When you purchase a course, you are buying attendance at particular times on days that are specified for that course. Exceptions are make-up classes during the same Term for missed classes, or any other sessions by prior arrangement. Due to the small size of classrooms, we can only hold a student's place in a course upon receipt of enrolment form and full payment of fees. Places in a course are held strictly in order of receipt of above.

Your enrolment is subject to the following Terms and Conditions:

Refunds and transfers:

Students should consider their personal commitments and circumstances before enrolment as we regret that no fees are refundable under any circumstances once the course has started, nor are transfers to future terms possible. In the case that numbers are insufficient to proceed with a course, a full refund will be given.

No refund will be given to students who miss classes, start the course late or leave a course before the end of the Term. It is a student's right and responsibility to attend the number of classes for a given course. Where a student knows that a class will be missed due to prior engagements, we will do our best to assist in communicating the material of that class by telephone, email, or a replacement class where available. We do have an automated email facility of work covered and homework set for students who do miss classes.

Transfers to a future Term will be possible if requested before 5pm Friday in the week preceding commencement of Term. In this case an administrative fee of 15% will be charged. If a course does not run, a student may transfer to a future course without administration fee.

Course fees may not be transferred to private classes under any circumstances.

No refunds can be issued for texts after they have been collected.

Cancellation of classes:

In the unlikely event that classes have not reached the minimum number of students, they will be cancelled on the Thursday prior to the start of the course unless the course starts more than 3 business days after that day. See Small classes below for minimum numbers. All efforts will be made to contact students affected in good time to make arrangements. This might include the offer of a free transfer to another course in the same or following Term, or a full refund.

Withdrawals:

Withdrawal from a course if made before 5pm Friday in the week preceding commencement of Term will incur an administrative fee of 15% of the fee that has been paid. No refund will be given to students who withdraw after the Monday of the week of commencement of Term.

Missed classes:

Missed classes may be made up by attending another class during the same Term at no extra charge. Please contact the office or inform teachers.

Public holidays:

NO CLASSES will be held on public holidays, EXCEPT Australia Day (Thur Jan 26 in 2012). Extra homework is provided for that missed class, however students may attend another during that week, or in any other week in that Term. Sometimes but not always there may be extra classes added to the timetable for the lost Monday classes.

Small classes:

El Patio's classes are small with a maximun of 12 at Northcote and 13 at Melbourne. A minimum of 5 students is required for a class to go ahead. For classes with 4 students, El Patio will offer the course at 80%, ie: for 8 weeks instead of 10, or 4 weeks instead of 5.

Multiple Terms (courses):

If a student purchases multiple courses, the above terms and conditions apply regarding transfers and withdrawals of the initial Term of the multiples purchased. If the student has a change of mind regarding the subsequent Term(s), a withdrawal may be made with a refund calculated as follows: the total amount paid, less the current undiscounted course fee, less a $15.00 administrative fee per Term withdrawn.