First Step Robotics – Terms and Conditions
Effective Date: 10 November 2026
Website: https://firststeprobotics.com
Email:
1. Introduction
Welcome to First Step Robotics.
First Step Robotics is a Community Interest Company (CIC) based in Scotland, providing educational programmes designed to inspire children and young people through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
Our activities include robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, electronics, engineering, 3D design and printing, drone flying, radio-controlled vehicles, competitions and other hands-on learning experiences.
These Terms and Conditions apply to all participants and their parents or guardians registering for our:
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Weekly courses and after-school clubs
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Holiday camps and workshops
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One-day trial and taster sessions
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Free and funded programmes
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Competitions and special events
By registering for a programme, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.
2. Registration and Eligibility
2.1. All participants under 18 must be registered by a parent or legal guardian, or another adult authorised to register them.
2.2. Parents or guardians must provide accurate and up-to-date information, including emergency contact details and relevant medical or additional support needs.
2.3. Each child must have an individual participant profile, even when multiple children are registered under the same parent account.
2.4. Participants must meet the advertised age requirements of their chosen programme unless an exception has been agreed in advance.
2.5. Registration does not guarantee a place. Places are confirmed when First Step Robotics issues a booking confirmation and, where applicable, payment requirements have been met.
2.6. We reserve the right to decline or cancel a registration where participation cannot reasonably be accommodated safely, after considering appropriate support and reasonable adjustments.
3. Course Bookings and Payments
3.1. Course fees, dates, times, locations and programme details are displayed on our website or booking platform.
3.2. Payment for paid programmes must be made according to the payment terms displayed at checkout.
3.3. Payments may be accepted through Stripe, PayPal or another approved payment provider.
3.4. Weekly courses are generally booked by term or block rather than individual sessions, unless otherwise advertised.
3.5. Holiday camps may be booked for the full programme or individual days where that option is available.
3.6. Any instalment arrangements must be agreed before booking. Parents remain responsible for payments due under the agreed payment schedule, subject to their statutory rights.
3.7. First Step Robotics may offer discounted, subsidised or funded places subject to availability and eligibility.
3.8. Prices may change between terms or programmes. Any changes will be communicated before a new booking or renewal.
4. Trial and Taster Sessions
4.1. Trial sessions may be free or paid, depending on the programme.
4.2. Trial sessions are subject to availability and must be booked in advance.
4.3. Where advertised, the fee paid for a one-day trial session may be credited towards the full-term fee if the participant subsequently enrols.
4.4. Trial credits apply only to the eligible course and within the period stated at the time of booking.
4.5. Trial credits cannot normally be exchanged for cash, except where required by law.
4.6. Attendance at a trial session does not guarantee a place on the full course.
5. Cancellations and Refunds
5.1 Cancellation by Parents or Guardians
Parents wishing to cancel a booking must notify First Step Robotics by emailing
Our standard cancellation policy is:
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14 days or more before the programme starts: A full refund will be provided.
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7–13 days before the programme starts: A 50% refund will be provided.
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Less than 7 days before the programme starts: No refund will normally be provided.
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After a term or programme has started: Refunds for missed or remaining sessions are not normally available.
These are our standard discretionary cancellation terms. They do not restrict any statutory cancellation, refund or other consumer rights.
Where a statutory cooling-off right applies, it will be honoured. Certain leisure activities booked for specific dates or periods may be exempt from the usual 14-day cooling-off right.
5.2 Cancellation by First Step Robotics
We may cancel or reschedule a session due to circumstances including:
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Staff illness or unexpected absence
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Venue closure or unavailability
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Severe weather or unsafe conditions
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Equipment or technical problems
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Insufficient enrolment
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Other circumstances beyond our reasonable control
Where First Step Robotics cancels a session, we will aim to offer a replacement session, an appropriate credit or a refund for the cancelled provision.
If we cancel an entire programme before it begins, parents will receive a full refund of the programme fee.
Parents will not be required to accept a credit instead of a refund where they are legally entitled to a refund.
