Oxford Spires International

Terms and Conditions for Individuals

DEFINITIONS

Arrival date: means the day the student arrives in the UK to start their course; this is usually a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the centre.

Course: means the educational experience & course which is described in full in publicity documents and the Booking Confirmation document.

Course start date: means the day the Student starts the Course, usually the same arrival day in the UK.

Course end date: means the day the Student finishes the course usually the same day as departure.

Departure date: means the day the Student leaves the UK; this is usually a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Saturday depending on the centre.

Deposit: the amount payable at the time of booking a Course in order to secure a student’s place; this is equal to 20% of the total payable fees or £250, whichever is more.

Representative or Partner: a local representative of Oxford Spires International who has entered into a separate contract with Oxford Spires International and thus has the authority to bind Oxford Spires International to this contract.

Student: the person who is attending the course.

You/Parent: the person (who is assumed to be the legal guardian), making the booking on behalf of the Student and who is entering into this contract, whether directly or via a local representative or partner.

These terms and conditions are for Students and their parents/guardians who are booking their course directly through Oxford Spires International. If you are booking through an partner or local representative, you may be subject to their terms and conditions as well.

1. BOOKINGS

When you make a booking with Oxford Spires International (OSI) you are agreeing to these Terms as a legally binding contract by purchasing a place on one of our courses.

All bookings must be made by the parents or legal guardians of the Student being booked onto the Course.

Your booking is only accepted when you have received written confirmation from OSI or from our authorised representative or partner, and you have paid the non-refundable deposit.

Where the booking is made via a representative or partner, the contract is formed with OSI, and not the representative or partner.

The “Booking Confirmation” document will confirm the Student’s place on the course and will show the dates of study. The total fees and deposit amount will be stated on the invoice.

Students are advised against purchasing flights or making any other arrangements until these documents have been received.

OSI is entitled to invoice you for course fees at any time after we have accepted and confirmed your booking.

2. DEPOSITS

A deposit in the amount of 20% of your total fees or £250, whichever is higher, is payable on receiving your invoice. The deposit is non-refundable.

You must pay the balance of the fees in full no later than 4 weeks before arrival, or immediately if you book less than 4 weeks before the start of your course (excluding students who require visas to enter the UK; please see below section entitled VISAS).

3. PAYMENTS

All prices are listed in UK Sterling, unless otherwise stated, and all payments must be made in UK Sterling.

You can pay by international bank transfer and add £15 to your invoice total, or alternatively, you can avoid all charges by paying via Flywire (including credit card payments).

If you are booking via a partner or local representative, fees must be paid in full to the partner or local representative who will be responsible for paying OSI.

No student will be allowed to join the course until payment has been received in full.

4. LATE PAYMENTS

If you have not made your balance payment by the due date OSI will be entitled to charge you interest at the rate of 6% per annum above the base rate of HSBC plc until your payment is made in full.

5. CANCELLATION

If you wish to cancel your booking you must write to us to let us know. We will confirm the cancellation in writing back to you. Cancellations will be subject to the charges listed below.

Cancellation charges:

  • If you cancel up to 8 weeks before arrival, there will be no charge, except for the deposit
    which is non-refundable.
  • If you cancel between 7 and 3 weeks before arrival, OSI will charge you 50% of the total
    fees and refund the remainder, minus the non-refundable deposit.
  • If you cancel within 3 weeks of arrival or if the Student does not arrive, no refund will be given.

In the event of the Student leaving the course before it is finished, no refund will be given.

If you cancel your course because you are unable to get a visa and you can provide written evidence of this from the relevant Embassy or Consulate we will refund all course fees, minus the deposit.

6. CHANGES

If you wish to make any changes to your booking, you must do so in writing. Examples of changes include but are not limited to course, course dates, arrival and departure transfers, and details of the individual participant.

OSI reserves the right to charge you an administration fee of £50 for any changes to your booking.

We will not charge for changes due to delays in obtaining your visa, as long as you have applied for your visa in good time. In this case, postponement may be possible, if there is space on the new course dates requested.

All changes will be subject to availability.

7. INSURANCE

OSI strongly recommends you arrange full insurance cover against any charges related to your booking (travel and medical problems, cancellation or the termination of the Student’s course).

