MEMBERS PAGE
READY TO BOOK YOUR CLASS?
Here's how to complete your Registration in 4 steps...
Book your place via JoinIn
STEP 1:
Existing Members and Waiting List Members: To book onto a class, click on 'CONTINUE TO BOOKING" below and sign in to your JoinIn account.
Classes will only be visible during your allocated enrolment period (existing members or waiting list members priority periods).
If you have not signed up to our waiting list yet, please make sure you have read the information on the 'How to Join AGC' before clicking 'Book Now'... You may be able to book directly or you may need to sign up to the Waiting List. If applications are closed there should be a date when they will re-open.
NDP Programs: If you have been invited to join a squad or an NDP program, please follow the instructions in your invitation email to book and sign up.
Check your information...
STEP 2:
Please check the information on your JoinIn account regarding your child, including Medical Information and Emergency contacts.
All of the personal information in your JoinIn account is under your control - so if there are changes to be made, you need to do this (we can't change anything our end).
You can find some videos which show you some of the features of JoinIn on youtube by following the links...
Know the Rules
STEP 3:
Make sure you are familiar with the club rules and procedures… You will also find information on dress code etc. for classes, all from the Home Page on this website.
Please also check the Club Dress code to make sure you have everything you need.
If another members of your family will be dropping off or picking up your child, please make sure they are aware of the rules and dress code as well.
Register with British Gymnastics
STEP 4:
All participants must be registered with British Gymnastics. This is an annual Membership which includes insurance. the cost is £20.
NEW MEMBERS must register by their 3rd attendance at class.
If your child already has British Gymnastics Membership through another club (Gymnastics or Trampolining) you MUST login to your GymNet account and link them to Alton Gymnastics Club so that we can view and confirm your membership.
EXISTING MEMBERS must renew their membership in SEPTEMBER every year.
The deadline for ALL renewals/registrations is 3 weeks from the start of the Autumn Term
STRICTER POLICY: Due to issues in previous years we now have to take a stricter approach to BG membership renewals. One reminder will be sent to everyone toward the end of September and our final checks for this will be during the week beginning October 3rd. Children who are not registered will not be allowed to enter their class. Sorry to have to take a hard line on this but unfortunately it invalidates the club and individuals insurance if we do not adhere to the rules set by British Gymnastics and we cannot keep checking this all term as it takes considerable time in admin hours.
This website contains a lot of information for you about the club and our programs.
It is worth familiarising yourself with the website so you know where to look for the information you need. Pretty much everything you need to know is on here somewhere.
CANCELLATION AND RE-ENROLMENT...
Our cancellation policies are laid out in the Terms and Conditions that you agree to when you register with AGC or book a class. Here is a reminder...
NEW MEMBERS CANCELLATION POLICY:
As a new member, you can cancel after the first 2 weeks of term and BEFORE week 3 begins. If you decide not to continue you must let us know immediately after your second class by email at: contact@altongymnasticsclub.org. We will then arrange for a refund of the Term fees less £25 for classes already passed and administration and transaction fees. If you do not inform us in writing that you do not wish to continue, no refund can be given. Cancellation is not possible after week 3 has begun.
(Please note, once the term has begun, the deductions are not pro-rata'd if you cancel before week 2 however if you cancel before the start of term, you will just incur the deductions shown below under Existing Members cancellation.)
When you enrol on your second term, you are then classed as an existing member and the cancellation policy for existing members applies (see below).
EXISTING MEMBERS CANCELLATION POLICY:
After the start of term, cancellations cannot be accepted and no refunds can be given, regardless of attendance.
If you decide to cancel after you have booked your class but before the start of the term, you must let us know in writing in order to receive a refund. You must do this by email to contact@altongymnasticsclub.org.
If you cancel 2 weeks or more before the start of the term, you will receive a refund less any transaction and processing fees that we incur from our payment providers (up to a maximum of 9%).
If you cancel less than 2 weeks before the start of term you will be charged a £5 cancellation fee plus any transaction and processing fees that we incur from our payment providers (up to a maximum of 9%).
