PLUS | PLUS English schools and courses

CONDITIONS

1. Booking Conditions
By submitting the Booking Application, the Agent formally agrees to abide by PLUS Terms & Conditions set herein.

2. Deposits
If the booking is accepted, the Agent must pay, by the date indicated, a non-refundable deposit of £120.00 per person (will be required) upon confirmation of the booking. Failing this, the places will be automatically released with no further communication. Partial payments, payment falling short of the full amount due and/or notification of payments will not be sufficient to retain bookings. The deposit paid will be deducted from the total amount due to be paid 21 days before arrival (please refer to par 7).

3. Prices
All prices are exclusive of any value added or any sales tax or any other tax which may become applicable and for which the Agent shall be additionally liable.

4. Services
In return for the payment of the appropriate fees PLUS will provide board, tuition and free-time activities as specified in the centre description. Not included in the fees are: general expenses (except where clearly indicated), entrance to museums and attractions, public transport, airport transfers and insurance. Changes of services, facilities or dates of programmes are avoided whenever possible. On rare occasions generally due to circumstances beyond PLUS' control, or where the bookings in a centre do not reach the minimum numbers required to viably operate it, changes may be necessary. In these circumstances PLUS shall either offer equivalent services/facilities or refund in full all fees paid. No other claims for compensation or expenses can be considered. PLUS, nor the Agent shall be in any way liable to the client if a service cannot be supplied by reason of industrial dispute, or other cause outside their control. There is no reduction in the course fee where a course includes a public holiday.

5. Insurance
The Agent shall at its own expense obtain and maintain throughout the duration of the courses an insurance cover for public liability, event and personal injury liability to or the death of any person and any loss or destruction of or damage to property not attributable to any fault or neglect of the clients with an insurance company of repute. Copies of all such insurance policies and evidence that all premiums have been paid shall be presented on PLUS' demand.

6. Warranty & Liability
PLUS, its staff and representatives will not be liable for any loss, damage, illness or injury to persons or property however caused, except where such liability is imposed by statute. Clients must have personal insurance against medical expenses, third parties, travel insurance, including inability to attend or continue a course.

6.1 Student welfare – Group Leaders' responsibility
PLUS only accepts closed groups of 10-15 students accompanied by their group leader. The Group Leader who must be at least 25 years and speak fluent English is offered a free place.

The Group Leader is the ultimately responsible person to supervise his/her group constantly day and night and must comply with the student welfare, security and safety rules set by PLUS.

Group leaders' duties and responsibility are well defined and encompassed in the Handbook published on this website. Agents/schools are required to hand it out to their selected staff members, draw their attention to the student Welfare paragraph (page 13), and ultimately invite them to sign a statement of acceptance prior to their departure.

7. Payments
The balance is due 21 days before the arrival date. Payments must be credited on PLUS bank account, without deduction or setoff and free from any taxes, levies or other charges or encumbrances. If the sums due are not accredited on the date indicated, all agent's bookings are subject to immediate release and the deposit paid will be forfeited to PLUS. If by the term indicated on relevant invoice (s) the Agent fails to pay for clients, staff booked over and above the places initially secured at the centre or for any extra services requested, PLUS is entitled to cancel or suspend any further service to the Agents' clients at any or all the centres.

8. Cancellation Fees
In case of cancellation, the deposit paid is forfeited to PLUS. For places cancelled the following penalties will be levied. If the booking is cancelled between:

21 and 14 days prior to the commencement of the course: 20% of the total package cost
13 days and 5 days: 50%
4 days to 76 hours: 75%
Less than 76 hours: 100% of the total package cost.

9. School regulations
PLUS uncompromisingly prohibits illicit drugs, violence, racism, classroom disruption, dishonesty. No drugs, tobacco products or alcohol are permitted at any centre, function or when on excursions. Clients are expected to abide by the College disciplinary regulations, and demonstrate reasonable standards of conduct within and outside the classroom. Failure to do this may result in expulsion from the course. In this event, no refunds become applicable.

10. Visa students
If , in spite of PLUS sponsorship letter, the British Embassy does not grant visa, PLUS shall reimburse the initial deposit of £ 100,00 upon receiving copy of the formal Embassy document confirming such refusal. Penalty charges still apply (please refer to par 8).

11. Complaints
Over the years PLUS has been able to fully respond to students' requirements and to minimize cause for complaints. This does not necessarily mean, however, that something cannot go wrong. If a student is unhappy or dissatisfied with any part of the programme ie teaching, leisure activities, host family and so on, he/she should observe the following procedure: STEP 1 Discuss the problem with his/her leader who will report the problem to the Campus Manager, who should solve it within 36 working hours. STEP 2 If the problem persists, the student can call or ask his/her group leader to contact PLUS Head office (0207 299 4435). Necessary steps will then be taken without delay. STEP 3 If the problem still cannot be solved, then the student may refer the complaint to ABLS PO BOX 312, GREAT YARMOUTH NR30 9EP. The complaint can also be sent to:
- Customer Services
- Accreditation Unit
Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 6BB, UK or e mailed to :
- accreditation.unit@britishcouncil.org
The complaint must be written in English, specifying whether action has already been taken by PLUS, and signed. The student should also state whether he/she is happy for the complaint to be copied to PLUS.

12. Force Majeure
If PLUS or the Agent is affected by Force Majeure it shall forthwith notify the other party of the nature and extent thereof. Neither party shall be deemed to be in breach of this Agreement, or otherwise be liable to the other, by reason of any delay in performance, or non performance, of any of its obligations.

13. Proper Law
These Terms & Conditions are construed in accordance with the English Law. All disputes, controversies or claims shall be referred to and finally settled under the rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce of London by three arbitrators appointed in accordance with those Rules that are known and accepted by the Parties. It is hereby agreed that the Commercial Court of London shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any judicial proceedings howsoever related to the interpretation of these Terms & Conditions which may not be deferred to arbitration.

Previous Terms & Conditions are superseded. London, 11 April 2011