klayskool

Ditchling Common - Sussex

Terms & Conditions

Welcome to Klayskool

At Klayskool, our aim is to provide a friendly, creative, safe, and enjoyable environment for everyone who attends our classes, workshops, and courses. To help us maintain this atmosphere, we ask that all participants take a few moments to read these Terms and Conditions before attending.

These Terms and Conditions are designed to ensure the smooth running of the studio and to help protect the interests of all participants and staff.

By booking, attending, or participating in any Klayskool class, workshop, course, or event, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

1. What to Bring

Participants are requested to:

Wear sensible, closed-toe, non-slip footwear at all times.
Wear suitable clothing that may become dirty during the course.
Consider bringing an apron, particularly for wheel throwing sessions.

Please note that pottery can be a messy activity. We recommend rinsing excess clay from aprons by hand before machine washing to help protect your washing machine and reduce environmental impact.

Klayskool provides all necessary tools and materials. Participants are welcome to bring their own tools; however, all personal belongings and equipment remain the sole responsibility of the owner. Klayskool accepts no liability for loss, damage, or theft of personal items.

2. Studio Etiquette

To help maintain a safe and professional studio environment, participants agree to:

Use designated reclaim buckets for waste clay.
Avoid leaving tools in reclaim clay or work areas.
Keep workstations clean and tidy throughout each session.
Follow all instructions provided by staff regarding studio procedures and equipment.

If you are unsure how to dispose of materials or use studio facilities, please ask a member of staff for assistance.

3. Refreshments

Complimentary tea and coffee facilities are available for participants.

A café is located adjacent to the studio and offers breakfast, lunch, sandwiches, salads, and refreshments during its opening hours.

4. Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted by email to:

info@klayskool.co.uk

Cancellation charges are as follows:

More than 15 days before the course start date: 20% of the course fee.
Between 8 and 14 days before the course start date: 50% of the course fee.
Within 7 days of the course start date: 100% of the course fee.

At its sole discretion, Klayskool may offer an alternative course date instead of applying cancellation charges. Such arrangements are not guaranteed and will depend on availability.

5. Missed Classes

If a participant is unable to attend a scheduled class, no refund, credit, or replacement session can be guaranteed.

Klayskool understands that unforeseen circumstances may arise and will endeavour to assist where possible; however, missed sessions remain the responsibility of the participant.

6. Mobile Phones

Mobile phones should be switched to silent or vibrate mode while classes are in progress.

If you need to make or answer a call, please do so outside the studio.

USB charging points are available for participant convenience.

7. Course Cancellation by Klayskool

In exceptional circumstances, Klayskool may need to cancel or reschedule a course due to reasons including, but not limited to:

Tutor illness
Severe weather conditions
Insufficient participant numbers
Circumstances beyond our reasonable control

Where Klayskool cancels a course, participants will be offered either:

A full refund; or
Transfer to an alternative course of equivalent value

8. Force Majeure

Klayskool shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where such failure results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:

Natural disasters
Floods
Fires
Epidemics or pandemics
Acts of war
Government restrictions
Utility failures
Other force majeure events

In such circumstances, Klayskool reserves the right to suspend, postpone, or cancel courses without liability for consequential losses.

9. Health and Safety

Participant safety is of paramount importance.

All participants must comply with studio safety procedures and instructions provided by Klayskool staff.

Studio Floors

Wet clay on floors may create a slip hazard. Participants should promptly clean any spills or

notify a member of staff if assistance is required.

Kiln Areas

Kiln rooms are restricted areas and may only be entered with permission from a member of staff.

Clay Dust

Dry clay dust can present a respiratory hazard.

Participants agree to:

Minimise the creation of dust.
Follow staff guidance on cleaning procedures.
Use only approved cleaning methods.
Respect the needs of others who may have respiratory sensitivities.

Glazes, Dry Materials and Chemicals

Some studio materials, including dry glazes, oxides, stains, and other ceramic raw materials, may contain fine particles which can become airborne if handled incorrectly.

Participants must follow all instructions provided by Klayskool staff when handling these materials and must take reasonable care to minimise the creation of dust.

