID, chickenpox, conjunctivitis, impetigo. For gastric problems swimmers should not swim for at least 2 weeks after the last attack. Refunds are not given to lessons missed due to illness.

Swimmers undertake all activities at their own risk and the swim school have not and cannot make any representation or guarantee that attending the venue or participating in swimming is free from risk.

Pool Safety and Closures

In the event of an emergency the swimming teacher/s will follow the EAP (Emergency Action Plan) of that venue. If it is necessary to clear the pool, then swimmers will remain on poolside with their teacher. If the whole pool area needs to be evacuated, the evacuation will be led by the teachers to the assembly point.

Pool closures do occur occasionally at short notice and we notify swimmers, parents/guardians via text and email, so please keep us up-dated with your mobile number and e-mail address.

Refunds will only be issued in the event of cancellation of lessons by Sussex Swim Specialists.

Lost Property

Sussex Swim Specialists does not accept responsibility for any damage or loss of property left on the premises.

Complaints

Sussex Swim Specialists always aim to provide a high standard of care for all our swim school members. Their views are important to us and help to ensure our services are consistently meeting people’s needs. If you are unhappy with any of our services, it is important that you let us know. If you have a concern, please write your phone number and name in the poolside diary and the office will contact you. You may be asked to write a statement of events via e-mail or by letter.

A copy of the Complaint Procedure can be requested from the Sussex Swim Specialists office on 07855217413 or by e-mail at sussexswimspecialists@gmail.com.

Child Protection

Every member of Sussex Swim Specialists and Sussex Swim Specialists staff have a duty to act if they suspect a child may be suffering from abuse or if a swimmer, parent or guardian makes a disclosure about abuse. Any concerns about a child or vulnerable adult in the swim school should be sent to sussexswimspecialists@gmail.com which will be received by the Director of Sussex Swim Specialists.

Photography

No photos are to be taken of any children including photos taken on mobile phones.

Data Protection

Parents, guardians and swimmers give their consent to Sussex Swim Specialists processing personal data collected through the enrolment/reenrolment process. Data will not be sent to any third parties.

Changes to Terms and Conditions

While we do operate as transparently as possible, it is sometimes not possible to notify clients about changes to our operating policies. As such, Sussex Swim Specialists reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.

There terms and conditions are correct at the time of publication

Contact Us

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries on 07855 217413 or email to: sussexswimspecialists@gmail.com