Swim School Terms & Conditions

1. Payment

1.1. All lessons are paid for via a monthly Direct Debit which covers your child’s place in our 50-week annual swim programme (with a two-week break at Christmas). The monthly fee guarantees your child’s weekly swim lesson and ensures continuity of their swimming development.

1.2. Payments are collected on the 1st of each month and continue until you provide written notice of cancellation in accordance with these terms and conditions.

1.3. When enrolling more than one child, each child must be registered as a separate attendee through CoursePro, our swim course booking platform.

2. Cancellations and Refunds

2.1. OurHouse Swim School runs continuously throughout the year (excluding the two-week Christmas closure).

2.2. If you wish to cancel your membership at any time, you are required to provide us with two (2) full calendar months’ written notice to stop your direct debit and release your child’s space. Any such notice should be sent by email to the OurHouse Swim School.

2.3. By way of example, and for the avoidance of doubt, notice given on March 1 would mean your final payment would be taken on May 1, and your child’s final lesson would be at the end of May.

2.4. No refunds are offered for unattended sessions or mid-month cancellations.

3. Replacement Lessons

3.1. We understand that sometimes plans change, and our swimmers may need to swap lessons from time to time. Each swimmer is entitled to three replacement lessons per calendar year.

3.2. These replacements are offered subject to availability and must be requested in advance by email.

3.3. We are unable to guarantee a specific day or time for replacement lessons but will endeavour to find a workable solution.

4. Renewing Lessons

4.1 As part of our rolling programme, there is no need to manually renew your place each term: your child’s space is secured automatically through the ongoing monthly direct debit payment.

4.2. If your payment fails or your direct debit is cancelled without appropriate notice, your child’s space may be released and offered to a swimmer on our waitlist if not resolved within 5 working days.

5. Bookings

5.1. By signing up to our 50-week swim programme, you are committing to ongoing weekly lessons (with the exception of our scheduled Christmas break).

5.2. If your child is ready to move up a stage, your instructor will inform you and our team will be in touch to support you in selecting a new time slot.

5.3. While we will always do our best to accommodate your preferences, we cannot guarantee the same day and time due to level availability.

6. What to wear for lessons

6.1. We operate a strict double nappy policy in the swimming facilities. If your child is not wearing a watertight over nappy (such as a ‘Splash About’) covering a proper swim nappy and has an accident resulting in the closure of our pools, you will be liable to pay to us any associated costs such as cleaning costs.

6.2 Swim trunks or costumes are suitable for our older swimmers.

6.3. Swimming caps are encouraged to keep the pool filter system clean but are not mandatory.

6.4. Parents/Guardians/Carers’ who join the baby or toddler lessons must wear suitable swim attire such as costumes, trunks, wet suit or t-shirt.

7. Lessons

7.1. Members or Named Caregivers are requested to arrive for their lessons in good time. We advise arriving no later than 10 minutes before a lesson’s start-time to allow time to change and shower before entering the pool.

7.2. Members may be refused entry if they arrive late by 10 minutes or more for a lesson as this will disrupt the class and other swimmers.

7.3. The instructor is a swimming teacher authorised and accredited by OurHouse Swim School to teach swimming lessons in accordance with the OurHouse methodology.

7.4. The instructor can be temporarily or permanently replaced during lessons.

7.5. Instructors and lessons may be subject to change at any time where necessary.

7.6. In addition to a qualified swimming teacher for each group, we will provide such swimming aids and equipment as OurHouse Swim School deems appropriate.

7.7. During group lessons, a minimum of one member of staff will be qualified as a lifeguard/rescue teacher.

8. Lesson Development and Moving Times

8.1. Each child’s development is varied and depends on their water confidence, time spent in the water and their instructor.

8.2. We expect each child to progress at least once a year into a higher stage albeit this will depend on a child’s personal development.

8.3. Your child’s swimming ability will be assessed each time they come to lessons in a relaxed and effective manner by the instructor.

8.4. If your child has been told they can move up a stage, and there are no spaces in the next level, you will be placed onto a priority list whereby once a space opens you will be notified.

8.5. In the rare event that there are no extra spaces, your instructor will be given access to the next stage development guidance so your child can begin their next stage journey in their current group.

8.6. Lessons will always follow the same format: welcome, introduction, warm up, main activity, contrast activity and fun finish.

8.7. During the ‘Children’s Learn to Swim’ lessons there will be some physical contact between the teacher and their child - this will always be carried out in a professional manner.

9. Parent and Baby Lessons

9.1. All children attending Baby and Toddler lessons must be accompanied in the water by a Member of Named Caregiver.

9.2. All babies must wear swim nappies under watertight over nappies (such as ‘Splash About’). This is to manage any accidents in the water.

