Terms and Conditions

Last updated: [publication date]

1. Who we are and these terms

On Pointe Dance Academy (“OPDA”, “we”, “us”) provides dance and performing arts classes, trials, workshops and performances. OPDA is a charitable company registered in England and Wales, company number 11077278 and charity number 1179697. Our contact address is PAD Studios, Units 5–6 Grove Park, Court Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4GP. Email hello@opda.co.uk or call 01582 283147.

These terms apply when a parent or guardian books for a child, or an adult books for themselves. The booking adult is responsible for payment and for giving us accurate information. The class or event description, price and dates shown at checkout or on the invoice form part of the booking. Where an event has additional specific terms, we will show them before payment.

2. Trials and enrolment

A trial is currently two weeks for each class booked and is paid for in advance. A place is confirmed when we accept the booking and payment. At the end of the trial, we will explain the available class place and the fee for the remainder of the term before further payment is taken. Booking a trial does not automatically commit a family to a full term. Once enrolled, the rolling termly agreement and notice rules below apply.

Places depend on availability, suitable age or level, and a safe class size. We may suggest a different class where appropriate. Please tell us promptly if a student needs reasonable adjustments or support so we can discuss safe participation with you.

3. Term fees, auto-pay and payment plans

Fees are invoiced termly. Enrolled families must use OPDA’s auto-pay system; bank transfers are no longer accepted for term fees. The full term fee is scheduled for the 7th day of the first month of the new term. If you join partway through a term, we will show the pro-rata charge for the remainder of that term before you enrol. We will show the term dates, total fee, payment dates and any extra charges before taking payment. Please keep your payment details up to date.

A three-instalment plan may be requested if a family has attended OPDA for at least two full terms and is enrolled in at least three classes in total, including classes taken by siblings. Email hello@opda.co.uk for written approval before the term begins. If approved, three equal payments are scheduled for the 7th day of each month of that term. If you add a class mid-term while on a plan, its pro-rata fee for the remaining term is due in full; it can join the instalment plan from the following term.

If you expect difficulty paying, please contact us at least seven days before the scheduled payment where possible. As a charity, we will consider what support or alternative arrangement we can reasonably offer. If a payment fails, we will notify you and make a second attempt. The Studio Pro terms currently state that after a second failure a £30 administration charge applies, any instalment plan ends, and the remaining term balance becomes immediately due. [Trustees/legal adviser: confirm the actual cost basis and fairness of the £30 charge and the accelerated balance, and give families a reasonable opportunity to resolve an error or hardship before applying them.] If arrears remain unresolved after contact and a reasonable opportunity to pay, we may suspend or end enrolment. Any amount charged must comply with applicable consumer law.

4. Attendance, absence and changes

Please tell us if a student will be absent. We normally cannot refund a class missed by choice or because of an ordinary absence. If we can offer a suitable catch-up class, we will tell you, but availability is not guaranteed. Tell the teacher about relevant injury, illness, allergy or support needs before a class, and update those details when they change.

Students should arrive on time, wear the published class clothing and suitable footwear, and follow reasonable safety instructions. A teacher may ask a student to sit out an activity where participation would be unsafe. We aim to make reasonable adjustments where needed.

Termination of Enrollment (Studio Pro clause 2)

2.1. By enrolling in On Pointe Dance Academy (OPDA), you are committing to the full term under a rolling termly agreement. If you enroll partway through a term, you are committing to the remaining portion of that term, after which the rolling termly agreement will continue unless terminated in accordance with this clause.

2.2. Termination of enrollment is only accepted at half-term or full-term intervals. Written notice must be provided at least half a term prior to the intended termination date and must be submitted via email to hello@opda.co.uk. The notice period applies to the weeks during which classes are scheduled. For example, if you are enrolled on the Winter Term, you can submit notice of termination within the October Half Term, for cancellation at the end of Winter Term. You will have then provided 6 weeks notice, completed the full term and your child’s place will be given to another child from the start of the Spring term. Please ensure you receive written confirmation as receipt of your submitted email. If you have not received a confirmation response, we have not received your request to terminate. You may provide notice at earlier intervals, but terminations will only be processed within a Half Term Break or End of Term Break.

2.3. Notice must be submitted no later than the first day of the new term. Please note that the first day of the new term refers to the official start of the term (which is typically a Saturday) and not necessarily the date of your first scheduled class. If notice is received on or after the first day of term, it will not be processed until the Half Term Break.

2.4. Notice given during the summer holiday period must allow for a minimum of six (6) weeks’ notice from the first day of the new term in September. Failure to provide adequate notice will result in fees for the subsequent term being payable in full.

2.5. Fees remain payable for the full duration of the notice period, even if the student does not attend classes during that time.

2.6. Refunds for early termination of enrollment will only be granted in cases of verified medical necessity, supported by an official doctor’s letter.

6. Workshops and dated events

A workshop or event place is confirmed on acceptance and payment. The date, venue, price, included activities and any specific cancellation terms are shown before booking. If a participant cancels, the current Studio Pro terms generally do not offer a refund. We will consider any statutory right and whether we have avoided costs or filled the place; OPDA may offer a future-workshop credit if unforeseen circumstances prevent attendance. The advertised discount applies only where full payment is made at least seven days before the workshop; later payment is at the standard rate. [Review whether a particular cancellation charge reflects OPDA’s actual direct loss and whether a replacement booking reduces it.] A booking for leisure activities on a specified date or within a specified period may be exempt from the usual 14-day distance-selling cancellation right; other statutory rights still apply. Any cancellation charge must be fair and proportionate.

If we cancel a workshop, we will refund the fee for the undelivered workshop, normally within four weeks of its scheduled start date. If circumstances beyond our reasonable control prevent delivery, we will explain the options and treat families fairly; fees for an undelivered service will not simply be forfeited. Refunds will be made to the original payment method where practicable, within a reasonable period.

7. Changes or cancellation by OPDA

We may use an appropriately qualified substitute teacher, alter a class time or venue, or cancel a session for safety, illness or other practical reasons. We will notify you as soon as reasonably possible. For a class we cancel and cannot reasonably replace, we will offer a make-up session, credit or proportionate refund. If a material change means the booked service is no longer suitable, contact us to discuss cancellation and an appropriate refund for undelivered classes.

8. Safety, behaviour and safeguarding

Please follow our published Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and reasonable studio rules. Parents and guardians must provide current emergency contact details and arrange prompt collection at the agreed time. Tell us in advance who is authorised to collect a child and about any change in collection arrangements. We may take proportionate steps, including suspending attendance, if behaviour creates a serious safety or safeguarding concern. We will explain the concern and consider the circumstances, including disability-related needs. Any refund will be assessed fairly for services not supplied.

We will seek medical assistance in an emergency and try to contact the parent or guardian promptly. Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. Your statutory consumer rights remain intact.

9. Photos and videos

We may take images for teaching, performances or operational purposes in line with our privacy notice and safeguarding arrangements. Publicity use of an identifiable child’s image is optional and requires a separate recorded permission choice. Declining permission does not affect access to classes. You may change the choice by contacting us; we will stop future uses and take reasonable steps concerning online material we control. Other families must respect our photography instructions and must not publish identifiable images of other children without appropriate permission.

10. Privacy, complaints and contact

Our Privacy Notice explains how we handle personal information. For a question, complaint or request for an accessible copy of these terms, email hello@opda.co.uk or call 01582 283147. We will try to resolve concerns promptly. English law applies, subject to any mandatory consumer protections that apply to you.