5.3 Missed Sessions
Fees are not normally refunded for sessions missed due to holidays, personal commitments or other absences.
Where possible, we may offer an alternative session, but this is not guaranteed.
5.4 Refund Processing
Approved refunds will normally be processed within 14 days and returned through the original payment method where possible.
6. Attendance and Punctuality
6.1. Participants should arrive on time and be collected promptly at the end of their sessions.
6.2. Parents must inform us if their child will be absent.
6.3. Children must not be left unattended before a session begins unless an authorised member of staff has accepted responsibility for them.
6.4. Children must be collected by an authorised adult unless prior written permission has been given for independent departure and First Step Robotics has agreed to the arrangement.
6.5. Parents should notify us of any changes to collection arrangements.
6.6. Repeated late collection may result in a discussion with the parent or guardian and a review of future attendance arrangements.
7. Behaviour and Code of Conduct
We aim to provide a welcoming, inclusive and respectful learning environment.
Participants are expected to:
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Treat other participants, staff and volunteers with respect.
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Follow instructions from tutors and mentors.
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Use equipment and tools safely.
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Respect the learning environment and other people's work.
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Avoid bullying, discrimination, harassment or threatening behaviour.
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Use computers, the internet and digital devices responsibly.
First Step Robotics may take proportionate action where behaviour creates a safeguarding concern or seriously disrupts activities.
This may include speaking with parents, agreeing a behaviour support plan, temporary suspension or, where necessary, ending participation.
We will consider each child's age, individual needs and circumstances before taking action.
Any refund following termination will be assessed fairly, taking account of the circumstances and applicable consumer rights.
8. Health, Safety and Medical Information
8.1. The safety and wellbeing of participants are a priority.
8.2. Parents must disclose relevant medical conditions, allergies, disabilities or additional support needs that may affect their child's participation or require specific arrangements.
8.3. Parents must inform us when relevant information changes.
8.4. Activities may involve tools, electronics, robotics equipment, batteries, 3D printers, laser-cut components, moving machinery and other practical engineering materials.
8.5. Participants must follow all safety instructions and use appropriate protective equipment when required.
8.6. Certain equipment and activities may be restricted according to age, ability, training and supervision requirements.
8.7. Parents must provide clear instructions concerning any medication that may be required during a session. Medication support arrangements must be agreed with First Step Robotics in advance.
8.8. In a medical emergency, we will seek appropriate professional assistance and contact the parent or emergency contact as soon as reasonably practicable.
9. Safeguarding and Child Protection
First Step Robotics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
We maintain safeguarding procedures and expect staff, mentors and volunteers to follow our child protection policies.
Relevant personnel will undergo appropriate safeguarding training and safeguarding checks, including PVG scheme membership where required.
Any safeguarding concerns will be addressed in accordance with our procedures and, where necessary, referred to the appropriate authorities.
Parents are encouraged to raise concerns promptly by contacting
10. Photography and Video Consent
First Step Robotics may take photographs or videos during activities to celebrate achievements, document projects and promote our educational work.
Photographs and videos may be used on our website, social media, newsletters, printed materials or other promotional channels.
We will seek separate, appropriate consent before using identifiable images of children for these purposes.
Parents and participants may decline photography or video consent without affecting their ability to participate.
Consent may be withdrawn by contacting us. We will stop future use and take reasonable steps to remove images where applicable, although material already distributed may not always be retrievable.
Parents and visitors must not publish identifiable images of other children without appropriate permission.
11. Free and Funded Programmes
11.1. Some First Step Robotics programmes are provided free of charge through grants, sponsorships or other funding arrangements.
11.2. Free places may be subject to eligibility criteria, availability and programme-specific requirements.
11.3. Some youth-led programmes require regular attendance, active participation and commitment to group projects.
11.4. Participants who repeatedly miss sessions without communication may have their place reviewed, particularly where waiting lists exist.
11.5. We will consider individual circumstances, including illness, disability and additional support needs, before withdrawing a place.
11.6. Funding conditions may require us to collect attendance records, participation information and feedback. Any personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Notice.
