GARDEN ROUTE SKILLS SCHOOL
Student Terms and Conditions
Last updated: 28 October 2026
1. Agreement and acceptance
These Terms and Conditions govern applications, enrolment, payment, participation in courses and use of the Garden Route Skills School website and learning resources.
By submitting an enrolment application, accepting an offer of admission or registering for a course, students agree to these Terms and Conditions and the applicable course information and payment arrangements.
Students should read these terms before registering. Anyone who does not agree to the terms should contact the school before completing enrolment.
These Terms and Conditions should be read together with the school's Privacy Policy, Refund Policy, course information and any applicable student code of conduct. Where separate written arrangements apply to a particular course, those arrangements will be considered together with these terms and applicable law.
2. Course information and suitability
Garden Route Skills School offers practical and creative skills training, which may include sewing, fashion design, clothing construction, ethical brand development and entrepreneurship.
Before enrolling, students are responsible for reviewing the relevant course description, including:
Course duration, start dates and timetable.
Learning objectives, course content and expected outcomes.
Entry requirements and any required prior experience.
Course fees, payment deadlines and additional expenses.
Materials, tools, equipment and resources required.
Attendance, practical participation and assessment requirements.
The type of certificate or qualification, if any, awarded on completion.
Students should contact the school if they require clarification before registering.
The school does not guarantee employment, income, business success, professional registration or admission to another institution as a result of completing a course.
3. Applications and eligibility
Students must provide complete, accurate and up-to-date information during application and enrolment.
Admission is subject to the school's acceptance of the application, availability of places and satisfaction of any stated entry requirements.
Where courses have minimum age requirements, these will be communicated in the relevant course information. Students under 18 may be required to provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
The school may request reasonable supporting information to verify an application, confirm eligibility or administer enrolment, subject to applicable privacy laws.
4. Course requirements and accessibility
Students must meet the requirements specified for their selected course. These may include language proficiency, practical skills, attendance, access to required materials and the ability to participate safely in training activities.
Where a course includes online learning or digital resources, students may need a suitable device, reliable internet access, an email address and access to specified software or third-party platforms. Any essential requirements will be communicated before or during enrolment, as appropriate.
Students are responsible for the cost of personal devices, internet access, transport and other expenses unless expressly included in the course fee.
Garden Route Skills School will consider reasonable requests for accessibility support or learning accommodations. Students are encouraged to contact the school before the course begins to discuss their requirements. Any arrangements will be considered in light of the course's practical requirements, available resources and applicable law.
5. Course fees, invoices and payment
All course fees, registration charges, deposits and additional costs will be disclosed before enrolment is finalised.
Students must pay according to the agreed payment schedule. Available payment options may include full payment, invoicing or instalments, where expressly offered by the school.
Students are responsible for ensuring that payments are made correctly and that the appropriate invoice or student reference is used.
Where a payment is made by an employer, parent, bursary provider or other sponsor, the student remains responsible for understanding and complying with the course requirements. The school's written agreement with the sponsor may govern payment administration and any related refund arrangements.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a sponsor's involvement does not automatically release the student from their contractual obligations.
Where a payment is made through a third-party payment provider, the provider's applicable payment terms may also apply. Students should check how cancellations, refunds and outstanding instalments are handled before selecting such an arrangement.
The school will not impose undisclosed charges. Any applicable taxes and additional fees will be reflected in the relevant pricing or invoice information.
6. Late payments and outstanding balances
Where a payment is overdue, the school may notify the student or responsible payer and provide a reasonable opportunity to resolve the outstanding balance.
If payment remains outstanding, the school may take proportionate action in accordance with the enrolment agreement and applicable law. This may include suspending access to course activities or resources, or cancelling enrolment where justified.
The school may withhold a certificate or completion confirmation where fees remain outstanding, to the extent permitted by law and subject to any applicable contractual or statutory rights.
Students experiencing financial difficulty are encouraged to contact the school promptly to discuss possible arrangements. Any revised payment agreement must be confirmed in writing.
7. Student cancellations, refunds and postponements
The school's separate Student Refund and Cancellation Policy forms part of these Terms and Conditions and must be made available to students before payment.
All cancellation and transfer requests must be submitted in writing to info@gardenrouteskillsschool.com.
