Terms & Conditions

All prospective pupils should wish to be shown around the School with their parents. There is no substitute for visiting the school in order to appreciate the quality of the environment and facilities. A visit also provides the opportunity to ask individual questions which no prospectus can answer. Appointments can be made throughout the year.

The School
1. The School is The Mill Hill School Foundation which includes the Senior School known as Mill Hill School, the Preparatory School known as Belmont School and the Pre-preparatory School known as Grimsdell acting by the Court of Governors as now or in the future constituted.
2. The Head is the person appointed by the Court of Governors to be responsible for the Pupil and includes those to whom any of the duties of the Head or the School have been responsibly delegated. The expression “the Head” in these terms and conditions means, where appropriate, the Headmaster of Mill Hill School, the Head of Belmont School, or the Head of Grimsdell.
3. “The Parent/s” means any person who has signed the Acceptance Form and/or who has accepted responsibility for a child’s attendance at this School. Parents are legally responsible, individually and jointly, for complying with their obligations under these terms and conditions. Those who have “parental responsibility“ (i.e. legal responsibility for the child) are entitled to receive relevant information concerning the child unless a court order has been made to the contrary, or there are other reasons which justify withholding information to safeguard the interests and welfare and best interests of the child. Parents are expected to give their support and encouragement to the aims of the School and to uphold and promote its good name; to continue the Pupil’s education at home and to ensure that the Pupil maintains appropriate standards of punctuality, behaviour, diligence, language, discipline and dress.
4. “The Pupil” is the child named on the Acceptance Form. The age of the Pupil will be calculated in accordance with UK custom.
5. The Standard Terms and Conditions: We believe that these standard terms and conditions reflect the customs and practice of independent schools for many generations. The rules about change and about notice and fees in lieu of notice and the other rules set out below are provided in good faith. They promote stability, forward-planning and the proper resourcing and development of the School. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions affects the statutory rights of Parents. These Terms and Conditions form the basis of a legal contract for educational services.
6. Fees and Notice: The rules concerning fees and notice are of particular importance and are set out at Sections 4 and 5 below.
7. Our Aims: The aims of the School are described in the Prospectus. In addition, the School aims to strike the balance between academic and practical work, physical education, moral and spiritual development and the pursuit of leisure activities. The School is a private self-regulating community which respects the human rights of Pupils and their parents, who in turn accept that the School’s lawful policies, disciplines and rules must sometime take precedence over the wishes of individuals. We are committed to high standards of teaching and care and we welcome parental contact. The School is an environment in which Pupils are encouraged to participate in work and leisure activities with enthusiasm and commitment and to behave with tolerance and understanding, respecting the needs of others.
8. Changes at the School: A successful school must initiate and respond to change. The offer of a place and its acceptance are given on the basis that, in the interests of the School as a whole, reasonable changes may be made from time to time to these standard terms and conditions, to the size and location of the School, to its premises and facilities, to the academic and games curriculum and the structure and composition of classes and the way the School is run, to the rules and disciplinary framework, to the length of the school terms and the school day and to any other aspect of the School.
9. Consultation: It is not practicable to consult with Parents and Pupils over every change that may take place. Whenever practicable, however, Parents will be consulted and/or given adequate notice of any significant proposals or changes of policy likely to affect the School community as a whole. If the ownership or legal status of the School changes, the School’s rights and obligations under these Terms and Conditions will be deemed assigned to the new entity.
10. Documents referred to: Before accepting the offer of a place, Parents and Pupils receive a copy of the Fees List and the School Rules and all other policies and documents as required to be provided by statutory regulations. Parents also have an opportunity, on request, to see any of the other documents referred to in these Terms and Conditions.
Care and Good Discipline
1. Parents’ Authority: The Parents authorise the Head whilst the Pupil is in the care of the School or acting on behalf of a Pupil who has reached the age of 16, to take and/or authorise in good faith all decisions which the Head considers on proper grounds will safeguard and promote the Pupil’s welfare. Parents consent to such physical contact as may be lawful, in accord with good practice, appropriate and proper for teaching and instruction and for providing comfort to a Pupil in distress or to maintain safety and good order or in connection with the Pupil’s health.