OSLS is able to arrange insurance cover for students on request through guard.me student insurance. This must be requested expressly at the time of booking and is charged at a rate of £9.00 per week.

8. CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

All students are expected to comply with the school code of conduct and English law.

Students are expected to attend all aspects of the Course provided: classes, meals, activities, and excursions.

OSI has a zero tolerance policy on alcohol consumption or possession (regardless of age), smoking, drug use, racism, bullying or intimidation, violence, vandalism (to school, public, or other Students’ property or equipment), and leaving the school or residence premises without permission. Any of these acts will result in the Student being disciplined in line with our behaviour policy.

Minor offences may result in a verbal warning or suitable sanctions.

Continued unacceptable behaviour may result in removal from classes for longer periods and further sanctions.

More serious offences may result in formal disciplinary procedures and a written warning. At this stage you and/or the partner will be informed that another incident will result in expulsion at your expense.

The final course of action will be expulsion from the school.

OSI reserves the right to discipline, suspend and ultimately expel any student, in line with the behaviour policy. When this occurs, no refund will be given, and the Student will need to return home at your expense as soon as possible.

9. HEALTH AND MEDICATION

OSI must be made aware of any existing medical conditions, allergies, prescribed medication, behavioural needs, and any other matters relating to the student’s health and wellbeing prior to their arrival.

Any prescription medication must be handed over to school staff upon arrival, and accompanied by details of the contents, administration, and storage written in English.

10. VISAS

It is at your discretion to determine whether the Student requires a visa to travel, and when is an appropriate time to submit any applications.

OSI can provide some guidance, but recommends consulting your local British Embassy, Consulate, or High Commission to ensure the Student will be allowed to enter and study in the UK.

If the Student requires a visa to take up their Course, OSI will provide you with relevant documentation (the “Visa Support Letter”) required to secure the Student’s visa, only after all fees have been paid in full.

The “Visa Support Letter” will allow the Student to apply for a Child Visa.

You should check the documentation OSI provides carefully; any changes or errors must be notified to us immediately in writing.

OSI requires a copy of the Student’s passport and visa before arrival in the UK and will verify them on arrival as well.

OSI will not be held responsible for any costs incurred should the Student not receive their visa.

11. THIRD PARTY SERVICES

All accommodation, classroom facilities, cleaning, transport, and catering are provided to OSI by third party providers which are hired before the start of the Course.

OSI will endeavour to ensure that the facilities and services provided are suitable for the Course and the Students, however provision of the above is ultimately out of our control and we can give no guarantee as to the performance of the third parties.

Any feedback on the provision of the third parties will be received and passed on to the respective provider.

12. COURSE CHANGES

Arrangements and all the courses outlined in OSI publicity materials are given in good faith. However, courses and timetables may be subject to
change from time to time.

OSI reserves the right to change the particularities of courses, including changes to courses, excursions, facilities, or dates of programmes where circumstances beyond our control make it necessary for us to do so or where the level of bookings received does not reach the minimum number required to operate a course.

In this event OSI will provide comparable services or, if this is not possible, refund you the associated cost for that part of the service, which remains at the discretion of the school. In either case, OSI liability shall cease and you shall have no other or further claim against OSI.

OSI may occasionally admit Students who are younger (but no younger than 2 years) or older (but no older than 1 year) than the advertised age range if they are travelling as part of a group, and adequate preparations have been made by their group organiser and accompanying group leader. OSI will perform all safety checks and implement any special measures needed (as laid out by English Law, the British Council and/or the local safeguarding board).

13. DAMAGE

Students are liable for any damage caused during their stay, including to the facilities and structures used by the school, property of other students, property of the host families, or property of the school and its staff.

OSI reserves the right to recover these costs from the Student before their departure. If the Student does not have sufficient funds, you will be invoiced accordingly and will be required to make payment by credit card or bank transfer in a timely manner.

OSI reserves the right to suspend any Student owing fees incurred by damage until they have been paid in full.

14. LIABILITY

OSI does not accept liability for Students’ personal injury or death unless it is proven to be caused by the negligence of OSI or its employees.

OSI does not accept any liability for the loss or damage to any Students’ property.

OSI accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses that might be incurred in the event of cancellation or delays of Students’ travel services or as a result of events and action that OSLS cannot control such as, without limitation: strikes, disasters, war or the threat of war, acts of terrorism, quarantine, weather, sickness or any other event outside the control of the company.

