Terms and Conditions

How to book a course

To secure a place on an SES course, please return the Registration Form together with payment, as explained below.

Payment of fees

On receipt of the application and £200 deposit a letter of confirmation is sent with a Statement of Fees which should be settled at least 4 weeks before the course starting date. In the case of registration less than 6 weeks before the course starting date, the full amount of the cost of the course must be sent with the Registration Form. PLEASE NOTE: students will not be allowed to start their course unless FULL PAYMENT has been received by SES. In the case of bank transfer, students should bring a document from the bank proving that transfer has been requested.

Host family address

Students will receive details of their host family address at least 5 days before the course starting date, unless they enrol late. This enables those students travelling independently to let the host family know of their approximate time of arrival.

Late enrolments

There is no latest registration date for individual courses, but it is advisable to book at least 1 month before the course starting date.

Insurance

Students should make sure that they organise their own travel insurance to cover medical costs while in Britain and repatriation costs in the case of an accident.

Cancellation conditions before the course begins

If SES receives the cancellation more than 14 days before the course starting date, SES will retain the deposit.
If SES receives the cancellation less than 14 days before the course starting date the equivalent of one week's fees will be charged.

Cancellation conditions once the course has started

The student must give 10 days' written notice to the Principal. A cancellation fee equivalent to 1 week's course fees will be charged. This cancellation fee will be calculated according to the number of weeks actually spent on the course prior to the student's premature departure and not on the number of weeks originally booked. The remaining funds will be paid to the student at his/her home address at the end of the course. "End of the course" here is defined as the last date of the course specified on the booking form (i.e. if a student books a 12 week course and decides to leave after 4 weeks he/she will not be refunded until 12 weeks after the start of the course).
If a student wishes to be absent from the course for 1 or 2 weeks for the purposes of taking a holiday he/she must give the Principal at least 2 weeks' notice in writing. Students will be refunded for such absences at the end of the course.
An administrative fee of £25 is charged for all course changes.

Upgrading and downgrading courses

Students can only exchange their course for an existing SES course.
No refunds will be made to students who choose to exchange their original choice of course for one of lesser value.
Students who choose to exchange their original choice of course for one of greater value must pay the difference between the two at the time of requesting the upgrade.

Further conditions

SES only acts as an intermediary between its students and travel organisations on the one hand and host families on the other. Under no circumstances can it be held responsible for any delay or accident during a journey nor can it be held responsible for any accident which may happen during the student's stay with the host family. SES will, however, endeavour to defend the student's interests in the event of breach of contract on the part of the travel organisation or the host family.
SES reserves the right to issue disruptive students with a warning letter and, if there is no improvement in behaviour, to send them home at their own or their parents' expense. SES further reserves the right to send home without a warning letter any student committing a serious offence, especially one involving the police.
SES also reserves the right not to allow on the course a student suffering from any mental or physical disability which has not been disclosed on the Registration Form.
SES reserves the right to use photographs taken during courses to illustrate its promotional material. If a student wishes that his or her photo should not appear in this material, they should write to SES within one month of the photo-shoot. These photos have no commercial or contractual value.

Further conditions specific to Young Learners (14-17 years old)

Transfers are included in the course fees to and from Heathrow or Gatwick airport subject to the following:
On arrival day, the flight arrival must be between 10:00 and 17:00. Transfers can be arranged outside these hours at a cost of £100.
On departure day, the flight departure must be between 12:00 and 19:00. Transfers can be arranged outside these hours at a cost of £100.
If you require a transfer from another airport or Ashford International train station, please contact us for a quotation.
In order to guarantee that your child will be met promptly at the airport on Arrival Day and that he/she will not have to wait alone, please ensure we have your child's full travel details as soon as possible and no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course.
Authorisation to be allowed out in the evening
SES runs a full evening social programme. The activities are compulsory and are generally held at the school. If a child wishes to spend the evening with the host family or in the residential centre they must seek approval from the Course Director.
All activities finish by 22:00. This means that all children aged 14-17 must return to their room or host family no later than 22:30.
Students will be allowed to attend evening activities by walking in groups of 3 or more. Students must be back at their room or homestay no later than 22:30. Students who return later than this may be subject to the disciplinary procedure as detailed above.

Please note that SES cannot be held responsible for any incident whilst the student is out unsupervised.

This, gives the only information that can be referred to in the event of a disagreement between the student and SES.