PRACTICE WITH CONFIDENCE​

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Essex Pole & Tone are committed to providing a safe and confidence boosting place to train in the variety of aerial sports and dancing styles. In order to keep our studio a  welcoming and safe space to everyone we do have certain policies in place which will be outlined below. We require that all new entries to the studio familiarize themselves with these policies prior to attending. 

 

Be respectful to our instructors at all times! We do not tolerate any abuse towards our instructors and/or employees. This includes verbal or physical aggression of any kind. At EPAT we work hard to maintain a welcoming and friendly environment! All our instructors have years of experience, are extremely knowledgeable and qualified. They train hard to teach you all! Do not speak over them or attempt to override them at any times, show respect at all times!

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A lateness policy is in place in regards to group classes, i.e., if warm-up is missed (partially or fully) a full 20-minute warm up must be completed before the student can begin normal class activities and this must be approved by the instructor. This is to ensure that the student is fully warmed up to avoid injury. ​

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Please note that all aerial apparatus can feel a bit uncomfortable at first while your body adjusts to the new sensations. Aerial sports are unlike any other and do take some getting used to.

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Please do not enter the main hall if there is a class in progress, you must wait in the hallway/changing room until the current class is finished. Please respect all students right to have their classes without interruption from the next class arriving early. 

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All choreography is intellectual property of the studio and cannot be used without permission of the studio and relevant instructors. It must not be used without authorisation in competitions, on social media etc.  This applies to videos and photos taken at the studio also.

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Photos - Everyone must get permission/consent from other students if they are taking videos/photos with anyone else in the background, the studio is a private place so there is an expectation to privacy from filming. You must get permission whether for personal use or for posting online. No one (apart from studio coaches/owners) have consent to take photos during kids classes or with under 18 year old's in the background as this is a safeguarding issue.

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Strictly no drop ins for classes, all group classes must be booked in 4 week blocks. Trials are not available in group classes. Strictly no over crowding.

 

We have a 48 hours minimum cancellation notice on all classes otherwise the cost of the class will still be required/will be lost from your course. This applies to all classes at EPAT including (but not limited to) group classes, one to one sessions, private bookings, etc. Classes can be swapped with 48 hour notice as long as spaces are available in the requested alternative class. Missed lessons that are provided with proper notice (more than 48 hours) can be caught up another time within the same billing period/month, this does not apply if lessons are cancelled within 48 hours. OR the cost of the group class can be used as a part payment towards 1-1 private training sessions or merchandise or uniform, again this only applies with proper notice. The cost of the class cannot be used towards usual monthly class fees or carried over to the next month. Furthermore, ALL payments are due for the next monthly course on the 1st of every month to reserve your place in the course, we operate with a two week cancellation policy. A grace period of ONLY 48 hours is given for payment of next course. This is a strict two week cancellation policy. Quitting or cancelling on the day of next course payment/start date will result in full course (monthly) payment being due, legal action will be taken if not paid. 

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We operate a sickness/leave policy within the studio, course payments will continue to roll on during sickness or leave due to certain issues, such as pregnancy, injury and illness. However, there is a class catch up policy in place in order for students to not lose out during this time.

 

1 to 1 bookings are considered final. It is possible for 1 to 1 bookings to be held for up to (no more than) four weeks in lieu at the instructors complete discretion, this only applies for extreme circumstances that have been agreed with the studio owner/instructor, for example a family bereavement. However no 1 to 1 booking can be held beyond that four week period. This applies to our regular dancers/students who have over three years of attendance at our studio. As stated above we have a 48 hour notice on all classes including 1-1 sessions, this is due to the level of prep required for your session, at this point the instructor(s) have already planned and set up for the lesson.

 

All payment is considered final, refunds will not be given once paid, the onus is on the customer to ensure they are available and happy before confirming booking and payment. However, if cancellation is made before any classes have taken place it is may be possible (depending on the circumstances) to receive the value back in the form of an Essex Pole & Tone gift voucher to spend within the studio on courses or products. This is at the discretion of Essex Pole & Tone management. These vouchers can also be gifted to a friend or family member or sold on. When you are purchasing a class you are paying for a class and not a specific instructor, instructors in classes are subject to change without notice.

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On days where the studio has to have involuntary closure such as Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day then class payment (if your class falls on this day) will be owed to you, you can use this lesson at any time.  You alternatively can add the payment towards 1-1 sessions, merchandise or uniform as a part payment.

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Cleaning supplies are provided for the classes and students are required to clean down their equipment after use, for example poles must be cleaned after class to clean off any grips used, sweat etc.

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Students must be aware that  physical exercise can be strenuous and subject to risk of serious injury. Bruising, friction burns and other related injuries can occur as a result of these activities and bruising is common in aerial sports such as pole and aerial hoop. As with any sport there is the possibility that bruising and exercise related injuries may occur.

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A detailed disclaimer is required to be signed in person before starting classes. Please see our Studio Etiquette below also.

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Photo-shoots -

Photo-shoot slots are not considered confirmed until the booking fee payment is made. This booking fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. A one to one with any instructor is required for the shoot to go ahead, this is compulsory. This one to one lesson must be booked prior to the shoot date. Full payment for the photo-shoot is due 28 days prior and there are no refunds once booked under any circumstances. Any cancellations on photo-shoots must be made no less than 4 weeks in advance of the photo-shoot date. Therefore, any cancellations (under any circumstance) made under this time frame will require full payment to be made. All dancers have the option to sell their time slot onto another dancer if they wish to pull out of the shoot themselves, however this is only possible if they are selling their slot to an existing student and that student books in a one to one lesson prior to the shoot. If these terms are not met then it is not possible to sell on the slot. Our photo-shoots are hosted with an outside contractor therefore these terms are non-negotiable. This also applies to any photo-shoots organised/hosted by EPAT at alternate venues. The studio retains the right to remove any dancers from the photo-shoots if they fail to abide by the terms and conditions in relation to the shoot, without refund. 

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For specific safety protocols regarding the Children's/Junior's classes please see the Children's Classes page.

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If you have any questions or would like to express any concerns, the Essex Pole and Tone team are here to help! Please do not hesitate to email us at poleandtone@mail.com or call us on 07840424427.