2. Medical Care: Parents consent also to emergency medical treatment including blood transfusions, general anaesthetic and operations under NHS or at a private hospital where certified by a person who is appropriately qualified, necessary for the Pupil’s welfare and if Parents cannot be contacted in time. Parents must comply with the quarantine regulations made by any School medical officer as varied from time to time.
3. The Pupil’s Health: The Head may at any time require a medical opinion or certificate as to the Pupil’s general health where the Head considers that necessary as a matter of professional judgement in the interests of the child and/or the School. Parents must inform the Head in writing if the Pupil has any known medical condition, health problem, disability or allergy or will be unable to take part in games or sporting activities or has been in contact with infectious diseases including Avian flu. A Pupil of sufficient age and maturity is entitled to insist on confidentiality which can nonetheless be overridden in the Pupil’s own interests or where necessary for the protection of other members of the School community.
4. Medical Information: Throughout a Pupil’s time at the School, any School medical officer shall have the right to disclose confidential information about the Pupil if considered to be in the Pupil’s own interests or necessary for the protection of other members of the School community. Such information will be given and received on a confidential, “need-to-know” basis.
5. Conduct and Attendance: We attach importance to courtesy, integrity, manners and good discipline. The Pupil is expected to take a full part in the activities of the School, to attend punctually on each school day, to work hard, to be well behaved and to comply with the School Rules about the wearing of uniform. All Pupils will receive health and life skills education appropriate to age in accordance with the curriculum from time to time unless the Parents have given formal notice in writing that they do not wish their child to take part in this aspect of the curriculum.
6. Pupil’s Rights: A pupil of sufficient maturity and understanding has certain legal rights which the School must observe. These include the right to give or withhold consent in a variety of circumstances and certain rights of confidentiality and, usually, the right to have contact with both natural or adoptive Parents. If a conflict of interests arises between a Parent and a Pupil, the rights of, and duties owed to, the Pupil will in most cases take precedence over the rights of, and duties owed to, the Parent.
7. The School Rules: Each Pupil is supplied with a copy of the School Rules giving information about the ethos and rules at the School. The purpose of the School Rules is to help every Pupil to know what is expected and to encourage courtesy and consideration for others. Each Pupil and Parent should read the School Rules.
Admission and Entry to the School
1. Registration, Admission and Entry: Applicants will be considered as candidates for admission and entry to the School when the Registration Form has been completed and returned to us and the non-returnable registration fee paid. Admission and entry will be subject to the availability of a place and the Pupil satisfying the admission requirements at the time. “Admission” occurs when Parents accept the offer of a place. "Entry" is the date when a pupil attends the School for the first time under this contract.
2. Equal Treatment: The School operates an equal treatment policy. The School has a Christian ethos but welcomes staff and pupils from all different ethnic groups, backgrounds and creeds. At present, our physical facilities for the disabled are limited but we will do all that is reasonable to ensure that the School’s culture policies and procedures are made accessible to children who have disabilities and comply with our legal and moral responsibilities under the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 in order to accommodate the needs of applicants, Pupils and members of staff who have disabilities for which, after reasonable adjustments we can cater adequately.
3. Offer of a Place and Deposits: If, in due course, a place is offered, the Acceptance Deposit as shown on the Fees List for the relevant year for the relevant entry point will be payable when Parents accept the offer. The Acceptance Deposit will be retained in the general funds of the School until the pupil leaves. The Acceptance Deposit at Grimsdell will be repaid by means of a credit without interest to the final payment of fees or other sums due to the School on leaving or transferring to the next stage of the School, unless the parent wishes to donate the Acceptance Deposit to the School’s Foundation. At Mill Hill School and Belmont School part of the Acceptance Deposit will be credited against the first term’s fees and the remainder will be repaid by means of a credit without interest to the final payment of fees or other sums due to the School on leaving, unless the parent wishes to donate the Acceptance Deposit to the School’s Foundation. Details of Acceptance Deposits are set out in the Fees List.
