Jump to content
Visit out new Tradespeople Directory! ×

South London Dance Studios - A Warning

Ladharrbeinn

By Ladharrbeinn
in Request a Tradesperson

Recommended Posts

Ladharrbeinn

Ladharrbeinn

Posted
Posted

Hi all, this is an alert to prospective parents considering sending children to South London Dance Studios in Herne Hill.

A little over a year ago we signed up our nearly 4 year old, daughter to start 40 minute dance classes there on a Saturday morning. Just a bit of casual fun we thought - and neglected to scrutinise the school's online terms and conditions.

A year on, she wasn't enjoying it - sessions seemed very stiff, with lots of listening and sitting in line and not much actual dancing - so we decided not to try to force her to continue and told the school she wouldn't be going any more. We'd already paid for all that autumn term of course, and at that point it was a little over a month before the start of this year's new term, which starts this weekend.

Ah! they said - under our terms and conditions, you needed to give just under 3 months of notice to withdraw. Added to that they had auto-enrolled our daughter in a new class. We therefore must pay for the whole forthcoming term - ?224 - which she won't be attending any of!

Of course organisations like this need some notice in order to plan their sessions, but 3 months is the kind of notice for a full time job, not a short weekend class for infants. Everyone knows children at that age can change their minds quite quickly (and firmly!).

So don't be put off if your committed, but do consider the financial commitment you are getting into...

  • 6 months later...
Saria

Saria

Posted
Posted

Hello, I would like to share my own experience too.


I?ve had a very similar issue with them.


My daughter didn?t enjoy her class half way her first term. The teacher knew. We tried another lesson and then she decided to don?t go anymore.


I then had to let her know that my daughter wasn?t going to attend anymore. This was before the end of term. Still not intime with their term and conditions. They demanded from me a payment for the whole term coming despite my daughter wasn?t going to attend a single lesson.


I found this very disturbing for different reasons.


The teacher was aware of everything and didn?t care. My daughter was asked to buy the whole clothes for ballet at a very early stage.



The moment you walk in there you have a strong sensation that all they care about is money. Not your children.

DulwichFox

DulwichFox

Posted
Posted

Sounds very unfair.

Had a look at their Website and found this page with Terms and Conditions.



https://southlondondancestudios.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/South-London-Dance-School-Terms-and-Conditions-updated-28112018.pdf


I haven't read through it in detail myself but hope it might help.


DulwichFox

Saria

Saria

Posted
Posted

I personally think that the cancelling policy should take place at least after the pupil has been in the school for two terms. The child has got the right to TRY first.


Basically she attended half of a term and payed for two terms!! It?s unbelievable.


Many children get involved, and after a term decide not not carry on. The parents shouldn?t pay a whole term as a penalty. It?s unfair for the simple fact that we as parent follow our children?s timings. I don?t agree about this police being applied this way into something that involves small children.

Not to mention the cold way this company deals with the situation. I want to take my own child somewhere she feels welcome and looked after. Not where the financial side comes first.

  • 1 month later...
montassa

montassa

Posted
Posted

We had a similar issue - and we are talking around 2013 - we refused to pay ..


in the end - they actually sent us a letter from their solicitor - saying they would take us to court !


we had no choice and paid up - its not a new thing, its been happening for years!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Advertise Here

  • Latest Discussions

    • LA1
      Excellent Carpenter Recommendation - Greg

      By LA1 · Posted

      Greg did an amazing job! He built a cabinet in my living room and added shelving. A lovely guy and perfectionist who goes the extra mile. He really understands what you want and comes up with various options to meet your price range. Would highly recommend!
    • Spartacus
      Is Rachel Reeves becoming the new Liz Truss?

      By Spartacus · Posted

      I love the fact that virtually everyone held their hands out when furlough payments were made yet can't equate massive debt with massive cash payments to keep the economy ticking over.   
    • satsuma
      Rude Evri delivery in SE22

      By satsuma · Posted

      The problem with delivery people nowadays is that they are on such a restrictive schedule that they literally have to just try to deliver and run, otherwise they are penalised. I understand the frustration though.   And good luck making any kind of complaint to Evri. I once sold a laptop on ebay, took it to the Evri pick-up, where it was processed and it then went 'missing' between their pick-up place and the hub. Went through a long, long process where they offered me a desultory amount in compensation and I had to take them to small claims court before they came up with a fair offer the day before we were due to be in court. Long story short, Evri are shite.   Go to look at this forum for the number of people who have issues: https://nationalconsumerservice.co.uk/forum/183-postal-and-delivery-services/
    • mac4
      Rude Evri delivery in SE22

      By mac4 · Posted

      I haven't had a rude EVRI delivery but last week I had an unexpected delivery at 10.42 pm. He didn't ring the bell or knock on the door (or rattle the letter flap) but just took a photo and put the box down.  If it hadnt been for the door camera giving us a beep we would never have known there was a parcel ready to sit there all night.  

East Dulwich Forum

Established in 2006, we are an online community discussion forum for people who live, work in and visit SE22.

Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...