Stafford House Study Holidays (SHSH) Terms & Conditions 2010
These Terms and Conditions are expressly for individual students enrolling on the Soccer School programmes at Queen Ethelburga's College in York and Hartpury College in Cheltenham.
1. Bookings: SHSH holds provisional bookings or reservations for a student until such a time as the deposit has been received by SHSH Accounts Department or our bankers. The deposit date for each student is the same day that he or she books, with the booking held as a provisional booking until the money has entered our account. Upon receipt of the deposit, the booking is confirmed and a receipt sent to the person who paid the deposit. Please note that no reminders are sent and that:
a. Partial payment of amount(s) due or any payment, which falls short of the full amount stated, will not be sufficient to retain payment(s).
b. Notification(s) of payment(s) will not be sufficient to retain bookings, unless the payment arrives on time or an extension has been agreed by SHSH.
c. Failure to make the full payment by the agreed date may result in the booking being refused in the first instance or being cancelled.
d. SHSH reserve the right to withhold the deposit if the booking is cancelled due to none payment of the balance.
2. In cases where any customers are immediately arriving on or already following a SHSH programme, and there are any overdue invoices relating to them, SHSH may at its discretion and without notice refuse or discontinue services to those customers (as their reservations will have ceased under 1 above).
3. Cancellations: Any deposits paid are non-refundable if the customer cancels.
a. Individual cancellation charges are as follows: More than 30 days before commencement: 10% Between 30 days and 15 days before commencement: 30% Between 15 days and 7 days before commencement: 50% Less than 7 days before commencement: 100%
b. Cancellation charges are not normally varied in cases of illness, accident, bereavement, etc. It is the customers' responsibility to insure him/herself adequately regarding cancellation.
4. Refunds: As stated, deposits are not normally refunded. However, all monies paid will be refunded in full in cases where SHSH has itself cancelled the services in question (except cancellation due to non-payment or any default by the client)
a. There are no refunds appertaining to any services not taken up or cancelled by the customer during the programme (i.e. after arrival) e.g. in cases of late arrival, early departure (for whatever reason), illness, accident, absence or change of mind. The full invoice charge applies, even in the cases where the invoice remains to be settled.
b. No refund is due in case of expulsion or suspension of a customer from a programme for irregular, anti-social or disruptive behaviour.
5. Complaints: In the unlikely event that a customer wishes to complain about any aspect of the services provided by SHSH, the complaint should be made in the first instance to the SHSH Manager, Guide or Representative on site. In the event that the matter is not resolved, the customer or his agent should make an immediate complaint in writing to SHSH Head Office. Such complaints are investigated in full by SHSH, are always taken seriously and replied to in detail, and may be a subject for appropriate refund, provided always that:
a. The complaint (to Head Office) is received within one month of the customer's return.
b. The customer has registered in writing his initial complaint with the SHSH Manager or Representative responsible at the earliest opportunity during the programme.
c. The invoice relating to the customer and all other payments have been settled in full.
6. Changes of price, dates, facilities, services: Prices as invoiced represent a contract of booking and will not be altered by SHSH except in case of extraordinary circumstances beyond our control e.g. act of government, excessive currency fluctuations etc. However, SHSH may alter its prices as per its general tariffs or its agreements at any time without notice before any booking has been confirmed.
7. SHSH has built a reputation by fulfilling its obligations to customers, therefore changes of dates or of facilities and services described by SHSH in its publicity are avoided wherever possible, but are occasionally necessary in circumstances normally beyond SHSH's control, e.g. by cancellation of reserved places in schools, halls of residence or hotels, or in rare cases where the bookings received for a programme or any option associated with it do not reach the number required to viably operate it (such cases must normally be notified at least two weeks before the programme is due to commence). SHSH reserves the right to make such changes, but if in case of accommodation or services, shall either offer equivalent or superior accommodation etc without surcharge, or make appropriate refund (e.g. if a facility or service is missing or accommodation is of a lesser category). SHSH shall also whenever possible inform the customer of such changes and if these are substantial, the customer may choose to cancel (but only within 7 days of the date of notification) and a full refund will be awarded. No other claims for compensation or expenses will be considered.
