South Warwickshire Dog Grooming School’s Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions are between Warwickshire Dogs Limited trading as South Warwickshire Dog Grooming School (the “School”) and the person making the booking (the “Customer”).
The person attending the course is the “Student”. Where the Student is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent or legal guardian aged 18 or over.
References in these Terms and Conditions to statutory consumer rights apply where the Customer is acting as a consumer.
By accepting these Terms and Conditions, the Customer agrees to be bound by them.
1. Fees and Payment
20% of the course fee must be paid no later than six weeks before the first course date.
If a booking is made less than six weeks but at least 28 days before the first course date, the 20% payment is due immediately.
The full course fee must be paid no later than 28 days before the first course date. If a booking is made less than 28 days before the course starts, the full fee is due immediately.
Cancellation and refund rights are set out below.
2. 14-Day Cooling-Off Period
Where the Customer has a statutory right to cancel a distance booking, they may cancel within 14 calendar days of entering into the contract without giving a reason.
If the Customer cancels during this period before any training has started, the School will refund all payments received within 14 days of being informed of the cancellation.
If the Customer expressly asks for training to start during the 14-day period and then cancels after training has started, the School may charge a proportionate amount for the training already provided.
If the training is fully completed during the 14-day period at the Customer's express request, the right to cancel will end once the service has been fully provided, provided that the Customer acknowledged this before the training started.
The Customer may cancel by any clear statement to the School, including by email or letter. A Model Cancellation Form will also be made available, although the Customer does not have to use it.
3. Cancellation by the Customer after the Cooling-Off Period
After the 14-day cooling-off period has ended, the Customer does not have a general right to a refund simply because they change their mind or no longer wish to attend the course.
If the Customer cancels, the School may retain payments already made and, where appropriate, seek further payment to cover its reasonable losses directly caused by the cancellation.
The School will take reasonable steps to reduce its losses, including taking account of whether the cancelled course place can reasonably be filled by another student. The School will not retain or charge more than its reasonable loss.
If the amount already paid exceeds the School's reasonable loss, the balance will be refunded. If the School retains or charges an amount following cancellation, it will explain how that amount has been calculated.
This does not affect any statutory rights the Customer may have.
4. Cancellation or Changes by the School
If the School has to cancel or change an agreed course date because of staff illness, extreme weather or another event which prevents the training from being provided safely or reasonably, it will notify the Customer as soon as reasonably possible and offer a reasonable alternative date.
Where the affected training can be provided on an alternative date within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience to the Student, the training will be rearranged rather than refunded.
If the School cannot provide the affected training within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience, the Customer will be entitled to an appropriate refund or price reduction for the training which cannot be provided.
If the School cancels the whole course before it starts and a suitable alternative cannot reasonably be provided, all course fees paid will be refunded.
This does not affect the Customer's statutory rights.
5. Training
The School will provide the selected dog-grooming course through the applicable theoretical and practical training over the stated course duration.
Where applicable, the course fee includes the first assessment and examination attempt. Tools and equipment which the School has agreed to provide will be available temporarily for use during training.
6. Attendance, Hours and Equipment
The Student must attend on the agreed course dates.
Training normally takes place between 10:00am and 4:30pm and may continue until approximately 5:00pm where required by the practical needs of the grooming session. Reasonable breaks will be provided.
Because the training involves live animals, start times, breaks and finishing times may need to vary reasonably.
Unless otherwise agreed with the School, Students with more than two years' dog-grooming experience are required to use their own suitable tools and equipment.
7. Safety and Behaviour
Students must take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety and welfare of other people and animals at the School and must follow reasonable instructions given by the School or its tutors.
Alcohol and illegal substances must not be consumed during training. Students must not attend or take part in training while impaired by alcohol, drugs or medication in a way which could create a safety or animal-welfare risk.
The School may remove a Student from a course where their behaviour is seriously disruptive, dangerous, abusive or involves a serious or repeated breach of reasonable safety or animal-welfare requirements.
Where appropriate, the Student will first be given an opportunity to correct their behaviour. This will not be required where immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect a person or animal or the conduct is sufficiently serious to justify immediate removal.
Where a Student is removed from the course, the Customer will receive a refund for training not provided, less any reasonable and evidenced costs or direct losses caused by the Student's conduct. Any deduction will be proportionate and will be explained to the Customer.
8. Student Absence
Agreed course dates missed by the Student will not be refunded or rescheduled, except as set out below or where the Customer has a statutory right to another remedy.
If the Student cannot attend because of serious illness or an emergency, they must tell the School as soon as reasonably possible.
The School may require reasonable supporting evidence, such as medical evidence where appropriate. Evidence should normally be provided within seven days, unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so.
Where the School accepts the circumstances, it will arrange replacement training at no additional training fee, subject to reasonable availability.
9. Complaints
The Student or Customer should first raise any concern with their tutor or the Principal so that the School has an opportunity to resolve it.
If the matter is not resolved, a formal complaint may be made by email or letter to the Principal.
The School will acknowledge a formal complaint within 3 working days and will aim to provide a written response within 14 calendar days. If more time is reasonably required, the School will explain why and provide an expected response date.
The Principal will normally investigate complaints. If the complaint concerns the Principal personally, the School will, where reasonably practicable, arrange for another suitable person to review it.
If the complaint remains unresolved, the Customer may seek independent consumer advice from Citizens Advice. Where the School is required by law or contract to participate in an Alternative Dispute Resolution arrangement, details will be provided to the Customer.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions affects the Customer's statutory rights.
Warwickshire Dogs Limited t/a South Warwickshire Dog Grooming School
Stratford Marina, Bridgefoot, Stratford upon Avon CV37 6YY