9.3. Once your child is toilet trained, they do not need to wear swim nappies.

10. Supervision

10.1 It is the responsibility of the Member / Named Caregiver who is supervising a child to maintain their children’s safety prior to and after their lesson and to maintain the safety of other children in their care.

10.2. The instructor is responsible for swimmers only during their class times.

10.3. Members or Named Caregivers are welcome to watch the class however space is limited and a seat poolside is not guaranteed.

10.4. At least one Member or Named Caregiver is expected to be present in the pool vicinity at all times during the lesson.

11. Behaviour

11.1. In the event of a swimmer, Member, Named Caregiver, sibling or other associate:

• 11.1.1. refusing to obey an instruction from the lifeguard or instructor or one of their staff members; or
• 11.1.2. behaving in an unruly manner towards the instructor, one of their staff members or any other person; or
• 11.1.3. causing damage to pool premises, or any of the furniture fixtures or equipment in those premises, the swimmer may not be permitted to continue with the classes.

11.2. Bad behaviour/language or aggression to any teacher or member of the OurHouse Swim School will not be tolerated - we expect Members to act in a civilised manner at all times, including when speaking to a member of the team on the phone.

11.3. We reserve the right to refuse you access to the facilities and suspend or terminate your use of the services if we reasonably consider that your conduct is damaging to our reputation, is in breach of these terms and conditions or such refusal would otherwise be in the interest of other users of OurHouse Swim School.

11.4. You may be asked to leave a class or the pool if we feel safety or enjoyment is in jeopardy.

12. Children’s state of health

12.1. It is the Member / Named Caregiver’s responsibility to notify us of any illnesses, injuries or medical conditions likely to impede a child’s safety or ability to participate in our swim classes.

12.2. It is the Member / Named Caregiver’s responsibility to inform OurHouse Swim School and our instructors of any condition (whether it be medical or not) that could affect their or their child’s capabilities in the swimming pool. All information will be treated as confidential but we must be made aware in advance of such information in order to ensure that we take these conditions into consideration when planning our lessons.

12.3. Any information given to OurHouse Swim School, for example a child’s swimming ability or medical details, will be assumed to be true and accurate. Should this not be the case OurHouse Swim School will not be liable for any accident or incident which might occur save for instances of our negligence.

13. Health and Safety

13.1. We and our instructors work together to ensure that recommended water temperatures are maintained, but in certain circumstances temperatures may vary and cannot be guaranteed. Neither we nor our instructors are liable for the pool or other facilities or any losses or injuries suffered by you, your child(ren) or any third party as a result of them save in cases of our negligence.

13.2. All swimmers must shower before using the pool in order to maintain the pools’ PH balance.

13.3. Outdoor shoes are not allowed on poolside: you are encouraged to wear flip flops or indoor shoes only.

14. Lifeguards

14.1. Our lifeguards are here to keep the pool and poolside a safe and functioning environment.

14.2. Everyone attending our pools, including for lessons, must adhere at all times to their instructions.

15. Photography / Video

15.1. Members and Named Caregivers are requested not to use video or any type of camera/ mobile phone in the changing rooms or poolside to comply with child protection recommendations.

15.2 If you have any questions regarding this please speak to a member of OurHouse Swim School.

16. Signage

Please pay attention to any signage in our swimming pool areas and changing rooms – this will provide guidance not just the protection of your child, but the smooth running of the facility.

17. Complaints

OurHouse Swim School is committed to providing the best service it can, but we also understand that, occasionally, something may go wrong, or you may be unhappy with the service provided. If at any point you are unhappy with the service provided, we would like to know so that we can address this issue as soon as possible to resolve it to your satisfaction. We view all feedback as valuable and important feedback about the service which we provide and will use the feedback to improve the service that we provide. Please seek out our swimming manager and head of swim or email us.

18. Use of the Facilities & Maintenance

18.1. OurHouse Swim School may at any time close the premises or any part thereof, without notice, in order to, for example, carry out essential repairs, alterations, accommodate external events, re-decorate or otherwise, to facilitate events, programmes or on certain holidays.

18.2. We will endeavour to minimise disruption to our Members caused as a result of any essential maintenance or closures.

18.3. Participation in the OurHouse Swim School is contingent on Members, Named Caregivers and their children adhering at all times to our Club T&Cs, and our House Rules. Any failure to adhere to these policies may see us refuse access to our swim school.

Contact us:

For Jesse’s members, please email us on: swim.jesses@ourhouseclubs.com