12. Outdoor Activities, Drones and RC Vehicles
Certain programmes may include outdoor robotics activities, drone flying, model aircraft, radio-controlled vehicles and engineering challenges.
These activities may take place at approved outdoor venues or suitable facilities.
Participants must:
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Follow all safety and supervision instructions.
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Remain within designated activity areas.
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Use equipment only when authorised.
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Respect other participants, members of the public and the environment.
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Follow applicable aviation, venue and safety rules.
Additional parental permission may be required for off-site activities or higher-risk activities.
We reserve the right to postpone outdoor sessions where weather or environmental conditions make activities unsafe.
13. Equipment and Personal Belongings
13.1. Equipment provided by First Step Robotics must be handled carefully and used only for its intended purpose.
13.2. Participants must report damaged or faulty equipment immediately.
13.3. Parents may be asked to discuss the cost of deliberate damage caused by a participant. Any request for reimbursement will be reasonable and based on the circumstances.
13.4. Participants should not bring valuable personal belongings unless required for their course.
13.5. Where a course requires a personal laptop or other equipment, this will be clearly stated before booking.
13.6. First Step Robotics is not responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings except where liability arises under applicable law.
14. Projects and Intellectual Property
14.1. Participants may create physical or digital projects during our programmes, including robotics designs, 3D models, code and engineering prototypes.
14.2. Participants retain ownership of their original creative work, subject to any third-party materials, licences or programme-specific agreements.
14.3. First Step Robotics retains ownership of its original teaching materials, course resources, proprietary designs and educational content.
14.4. Parents and participants may not commercially reproduce or distribute First Step Robotics teaching materials without permission.
14.5. We will seek appropriate permission before publicly showcasing identifiable participant work or associating it with a child's personal information.
15. Changes to Programmes
First Step Robotics may make reasonable changes to tutors, session arrangements, teaching activities or venues when necessary.
We will aim to provide advance notice of significant changes.
Where a material change prevents a participant from receiving the programme originally booked, we will offer an appropriate alternative or refund in accordance with applicable consumer law.
16. Data Protection and Privacy
First Step Robotics collects and processes personal information for purposes including:
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Managing registrations and bookings
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Processing payments
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Maintaining attendance records
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Supporting participant safety and safeguarding
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Communicating with parents
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Meeting legal and funding obligations
We handle personal information in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
Health and additional support information will be handled with appropriate confidentiality and access restrictions.
Our Privacy Notice provides further information about how personal data is collected, used, stored, retained and shared, together with individual data protection rights.
Marketing communications are optional and subject to applicable consent and privacy requirements.
17. Liability
First Step Robotics will take reasonable care to provide a safe and appropriately supervised learning environment.
We are not responsible for losses arising from circumstances outside our reasonable control, except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions affects parents' or participants' statutory rights.
18. Complaints and Feedback
We welcome feedback from parents, guardians and participants.
If you have a concern or complaint, please contact:
Email:
We aim to acknowledge complaints within five working days and provide a substantive response within 15 working days where reasonably possible.
If additional investigation is required, we will keep you informed.
Safeguarding concerns will be prioritised and handled under our safeguarding procedures.
19. Amendments to These Terms
We may update these Terms and Conditions to reflect changes in our programmes, operational requirements or applicable legislation.
The latest version will be published on our website.
Material changes affecting an existing booking will be communicated where appropriate and will not remove rights already acquired under that booking.
20. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Scotland.
Any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Scottish courts, subject to applicable consumer protections.
21. Contact Information
First Step Robotics CIC
Website: https://firststeprobotics.com
Email:
Operating area: West Lothian and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Parent / Guardian Agreement
By completing a registration, I confirm that:
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I am authorised to register the named child or young person.
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The registration information I have provided is accurate.
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I will keep emergency and relevant medical information up to date.
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I have read and agree to the First Step Robotics Terms and Conditions.
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I understand the booking, payment, cancellation and refund arrangements.
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I understand that separate consent may be requested for photography, off-site activities and other programme-specific requirements.
Last updated: 10 November 2026