-
Home
-
Terms
Terms And Condition
Terms and Condition
Version 1.2 · Approved: September 2026 · Next review: September 2027 · The Sprout School Ltd (company no. 17162414), 11 Portland Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 9HN · info@thesproutschool.com
Everything you agree to when you enrol with The Sprout School: our status, admissions, the parent contract, exam booking and website terms.
Contents
Part 1: Regulatory Status & Policy Framework
Part 2: Admissions & Enrolment Policy
Part 3: Parent Contract
Part 4: Exam Booking Concierge Terms
Part 5: Website Terms of Use
References in this document to another named policy (for example "our Privacy Policy" or "Safeguarding Policy") mean the relevant Part of our four policy documents: Terms & Conditions; Fees, Refunds & Sales Policy; Privacy & Cookie Policy; and Safeguarding & School Policies Handbook.
-------
Part 1: Regulatory Status & Policy Framework
1.1 Purpose
This part explains our regulatory status and how our policies are organised. All policies are published on thesproutschool.com, apply to all services (Live Online School, Exam Prep & Resit Tuition, 1:1 Tutoring, Exam Booking Concierge and any other offering), and are reviewed at least annually or sooner if the law or our services change.
1.2 Regulatory status (please read)
The Sprout School Ltd is a private company registered in England and Wales (company number 17162414) providing live online education. We are not registered with the Department for Education (DfE) as an independent school and we are not inspected by Ofsted. We are not a JCQ-approved examination centre or an awarding body.
For UK families, a child enrolled full-time with us is, in law, educated at home (elective home education). Parents remain responsible for their child receiving a suitable full-time education and should inform their child's school/local authority as required.
For families outside the UK, parents are responsible for checking whether our provision meets local education and attendance laws.
Although not legally required of us, we voluntarily follow the principles of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and Working Together to Safeguard Children, and we have not yet applied for accreditation; we intend to apply (e.g. to the DfE Online Education Accreditation Scheme or equivalent) when eligible.
We will not describe ourselves as DfE-registered, Ofsted-inspected or accredited unless and until that is true.
1.3 Our policy documents
Our policies are published as four documents. References in any policy to another named policy mean the relevant Part of these documents.
1. Terms & Conditions: Regulatory Status & Policy Framework; Admissions & Enrolment; Parent Contract; Exam Booking Concierge Terms; Website Terms of Use.
2. Fees, Refunds & Sales Policy: Fees at a Glance; Sales Terms; Refund & Cancellation Policy.
3. Privacy & Cookie Policy: Privacy Notice; Cookie Policy; Recording, Photography & Video; Data Security, Retention & Breaches.
4. Safeguarding & School Policies Handbook: Safeguarding & Child Protection; Managing Allegations; Safer Recruitment; Online Safety & Acceptable Use; Behaviour & Code of Conduct; Anti-Bullying; Attendance; SEND & Accessibility; Equality; Complaints; Whistleblowing; Academic Integrity & AI; Prevent; Medical Conditions & Wellbeing.
1.4 Marketing and website wording rule
We never describe ourselves in marketing, on our website or in conversations as "registered", "accredited", "Ofsted-inspected" or "DfE-approved" unless that is true at the time. Wherever we use the phrase "online school", the regulatory status statement above is linked or shown, including in the website footer.
1.5 Ownership and review
Policies are approved by the Director. Safeguarding is led by our Safeguarding Specialists (contact: info@thesproutschool.com), with oversight by the Director. Data Protection Lead: the Director. Each document shows its version and next review date. Staff and tutors must confirm annually that they have read the safeguarding, online safety, code of conduct and whistleblowing policies.
Part 2: Admissions & Enrolment Policy
2.1 Aims
We welcome students from the UK and internationally who can benefit from live online learning in English. Admissions are fair, transparent and compliant with the Equality Act 2010.
2.2 Who can apply
Full-time and part-time programmes (IGCSE and A Level): age 11 (Year 7) to 18.
Exam prep, resits and 1:1 tutoring: age 11+, including adult learners (18+), who apply and contract in their own name.
2.3 Entry criteria
Age-appropriate placement in KS3, KS4 or KS5, based on prior attainment rather than age alone where appropriate.
Sufficient English to access lessons; English support may be recommended.
Access to suitable technology, internet and a supervised home environment.
Where the student has SEND, we must be reasonably able to meet their needs online.
2.4 Application process
1) Enquiry and information call. 2) Online application form. 3) Placement assessment and/or informal interview. 4) Review of prior school reports and any SEND/medical information. 5) Offer and enrolment confirmation. 6) Onboarding and platform induction.
We request a reference or previous school report, and safeguarding information held by the previous school where the parent consents.
