Policies


Refund Policy


Students are refunded fees in full if ACRES cancels the course they have enrolled upon. In addition to the refund and in recognition of the disappointment caused, students will be offered a voucher which can be redeemed against another ACRES course. Vouchers must be used within a calendar year of issue. Redeemed vouchers cannot be reissued, ie if a voucher is used on a subsequent course which is also cancelled, only one voucher will be issued against this further cancelled course. The vouchers are not redeemable for cash and ACRES reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.

If students withdraw from a course we will only consider refunding fees for the remaining part of the course if the withdrawal is on medical grounds. Applications for refund of fees should be supported by medical evidence (eg hospital/doctor’s appointment card, letter or medical certificate) and an administration charge of £10 will be deducted from any refund given. Once examination entries have been made to the relevant examination board examination entry fees cannot be refunded.

From time to time it may be necessary to change the advertised venue of a course or there may be a change of tutor to the one advertised. Neither of these circumstances would normally give grounds for refund of fees.

Please note that should a student be unable to attend a course or withdraw from a course before all sessions have taken place, the place and fees are not transferable to another student.

Reduced fees - are you able to pay the reduced fee?


The reduced fee categories for courses are defined by the Skills funding Agency and reflect the government’s priorities of funding learning to enable people to re-enter the workplace.
You are entitled to reduced fees if If you are in reciept of the following:

We know that a fair proportion of our students are not in receipt of employment based benefits and, for courses not leading to examinations, we will continue to offer reduced fees to people in receipt of means tested state benefits. In order to apply for a reduced fee for non-exam courses you will need to complete a Financial Support for Students form. More information is given below.

Financial Support for Students


Guidance Notes for Applying for Financial Support 2011/2012

We will use our limited funds to help as many students as possible to study within the Adult College for Rural East Sussex.

Please note that

Students attending non-exam courses
Students attending non-exam courses who are receiving the follow benefits may apply for financial assistance with course fees:
There are two ways in which we may support students
1. Students who are in receipt of a means tested benefits as listed above may apply for a reduction in fees or be eligible to pay the reduced fee.
2. Arranging payment of fees by instalments over a longer period.

Applications for financial support from our Discretionary Support Fund should be forwarded to ACRES. Evidence of the relevant benefit will be required.

Students attending courses leading to a full qualification
ACRES has different funding arrangements for these courses and students will be eligible to pay the reduced fee if they are in receipt of the following benefits:
Further financial support may be given from our Discretionary Learner Support Fund to students experiencing financial hardship. Financial support may be granted to help with

Students who are experiencing financial hardship and those who are in receipt of a means tested benefit as listed below may apply for support from our Discretionary Support Fund.

Applications for financial support from our Discretionary Support Fund should be forwarded for the attention of the Business Manager at the address below. Each case will be assessed individually and evidence of the relevant benefit or household income will be required.

Click here to download the application form for Financial Support. All applications must be supported with relevant benefit evidence

Data Protection Statement


“Data Protection Act 1998 – The information you provide will be passed to the Learning and Skills Council (the LSC). The LSC is responsible for funding, planning and encouraging education and training for young people and adults in England, and is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998. The information you provide will be shared with other organisations for the purpose of administration, careers and other guidance, and statistical and research purposes. Other organisations with which we will share information include, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, Connexions, Higher Education Statistics Agency, Higher Education Funding Council for England, educational institutions and organisations performing research and statistical work on behalf of the LSC or its partners. The LSC also administers the learner registration service (LRS) which will use your information to create and maintain a unique learner number (ULN). The LSC is also a co-financing organisation and uses European Social Funds from the European Union to directly or indirectly part-finance learning activities, helping develop employment by promoting employability, business spirit and equal opportunities, and investing in human resources. Further information about partner organisations and the ULN and what they do, may be found at www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/Data/help/ and by following the links to data protection. At no time will your personal information be passed to organisations for marketing or sales purposes. From time to time students are approached to take part in surveys by mail and phone, which are aimed at enabling the LSC and its partners to monitor performance, improve quality and plan future provision. If you object to being contacted please tell the ACRES Office.

Unique Learner Number - Learning record Service



Please click here to download the Learning Record Service Privacy Notice.

Complaints Procedure


We aim to provide good quality services as efficiently as possible but sometimes things do go wrong and you may not be happy with the service you receive. If you are not satisfied, talk or write to the tutor or member of staff with whom you already have contact, or the Adult Learning Manager at the ACRES Office address. Most things can be sorted out quickly at this stage.

If the complainant is not satisfied with the response, the next stage would be for them to write to the Chair of the Board of ACRES.

A full response should normally be given within 28 days of receipt of the complaint.

Equality Policy and Statement



The Adult College for Rural East Sussex unequivocally believes in the equal treatment of all its students. It is expected that all staff and students will be treated with respect.

Promoting equality of opportunity means there will be no less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, skin colour, race, religion, disability, marital status, learning difficulty, mental and physical health status, sensory impairment, physical appearance or socio-economic status.

Equality will be promoted at every level and discriminatory behaviour by any member of staff, visitor or student will not be tolerated and neither will harassment or bullying remain unchallenged.

If you would like to read are full Equality Policy and Equality Statement please click on the links below.

Equality Policy
Equality Statement

Health and Safety Policy and Statement



Health and Safety is the responsibility of everyone, so please report any aspects that concern you to your tutor or to an Adult Learning Office. A designated First Aider is present at each Centre for evening provision and tutors delivering courses in community venues have access to a first aid kit. If you have an accident, however minor it may seem, please report it immediately to your tutor.

All tutors are aware of the emergency evacuation procedures and will point out exits and assembly points to you during your first session.

If you are attending a Health, Fitness or Dance course you will have completed a Pre Course Health Questionnaire form prior to starting your course.

If you would like to read are full Health and Safety Policy and Statement please click on the links below.

Health and Safety Policy
Health and Safety Statement

Personal Safety – Your Rights and Responsibilities



The Adult College for Rural East Sussex is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of students and staff. Health and Safety and Safe Learning policies have been developed to ensure that ACRES meets both its legal and moral responsibilities. All students are entitled to learn in an environment which is both physically safe and free of abuse. Abuse may be physical; sexual; psychological/emotional; financial or material; neglect or discriminatory.

Please click here to read our full Personal Safety Policy

Student Charter


If you would like to read are Student Charter, please click here.

Information and Advice


If you would like to read our Information and Advice statement of service, please click here.

Student Exclusion Policy


If you would like to read our Student Exclusion Policy, please click here.

Strategic Plan


If you would like to read our Strategic plan or summary leaflet, please click on the links below.
Strategic Plan document
Strategic Plan leaflet

Terms and Conditions



If you would like to see are full Terms and Conditions please press here