4. Moving to the Preparatory/Senior School: It is assumed that a Pupil will, subject to conduct and academic attainments, progress through the School and complete the Upper Sixth year at Mill Hill School. A Pupil who is moving from Grimsdell to Belmont School will be required to show an ability to do so through internal assessment and the advice of the Head of Grimsdell. A Pupil who is moving from Belmont School to Mill Hill School will be required to show an ability to do so through internal assessment and the advice of the Head of Belmont. Parents will be consulted before the end of the Lent Term if there appears to be any reason why the Pupil may be refused a place at the next stage of the School or if the Pupil is required to repeat a year. Parents must give a term’s notice in writing (i.e. before the start of the Summer Term in Year 2 or Year 8) in accordance with the Provisions about Notice (in section 5) if they do not intend their child to proceed to the next stage of the School, or a term’s Fees in lieu of notice will be payable.
Fees and Extras
1. Items Covered: Fees cover the normal curriculum together with most books and stationery and includes where applicable: Registration Fee; Acceptance Deposit; Overseas Deposit; Tuition Fees; Boarding Fees; Fees for extra tuition; other extras such as House charges, clothing and equipment, photographs and other items ordered by the Parent or the Pupil or incurred by the School and charges arising in respect of educational visits, and damage where a Pupil alone or with others has caused wilful loss or damage to school property or the property of any other person (fair wear and tear excluded) and late payment charges if incurred. The Pupil is for these purposes agent of the Parents. Agency means that the acts and omissions of Parents are binding on the Pupil and vice versa.
2. Responsibility for payment: The Parents undertake to pay the Fees applicable in each school year. Fees are due and payable before the commencement of the school term to which they relate. If one or more items on the bill are under query, the balance of the bill must be paid.
3. Exclusion for Non-Payment: Each invoice must be paid before the first day of term. A Pupil may be excluded from the School at any time when fees are unpaid and will be deemed withdrawn without notice 28 days after exclusion. (Then a term’s fees in lieu of notice will be payable.) Exclusion on these grounds is not a disciplinary matter and the right to a Governors’ Review will not normally arise. The School may withhold any information, character references or property while fees are unpaid but will not do so in a way that will cause direct, identifiable and unfair prejudice to the legitimate rights and interests of the Pupil.
4. Refund/Waiver: Fees will not be refunded or waived for absence through sickness; or if a term is shortened or a vacation extended; or if a Pupil is released home after public examinations or otherwise before the normal end of term; or for any other cause except at the sole discretion of the Head who will act fairly when deciding whether or not to exercise his discretion. Separate rules (as set out in section 6) apply when a Pupil is expelled or removed i.e. asked to leave.
5. Payment of Fees by a third party: An agreement with a third party to pay the Fees or any other sum due to the School does not release Parents from any liability under these terms and conditions or affect the operation of these terms and conditions unless an express release has been given in writing signed by the Bursar. The School reserves the right to refuse a payment from a third party. All such payments received are accepted in good faith.
6. Late Payment: Simple interest may be charged on a day-to-day basis on Fees and all other sums due which are unpaid. The rate of interest charged will be at up to 1.5% per month, which is a genuine pre-estimate of the cost to the School of a default. Cheques and other instruments delivered at any time after the first day of term will be presented immediately, and will not be considered as payment until cleared. Any sum tendered that is less than the sum due and owing may in any event be accepted by the School on account only. Late payment charges will be applied to any unpaid balance of Fees. The rules in clauses 4 and 5 of these terms and conditions are intended to protect those Parents who pay Fees on time and to safeguard the School against consequences of the defaults of others.
7. Fee increases: Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increases from time to time. If less than a term’s notice is given of a fee increase of 8% or greater, notice of withdrawal given 21 days after notice of the increase was received will not incur a term’s fees in lieu of notice and the Acceptance Deposit will be refunded without interest.
