1. Admission and Enrolment Process

Admission to Bitesize Digital School CIC is granted at the sole discretion of our staff, based on course availability, the applicant’s suitability for the programme’s age range and content, and a review of the completed enrolment application.

• Application Requirements: No student may be formally admitted or commence a programme until a fully completed and submitted enrolment form has been received, along with any required initial fees.
• Verification: We reserve the right to request additional information or conduct an informal assessment to ensure the programme is a good fit for the prospective student.

2. Programme Structure & Late Enrolments

Our programmes are structured into four distinct one-year phases. Each phase builds upon the previous, culminating in comprehensive skill development.

• Late Enrolments: If a student enrols after the official start date of a phase, we will discuss suitable catch-up options to ensure they have access to all necessary learning materials. This may include reviewing recorded sessions or accessing supplementary resources.
• Fee Obligation: All applicable fees, including any pro-rated or catch-up fees, must be settled strictly in accordance with our payment schedules, regardless of the student’s start date within a phase.

3. Payments and Fees

All fees are stated in Pounds Sterling (£).

• Monthly Payments: Programme fees are due in advance on a monthly basis and must be paid via Direct Debit. Any applicable catch-up lessons or additional services will also be processed through this method.
• Payment Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure that Direct Debit mandates are active and that payments are up-to-date by the due date each month.
• Late Payments: A late fee of £20 will be applied to any payment that remains overdue seven (7) days after the scheduled due date. Should payments remain in arrears for a further 14 days, Bitesize Digital School CIC reserves the right to apply additional administrative fees for each subsequent month the payment remains outstanding. Continued non-payment may lead to suspension or termination of enrolment as outlined in Section 10.

4. Financial Difficulties & Bursaries

Financial Difficulties

We understand that families may occasionally face financial challenges. If you encounter difficulties that affect your ability to make timely payments, you must contact us at admin@bitesizedigital.school before the payment due date. We will work constructively to discuss possible solutions. Failure to contact us in advance may result in the application of late fees.

Bursaries

We offer means-tested bursaries to support families with demonstrated financial need. Bursaries may be partial or full, subject to the availability of funds. To apply, please contact us at admin@bitesizedigital.school. All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and full financial disclosure will be required. Bursaries are awarded for a specific period and may be subject to review.

5. Non-Refundable Fees & Absence Policy

• Tuition Fees: All tuition fees paid to Bitesize Digital School CIC are strictly non-refundable.
• Absences: No reduction in fees, refunds, or credits will be offered for student absences, regardless of the reason (e.g., illness, personal appointments, holidays, technical issues on the student’s end). Students are encouraged to utilise recorded session videos for missed classes.

6. Catch-up Lessons & Additional Support

• Catch-up Lessons: Formal, one-on-one catch-up lessons are not provided as part of the standard programme.
• Student Responsibility: Students are expected to watch the recorded video of any missed live session before attending their next scheduled class.
• Instructor Support: If additional assistance or clarification is needed after reviewing the recording, students or parents/guardians should reach out to their instructors or teaching assistants during designated support hours for guidance, ensuring all communications adhere to our safeguarding policy (no direct student-tutor communication outside live sessions).

7. Deferral Policy

Students may apply for a deferral from their programme under exceptional circumstances.

• Eligibility: Deferrals are granted at the sole discretion of Bitesize Digital School CIC.
• Duration: A student may be allowed to defer only once, for a maximum duration of one (1) academic year.
• Fees During Deferral: Any monthly fees paid for the period before the deferral being approved are non-refundable. Payments will be paused from the approved deferral date.
• Resumption of Study: Upon resumption, students will be subject to the current programme fees applicable at the time of their return. Bitesize Digital School CIC will endeavour to place the student in a suitable class, but this may require waiting until a class with available space at the appropriate stage of the curriculum is formed.
• Curriculum Changes: If the curriculum has changed significantly during the deferral period, the student may be required to restart the course afresh from the current Phase 1 to ensure a consistent learning pathway.

8. Withdrawal from the Course

Should a parent/guardian wish to withdraw a child from the programme, written notification must be provided to admin@bitesizedigital.school.

• Notice Period: A minimum of one calendar month’s written notice is required for withdrawal. Fees remain payable during this notice period.
• Refunds on Withdrawal: As per Section 5, tuition fees are generally non-refundable. However, exceptions may apply only if withdrawal occurs before the programme officially commences or during an agreed initial trial period, as specified in your enrolment agreement.
• Commitment to Phase: By continuing into any subsequent phase (beyond Phase 1, or any initial trial period), you are committing to the full duration of that specific one-year phase. Fees for the current phase remain payable upon withdrawal within that phase.

9. Behaviour, Suspension, and Expulsion

Bitesize Digital School CIC maintains high standards for student conduct, engagement, and respectful participation.

• Code of Conduct: All students are expected to adhere to our Student Code of Conduct (to be provided separately), which covers respectful interaction, active participation, and appropriate online behaviour.
• Unsatisfactory Conduct: Bitesize Digital School CIC reserves the right to suspend or expel any student whose behaviour, attendance, engagement, or academic effort does not meet our reasonable standards. This includes, but is not limited to, disruptive behaviour, harassment, repeated non-attendance, or a clear lack of engagement.
• No Fee Refunds: In the event of suspension or expulsion due to unsatisfactory conduct, no fees will be refunded.

10. Photography and Media Consent

From time to time, Bitesize Digital School CIC may capture photographs and videos of students during online sessions or physical events for marketing, promotional, and educational purposes. These materials may be used on our website, social media, brochures, or other outreach materials.

• Consent: By enrolling your child in our programmes, you provide consent for such photography and video recording, and for the use of your child’s image in our promotional and educational materials.
• Opt-Out: If you do not wish for your child’s image to be used in any marketing or promotional materials, you must notify us in writing at admin@bitesizedigital.school prior to enrolment or at the earliest opportunity. While we will make every reasonable effort to accommodate opt-out requests, some group recordings or shared screens may inadvertently include your child, particularly in live session recordings used for educational and safeguarding purposes as outlined in Section 6.

11. Data Protection and Privacy

Bitesize Digital School CIC is committed to protecting your personal data and privacy. We comply fully with all applicable data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

• Data Collection & Processing: We collect and process personal data only as necessary to provide our educational services, manage enrolment, communicate with parents/guardians, ensure safeguarding, and fulfil our legal obligations.
• Confidentiality: All personal information is treated with the strictest confidence and stored securely. Access to personal data is restricted to authorised personnel on a need-to-know basis.
• Further Details: For full details on how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information, including your rights regarding your data, please refer to our comprehensive Privacy Policy (available on our website).