The school will assess requests according to the published policy, the course duration, the date notice is received, services already delivered, reasonable costs incurred and applicable South African consumer law.
For courses lasting four weeks or longer, students may request a transfer or postponement to another available intake. Approval is subject to availability, course requirements and written confirmation by the school.
The school may limit repeated transfers where this is clearly disclosed in advance and applied fairly. Any difference in course fees will be communicated before the transfer is confirmed.
A transfer does not guarantee that a future intake will be offered. Where no suitable alternative is available, the school will consider the student's rights under the refund policy and applicable law.
8. Course delivery and changes
The school will make reasonable efforts to deliver courses according to the published course description and schedule.
Timetables, facilitators, venues, materials or delivery arrangements may change where reasonably necessary. Material changes affecting the nature, duration, location or learning outcomes of a course will be communicated to affected students as soon as reasonably practicable.
Where a course is cancelled because of insufficient enrolment or another decision by the school, students will be informed and offered an appropriate remedy, including a refund for the cancelled course if no suitable alternative is accepted or available.
Where unforeseen circumstances disrupt delivery, the school may consider rescheduling, an alternative venue or delivery arrangement, a transfer or a refund, depending on the circumstances and applicable law.
9. Attendance and course completion
Students are expected to attend classes regularly, arrive punctually and participate in the learning activities required by their course.
Practical courses may require attendance at specific sessions to develop and demonstrate essential skills. Students are responsible for meeting the attendance, participation, project and assessment requirements communicated for their course.
Absence, late arrival or failure to complete course activities does not automatically entitle a student to a refund, replacement class or extension.
Any arrangements for missed classes, make-up sessions or extensions are subject to approval, availability and the requirements of the course.
10. Assessments and academic integrity
Where a course includes assessments, assignments, practical demonstrations or projects, students must complete the required work honestly and in accordance with the instructions provided.
Students must not:
Present another person's work as their own.
Copy assignments, designs, patterns or written work without appropriate permission or acknowledgement.
Falsify assessment results, attendance records or supporting documents.
Misrepresent their practical skills or course achievements.
Submit work in breach of the stated assessment rules.
Where artificial intelligence or other digital tools are permitted, students must follow the instructions provided by the school and disclose their use where required.
Alleged academic misconduct will be reviewed fairly. Depending on the seriousness of the conduct and the applicable course rules, consequences may include a requirement to resubmit work where permitted, a reduced assessment result, withholding of a certificate or termination of enrolment.
Any disciplinary response will be proportionate and consistent with applicable law. Refund eligibility following disciplinary action will be assessed under the refund policy and applicable legal requirements.
11. Student conduct and disciplinary action
Students must treat facilitators, staff, fellow students and visitors respectfully and follow reasonable school rules and safety instructions.
Harassment, discrimination, bullying, intimidation, abusive conduct, deliberate disruption, theft, damage to property or serious misuse of school resources may result in disciplinary action.
Where appropriate, the school will notify the student of the concern, provide an opportunity to respond and consider the circumstances before deciding on an outcome.
For serious safety risks or suspected misconduct, temporary restrictions on participation may be necessary while the matter is investigated.
Termination of enrolment, where justified, will be handled in accordance with the enrolment agreement, the refund policy and applicable law.
12. Learning materials and intellectual property
Course materials provided by Garden Route Skills School, including teaching notes, presentations, worksheets, patterns, designs, templates and digital resources, may be protected by copyright or other intellectual property rights.
Students receive permission to use these materials for their own learning and practice, subject to any course-specific restrictions.
Students may not reproduce, sell, distribute, publish or commercially exploit the school's protected materials without written permission, except where permitted by law.
Students generally retain the rights they hold in original work they create, subject to applicable law and any separate written agreement. Students are responsible for respecting the intellectual property rights of others and should take appropriate steps to protect commercially sensitive designs, patterns and business ideas they develop.
The school will obtain appropriate permission or establish another lawful basis before using identifiable student work for promotional purposes.
13. Certificates and credentials
The relevant course information will state whether a student may receive a certificate of attendance, certificate of completion or another credential.
Certificates will be issued according to the stated attendance, participation, assessment and completion requirements.
Students must ensure that their registration details, including their full name and email address, are correct. Any errors should be reported promptly.