8. Scholarships and Bursaries: Every scholarship and bursary is subject to high standards of behaviour, attendance and work on the Pupil’s part and to the Parents treating the School and the staff reasonably. The terms of a scholarship or bursary and in particular the terms upon which benefits may become repayable are set out in the offer letter (where applicable) to Parents. The value of a scholarship shall be deducted from Fees before any bursary or other concession is calculated or assessed.
9. Instalment arrangements: An agreement by the School to accept payment of current and/or past Fees by standing order or direct debit or any other arrangement for payment of fees by instalments is concessionary and will cease automatically in the event of any default for 30 days or more. On ceasing, the full amount of Fees then due shall be payable forthwith as a debt and interest will start to accrue at the rate for late payment (see above). Fees received under an instalment arrangement shall be deemed to have been paid in ten instalments appropriated as to four instalments for the Autumn Term, three instalments for the Spring Term and three instalments for the Summer Term. The payments in respect of each term shall be deemed a separate credit arrangement from the payments for each other term.
10. Advance Payment of Fees Scheme: The School offers an optional advance payment of school fees scheme. Details of the Scheme are available from the Bursar.
11. Money Laundering: Legislation requires the School, in some circumstances, to obtain satisfactory evidence (such as sight of a passport) of the identity of the person who is paying Fees.
12. Appropriation: The Parents agree that a payment made in respect of one child may be appropriated to the unpaid account of any other child of those Parents.
Events Requiring Notice in Writing
1. Definitions
  Notice to be given by Parents means (unless the contrary is stated in these terms and conditions) a term’s written notice addressed to and actually received by the Head. No other notice will suffice. It is expected that Parents will consult the Head before giving notice to withdraw a Pupil.
  Provisional Notice is valid only for the term in which it is given and only when written and accepted in writing by the Head.
  Term means the period between and including the first and last days of each school term.
  A Term’s Notice means notice given before the first day of term and expiring at the end of term. A term’s notice must be given in writing if the Parents wish to cancel a place which they have accepted, or if Parents wish to withdraw a Pupil who has entered the School; or if, following the GCSE year or AS Level year, the Pupil will not return for the following year even if he/she has achieved the required grades; or the Pupil wishes to discontinue extra tuition; or the Pupil wishes to transfer from boarding to day only attendance or from full boarding to weekly boarding.
  Half a Term’s Notice means notice given before the first day of term expiring at half term, or notice given before half term expiring at the end of term.
  Fees in lieu (of notice) means fees in full for the term of notice at the rate that would have applied had the Pupil attended and not limited to the Parental contribution in the case of a scholarship, bursary or assisted place.
2. Cancelling Acceptance: The cancellation of a place which has been accepted can cause long-term loss to the School if it occurs after other families have taken their decision about schooling for their children. A genuine pre-estimate of loss is fees for between one and 5 years. Nonetheless the School agrees to limit the parent’s liability to a full term’s fees payable as a debt if, for any reason, less than a term’s notice of cancellation of a place has been given before entry or the Pupil does not join the School after a place has been accepted, or to the full amount of the Acceptance Deposit if more than a term’s notice has been given. The term’s fees (less deposit/s held) will be immediately payable by the Parents. Cases of serious illness or genuine hardship may receive special consideration on written request.
3. Withdrawal from the School: A term’s notice must be given before a Pupil is withdrawn from the School (including withdrawal after the Pupil has sat GCSE). If a pupil is withdrawn on less than a term’s notice, or excluded for more than twenty-eight days for non-payment of Fees, a term’s Fees in lieu will be immediately due and payable as a debt at the rate applicable on the date of invoice whether or not the place can be filled. The Pupil’s decision to withdraw from the School shall, for these purposes, be treated as a withdrawal by the Parents. The charge of a term’s Fees represents a genuine pre-estimate of the School’s loss in these circumstances, and sometimes the actual loss to the School will be much greater. This rule is necessary to promote stability and the School’s ability to plan its staffing and other resources.
4. Prior Consultation: It is expected that a parent or duly authorised education guardian will in every case consult personally with the Head before notice of withdrawal is given.