When using glazing materials, participants agree to:

Handle all materials carefully and responsibly.
Keep containers securely closed when not in use.
Clean up any spills immediately using the methods advised by staff.
Leave glazing and mixing areas clean and tidy after use.
Return all materials, tools, and equipment to their designated storage locations.
Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking whilst handling glazing materials or chemicals.

Only materials supplied or approved by Klayskool may be used within the studio.

Klayskool reserves the right to restrict access to certain materials, equipment, or processes where specialist supervision or training is required.

Clay Usage

Only clay supplied by Klayskool may be used in the studio unless prior written permission has been obtained.

Mixing different clay bodies without authorisation is prohibited.

End of Session Cleaning

Participants are expected to allow sufficient time, typically 10–15 minutes before the end of each session, to clean their workspace, tools, and surrounding area.

As a shared professional studio, all work areas should be left clean and ready for the next user.

Smoking and Vaping

Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited anywhere within the studio premises.

10. Storage and Care of Work

For introductory and taster courses, Klayskool staff will manage the handling and processing of participant work.

For longer courses and ongoing classes, participants are responsible for correctly storing work between sessions.

Staff will provide guidance regarding the appropriate storage methods required to maintain the condition of work in progress.

Participants are responsible for ensuring their work is clearly identified

11. Firing Charges

For longer courses, the course fee includes firing for approximately two to three small to medium-sized pots per participant. The exact allowance is at the discretion of Klayskool staff.

Any additional work produced during a course beyond this allowance will be charged at £10.00 per kilogram (based on finished unfired weight).

All work produced during Open Access sessions is also charged at £10.00 per kilogram.

Firing charges include kiln usage, glazing materials (where applicable), handling, and studio processing costs.

Klayskool reserves the right to refuse to fire any work that is unsuitable, unsafe, incorrectly prepared, or may risk damage to kiln equipment or other work.

12. Pottery Risks and Liability

Pottery is a creative process involving numerous variables. Despite the greatest care being taken, Klayskool cannot guarantee the successful completion, firing, glazing, or survival of any item.

Work may occasionally:

Crack
Warp
Break
Explode during firing
Develop glazing defects

Klayskool accepts no liability for loss or damage to pottery resulting from the normal risks associated with ceramic production.

13. Collection of Finished Work

Participants will be notified when work is ready for collection.

Firing times vary depending on factors such as drying times, kiln schedules, and the size and thickness of pieces. Typical completion times range from two to six weeks.

Participants are encouraged to collect finished work promptly.

Any work not collected within three months of notification will be recycled, disposed of, or given away unless participants contact Klayskool to arrange a longer collection period.

Delivery may be available by prior arrangement and will incur an additional charge

14. Personal Property

Klayskool accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings brought onto the premises.

Participants are responsible for the safekeeping of their own possessions at all times

15. Limitation of Liability

Participants attend and use the studio facilities at their own risk. Klayskool will take all reasonable steps to provide a safe, secure, and enjoyable environment for all participants and maintains appropriate public liability insurance.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall exclude or limit Klayskool’s liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability which cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Subject to the foregoing, Klayskool shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, incidental, or economic loss arising from participation in any class, workshop, course, or event. Klayskool shall also not be responsible for the loss of or damage to personal belongings, tools, equipment, clothing, vehicles, or other property brought onto the premises.

Participants are responsible for following all health and safety guidance provided by Klayskool staff and for using studio facilities and equipment in a safe and responsible manner.

16. Data Protection and Privacy

Klayskool respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data.

Personal information will only be used for:

Managing bookings
Communicating course information
Providing customer support
Sending updates regarding Klayskool activities and events

Participants may opt out of marketing communications at any time.

Klayskool does not sell or share personal data with third parties except where required by law.

17. Photography and Video Recording

Klayskool may occasionally take photographs or video recordings during classes, workshops, and events for promotional, educational, and marketing purposes.

These images may be used on:

The Klayskool website
Social media platforms
Printed promotional materials
Advertising and marketing campaigns

Participants who do not wish to appear in photographs or videos must notify Klayskool before the start of the course, and every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate their request.

18. Acceptance of Terms

By booking, attending, or participating in any Klayskool class, workshop, course, or event, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.