What does a safe chess club actually look like?
It means signed-in drop-offs, a clear collection policy, and staff who hold up-to-date safeguarding certification. Every Jolly Good Chess session runs on the same rules.
The quiet hum of a focused room, a child's first checkmate.
I walked in expecting a chess club. I found a place where my son is genuinely focused for an hour straight. The room is calm, the coaches are patient, and he's already asking to go back.
Sarah M.
Parent of a student , Esher
The collection process is exactly as described. A coach brings my daughter to the door, I give the password, and we leave. No confusion, no worry. That consistency matters to us.
James Carter
Parent of a student in new malden
We joined after a friend recommended the academy. The registration was straightforward, the term calendar arrived in our inbox. Everything feels organised.
Amelia Foster
Parent of a student in Reigate
As a parent of two children at different skill levels, I appreciate the clear progression pathways. The coaches know exactly where each child is and tailor the sessions accordingly. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach. The discount for siblings is great!
David Patel
Parent of two students
5 standards we follow at every club session
Every session runs under clear safeguarding protocols so you know your child is in good hands from drop-off to collection.
Trained and DBS-checked staff
All our coaches are DBS checked and fully safeguarding trained before they ever run a session — so your child's in safe, caring hands.
Secure collection handover
For our younger players under 12, we’ll make sure they’re picked up safely by an adult you trust. Just set a special collection password when you sign up—and if we already know you, no worries at all.
First aid equipment on site
A first aid kit is present at every club location, and at least one staff member holds a current first aid certificate.
Small groups where everyone gets to play
We keep our classes small so every child gets the attention and support they truly deserve.
We’ll always keep you in the loop, the easy way.
We make learning chess a joyful journey your child will genuinely look forward to each week. Through playful challenges, team spirit, and a warm social environment, our classes turn strategy into an adventure they’ll want to return to again and again. Please ensure you are signed up to our mailing list to get the full experience.
Check the facts behind our safeguarding
Every Jolly Good Chess club runs under clear safeguarding protocols that apply to lessons, tournaments, and parties alike.
100%
DBS-checked team
Every coach and volunteer has an enhanced DBS check before working with students.
3+
Club locations
Each Surrey venue follows the same safeguarding standards and supervision ratios.
1:8
Coach-to-child ratio
Small group sizes mean every child gets attention and stays supervised.
5+
Safety policies
Written procedures cover supervision, collection, and emergency response.
Your child’s safety – your questions answered
We’ve covered the common questions here. If you need anything else, please get in touch.
Most chess clubs don't share their safeguarding policy. We publish ours.
Jolly Good Chess: Student Safety & Supervision Policy At Jolly Good Chess, the safety and well-being of our students is our absolute top priority. We are thrilled to host your child and are committed to creating a positive, structured environment where they can enjoy their chess journey and develop their skills with confidence. To ensure every student stays safe, we ask that you please take a moment to read through our policy regarding supervision, signing in, collection, and photography. 1. Our Role and Your Responsibility * Structured Coaching: Our team is here to provide high-quality chess coaching. While we are dedicated to a safe learning environment, please note that we are not a childcare provider. Our responsibility for your child is strictly limited to the duration of our structured coaching sessions. * General Supervision: Parents or guardians are responsible for their children at all times whilst on the premises. If your child is on-site but not currently in a session, they remain under your direct care and supervision. 2. Sign-In and Collection Policy To make sure we always know exactly who is in our care, we have a clear sign-in and sign-out procedure: * Sign-In/Out: For the safety of our students, parents or guardians are required to personally sign their children in and out of each session. * Collection from the Playing Area: Children must be collected directly from the playing area by a parent or guardian at the end of their session. We want to ensure a smooth, safe transition and cannot allow children to wait outside or in unsupervised areas of the building to be collected. 3. Photography Policy We understand that you may want to capture memories of your child’s progress and achievements. To protect the privacy and safety of all our students: * Personal Use Only: Photography and video recording are permitted, but only of your own child. * Respecting Privacy: Please ensure that no other students are captured in your photos or videos. We kindly ask that you do not post images containing other children on social media or any public platforms. 4. Independent Arrival and Departure We know that as children grow, they truly value their independence. If you are happy for your child to arrive or depart independently, we require formal written permission provided via our booking system in advance. *Age Requirements: This option is only available for students who meet our age requirements for independent travel. * Clear Boundaries: By providing this permission, you acknowledge that our supervision of your child begins only when they enter the club and sign in, and ends the moment they sign out and leave. *Legal Note: We cannot accept legal responsibility for children outside of our specific, structured coaching timeframe, nor for children left on the premises unaccompanied without prior formal agreement. A Note to Our Parents: Thank you so much for your support in keeping our club safe and welcoming for everyone. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please feel free to have a chat with us!
The safest chess club shouldn't be the hardest to find.
Register your child in under two minutes. We'll match you to the nearest Surrey club and handle the rest.