15. COMPLAINTS

In the unlikely event you have any complaint against any aspect of the services OSI provide, you should notify OSI head office in writing and it will be investigated accordingly.

The outcome will be communicated to all parties concerned as soon as is reasonably possible.

If a Student wishes to make a complaint during the course, they should follow the complaints procedure outlined below:

1. Speak to any member of staff at the centre, who will direct the student to the most appropriate person to speak to about the problem. All efforts will be made to resolve the complaint quickly and effectively.

2. If the problem has not been resolved, the student should speak to the Centre Manager, who will try to resolve the complaint immediately. The Centre Manager may contact Head Office for assistance, if appropriate. All complaints made at this stage must be logged using the Complaint Form.

3. If the problem has still not been resolved, Head Office should be contacted in writing and the complaint will be referred to the Director. (info@oxfordspires.education)
All complaints will be recorded, investigated and logged. The outcome will be communicated to all relevant parties.

Complaints regarding the Course will not be considered after the Student has finished their course.

16. JURISDICTION

The exclusive legal jurisdiction of all courses booked with OSI and issues relating to them including these terms is English Law.

17. MARKETING

OSI sometimes uses students’ photographs, videos, feedback and course work in promotional materials.

The purpose of these promotional materials includes but is not limited to: future marketing, advertisements, our website and social media, and our partners’ marketing, advertisements, websites and social media.

Any feedback received from Students may also be used for the same purposes.

When booking your course, please indicate your acceptance of these terms by ticking the appropriate box on the booking form.

If you do not want your child’s image or statements to appear in promotional material for any sensitive or legal reasons, you should inform OSLS in writing.

From time to time OSLS may contact you with special offers, news, course updates, or special events. Please inform us in writing by email if you would not like to be contacted for these reasons.

18. MARKETING MATERIALS

OSI brochures, website, and publicity materials are the responsibility and intellectual property of OSI.

19. STUDENT OBLIGATIONS

Any Student participating in an OSI Course agrees to;

Attend all classes, activities, and excursions as set out by the timetable and conducted by OSI staff;

Comply with school rules, health and safety rules, and abide by English Law whilst in the UK;

Maintain an immigration status that allows them to participate in the Course for its duration.

You agree and accept that you have informed the student of their obligations prior to joining the Course. You agree that you are responsible for the Student fulfilling their obligations and following the Course rules.

20. GDPR AND DATA PROTECTION

Your and the Student’s personal data will only be used in accordance with the current English data protection legislation. OSI complies with this legislation and your data will not be disclosed without your consent.

OSI keeps the following personal information in electronic and paper format about all Students:

  • Full name
  • Home address
  • Contact telephone numbers
  • Contact email address
  • Date of birth
  • Passport number and visa details
  • Photo or video
  • Next of kin or emergency contact details
  • Course and language capability details
  • Allergy and medical details

OSI may collect and process the following data about you:

  • Information you provide by filling in our booking form;
  • Any correspondence between you and OSI;
  • Feedback, survey results, questionnaires, and other such tools, for internal purposes;
  • Details of your visits to our website and the resources you access.

OSI will use this information to:

  • Process your application;
  • Process your payments;
  • Inform you about similar products or services we offer, although you may ask us at any time to stop using your information in this way.

OSI will not share your details with any other third party except:

  • We may be requested to pass details of our Students on to the British Council or the UKVI-UK;
  • In the case of arranging homestay accommodation, the Student’s full name, age, date of birth, nationality, and allergy/medical information will be provided to the homestay agency, who will then share it with the host family.

OSI will keep your and your child’s personal data for the duration of their stay, and then for a further 7 years. This is to enable us to:

  • Fulfill regulatory and legal obligations;
  • To ease administration if your child wishes to return to OSI for further studies;
  • And to keep you up to date with news from OSI which may be of interest to you.

21. FORCE MAJEURE

OSI will not be responsible for any failure to comply with any of its obligations (and therefore shall not be required to provide any compensation) if the failure is the result of any cause beyond reasonable control.

OSI shall not be responsible for any costs incurred by or on behalf of the student as a result of any such occasion. Such instances include but are not limited to; war, threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, unusually adverse weather conditions and infectious diseases.

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