5. Discontinuing Extras: Half a term’s written notice is required to discontinue an extra or half a term’s fees for the extra will be immediately payable in lieu as a debt.
6. Termination by the School: The School may terminate this agreement on one term’s written notice sent by ordinary post or on less than one term’s notice in a case involving expulsion or required removal. The School would not terminate the contract without good cause and full consultation with Parents and the Pupil (if of sufficient maturity and understanding), and would offer the Parents a Governors’ Review of a decision to terminate. The deposit would be refunded without interest less any outstanding balance of the account.
Discipline, Removal and Expulsion of a Pupil
1. School Discipline: The Parents hereby confirm that they accept the authority of the Head and of other members of staff on the Head’s behalf to take all reasonable disciplinary or preventative action necessary to safeguard and promote the welfare of each Pupil and the School community as a whole. The School’s disciplinary policy which is current at the time applies to all Pupils when they are on school premises, or in the care of the School, or wearing school uniform, or otherwise representing or associated with the School, and also when boarders are in the company of day pupils at, or away from school premises, or outside school hours.
2. Investigative Action: A complaint or rumour of misconduct will be investigated. A Pupil may be questioned and his/her accommodation or belongings may be searched in appropriate circumstances. All reasonable care will be taken to protect the Pupil’s human rights and freedoms. In cases of serious breach of school discipline where a serious school sanction may lead to a suspension of 11 days or more, required withdrawal or expulsion, the School will attempt to ensure that his/her Parents are informed as soon as reasonably practicable after it becomes clear that the Pupil may face formal disciplinary action, and also to make arrangements for the Pupil to be accompanied and assisted by a Parent, education guardian or a teacher of the Pupil’s choice.
3. Terminology: In these Terms and Conditions “Suspension” means that a Pupil has been sent or released home for a limited period either as a disciplinary sanction or pending the outcome of an investigation or a Governors’ Review. "Rustication" means releasing a Pupil home or to an education guardian for a specified period of time (usually a weekend) but without further disciplinary consequences. "Withdrawal" means that the Parents have withdrawn the Pupil from the School. "Expulsion" and "Removal" mean that the Pupil has been required to leave ("asked to leave") the School permanently in the circumstances described below. "Released home" means that the Head has consented to the Pupil being away from school for a specified period of time. "Exclusion" means that the Pupil may not return to school until arrears of Fees have been paid. "Exclusion" may also be used as a general expression covering any or all of the other expressions defined in this clause.
4. Sanctions: The School’s current policies on sanctions are available to Parents on request before they accept the offer of a place. These policies may undergo reasonable change from time to time but will not authorise any form of unlawful activity. Sanctions may include a requirement to undertake menial but not degrading tasks on behalf of the School or external community, detention for a reasonable period, withdrawal of privileges, gating, Rustication or Suspension, or alternatively being removed or expelled.
5. Expulsion: A Pupil may be formally expelled from the School if it is proved on the balance of probabilities that the Pupil has committed a very grave breach of school discipline or a serious criminal offence. Expulsion is reserved for the most serious breaches. The Head shall act with procedural fairness in all such cases. After Expulsion there will be no refund of the deposit or of fees for the current or past terms, but the overseas element (if any) of the deposit and the unspent balance of any lump sum prepayment will be refunded without interest. There will be no charge to fees in lieu of notice but all arrears of fees and any other sums due to the School will be payable.
6. Removal in other circumstances: Parents may be required, during or at the end of a term, to remove the Pupil, temporarily or permanently from the School, or from boarding, if, after consultation with a Parent, the Head is of the opinion that the Pupil’s conduct or progress has been unsatisfactory or if the Pupil, in the judgement of the Head, is unwilling or unable to benefit sufficiently from the educational opportunities offered by the School, or if a Parent has treated the School or members of its staff unreasonably. In these circumstances, Parents may be permitted to withdraw the Pupil as an alternative to Removal being required. The Head shall act with procedural fairness in all such cases, and shall have regard to the interests of the Pupil and Parents as well as to those of the School. If the Pupil is removed in the circumstances described above, the rules relating to fees and deposits shall be the same as for expulsion save that the deposit will be refunded in full without interest.
