Terms and Conditions

This website is owned and operated by Branches Out CIC. These Terms set forth the terms and conditions under which you may use our website and services as offered by us. This website offers visitors the opportunity to browse and buy forest school activity sessions. By accessing or using the website of our service, you approve that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.

​

This document should be read in full before making a booking with Branches Out Forest School. A booking confirmation will be sent via email once the booking has been made, payment has been taken and any additional consent forms have been completed. The clients on the booking form will enter into a legally binding contract based on the below terms and conditions. Please feel free to get in touch with any queries.

​

For the purpose of this document, “we” refers to Branches Out Forest School staff members. “You” refers to the client, or if the participant is under the age of 18, the parent or guardian or appropriate carer of the child.

​

1. Agreement
This agreement begins when the following have been completed:

a. Completion & submission of booking form
b. Clearance of full payment (or invoice sent, as in section 2)
d. A written booking confirmation sent to the client from Branches Out Forest School.

​

It is the client’s responsibility to check the details on the booking confirmation when they receive it. Contact us immediately with any errors.  

​

The signature on the booking form is taken as the client attending the course or by a legally recognised parent or guardian on behalf of the client. This agreement is governed by English Law.

​

The agreement is between Branches Out Forest School and the client(s) on the booking form and is the sole agreement between those parties.

​

Branches Out Forest School reserves the right to refuse bookings to any group or individual without the need to give reasons solely at the discretion of Branches Out Forest School. Any payment accompanying the booking form will be returned as per the refund policy in section 4.

​

We may, without prior notice, change the services; stop providing the services or any features of the services we offer; or create limits for the services. We may permanently or temporarily terminate or suspend access to the services without notice and liability for any reason, or for no reason.

You agree to indemnify and hold Branches Out harmless from any demands, loss, liability, claims or expenses (including attorneys’ fees), made against them by any third party due to, or arising out of, or in connection with your use of the website or any of the services offered on the website.

We reserve the right to modify these terms from time to time at our sole discretion. Therefore, you should review this page periodically. When we change the Terms in a material manner, we will notify you that material changes have been made to the Terms. Your continued use of the Website or our service after any such change constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms. If you do not agree to any of these terms or any future version of the Terms, do not use or access (or continue to access) the website or the service.

​

2. Payment
Payment should be paid in pounds sterling via direct bank transfer, online payment through our website, or in cash. Payment account details can be provided at the time of booking. A purchase order is required if booking is to be invoiced. Any invoices not paid in full 1 calendar month after the date of invoice, will result in legal action being taken to recover the monies owed.

​

a. Paid public sessions (drop in or term bookings)
Full advance payment is required at the time of booking to secure a place, unless otherwise agreed with Branches Out Forest School, where payment on the day or a deposit may be agreed in advance.

​

b. Free or subsidised public sessions (drop in or term bookings)
Some sessions may be offered free of charge, or heavily subsidised by grant funding. This will be arranged at the discretion of Branches Out and may include some eligibility conditions due to grant requirements. Any remaining payment requires full advance payment at the time of booking to secure your place.

​

c. Birthday parties
Full advance payment is required at the time of booking to secure your booking.

​

d. Corporate or school groups
Sessions can be invoiced for corporate or school groups. Invoices must be paid in full within 1 calendar month of your session date.

​

3. Prices

Whilst every effort is made to honour prices given at the time of booking Branches Out Forest School reserves the right to alter prices should its costs increase for reasons beyond its reasonable control (including without limitation the cost of labour, transport and materials). In the event that a price is altered, the client(s) will be notified as soon as reasonably possible, and the balance of the altered price will be payable on the same terms as was the original price. In the event of the price increasing by over 15% the client may opt to cancel the booking and will then be entitled to a full refund.

​

4. Cancellation

Any cancellation must be made in writing by the person who made the booking. Failure to attend a booked place will be deemed as a cancellation and no refund will be given.