CANCELLATION FOR SQUADS & NDP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS:
A full months notice is required to cancel your place in a Squad or NDP Development program, during which full fees must be paid. You must let us know in writing at contact@altongymnasticsclub.org (don't just tell your child coach).
RE-ENROLMENT FOR NEXT TERM: (GfA classes)
Once children are enrolled on a class, they qualify for priority booking for the following term, however places are not allocated automatically. It is up to parents to re-enrol for the following term by the appropriate deadline. Re-enrolment is done by booking your place on JoinIn once the Classes have been added to the Shop. Existing members get a priority period of up to 2 weeks to book before we open the places up to New members who have joined the waiting list. Missing this priority period may mean you are likely to loose your place as we have ever-growing waiting lists. We therefore recommend you keep an eye on your emails as well as the Timeline on JoinIn.
Full Terms & Conditions are available on the JoinIn system, but we think they are easier to find and read on our website HERE (GfA) and HERE (SQUADS/NDP)
FAQ's
The answer to most questions can be found on this website in various places such as Club Rules, Dress Code etc. Here are some quick answers for the most frequently asked questions...
1) What should my child wear? Do they have to wear a leotard?
No, they do not have to wear a leotard. Please check out the DRESS CODE for permitted attire and things to avoid. We have a range of AGC kit but this isn't compulsory at the current time
2) Where exactly in the Sports Centre are the classes?
You will find us in the Main Hall at the Sports Centre. When coming through reception, let them know you are here for a Gymnastics Class and they will allow you through the gate or turnstiles. Turn right after this and follow the corridor around then go through the double doors on the right and you will be in the corridor outside the main hall. This is where you need to wait until your class is called in. Please also check out the Club rules for more information.
3) Can I stay and watch the class?
We welcome parents to watch the classes but you are not able to do this from within the hall. You can watch the classes from either of the windows (there is one downstairs and one upstairs). We are not allowed to encourage you to watch from the balcony area by the squash courts so please avoid this area.
4) Can I leave the centre during class (e.g. to drop off/collect another child elsewhere).
Children 8 years+ may be left for the duration of the class provided they are happy to visit the toilet alone and you are comfortable doing this. We do expect them to be dropped off at and collected from the hall by an adult (or responsible older sibling if necesary).
For Children under 6-8 years, if you need to leave, we recommend that you leave them only for the amount of time needed, rather than the whole session.
For Children under 6, we ask that you stay within the Sports Centre during the class.
5) How will I know how my child is progressing?
We carry out assessments based on the syllabus from week 3 of each term and then we let you know which level of award they have achieved before the next enrolment period. If we believe a child needs to be moved to a different class or group based on ability we will arrange this where it is possible. The Core Academy follows a structured ward scheme which is linked closely to the syllabus. you can read more about that on the GfA pages of this website.
6) What if my child has specific educational or medical needs?
We have experience working with children with a wide variety of specific needs, most of these are fairly straight forward within our learning environment. Make sure you complete the Medical form on JoinIn. If there is anything we feel we need to discuss with you then we will be in touch. If we haven't been in touch prior to the start of term and you feel we need to discuss your childs needs please email us asap: contact@altongymnasticsclub.org
7) What if my child is anxious about coming in?
It can be daunting for some children to enter such a big space with people they haven't met yet. We understand this and try to make things as welcoming as possible. However, young children may become a bit clingy, especially when there are so many other changes happening for them (starting school , new teachers etc.). This can happen with children even if they have previously not shown any signs of separation anxiety. It is important to remember that this is quite normal and not make too much of it whilst still validating how they are feeling. Children usually settle within a few minutes once they become engaged in the activities. Occasionally their emotions might get the better of them (still normal) and it may be appropriate for the parent to remain in the hall for a few minutes until the child is settled. More rarely, if they become very distressed and you are unable to get them to participate at their first class, you may want to watch the first session with them and try again the following week, this is okay too. Our cancellation policy for new members allows for 2 sessions to pass before you are able to cancel if it doesn't work out. If you feel you or your child need additional support handling separation anxiety please email us: contact@altongymnasticsclub.org