7. Discretion of the Head: The decision to exclude, suspend or require removal or expel a Pupil and the manner and form of any announcement shall be at the sole discretion of the Head who will act fairly when exercising his discretion. In no circumstances shall the School or its staff be required to divulge to Parent/s or others any confidential information or the identities of Pupils or others who have given information which has led to suspension, the requirement to remove or expulsion or which the Head has acquired during an investigation.
8. Leaving Status: The expression “leaving status” has reference to whether the Pupil has been expelled, removed or withdrawn, and to the record which will be entered into the Pupil’s file as to the reason for leaving, and the Pupil’s status as a leaver, and the transfer of the Pupil’s work to another educational establishment and to the nature of the reference which will be given in respect of the Pupil, and also to the financial aspects of the Pupil’s leaving. These and any other relevant matters of leaving status will be discussed by the Head with the Parents and, where appropriate with the Pupil, at the time of the Head’s decision.
9. Review: In the event of expulsion or of a Pupil’s removal being required, Parents may ask for a Governors’ Review of the decision. Parents cannot request a review regarding a decision to suspend a Pupil unless the suspension is for 11 school days or more, or would prevent the Pupil taking a public examination. The request must be made as soon as possible and in any event within seven days of the decision being notified to the Parents. Parents will be entitled to know the names of the Governors who make up the Review Panel and may ask for the appointment of an independent panel member nominated by the School and approved by the Parent (approval not to be unreasonably withheld).
10. Review Procedure: The Head will advise Parents of the procedure current at that time (of which copies are available on request) under which a written application for a review of the decision may be made. If Parent’s request a Governors’ Review, the Pupil will be suspended from School until the decision to expel or remove has been set aside or upheld. While suspended, the Pupil shall remain away from School and will have no right to enter School premises during that time without written permission from the Head. A Governors’ Review will be conducted under fair procedures in accordance with the requirements of natural justice.
11. Access: A Pupil who has been withdrawn, excluded, suspended, removed or expelled from the School has no right to enter school premises without the written permission of the Head.
Boarding
1. Medical Matters: Each boarder, unless otherwise agreed by the Head, will be registered on the National Health Service list of the School Medical Officer.
2. Change From Boarding to Day: Where a boarding place is offered and accepted at 13+, the Parents’ acceptance is given on the basis that they intend the Pupil to continue boarding at least until the end of the Fifth Form. After consultation with the Head, a pupil may transfer from boarding to day status in cases of exceptional hardship or medical difficulty. A transfer from boarding to day can only occur if a day place is available at the time. Once agreed with the Head, a term’s written notice is required before the change takes place or a term’s difference in fees will be payable in lieu. If a place is not available, the School may give a term’s notice of termination after full consultation with the parents. Parents will be offered a Governors’ Review of the decision in line with clause (6j) of these Terms and Conditions. The Head may at any time require removal of the Pupil, temporarily or permanently, from boarding in any of the circumstances described at clause 6(a) or (b) above. In that event, there will be no refund of fees for the balance of that term.
3. Travel Arrangements: The right is reserved to charge all administration and other expenses including staff supervision where the School has to make travel or other arrangements for the Pupil before, during or at the end of a term.
4. Overseas Pupils: For ease of administration, a deposit of one term’s Fees applicable to the Pupil and in accordance with the Fees List is normally charged in the case of a Pupil whose normal residence is outside the UK. The deposit will be repaid by means of a credit without interest to the fee account after the final term. Until credited, the deposit will form part of the general funds of the School.
5. Fees in Lieu of Notice: The fees in lieu rate for a boarder is the boarding rate.
6. Education Guardians: When both Parents reside outside the United Kingdom, Parental responsibility must be delegated to a suitable adult resident in the UK who has agreed to take full responsibility for the Pupil when not at school, to whom the School can apply for authorities when necessary and who can, if necessary, come to the School at short notice. The School can accept no responsibility during exeats, half term or the holidays for Pupils whose Parents are resident abroad and the Parents and guardians of such Pupils must make holiday arrangements, including travel to and from school, well in advance. The responsibility for choosing an appropriate education guardian rests solely with the Parents.
