Terms & Conditions

This page contains our:

  1. Website terms & conditions
  2. Booking terms & conditions

1) Website Terms and Conditions

Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Pear Tree Education’s relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website.

The term ‘Pear Tree Education’ or ‘us’ or ‘we’ or ‘SummerESL.com’ refers to the owner of the website whose registered office is Pear Tree Education Inc., 215-2678 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C.  V6K 2G3, Canada. Our company registration number is BC0909569 (registered in British Columbia, Canada). The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

  • The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
  • This website uses cookies to monitor browsing preferences. See our Privacy Policy for further details.
  • Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
  • Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.
  • This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.
  • All trademarks reproduced in this website which are not the property of, or licensed to, the operator are acknowledged on the website.
  • Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence.
  • From time to time this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).
  • Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of Canada.

 

2) Booking Terms and Conditions

1. Payment of Fees

Full fees must be paid before visa documents are issued. Transfers and course details will not be confirmed until all monies have been paid in full.

2. Services

Pear Tree Education Inc. works with various reputable summer language school companies in the UK, Canada, and the USA to provide summer school courses to its customers.

Pear Tree Education Inc. reserves the right to change details of its services, including courses, facilities and course dates, where circumstances beyond the company’s control necessitate such changes or where the number of enrollments is not enough to operate a course viably.

Pear Tree Education’s London and West Coast USA courses are advertised and sold based on their geographic locations, not based specific campuses, unless agreed in writing between the customer and Pear Tree Education. The company reserves the right to choose the actual centre at those locations to fulfil operational viability. Upon receiving full payment, Pear Tree Education will be able to provide full details of the campus address to ensure that customers have the necessary information for visa applications and safe travel. Without full payment, Pear Tree Education cannot guarantee the availability of any specific campus, due to the continuous changes in bedroom numbers at each campus.

3. Booking Changes

Pear Tree Education Inc. does not charge any administration fees for changes to bookings.

For group bookings, group leaders/agents are permitted to change the details of students, so long as the quantity of students remains unchanged, and that the ages of the students comply with the location’s specific age requirements.

Any reduction in the number of students will be classed as a cancellation, and will be subject to the company’s Cancellation Policy below.

While Pear Tree Education Inc. will endeavour to accommodate all additional students not on the original booking, the company makes no guarantees because of the limited numbers of bedrooms at each location. Where necessary, we may need to change the location of the group’s course to accommodate such additional students.

Course location changes made by the customer will affect pricing, except where the location prices are equal:

a)      In the event that the customer changes to a cheaper location (subject to availability), the parents/guardians (or group leader or agent) has the right to choose whether they would prefer a refund of this money, or to use this money towards an optional excursion or student pocket money. In either case, Pear Tree Education Inc. will require an email confirmation to indicate preference. Refunds are subject to the Cancellation Policy outlined below.

b)      In the event that the customer changes to a more expensive location (subject to availability), the parents/guardians (or group leader or agent) will be required to pay the additional amount. This can be done by credit card or bank transfer. Until this additional amount has been received in full, Pear Tree Education will be unable to confirm the booking change.

4. Travel Requirements

All unaccompanied students under 16 years of age travelling by plane are required to book an unaccompanied minor service with their airline. Pear Tree Education takes no responsibility for booking or paying for this service.

Notification of travel details must be received at least 14 days prior to the designated arrival time. If notice is not received, Pear Tree Education Inc. cannot be held liable for operational errors.

5. Changes to Airport Transfers

Notification of change to airport transfers must be received at least 24 hours prior to the designated arrival time. If notice is not received Pear Tree Education Inc. cannot be held liable for operational errors, and an additional one-way airport transfer fee (per person) will apply.

6. Travel Insurance

Every student must have appropriate, comprehensive travel insurance, and provide a document with the student’s name and date of coverage as proof. Travel insurance can be purchased from the student’s country of residence.

Students without travel insurance cannot attend any courses, and may be refused entry into the UK, Canada or USA.

By enrolling the student on the course, the parents/guardians are granting permission for the student to attend all activities organised by Pear Tree Education Inc. and its service providers, except where exceptions have been provided in writing to Pear Tree Education Inc. by the parents/guardians (or group leaders or agents).

7. Medical Disclosure

Pear Tree Education Inc. requests full details of any medical or dietary information for students (and group leaders).

Pear Tree Education Inc. takes no responsibility for medical emergencies arising from non-disclosure of current medical information.