Where reasonably necessary, the school may request identification to verify student records or certificate details, subject to applicable privacy law.
A certificate may be withheld while outstanding fees or unresolved academic misconduct matters are addressed, where permitted by law.
Unless expressly stated in writing, a school-issued certificate does not represent a nationally recognised or accredited qualification.
14. Website, digital resources and account security
The school website and any digital learning resources must be used lawfully and responsibly.
Students must not attempt to gain unauthorised access to the school's systems, disrupt website operations, introduce malicious software or misuse another person's account.
Where individual accounts or passwords are provided, students must keep their login details confidential and notify the school promptly of suspected unauthorised access.
Students may not share restricted course materials or account access with unregistered individuals.
The school will take reasonable measures to maintain the availability and security of its website and digital resources but cannot guarantee uninterrupted access at all times.
Where external software, platforms or services are used, those services may be subject to separate terms and privacy policies. The school will communicate any essential third-party requirements where relevant to the course.
15. Communication with students
The school may contact students using the email address or telephone number supplied during enrolment for legitimate administrative purposes, including course schedules, payment reminders, cancellations, safety notices, assessments and other course-related information.
Students are responsible for keeping their contact details up to date and checking communications relevant to their enrolment.
Marketing communications will be handled separately in accordance with applicable law and any required consent or opt-out rights.
16. Privacy and personal information
Garden Route Skills School will process personal information in accordance with applicable South African legislation, including the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
Information may be used for applications, enrolment, course administration, payments, student support, assessments, certificates, safety and legal compliance.
The school's separate Privacy Policy will explain the types of information collected, purposes of processing, relevant sharing arrangements, retention practices and the rights available to individuals.
Students should consult that policy for further details.
17. Health, safety and personal belongings
Students must follow safety instructions when using sewing machines, cutting equipment, irons, electrical equipment and other tools or machinery.
Equipment must be used only for its intended purpose and in accordance with instructions from authorised facilitators.
Accidents, injuries, equipment faults and unsafe conditions must be reported promptly.
Students are responsible for their personal belongings and should take reasonable precautions to protect their tools, fabrics, projects and other possessions.
The school will take reasonable steps to maintain a safe learning environment. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful.
18. Complaints and dispute resolution
Students may submit complaints or concerns in writing to info@gardenrouteskillsschool.com.
Complaints should include the student's name, course details, a description of the concern and any relevant supporting information.
The school will acknowledge complaints within a reasonable period, investigate fairly and communicate its response. Where possible, the school aims to provide an initial response within five business days, although complex matters may take longer.
If a complaint cannot be resolved initially, the student may request further review by the appropriate school representative.
Nothing in this process prevents a student from exercising a statutory right or approaching a competent regulator, ombud or dispute-resolution body.
19. Limitation of liability
The school will take reasonable care in providing its services and maintaining its learning environment.
The school does not guarantee particular employment, financial, entrepreneurial or other personal outcomes from participation in a course.
To the extent permitted by law, the school will not be responsible for indirect losses arising from circumstances outside its reasonable control or from a student's failure to meet course requirements.
Nothing in these terms excludes or limits any consumer right, warranty, remedy or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
20. Events beyond reasonable control
Events such as severe weather, emergencies, public health restrictions, utility failures, venue closures or other circumstances beyond the school's reasonable control may affect course delivery.
The school will notify affected students as soon as reasonably practicable and consider suitable arrangements, including rescheduling, alternative delivery or refunds where applicable.
This clause does not remove any rights available to students under applicable law.
21. Amendments to these terms
The school may update these Terms and Conditions to reflect operational, educational or legal changes.
The latest version will be published on the website with an effective date. Material changes affecting existing enrolments will be communicated where appropriate.
No amendment will retrospectively remove rights already accrued or override applicable law.
22. Governing law and general provisions
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
If any provision is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply to the extent permitted by law.
These terms, together with the applicable course information, accepted payment arrangements and incorporated policies, form the agreement governing the student's enrolment, subject to any applicable statutory rights.
23. Contact details
Garden Route Skills School
Knysna, Garden Route, Western Cape, South Africa
Email: info@gardenrouteskillsschool.com
For enrolment, cancellations, refunds, complaints or questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact the school using the email address above.