General Conditions
1. Special Precautions: The Head needs to be aware of any matters that are relevant to the Pupil’s security and safety. The Head must therefore be notified in writing immediately of any court orders or situations of risk in relation to a Pupil for whom any special safety precautions may be needed. A Parent may be excluded from school premises if the Head, acting in a proper manner, considers such exclusion to be in the best interests of the Pupil or of the School.
2. Leaving School Premises: The School is not, under normal circumstances, able to prevent a Pupil leaving school premises and is not entitled to do so in the case of a Pupil aged 16+ or 18+. A boarding Pupil will normally be asked for details as to mode of travel and the address and a contact telephone number where the Pupil can be contacted when not at school premises.
3. Residence during Term Time: Pupils, except when boarding, are required during term time and at weekends, exeats and half term, to live with a parent or legal guardian or education guardian acceptable to the School. The Head must be notified in writing immediately if a Pupil will be residing other than with a person who has Parental responsibility.
4. Absence of Parents: When both Parents will be absent from the Pupil’s home overnight or for a 24 hour period or longer, the School requires, in writing, the name, address and telephone number for 24 hour contact of the adult who will have the care of the Pupil.
5. Liability and Insurances: The School does not, unless there has been negligence or other wrongdoing, accept responsibility for accidental injury or loss of property. The School undertakes to maintain those insurances which are prescribed by law. All other insurances are the responsibility of Parents including insurance of the Pupil’s personal property whilst at school or on the way to or from school or on any school sponsored activity away from the School. The School does not accept the responsibilities of an insurance agent for any purposes connected with insurance taken out by Parents.
6. School Trips: A variety of school trips will be provided for your child while a Pupil here. The cost of some school trips will be charged as an extra and added to the bill. Parents’ prior consent will be sought for a trip costing more than £30. School trips abroad or those in the United Kingdom involving an overnight stay will be the subject of a separate agreement with the Parents. The cost of the trip will be payable in advance. The Pupil is subject to school discipline in all respects whilst engaged in a school trip. All additional costs of special measures (such as medical costs, taxis, air fares, or professional advice) necessary to protect the Pupil’s safety and welfare, or to respond to breaches of discipline, will be added to the bill.
7. Transport: The Parents consent to the Pupil travelling by any form of public transport and/or in a motor vehicle driven by a responsible adult who is duly licensed and insured to drive a vehicle of that type.
8. Conduct of Parents: The Parents will behave appropriately when on School premises. This includes complying with the School’s rules and regulations currently in force in relation to parking within School grounds.
9. Photographs: It is the custom and practice of most independent schools, and of this School, to include some photographs or images of Pupils in the school’s promotional material such as the prospectus and website. We would not disclose the name or home address of a child without the Parents’ consent. Parents who do not want their child’s photograph or image to appear in any of the School’s promotional material must make sure their child knows this and must write immediately to the Head requesting an acknowledgement of their letter.
10. Pupils’ Personal Property: Pupils are responsible for the security and safe use of all personal property and are responsible for ensuring that all such property is clearly marked with the owner’s name. Pupils are responsible for the safe condition and use of all electrical appliances which they bring on to school premises.
11. Complaints Procedures: A complaint about any matter of School policy or administration not involving a decision to expel or remove a Pupil must be made in accordance with the School’s published complaints procedure, a copy of which is available on request. Every reasonable complaint shall receive fair and proper consideration and a timely response.
12. Progress Reports: The School monitors each Pupil’s progress and, at least twice a year, Parents will receive a report either in writing or at a meeting with the subject teachers.
13. Learning Difficulties: The School will do all that is reasonable in the case of each Pupil to detect and deal appropriately with a learning difficulty which amounts to a ‘special educational need’. Each Pupil will be ‘screened’ for learning difficulties during the first term at the School (except when entering the School at Sixth Form level) and at key stages thereafter. Parents will be notified if it appears that formal assessment by an educational psychologist is advisable or the Pupil is falling behind with studies. A formal assessment can be arranged by the School at the Parents’ expense, or by the Parents. Our staff are not however qualified to make a medical diagnosis of conditions such as those commonly referred to as dyslexia or other learning difficulties.
