Terms & Conditions

The rules. Written to be read.

These terms apply when you book a session, course, or membership with School Of Fish. By booking, you agree to them.

Contact us at info@schooloffish.co.uk for anything not covered below.

Effective from May 2026, last updated 11 July 2026. Jurisdiction: England & Wales.

All bookings are made through our booking platform and must be paid in full at the time of booking. Your place is confirmed when payment is received and a confirmation email has been sent.

You're responsible for giving us accurate information at booking, including age, contact details, and any medical or accessibility needs we should know about. For under-18s, bookings must be made by a parent or guardian who confirms they have parental responsibility for the booked attendee.

Some of our products have age restrictions, enforced at the point of booking:

• Junior sessions are for under-18s.
• Adult sessions are for 18 and over.
• Angling Support Assistant course is open to 16 and over.
• Lead Angling Coach course is open to 18 and over.

It is your responsibility to ensure the booked attendee meets the age requirement. We reserve the right to refuse entry without refund if this is not the case.

Sessions convert to credits. Courses carry a cancellation right. The detail for each is below.

Session credits. If you can't make a session, let us know in advance and we'll convert your booking to a session credit that you can use to book a future session. Credits are valid for 12 months from the original booking date and are non-transferable. Because sessions are booked for a specific date, they are otherwise non-refundable.

Special circumstances. Bereavement, serious illness, or other genuinely exceptional circumstances are reviewed case by case. Email info@schooloffish.co.uk and we'll be in touch.

If we cancel the session. If we have to cancel a session for weather, water conditions, illness on our side, or any other reason, you'll receive a session credit for a future booking. We don't reimburse travel costs, accommodation, or any other related expenses if we cancel.

Course bookings. Multi-week courses (Learn It, Angling Support Assistant, Lead Angling Coach) are booked as a single product. If you book online, you can cancel within 14 days of booking for a full refund under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. If the course starts inside those 14 days and you've asked us to begin, we can deduct a fair amount for what's already been delivered. After the 14 days, course fees are non-refundable, and missing individual sessions doesn't entitle you to a partial refund or pro-rata credit. If you can't complete a course you've started, contact us and we'll do what we reasonably can to help you finish at a later date.

Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights.

Each product description lists what's included. As a general rule, all standard sessions include fishing kit, bait, and tuition. You bring yourself and weather-appropriate clothing.

Coach training course fees include all course delivery, Enhanced DBS, insurance for your first year of coaching, accreditation fees, certification, and a year's membership of the School Of Fish Coaches Community as listed in each product. Travel, accommodation, and meals during multi-day courses are your responsibility unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Anyone fishing in England or Wales must hold a valid Environment Agency rod licence. The current rules:

• Age 12 and under: No licence required.
• Ages 13 to 16: Must hold a valid Junior Rod Licence (free but must be registered online).
• Age 17 and over: Must hold a valid full Rod Licence.

It is the responsibility of the participant (or parent/guardian) to hold a valid licence before fishing. We reserve the right to refuse tuition without refund if a valid licence cannot be produced.

Everyone attending a School Of Fish session agrees to follow our code of conduct:

• Listen to and follow coach instructions, especially around safety.
• Attend the mandatory safety briefing at the start of every session.
• Treat fellow learners, coaches, fish, and venues with respect.
• Leave the peg cleaner than you found it.
• No recreational drugs at any session. No alcohol at coached sessions (the Adult Social is the only exception, where alcohol is permitted in moderation).
• No abusive, discriminatory, or threatening behaviour towards staff, other learners, or wildlife.

We reserve the right to refuse entry or end a session early if anyone's behaviour puts others at risk or breaches this code. No refund or credit is given in these cases.

The safety and welfare of our learners, especially children and vulnerable adults, is our top priority. All our coaches hold an Enhanced DBS check, our Lead Angling Coaches hold accredited safeguarding training, and we operate to a published Safeguarding Policy you can read on this site.

Junior supervision:

• Under 13: A parent or guardian must remain on-site or bankside for the duration of the session.
• 13 and over: Parents may leave the session if prior written consent is given at booking and emergency contact details are verified.

If you have a safeguarding concern, contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at safeguarding@schooloffish.co.uk.

Angling is a low-risk activity but it's still an outdoor activity around water. By booking, you confirm:

• You've told us about any medical conditions, allergies, or accessibility needs we should know about.
• You'll wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the conditions.
• You'll follow all safety instructions given by the coach.
• For under-18s, a parent or guardian is contactable during the session.

We carry public liability and professional indemnity insurance on all coaching activities.

Fish welfare: School Of Fish operates a strict catch-and-release policy. All fish must be handled with wet hands, unhooked carefully on an unhooking mat, and returned to the water promptly. Mishandling fish is grounds for session termination.

Provided equipment: We provide tackle and bait for all standard sessions. You're responsible for using it correctly. We reserve the right to charge for equipment broken or lost due to negligence or misuse. Accidental breakages during normal use are covered by us.

Personal equipment: If you bring your own gear, we accept no liability for loss or damage to it.

We take photos and short videos at some sessions for use on our website, social media, and coaching materials. We only use an image where consent has been given, and for anyone under 18 that consent is given by a parent or guardian. Consent is recorded at booking and on our catch submission form.

You can withhold consent at booking, and you can withdraw it for existing images at any time by emailing info@schooloffish.co.uk. How we take, store, and publish images is set out in full in our Safeguarding Policy.

Coach training products are subject to additional terms set by the accrediting body (1st4Sport for the Lead Angling Coach qualification).

Completion deadlines. Candidates must complete all course components, including practical days, assessments, and e-learning, within the published deadline:

• Angling Support Assistant: 6 months from course date.
• Lead Angling Coach: 12 months from course start.

Certification is not automatic. Attendance does not guarantee certification. Candidates must pass all practical and theoretical assessments to be awarded their qualification.

DBS clearance. An Enhanced DBS check is required for all candidates. A failed check may prevent certification. No refund is given where certification is prevented by DBS failure.

Maintaining your qualification. Qualifications remain valid only while the holder maintains a valid Enhanced DBS, in-date safeguarding training where required, and active insurance. We offer an annual renewal product to keep these current.

Annual memberships (The Squad, School Of Fish Coaches Community) run for 12 months from the date of payment. Memberships are non-refundable. We'll remind you when renewal is due, but renewal is not automatic.

School Of Fish holds public liability and professional indemnity insurance on all coaching activities.

Angling involves outdoor environments with inherent risks (slippery banks, hooks, deep water). While we take every reasonable precaution, we accept no liability for:

• Personal injury or death (unless caused by our proven negligence).
• Loss or damage to personal property (cars, phones, tackle, clothing).
• Slips, trips, or falls on the bankside where reasonable safety instructions have been given.

Nothing in these terms limits our liability where it cannot legally be limited.

We collect and store personal information needed to deliver our coaching services, manage bookings, and contact you about your booking. We do not sell or share your data with third parties for marketing purposes. Our full Privacy Policy is available on this site.

We may update these terms from time to time. The version that applies to your booking is the one published on the day you book.

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Your Acceptance

By completing a booking with School Of Fish, you confirm you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms.

info@schooloffish.co.uk