TRAINING TERMS & CONDITIONS in brief

• Classes will begin promptly at the designated time (as shown on the website). Please make sure to arrive to class in good time. If you are going to be late for any reason, please contact your instructor in advance. Failure to arrive on time, unless you have a valid, instructor-approved reason, may result in exclusion from that class.

• In every level, there is a lot to learn, so it is important to attend every class. We appreciate that this is not always possible, however you must attend 6 out of 8 classes in order to progress to the next level. We must ensure that all our students are at the same level so we can maintain the quality of teaching at all times.

• If you miss a class, it is possible, but not guaranteed, to do make-up classes free of charge, either in the same week, where possible, or at a later date. If you know of a class you are going to miss, please let us know as early as possible so we can arrange the make-up class for you. You are only permitted to do 2 make-up classes per term, and these will still count as an absence from your original class.

• If you are absent for more than 2 classes (including swaps) it will be up to your teacher to decide whether you have successfully completed the course and are eligible to progress to the next level.

• Because you learn as much by watching as by learning in class, at The Free Association we insist that students attend at least 1 Free Association show per course. Shows will be discussed briefly in class, and you will be expected to demonstrate your attendance. Students have discounts to ALL FA shows and some, like our class shows and Teacher Jams, are FREE. Please check the website for show information.

• Most classes will take place either at The Free Association in Haggerton (N1 3JS) or The FA’s Comedy Room in Camden (NW1 9BH). Please check details on how to get to each venue on our Location page, here. If you are unsure where your class is, please check with us. Any changes to location will be made clear with ample time to prepare.

• Every class will have a 15 minute break, during which you can snack, smoke, make calls, etc. Please do not eat or use phones during class.

• We advise you to wear comfortable clothes that you can freely move about in.  Shoes must be worn at all times in class.

• To book your place on a course, a £65 deposit is required (you are also free to pay the full amount immediately.) If you pay an initial deposit, the remainder of the payment is due before the first class. Please make sure this payment is made on time. If payment is not made after the first week without an adequate excuse, you may be removed from the class. Please email us (thefaimprov@gmail.com) if you have any questions regarding payment.

• A full refund is permitted on any cancellation up to 2 weeks prior to class start date. 50% of the deposit will be refunded within 2 weeks of class start date. No refund is permitted within 1 week of class start date.

• Under certain circumstances we may be able to defer your tuition to a future class, but this is done so at our discretion.

• If you drop out during a course, you are not eligible for a refund and will be required to pay any outstanding fee owed.

• Outstanding fee payments must be made before your first class (link in your welcome email). Late payments incur a £20 fee.

• Entry into levels 2, 3 and 4 requires completion of all the requisite previous levels. Some students may be allowed to begin at level 2, if they have significant improv training elsewhere. This is based purely on the discretion of FA instructors. You may be required to audition for an immediate place on Level 2.

• For levels 3 and 4, there will be a public class performance at the end of the course. The date for this performance will be discussed at the beginning of the course.

• At The Free Association, we are dedicated to providing a fun, comfortable and supportive training atmosphere. Please ensure that you respect this at all times. We reserve the right to exclude any student for behaviour that we feel contravenes our principles. If you have an issue with a student – or instructor – in class, please do contact us and we will endeavour to resolve it quickly and discretely.