Terms & Conditions

Elizabeth Samuels Drama School – Terms and Conditions

This agreement outlines the terms and conditions governing the relationship between Elizabeth Samuels Ltd and you, the parent or guardian. By booking a place on any of our programmes, you are entering a legally binding agreement.

We run a range of activities including after-school drama, LAMDA exam tuition, performing arts classes and holiday programmes such as Show in a Week. Some terms apply to all classes, while others are specific to the type of class. Please read carefully to ensure you understand the terms relevant to your booking.

A. General Terms (Apply to All Classes)

  • A child’s place is only guaranteed once full payment has been received.
  • Bookings are on a first come, first served basis. We are unable to reserve places without payment.
  • We do not offer refunds or credits for any missed classes, including absences due to illness, holidays, or school events.
  • Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable once the term has begun.
  • We do not offer sibling discounts.
  • Refunds are not possible if your child does not attend a class or withdraws part-way through the term – full term fees remain payable.
  • In the event of disruption due to events outside of our control (e.g. pandemic, force majeure, strike action, severe weather), classes may be moved online or rescheduled within the academic year. No credit will be due if this is not possible.
  • If a school or venue stops hosting our classes, the remaining sessions will be delivered online.
  • Pupils must behave responsibly and respectfully. Behaviour issues or inappropriate conduct by a pupil or parent may result in removal from the programme, with no refund or credit given.
  • Elizabeth Samuels does not accept liability for loss or damage to personal property.
  • It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to keep emergency contact and medical information up to date.
  • All staff are DBS checked, trained in safeguarding and paediatric first aid trained.
  • In the event that we are unable to find a suitable time or we are unable to meet our minimum number of students or the group is fully booked, we will place your child’s name on the waiting list.

B. After-School Drama Classes

  • Sessions take place directly after the school day.
  • Pupils must be collected promptly from the designated dismissal point.
  • These are non-examined, confidence-building group classes focused on creative development.
  • We do not offer refunds, credits, or catch-ups for missed sessions.
  • No homework is required, though scripts or short lines may occasionally be brought home for learning.

C. LAMDA Tuition (Speech & Drama Exams) - Primary Schools

LAMDA lessons are offered as group tuition, usually 90 minutes after school. Payment is due in full before term begins. If payment is not made in advance, we reserve the right to withdraw your child’s place.

  • Exam fees are not included in the class fee. These are charged separately and must be paid by the deadline given. Missed deadlines will result in your child not being entered for the exam.
  • A small admin fee may be charged when entering your child for an exam.
  • No refunds or credits are issued for lessons missed by pupils for any reason.
  • Exams may be held during school hours or at weekends and are not compulsory.
  • Students will be entered for exams at the teacher’s discretion.
  • If your child is booked for an exam but stops attending lessons, they will be withdrawn from the exam and the exam fee will be forfeited in full.
  • Exams may be cancelled at short notice by LAMDA.
  • Any books and/or Score/backing tracks required (Musical Theatre only) will need to be paid for by the student at the discretion of the teacher; the total of which will be invoiced to the parent separately at the appropriate time within the term.
  • If your child is ill and unable to attend an exam, we will help apply to LAMDA for a Transfer Credit Voucher (50% refund, with medical proof).
  • Should learners not attend their exams for any reason, then the cost of the exam will be forfeited.
  • Arriving late for an exam can result in disqualification.
  • If a school stops hosting LAMDA classes, remaining lessons will move online via GoogleMeet.
  • Students are expected to behave in a responsible and courteous manner at all times; to attend lessons regularly and to complete any homework set by their LAMDA teacher.
  • Poor attendance, failure to complete homework or disruptive behaviour by the pupil or by the parent/carer may result in tuition being withdrawn and any paid or outstanding fees would be retained or remain payable. No credits will be given in such circumstances.

D. LAMDA Tuition (Speech & Drama Exams) – Secondary Schools

LAMDA lessons are offered as small group or paired tuition, either 30 minutes during the school day or 90 minutes after school.

Payment is taken via a 12-month rolling subscription, billed automatically on or around the 1st of each month via our booking system. This subscription spreads the cost of the full academic year evenly across the year, including school holidays and months where classes do not run (e.g. August).

The monthly fee is not based on the number of lessons in a given month – it simply divides the full year’s cost into 12 equal payments.

The monthly payment secures your child’s place in the class. If payment fails or falls into arrears, we reserve the right to withdraw your child’s place.

  • Exam fees are not included in the class fee. These are charged separately and must be paid by the deadline given. Missed deadlines will result in your child not being entered for the exam.
  • A small admin fee may be charged when entering your child for an exam.
  • No refunds or credits are issued for lessons missed by pupils for any reason.
  • Exams may be held during school hours or at weekends and are not compulsory.
  • Students will be entered for exams at the teacher’s discretion.
  • Exams may be cancelled at short notice by LAMDA.
  • If your child is booked for an exam but stops attending lessons, they will be withdrawn from the exam and the exam fee will be forfeited.
  • Any books and/or Score/backing tracks required (Musical Theatre only) will need to be paid for by the student at the discretion of the teacher; the total of which will be invoiced to the parent separately at the appropriate time within the term.
  • If your child is ill and unable to attend an exam, we will help apply to LAMDA for a Transfer Credit Voucher (50% refund, with medical proof).
  • Should learners not attend their exams for any reason, then the cost of the exam will be forfeited.
  • Arriving late for an exam can result in disqualification.
  • If a school stops hosting LAMDA classes, remaining lessons will move online via GoogleMeet.
  • Students are expected to behave in a responsible and courteous manner at all times; to attend lessons regularly and to complete any homework set by their LAMDA teacher.
  • Poor attendance, failure to complete homework or disruptive behaviour by the pupil or by the parent/carer may result in tuition being withdrawn and any paid or outstanding fees would be retained or remain payable. No credits will be given in such circumstances.

Cancelling Subscription:

To cancel your child’s LAMDA place, a 4-week written notice period is required. Notice must be sent to info@elizabethsamuelsdrama.com. The notice period begins from the date your email is received, not the date it is sent. Payments due during the notice period remain payable in full.

  • Please note: as the subscription spreads the cost across 12 equal monthly payments, no refunds or credits will be given for months where classes are not attended or for holiday periods.

E. Show in a Week – Holiday Programme

Please read carefully before booking a place in our Show in a Week holiday programme.

1. Cancellations Made More Than 14 Days Before Start Date

  • You will receive a full refund minus a £15 admin fee.

2. Cancellations Made Within 14 Days of Start Date

  • Cancellations made less than 14 days before the programme begins are non-refundable due to staffing and venue costs.
  • If we are able to fill your child’s space from the waiting list, a partial refund may be issued at our discretion, but is not guaranteed.

3. Illness or Absence During the Programme

  • We are unable to offer refunds or credits for missed days due to illness, appointments or personal reasons once the programme has started.
  • This is due to the intensive rehearsal and performance schedule.

4. Minimum Numbers

  • If we are unable to run the programme due to insufficient bookings, you will receive a full refund.

5. Emergency Circumstances

  • In exceptional cases (e.g. bereavement, serious illness), please contact us. We understand that sometimes unexpected situations arise. If you need to cancel due to a genuine emergency (such as serious illness or bereavement), please contact us directly with as much notice as possible. We may request supporting evidence (e.g. a doctor’s note) before issuing any credit or refund, which remains at the discretion of the Principal. Please note that not all last-minute cancellations will qualify. We will always aim to be fair, but refunds are not guaranteed.