If you leave a session prior to its completion it will be deemed as a cancellation and no refund will be given.
Given the substantial preparation time, commitment of labour and the limited number of places available on all Branches Out Forest School sessions the client must be aware of the following conditions. By completing the booking process the client agrees to the following terms:

​

a. Paid or free public sessions (drop in or term bookings)
Cancellation more than 7 days prior to the commencement of a session then either a full refund will be issued or the client can be transferred to another session with available spaces at the clients discretion.

Cancellation 3 to 7 days prior to the commencement of the session, no refund will be given but the client can be transferred to an equivalent session with available spaces.

Cancellation within 72 hours prior to the commencement of the first session no refund or transfer on to an alternative course will be given.

​

b. Birthday parties
Cancellation more than 1 calendar month prior to the birthday party then a full refund will be issued, or an alternative date will be agreed.

Cancellation 1 calendar month to 14 days prior to the birthday then a 50% refund will be given or the programme can be transferred to alternative dates agreed with Branches Out Forest School.

Cancellation 7 to 14 days prior to the birthday party then a 50% refund will be given and no alternative dates will be given.

Cancellation within 7 days from the birthday party then the full amount will be payable and no transfer to alternative dates will be given.

​

c. Corporate or school groups
Cancellation 1 calendar month to 14 days prior to the programme commencement then a full refund minus an admin fee will be issued or an alternative date will be agreed.

Cancellation within 14 days from the programme commencement date then a 50% refund will be given or the programme can be transferred to alternative dates agreed with Branches Out Forest School.

Cancellation within 7 days from the birthday party then the full amount will be payable and no transfer to alternative dates will be given.

​

d. Cancellation by Branches Out Forest School
In the event that Branches Out Forest School cancels a session then the client will be transferred to an equivalent session on an alternative date. If the client cannot attend the alternative date, then a full refund will be given. Please note that Branches Out Forest School requires a minimum number of 4 clients to run a course. Branches Out Forest School reserves the right to cancel all and any bookings without reason or notice. Under these unlikely circumstances Branches Out Forest School agrees to repay in full to the client. We will however not be liable to pay any compensation or incidental costs or expenses that you may incur as a result of such cancellation or for any other loss or damage however caused arising out of such cancellation. We recommend that you take out appropriate insurance which includes cover against such cancellation.

​

5. Variation of courses or sessions by Branches Out Forest School

A Branches Out Forest School session is by its very nature subject to natural forces. Branches Out Forest School reserves the right to modify a course itinerary at short notice due to naturally prevailing conditions. In such circumstances it is not reasonable for Branches Out Forest School to be liable for any losses consequential on such a change and that Branches Out Forest School liability is limited accordingly.

​

6. Client Conduct

Branches Out Forest School clients are expected to behave in a reasonable manner at all times and to comply with the instructions and leadership of Branches Out Forest School. Children attending the session must be able to follow simple instructions around safety, or we may request that a parent or carer attends with them to provide them with 1:1 support at our discretion. 

Parents, teachers and those in comparable roles in respect of children must maintain control of those children to the satisfaction of Branches Out Forest School. Branches Out Forest School reserve the right to remove any client(s) from the course at the discretion of the instructor or leader without recourse to repayment for that course and against the client(s) will if necessary. Circumstances that may warrant exclusion from a course include (without limitation): intoxication, use of recreational drugs, dangerous or abusive behaviour, inability to follow safety guidelines, inappropriate or unsafe use of equipment, inability to meet the rigours of the course for physical or mental reasons or through lack of appropriate equipment. If you are in any doubt about of your ability to meet the rigours of the course please contact us to discuss or asyour GP before booking. For removal of any party under such conditions, Branches Out Forest School will not be liable for any losses as a result.

Branches Out Forest School are also entitled to any reasonable costs arising from removal of said client(s) payable upon demand.

