Here are our commonly asked questions regarding the Learn to Skate programme. If you can’t see what you are looking for please send us an enquiry here.
For general FAQ’s regarding the ice arena please click here.
Adult and junior lessons run on a Thursday 18:30 – 19:30 and junior only lessons run on a Saturday 08:45am -9:55am (note the time of the lesson depends on the skill level of the pupil). You can join the waiting list by enquiring through the enquiry form here.
A discussion with our admin team and/or ice coach will help determine the skating ability of the pupil so they can start at the right level on the ice.
Lessons are booked in 30-minute blocks and comprise of a 5-minute registration process and a 25-minute lesson.
The skills acquired each lesson do need to be practiced in the lesson and also outside of the lesson, to build confidence and fluidity of movement and to help meet the required standards to achieve the different levels/grades.
If the course you need is full, you can add your name to the wating list and you will be contacted as and when a place becomes available. Alternatively, you may want to participate in our Holiday Learn to Skate Programme. This may help you achieve Level 1 and provide you with faster entry onto the Skate UK weekly lessons.
No, the centre has a large supply of hire skates available, with sizes ranging from junior size 1 up to adult size 14. The use of the hire skates is included in the course fee/direct debit charges.
Once you complete Skate UK levels 1-8, you will have mastered the basics of skating. If you want to continue learning and improving, you can progress onto BIS Skate Star programmes which teach more advanced skating skills.
To enter BIS Skate Star programmes, you will need to purchase a Skate Star booklet, which will guide you through Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum awards.
For more information on BIS Star programmes, please speak to an Ice Professional or a member of the Reception Team.
Please note that a one off £10 joining fee applies when joining the Learn to Skate Scheme. You or your child will then be eligible for Tees Active LiveMore activity prices for the whole duration whilst they are on the scheme. A LiveMore card provides fantastic savings on a variety of our activities, this includes anything from swimming, ice skating and soft play, to GoClimb and Air Trail as well as birthday parties!
When you enrol for lessons, you will create an online account where you can set up your direct debit for monthly payments. Alternatively credits can be purchased in blocks of 10 at a standard or LiveWell rate. For prices please see below.
| SK8 Saver | Standard Price | LiveMore | LiveWell | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | Junior | Adult | Junior | Adult | Junior | Adult | Junior | |
| Private Lessons (15min) | - | £16.45 | £16.45 | £15.90 | £15.90 | £15.45 | £15.90 | |
| Private Lessons (30min) | - | £29.10 | £29.10 | £28.35 | £28.35 | £28.35 | £28.35 | |
| Learn to Skate (10 Credits) | - | £92.00 | £92.00 | - | - | £50.00 | £50.00 | |
| Learn to Skate (Direct Debit) | - | £32 | £32 | - | - | - | - | |
| Learn to Skate - Bronze | £127.50 | £127.50 | £74.60 | £74.60 | ||||
| Learn to Skate - Bronze (DD) | £43.00 | £43.00 | ||||||
If you live in the Borough of Stockton on Tees and you are in receipt of a specified/qualifying benefit, you can visit the venue in person to enrol for lessons with our LiveWell card. Please note you must bring proof of current eligibility. For more on the LiveWell card and the qualifying criteria please click here
A pro-rata fee is a one-off payment which must be paid after completing your Direct Debit form. This payment covers the cost of Ice Skating lessons until the date of your first Direct Debit payment. This amount will vary depending on what date of the month you join the programme.
The Direct Debit payment plan is a rolling 30 day contract. The terms and conditions can be found on the reverse of the application form but there are no hidden admin fees. You do not have to pay for a minimum term, however, you are required to provide 30 days’ notice in writing if you wish to cancel your membership. To cancel, please email icearena@teesactive.co.uk providing the required notice with your details of membership.
The Learn to Skate programme is continuous and your child’s lessons may on occasion be due to take place on bank holidays. If this occurs, we will make the necessary adjustment to your next direct debit payment to take into consideration the cancellation of the lesson. The Learn to Skate programme breaks between Christmas and New Year for two weeks, these weeks have been removed from the price in advance.
Unfortunately, if a Direct Debit payment fails, we will attempt to contact you to take payment or attempt to take payment on the next direct debit run. If the account is not brought back up to date within this period, then we will class this as non-payment. This will result in you being removed from the programme. To avoid confusion and disappointment, please make sure payment is made as soon as possible, as we will not be able to teach anyone that is no longer registered.
Note – if this happens you may lose your place on the lessons, due to the high level of demand for lessons experienced.
In the unlikely event that lessons are cancelled due to lack of coaches and / or planned ice maintenance a refund will be supplied via your next direct debit payment being credited. If the closure is too short notice to make the adjustment on your upcoming payment we will endeavour to make the reduction to your next payment date. Please note that our scheduled Christmas break will not be refunded as this closure in service is factored into the monthly cost of the direct debit so it is not charged for.
Please make sure that your contact details are up to date so we can contact you regarding any cancellations. Contact a member of the reception team if you need to alter your contact information.
Each course level/skills grade will be assessed every 6 weeks. Each level/skills grade has a set of exercises you’ll need to demonstrate proficiently before moving onto the next level/grade. Your learning objectives and assessment criteria will be clearly outlined for you or your child, so you always know what you’re working towards.
We ask that you communicate any issues with the venue’s reception team at your earliest convenience and this information will be passed onto your coach.
Unfortunately we cannot refund or credit lessons for the occasional missed lesson. However, we do have a refund policy if a skater is unable to attend their lessons over a sustained period of time due to a medical condition. Details of the learn to skate refund policy are available upon request.
Children need to be at least 3 years of age before they can join the Learn to Skate scheme.
Our Learn to Skate Scheme is 100% practical based and all our coaches are qualified and trained to help and motivate the skater to improve their technique and confidence on the ice. You’ll be coached to progress through SKATE UK’s eight Fundamental Skills Grades, which cover the essential agility, balance and coordination of an ice skater’s development.
You can contact our team by completing the enquiry form above. This will direct your query to the appropriate venue so we can provide a quicker and more accurate response.
Find out more about how Billingham Forum Ice Arena and Tees Active are working with partners to drive positive change in the community.