FAQs

Please arrive at your session approximately 5-10 minutes before it is due to begin to ensure your child is ready. If your child is particularly apprehensive about starting their gymnastics class, we will allow parents to stay and observe the first session. 

Don’t forget:           

• A drink for your child
• The correct clothing for training - shorts and t-shirt, leggings and a t-shirt; nothing that is loose fitting
• Training in socks is not acceptable, although gymnasts should always have a pair in their bag just in case
• Long hair should be tied back off their face
• No jewellery is permitted - if ears have recently been pierced they must be covered up with tape or plasters
• No food is permitted in our sessions
• Gymnasts are encouraged to visit the bathroom before they start their session

We do not allow parents into the hall to observe our sessions on a weekly basis. Our coaches require our gymnasts' full attention at all times and the coaches must be allowed to do their job for the full session. You will be invited into the final session of each term to observe a badge presentation and at the end of the summer term to watch a display at each academy. All venues do have space for customers to watch through the window should they choose to do so. 

Each lesson should be productive, structured and most of all FUN for all gymnasts, regardless of ability. Each lesson is led by a qualified and trained gymnastics coach, who is fully CRB checked. 

Gym Stars classes;

• Will last 1 hour
• A ratio of 8 to 1 teacher with a maximum of 24 gymnasts with 3 members of staff. 
• They will warm up for the first 5 minutes of their session, followed by approx, 10 minutes of conditioning and stretching.
• The main teaching section of the class will be taught either as a circuit or as a whole class lasting between 25 and 30 minutes. Gymnasts will then have 5-10 minutes of a gymnastics based game or sequence, followed by a cool down and the clearing away of equipment.

Academy classes: 

• will last 2 hours 
• Ratio of 10 to 1 teacher with maximum of 40 gymnasts with 4 members of staff.
• They will warm up and condition for 30 minutes,
• The main teaching of the class will rotate around 3 pieces of apparatus with gymnasts spending 25 minutes on each piece, before completing a cool down at the end of the session.

Gymnasts are assessed on a continual basis and will be working to complete skills set out in line with the award schemes we work with. Your child's progress will be recorded each week by their instructor and reported to you at the end of every term in an individual report for your child, which is uploaded to your online account. Our coaches aim for our gymnasts to achieve one skill per week from their rewards scheme, however parents should be aware that not all children progress at the same speed and that as the gymnasts progress through the badges, they do become more difficult and can result in it taking longer to achieve some skills.

Our beginner gymnasts (ages 2-7) follow our in-house Gym Stars awards scheme. Any gymnasts aged 8+ or that have completed the Gym Stars scheme will follow our in-house Academy awards scheme. 

That all depends at what point your child joins our programme, and every child will progress at different speeds. We would expect our gymnasts to achieve one skill per week and one award every 10-15 weeks.  Some children will achieve their awards quicker than others, if this is the case our coaches will move the gymnasts up a group, often before their programme is complete in order to challenge them, but parents should recognise that no one child is the same and they should not be compared to each other.

We welcome both beginners and children who have done gymnastics before to our classes. We would recommend that you call our customer service team on 0161 979 0611 to discuss what level of gymnastics your child has done before so that we can place them in the correct class for their ability. They will initially be placed into the classes based on their age, however the coaches will continually asses all of the children to ensure that they are in the correct class for their ability. 

Our gymnasts are initially placed into their groups by age and are continuously assessed throughout the term. Once a term, our Head Coach will visit all the academies and assess all of the gymnasts. They will have discussions with the coaches about the gymnasts and if any need to be moved up, this will be communicated to you as soon as possible. Although we cannot force any customer to change classes, we will offer our recommendations which have been made by coaches with over 10 years of coaching experience. The Head Coach's recommendations should be taken on board and their feedback should be the deciding factor on whether your child should move classes.

If your child’s term report states ‘no award achieved’, evidence of why is usually provided. If you need more information, you can speak to our Head Coach for more feedback. Our coaches will always make the effort to inform you well in advance if your child is not achieving an award that term so their expectations can be managed. They will also offer some advice on skills to practice at home to help them to achieve their award. Any gymnast who does not achieve an award will receive a 'well done' certificate, highlighting the good work they have done that term so no gymnast leaves empty handed.

Please remember, as the stages progress, the skills and criteria become more difficult. It is not uncommon from badge 3 onwards, that it can take 2-3 courses for these awards to be achieved. All skills need to be executed at a high and consistent standard.

Our coaches will always try to make themselves available at the beginning and the end of any session for you to talk to them. They are all very approachable and will do what they can to help you with your query. If they cannot help you, they will forward your query on to our Head Coach who will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the matter with you.

During the sessions our coaches should not be interrupted. Parents must leave the coaching to the coaches and not interfere from the side as the coaches require the gymnasts full attention at all times.

We aim to be an all inclusive programme. Please call our customer service team to discuss the possibility of joining one of our classes.

Please remember to inform us of ALL medical conditions, no matter how small.

Unfortunately, missed sessions cannot be re-arranged or transferred to another session. If your child is unable to attend for medical reasons, medical notes can be accepted.

Not to worry, you can download your handbook below.

For a Gym Stars class (ages 2-7), please click here

For Academy class (ages 8+), please click here

Every current user has a unique username and password to access their booking and account information. You can also pay for the sessions this way. If you are having problems accessing your online account then please email info@btgymnastics.co.uk or call our customer service team on 0161 979 0611.0161 979 0611√161 979 0611