8. General Refund Policy

All refunds will be sent to the account of the individual/company from whom Pear Tree Education Inc. received the original direct payment.

If a student’s visa application is rejected, all fees will be refunded within 30 days, excluding any cancellation fees detailed in the Cancellation Policy below, provided a visa refusal letter is received by us at least 2 working days before the course is due to start and the student has fulfilled all requirements for a visa application. No refund will be made if a visa rejection is based on student’s failure to meet the necessary criteria for their chosen visa category.

The parents/guardians (or group leader or agent) have the right to choose whether they would prefer a full refund of course fees, or to accept a placement on another course. If they choose placement on another course, Pear Tree Education Inc. will require an email confirmation to indicate acceptance of the new placement.

9. Cancellation Policy

Pear Tree Education Inc. defines cancellation as the period prior to start of the course. All cancellations must be made in writing to sales@summeresl.com.

Deposits paid to Pear Tree Education are normally non-refundable.

Refunds are paid based on the policies of Pear Tree Education’s summer school service providers.

As such, refunds are calculated as follows:

  • More than 30 days before commencement: 90%
  • Between 30 days and 15 days before commencement: 70%
  • Between 15 days and 7 days before commencement: 50%
  • Between 7 days and 72 hours before commencement: 20%
  • Less than 72 hours before commencement: 0%

Furthermore, deductions will be made for any bank fees or exchange rate losses incurred by Pear Tree Education.

10. Withdrawal Policy

Pear Tree Education Inc. defines withdrawal as termination of a course after the course has started. Any withdrawal must be made in writing to us at sales@summeresl.com.

Refunds after arrival calculated as follows:

a) For courses of 2 weeks, no refund will apply.

b) For courses longer than 2 weeks, students who terminate in the first 2 weeks will be refunded all subsequent course fees after those first 2 weeks.

11. Visas

Students should contact their local embassy, Consulate or High Commission to ensure they are allowed to enter and study in their chosen country.

No visa support documentation will be provided by Pear Tree Education Inc. until all course fees have been received.

Pear Tree Education’s standard procedure is to email visa support documentation to the customer. The customer can then make a colour print of this documentation. Alternatively, for hard copies of documentation, the customer will be charged for the international courier fees, which vary in rate from country to country. If the customer chooses this option, Pear Tree Education Inc. will endeavour to use the most cost effective courier service without compromising delivery reliability. Pear Tree Education will not be liable for transit delays which may occur.

12. Resolution of Disputes

In the event of a dispute between a student/group leader and the summer school, procedures are in place to facilitate the resolution of the dispute. Any complaint should first be made to the Centre Director of the summer school attended. Each complaint will be fully investigated. If the matter is not resolved, the student/parent/group leader should contact Pear Tree Education. The company will then liaise with the summer school provider.

13. Liability

Pear Tree Education Inc., its staff, and its service providers will not be liable for loss, damage or injury to persons or property howsoever caused, except where liability is expressly imposed by law. Pear Tree Education Inc. will not be liable in the event that any service contracted to be supplied by Pear Tree Education Inc. becomes impossible to supply for any reason or any cause outside the control of Pear Tree Education.

All students are required to pay a £20 ($50 in Canada, $150 in the USA) Damage Deposit on arrival. This deposit will be returned upon departure, subject to any property damage caused by the student during their stay.

14. Valid Prices

Prices are valid from 1 December 2011. Prices are subject to change without notice and will only be confirmed upon invoicing. For current prices please refer to SummerESL.com.

15. Expulsion

Pear Tree Education Inc. reserves the right to expel or evict from accommodations arranged by Pear Tree Education Inc. any student whose conduct is unsatisfactory at the discretion of the centre director. No fees will be refunded in such cases.

16. Promotional Activity

Students and their parents or guardians, where applicable, agree that the student’s photo, quotes and details of achievements may be used for promotional purposes without written consent or notification.

17. Data Protection

Any information provided to Pear Tree Education Inc. may be held on computer and shall be used in accordance with its data protection registration and the national data protection laws applicable. Our Privacy Policy is available on the SummerESL.com website.

18. Force Majeure

Pear Tree Education Inc. is not liable in the event where it is unable to fulfil any service to which it is contractually bound because of fire, natural disaster, acts of government, failure of suppliers or subcontractors, labour disputes or other reasons which are outside its control.

19. Agents

All the above terms are applicable to direct students and agents unless variations are expressly agreed between the agent and Pear Tree Education Inc. in writing.