8. Changes of price, dates, facilities, services by the Client: If there is a notification before arrival of change of date and/or services required or requested by or for a client, SHSH will not be obliged to meet such request(s) (if after confirmation of booking) but shall endeavour to do so. Such changes may, however, be subject to a £15.00 GBP amendment charge. If a customer changes (or wishes to change) the services requested or dates of arrival/departure without notification (e.g. on or after arrival) SHSH will not be obliged to service these changes (e.g. re: early arrival/late departure) but may do so if able and as long as the value of services is not reduced. In case of (such) changes of dates and services an amendment charge of £15.00 GBP may also be levied, and/or the appropriate charges for any accommodation nights or services other than those booked. Note: Any accommodation or services booked for a customer are reserved exclusively for those (named) customers. No other persons may use these in addition or by substitution without written permission by an SHSH representative, in which case extra charges may be levied.
9. Behaviour: A reasonable standard of conduct is expected on the soccer programme and the SHSH language course, including good attendance and study-performance. A customer may be suspended or expelled without refund in case of extremely irregular or anti-social behaviour including instances of bullying. Any damages committed by a customer must be paid for by that customer in full. A £20 deposit will be collected from each student on arrival and will be refunded on the journey home providing no damage has been committed.
10. Services commence/end: Unless agreed otherwise, services are not guaranteed to commence earlier than 15:00 hrs on the day of arrival or to continue later than 10:00 hrs on the day of departure. Clients may only arrive earlier/depart later by prior agreement. This may involve extra charges.
11. SHSH Liability, Client Liability (damage etc), Insurance: SHSH: accepts and is fully insured for all liability arising out of loss, damage, injury, sickness etc caused by SHSH employees or their negligence. However:
a. We cannot accept liability for the action or omissions of third-party or public persons (e.g. hotels, families, coach-operators), including those contracted to perform services or provide facilities as part of the 'package' or as additional extras; or for any events over which we have not control. SHSH will, however, give any reasonable help in resolving any such disputes with third parties.
b. In the case of lost or stolen property, whether taking place inside or outside premises hired or owned by SHSH, SHSH is only liable if such property has been entrusted to a responsible SHSH representative in return for a written receipt.
c. SHSH, of course, accepts no responsibility for loss or damages or changes caused by 'force majeure' events such as strikes, riots, terrorism, war, fire, flood, contagious disease/pandemia, weather problems, problems to transport or similar events beyond its control.
12. Customer: Any losses or damages to any SHSH or SHSH hired property or equipment or transport during the course or tour caused by the customer or by persons occupying any accommodation or using any equipment allocated to him/her is/are his/her responsibility to pay at the time of discovery. Failure to make such payments may lead to the suspension of services to the customer in question.
13. Fitness: The participant must be physically fit and able to participate in the sporting activities and accordingly the parent/guardian must accept all risks resulting from participation in the course. a. SHSH may ask for additional information depending upon the medical information supplied to SHSH by the participant before the booking is accepted. Any changes in medical information or ability to participate must be communicated to SHSH as soon as possible.
14. Insurance: We strongly advise that all customers appropriately insure themselves or be insured against the usual risks associated with overseas travel e.g. personal accident or injury, ill-health (medical/hospital fees), cancellation, delay, loss of baggage or property etc. i.e. comprehensive travel insurance.
15. General: You agree to grant to SHSH the worldwide right to perpetuity, without approval or compensation, to use the participant's name, photographic or video image or likeness for our reasonable commercial purposes.
a. SHSH do not allow video or other filming or recording equipment on courses and accordingly the participant may not record or attempt to record, or transmit moving images or voices of anyone at the course. You may take still photographs at times indicated by us within the programme schedule, provided that they are only used for private purposes.
b. Neither the participant or the parent/guardian shall disclose or use any aspect of the course for commercial purposes.
Notes:
a. Any schedules or lists of customer activities (e.g. sports) published by SHSH are subject to change at any time regarding the timing or type of activity, providing that the overall 'package of services' is in substance fulfilled.
b. Some teaching or living accommodation provided by SHSH may include access to communal or other facilities e.g. swimming pools, tennis courts, and it is always possible that such facilities may be withdrawn from service during the whole or part of the stay or tour e.g. for maintenance.