2.5 Identity and age verification
We verify the student's identity, age and the parent's parental responsibility (e.g. passport or birth certificate) before lessons start. The student's full address, country, time zone, local emergency number and two emergency contacts must be provided for under-18s; adult learners provide their own identity and emergency contact.
2.6 UK families — elective home education
For UK students of compulsory school age enrolled full-time, parents are home educating in law. If your child is on a school roll, you must write to the school to deregister them (or seek consent where required). We may, with your consent, inform the local authority of enrolment. We will cooperate with local authority enquiries within the law.
2.7 Reasons we may decline or defer
Places are full in the requested group.
We cannot reasonably meet the student's needs online, after considering reasonable adjustments.
Information provided is materially false or incomplete.
Safeguarding risks that cannot be safely managed in our setting.
Before refusing a student who has SEND or a disability, we consider and record the reasonable adjustments we could make. We will give reasons in writing. Decisions can be appealed using our Complaints Policy.
2.8 Mid-year entry and part-time study
Students may join mid-year where places allow. Part-time students choose individual subjects; parents remain responsible for the rest of the child's education.
2.9 Leaving
Parents must give notice as set out in the Refund & Cancellation Policy. If a child of compulsory school age leaves without a known destination, we will follow our Safeguarding Policy on children missing education.
Part 3: Parent Contract
3.1 About us and these terms
These terms form the contract between The Sprout School Ltd ("we", "us"), company number 17162414, registered office 11 Portland Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 9HN, United Kingdom, email info@thesproutschool.com, and the parent or legal guardian who enrols a student ("you"). Where the student is 18 or over (for example an adult resit learner), the student contracts in their own name and references to "you" mean the adult learner. These terms apply together with our Refund & Cancellation Policy, Privacy Policy, Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct, which form part of this contract.
3.2 Our status
We are a live online education provider. We are not a DfE-registered school, are not inspected by Ofsted, and are not an exam centre or awarding body. We do not provide physical care or supervision of children. See our Policy Register & Regulatory Status Statement.
3.3 Our services
Live Online School: full-time or part-time timetabled live lessons for KS3, KS4 and KS5, leading to International GCSE (IGCSE) and A Level qualifications through a recognised awarding body such as Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel. Full-time programmes are for students aged 11 (Year 7) to 18.
Exam Prep & Resit Tuition: group courses for AQA, OCR, Edexcel and other UK boards, for students aged 11+ including adult learners.
1:1 Tutoring: private lessons across subjects and exam boards.
Exam Booking Concierge: help finding and booking a third-party exam centre (separate Exam Booking Concierge Terms apply).
Other services we may introduce from time to time (such as short courses, clubs or digital resources), as described at the point of sale.
The exact service, timetable, subjects and price are set out in your enrolment confirmation. We may make reasonable changes to timetables, teachers or platforms; if a change is significant and to your detriment, you may end the contract and receive a refund for services not yet provided.
3.4 Contract formation
A contract is formed when we send written confirmation of enrolment after receiving your completed application and any deposit. We may decline an application in line with our Admissions Policy.
3.5 Fees and payment
Fees are payable in advance as set out in your invoice or payment schedule. Full-time and part-time programmes may be paid termly, monthly or annually; other services monthly or as a one-off payment.
A one-off registration fee of £100 per student applies to all services except the Exam Booking Concierge. Full-time and part-time programmes also require a refundable deposit of £200 (see Refund & Cancellation Policy).
Prices are shown in pounds sterling (GBP) and include VAT where applicable.
Where a payment is overdue by more than 14 days we may, after giving written notice, suspend access to lessons and resources until it is paid. We may charge statutory interest on business debts only.
Exam entry fees are set by third-party exam centres. Where we collect them, we do so as your agent and pass them to the centre (see Exam Booking Concierge Terms).
3.6 Cancellation and refunds
Your statutory 14-day cooling-off right, notice periods, missed lessons and refunds are set out in our Refund & Cancellation Policy. In summary: after the cooling-off period, you may withdraw at any time by giving 30 days' written notice for full-time and part-time programmes; other services as set out in that policy.
3.7 Our commitments
We will provide the services with reasonable care and skill, using suitably qualified and safely recruited teachers, and in line with our published policies. We do not guarantee any particular grade, exam result or university place, because outcomes depend on many factors outside our control.
3.8 Your responsibilities
Provide accurate information, including medical, SEND and safeguarding information, and keep it up to date.
Provide a suitable device, webcam, microphone, stable internet connection and a quiet, safe place to learn.
Ensure your child attends punctually, follows the Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy, and completes set work.
Remain contactable during lesson times and supervise your child's general online activity outside our lessons.
Where your child is of compulsory school age in the UK, meet your legal duties regarding their education.