​

7. Insurance
Branches Out Forest School is covered to a level of £10,000,000 for Public Liability and is insured as a Forest School provider. Branches Out Forest School clients are advised to provide their own personal insurance cover. Please note the conditions with your policy with regard "Hazardous Activities" and "working with hand tools".

​

8. Liability
Forest School activities can include, but are not limited to: tree climbing, tool use (including knives and saws), fire lighting and cooking, obstacle courses and slack-lines, nature crafts, woodland management and exploration. Some of these activities include a degree of risk. We will always do all we can to ensure you and/or your child is kept safe through managing and mitigating risks. However, a large part of the Branches Out Forest School ethos is about empowering the client to manage their own risks too. Whilst attending our sessions, they will be given the freedom to make choices, take risks and stretch their comfort zones. To see our full risk-assessment, please contact us. Branches Out Forest School takes place in the outdoors which by its nature is never free from hazard. While all reasonable precautions are taken to minimise the risk, the client accepts that accidents including serious injury and death can occur without Branches Out Forest School being at fault. The client is taking part in a Branches Out Forest School sessions entirely at his or her own risk. The client also recognises that Branches Out Forest School is not responsible for loss or damage to the personal property of the client, including vehicles, money, clothing and or equipment. The client also recognises that attendance of Branches Out Forest School in no way qualifies anyone to teach the course content. It is not intended that any instructions provided to any client(s) while on a course will in any way qualify those client(s) to instruct any third party and no warranty is made to that effect. Branches Out Forest School hereby excludes any liability it might have to any third party in respect of any loss or damage suffered or incurred by that third party in its reliance on any skills taught by any client(s) on the basis of having attended any Branches Out Forest School sessions. Branches Out Forest School accepts no responsibility for any mishap during a course from any instruction or information not given by Branches Out Forest School appointed instructors or assistants. Branches Out Forest School also takes no responsibility for any mishaps occurring as a result of the client’s failure to follow instructions. Branches Out Forest School will only accept liability for physical injury to a client that is shown to result from negligence on the part of Branches Out Forest School.

​

9. Complaints

In the event that a client has cause for concern or complaint in relation to Branches Out Forest School the complaint should be first made to a Branches Out Forest School leader at the time of the event in order that corrective action can be taken if necessary. If the complaint is not resolved or occurs again then it should be put in writing and you will be informed of the complaints procedure. Branches Out Forest School will take the necessary action to investigate and resolve the complaint in line with our complaints policy and procedure.

​

10. Allergies

If you suffer from any allergies then Branches Out Forest School should be made aware on the medical information form when booking. Where possible we will always try and cater for allergies but in the case of severe allergies then we advise that you to fully cater for yourself. We cannot be held responsible should you have any allergic reaction should you choose to consume any foodstuffs provided through Branches Out Forest School.

​

11. DBS

All Branches Out Forest School leaders and assistants are enhanced DBS enhanced. Branches Out Forest School may not complete an enhanced DBS check for volunteers, spectators or other parents or guardians from within the group and is not liable for their behaviour whilst attending our sessions. Children will never be left alone with a volunteer who does not have an enhanced DBS check.

​

12. Environmental policy

At Branches Out Forest School, we employ environmental practices to ensure we have minimal impact on our environment. These include sanitisation, litter picking and toileting whilst in the woodland. We operate a strict leave no trace principle and minimise our impact on the flora and fauna of the woodland. We will not take or break natural resources or growing matter and will aim to have a minimal impact on habitats and woodland life. We expect clients to follow these procedures throughout our sessions. We respect our environment, and all clients must do the same whilst in our care.

​

13. Photography and video recording

We take photographs and video and voice recordings during our sessions to use for training & education, studies, promotional material, social media and for our website. You can choose to give your permission for this on the booking form. You have the right to change your mind at any time but you must contact Branches Out Forest School in writing to confirm this. We ask that parents or spectators taking photographs of their own children at our sessions do not take photographs of other children without the consent of their parents or guardians.