14. Information about Learning Difficulties: Parents must notify the Head in writing if they are aware or suspect that a Pupil (or anyone in his or her immediate family) has a learning difficulty and the Parents must provide the School with copies of all written reports and other relevant information. Parents will be asked to withdraw the Pupil, without being charged Fees in lieu of notice if, in the professional judgement of the Head and after consultation with the Parents and with the Pupil (where appropriate), the School cannot provide adequately for a Pupil’s special educational needs. Remedial teaching provided by the School will be charged as an extra.
15. Testing for drugs and substances: The Head may at any time when grounds for suspicion exist, require the Pupil to give a sample of urine under medical supervision to test for the use of illegal drugs or other substances damaging to health. Such sample will not form part of the Pupil’s permanent medical record.
16. Confidentiality: The School will take care to preserve the confidentiality of information concerning the Pupil. Parents consent on behalf of themselves and the Pupil to the School (through the Head, as the person responsible) obtaining, holding, using and communicating, on a need-to-know basis, confidential information which, in the opinion of the Head, is material to the safety and welfare of the Pupil and others, including a Pupil aged 16 and over. The Parents consent also to the School communicating with any other school which the Pupil attends or which a Parent proposes the Pupil should attend about any matter concerning the Pupil or about payment of fees, whether or not the information passing is also held in machine-readable form.
17. Examinations, Reports and References: The School will enter a Pupil’s name for an examination if the Head is satisfied that such is in the best interests of the Pupil. Information supplied to Parents and others concerning the progress and character of a Pupil and about examination, further education and career prospects and any references will be given conscientiously and with all due care and skill but otherwise without liability on the part of the School. Where Parents are separated or divorced, reports and other information will be sent to the person with whom the Pupil normally resides. Duplicate reports will be sent on written request only.
18. Intellectual Property: The School reserves all rights and interests in any intellectual property rights arising as a result of the actions of a Pupil in conjunction with any member of staff of the School and/or other Pupils at the School for a purpose associated with the School. Any use of any such intellectual property rights by a Pupil is subject to the terms of a licence to be agreed prior to the use between the Pupil, his/her Parents and the School. The School will allow the Pupil’s role in creation/development of intellectual property rights to be acknowledged.
19. Prospectus: The prospectus and School website describes the broad principles on which the School is currently run and gives an indication of our history and ethos. Although believed correct at the time of printing, neither the prospectus nor the website are part of any agreement between the Parents and the School. Parents wishing to place specific reliance on a matter given in the prospectus or website should seek written confirmation of that matter before entering this agreement.
20. Legal Contract: The offer of a place and its acceptance by the Parents give rise to a legally binding contract on the terms of these Terms and Conditions.
21. Third Party Rights: Only the School and the Parents are parties to this contract. The Pupil is not a party to it. The acts and omissions of Parents are binding on the Pupil and vice versa as to any matter of behaviour, discipline and Fees. All requests and authorities by the Parents are treated as being made on behalf of the Pupil and vice versa.
22. Consumer Protection: Care has been taken to use plain language in these terms and conditions and to explain the reasons for any of the terms that may appear one-sided. If any word/s, alone or in combination, infringe the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 or any other provision of law, they shall be treated as severable and shall be replaced with words which give as near the original meaning as may be fair.
23. Interpretation: These terms and conditions supersede those in the prospectus and elsewhere and will be construed as a whole. Unless required to make sense of the immediate context, headings are for ease of reading only and are not otherwise part of the terms and conditions.
24. Jurisdiction: This contract was made at the School and is governed exclusively by English Law.

The Mill Hill School Foundation: a company limited by guarantee
Registered in England No: 3404450
Registered Office: Walker House, Millers Close, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AQ
Registered Charity No: 1064758