3.9 Technology
Lessons run on Microsoft Teams or another platform we notify you of. All times are UK time (GMT/BST); families abroad are responsible for time-zone differences. We are not responsible for lessons missed because of problems with your own equipment or internet. If a lesson cannot run because of a failure on our side, we will reschedule it, provide a recording or equivalent support, or refund it.
3.10 Behaviour, suspension and termination
We may suspend or end a student's place for serious or repeated breaches of the Code of Conduct, safeguarding concerns that make continued provision unsafe, non-payment after written notice, or abusive behaviour by a parent towards staff. Where we end the contract for these reasons, fees for the notice period may be retained to the extent they reflect our genuine loss. If we end the contract for any other reason, we will give at least one term's notice or refund unused fees.
3.11 Intellectual property
All lesson materials, recordings and resources belong to us or our licensors. They are licensed for the enrolled student's personal study only and must not be shared, sold, uploaded or recorded.
3.12 Liability
Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or anything that cannot be limited by law, or affects your statutory rights. Otherwise, our total liability is limited to the fees paid for the affected service in the 12 months before the claim. We are not liable for losses that were not foreseeable, for the acts of third-party exam centres or platforms, or for events beyond our reasonable control (force majeure).
3.13 Complaints
Please use our Complaints Policy. You may also use the courts or, where available, an alternative dispute resolution service.
3.14 General
We may update these terms with reasonable notice; significant changes will not apply mid-term without your agreement. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales and the courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction, although consumers living elsewhere in the UK may bring proceedings locally. Nothing in these terms affects any mandatory consumer rights you have under the law of your country of residence.
Part 4: Exam Booking Concierge Terms
4.1 The service
We help families find a suitable third-party exam centre, share information about entry deadlines and fees, and help submit booking requests. These terms apply alongside our Terms & Conditions.
4.2 What we do not do
We are not an exam centre or awarding body. We do not set, host, invigilate, mark or issue results or certificates, and we cannot guarantee a centre place, date, venue, fee, access arrangement or result. The exam centre's own terms apply to your entry.
4.3 Fees
Our concierge fee is [£X per candidate per exam series]. No registration fee applies to this service. Exam entry fees are set by the centre. We collect them from you as your agent and pass them to the centre; they are held separately from our own fees and are not our income. Late entry fees charged by the centre are your responsibility unless caused by our error.
4.4 Cancellation and refunds
You may cancel within 14 days (cooling-off). If you ask us to start work and then cancel, we may charge for work done. Once a centre has accepted an entry, exam entry fees are refunded only if and to the extent that the centre refunds them to us, which we then pass to you promptly. Our concierge fee is refunded in full if we fail to submit a booking you instructed in time.
4.5 Your responsibilities
Check and confirm in writing the candidate summary we send you, and provide accurate candidate details (name exactly as on ID, date of birth, candidate/ULN numbers, syllabus codes), meet the deadlines we give you, and check the centre's confirmation carefully.
4.6 Data and consent
With your consent, we share the candidate's details with the chosen centre, only for exam entry purposes (see our Privacy Policy).
4.7 Safeguarding on exam day
Exam centres are responsible for candidates on their premises. Parents are responsible for travel and supervision to and from the centre.
4.8 Liability
If an entry is missed or made incorrectly because of our error, we will refund our concierge fee and any exam entry fees lost, and pay the reasonable cost of entering the candidate for the next available exam series (including any late or re-entry fees), up to £1,000 per candidate. This does not limit liability that cannot be limited by law. We are not liable for acts or omissions of exam centres or awarding bodies, or for errors in candidate details you confirmed in writing.
4.9 Our booking safeguards
Before submitting any entry we: send you a written summary of candidate details, syllabus codes, centre and deadlines for your signed confirmation; follow a checklist with internal deadlines ahead of centre deadlines; and hold exam entry fees in a separate bank account used only for those fees.
Part 5: Website Terms of Use
5.1 About these terms
These terms govern use of thesproutschool.com and our online learning platform by any visitor. They are separate from the Terms & Conditions that apply when you buy our services.
5.2 Use of the site
You may use the site for lawful, personal and non-commercial purposes.
You must not attempt to gain unauthorised access, introduce malware, scrape content, or impersonate others.
Account holders must keep login details confidential and must not share student accounts.
5.3 Content
Content is for general information only and may change. All content is owned by or licensed to us. You may print or download extracts for personal use but must not reproduce materials commercially.
5.4 Links
Links to third-party sites are provided for convenience; we are not responsible for their content.
5.5 Liability
We do not guarantee the site will be uninterrupted or error-free. Nothing in these terms excludes liability that cannot be excluded by law.
5.6 Law
These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.