Terms & Policies

Please review our policies before booking a session

Terms of Service

By booking a session with Sirius English, you agree to the following terms and conditions. Please read carefully.

Booking & Payment

  • Payment Processing: All payments are processed securely through Stripe and Cal.com. Sirius English does not store your payment information.
  • Accepted Payment Methods: Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), Alipay, and WeChat Pay.
  • Payment Due: Payment is required at the time of booking to confirm your session.
  • Currency: All prices are listed in USD (United States Dollars).
  • Pricing Changes: Prices are subject to change. The price you pay is the price displayed at the time of booking.

Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy

  • Rescheduling: You may reschedule your session up to 12 hours before the scheduled start time at no charge. Use the link in your booking confirmation email to reschedule.
  • Cancellations Within 12 Hours: Cancellations made less than 12 hours before your scheduled session are non-refundable. The session will be considered used.
  • No-Shows: If you do not attend your scheduled session without prior notice, the session is forfeited and no refund will be issued.
  • Instructor Cancellation: In the rare event that Brandon must cancel a session, you will receive a full refund or be offered an alternative time slot at your preference.
  • Technical Issues: If technical difficulties prevent the session from occurring (on either end), we will work together to reschedule or issue a refund at Brandon's discretion.

Package Policy

  • Validity Period: All session packages (5, 10, or 20 sessions) are valid for 90 days from the date of purchase.
  • Expiration: Unused sessions after 90 days expire and cannot be refunded, transferred, or extended.
  • Session Duration Flexibility: Package sessions can be used for any session length (30, 45, or 60 minutes). The number of sessions used will be adjusted proportionally based on duration.
  • Non-Transferable: Packages are non-transferable and may only be used by the purchaser.
  • Partial Refunds: If you wish to cancel a package within 30 days of purchase, you may receive a pro-rated refund for unused sessions minus any sessions already completed.
  • No Refunds After 30 Days: Packages are non-refundable after 30 days from the date of purchase, regardless of usage.

Refund Policy

  • Individual Sessions: Full refunds are available if you cancel with at least 12 hours' notice before your scheduled session.
  • Packages (Within 30 Days): If you wish to cancel a package within 30 days of purchase, you may receive a pro-rated refund for unused sessions, minus the value of any completed sessions.
  • Packages (After 30 Days): No refunds will be issued for packages after 30 days from purchase date.
  • Editing Services: Editing services are non-refundable once work has begun. If you are dissatisfied with the work, please contact us to discuss revisions.
  • Refund Processing: Approved refunds will be processed within 5-10 business days to the original payment method.

Student Conduct & Expectations

  • Respectful Behavior: Students are expected to conduct themselves respectfully during all sessions. Inappropriate behavior may result in session termination without refund.
  • Preparedness: Students should come prepared with any materials discussed in previous sessions or as agreed upon with the instructor.
  • Technical Requirements: Students are responsible for ensuring a stable internet connection, functioning audio/video, and a quiet learning environment.
  • Minors: Students under 18 must have parental consent to book sessions. Parents/guardians are welcome to be present during sessions with minors.

Privacy & Data Protection (GDPR Compliance)

Sirius English is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with GDPR and other applicable data protection laws.

  • Data Collection: We collect only the information necessary to provide our services, including your name, email address, payment information (processed by Stripe), and session-related communications.
  • Data Use: Your information is used solely to:
    • Schedule and conduct tutoring sessions
    • Process payments
    • Communicate about your sessions and progress
    • Improve our services
  • Data Sharing: We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties except:
    • Payment processing through Stripe
    • Scheduling through Cal.com
    • When required by law
  • Data Security: We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.
  • Data Retention: We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide services and comply with legal obligations. You may request deletion of your data at any time.
  • Your Rights: Under GDPR, you have the right to:
    • Access your personal data
    • Request correction of inaccurate data
    • Request deletion of your data
    • Object to data processing
    • Request data portability
  • Contact for Privacy Inquiries: To exercise any of these rights or for privacy-related questions, please email brandon@siriusenglish.com

Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Sirius English complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) regarding the collection of information from children under 13.

  • Parental Consent: We require verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13.
  • Information Collected: For students under 13, we collect only:
    • Student's first name (for session personalization)
    • Parent/guardian contact information (email, payment details)
    • Session scheduling information
  • Parental Rights: Parents/guardians may:
    • Review the personal information collected from their child
    • Request deletion of their child's information
    • Refuse to allow further collection of their child's information
  • Session Recording: Sessions are not recorded unless explicitly requested and consented to by parents/guardians.

Third-Party Services

Sirius English uses the following third-party services to deliver our tutoring services:

  • Cal.com: Scheduling and booking management. Review Cal.com's privacy policy at cal.com/privacy
  • Stripe: Payment processing. Review Stripe's privacy policy at stripe.com/privacy
  • Zoom / Google Meet / WeChat: Video conferencing platforms. Each platform has its own privacy policy that governs data collected during sessions.

By using our services, you also agree to the terms and privacy policies of these third-party providers.

Intellectual Property & Materials

  • Course Materials: All materials provided during sessions (worksheets, slides, resources) are for the student's personal educational use only and may not be redistributed or sold.
  • Student Work: Students retain ownership of their original work (essays, assignments, etc.). Brandon may provide feedback and edits but does not claim ownership.
  • Session Recording: Sessions may not be recorded without prior written consent from both parties.

Limitation of Liability

  • Sirius English provides educational services and cannot guarantee specific outcomes (test scores, college admissions, etc.).
  • Brandon Brookes is not liable for technical issues, internet disruptions, or third-party service failures that prevent session completion.
  • Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of any information or advice received and should consult official sources for test requirements and application guidelines.

Changes to These Terms

Sirius English reserves the right to modify these terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

Last Updated: January 2025

Contact Us

If you have any questions about these terms or our policies, please contact:

Brandon Brookes
Sirius English
Email: brandon@siriusenglish.com