Register as a BALM Teacher
Just like social prescribing of BALM, teaching can have a profound impact on both individuals and on communities with a focus on lifestyle medicine, nutritional psychiatry, and creating community connections, whilst promoting sustainable and healthy practices.teaching BALM goes beyond the act of baking. It is a conduit of purpose, a bridge that connects us to the rich diversity of botanical blends, and a journey into a philosophy that is as ancient as Aristotle’s. On Aristotle’s view, all activities and pursuits aim towards some good, a final end or goal. This is the essence of BALM. Our teachings are woven into the fabric of life’s pursuits, embracing a philosophy of goodness, diversity, and nourishment.
As a part of our social enterprise, our graduates share a simple, and healthier fulfilling lifestyle through baking, eating and sharing bread. BALM Protocol provide a framework and it is about far more than baking bread – it’s about cultivating a community, encouraging a purpose, and addressing the nuances and complexities of life through a love for baking.
BALM Protocol is way to structure baking as a way to navigate the complexities of life. It is about a rhythm, and routine, and our vision is to make a difference through the art of baking. It is beautiful, but it is also about a radical empowerment, of health, and of transformation to the people you teach. If you would like to teach, to learn, to bake, and above all, to find joy and purpose in the simple act of making bread with structure and support then yo have found the right place.
Integrating your own skills and experiences with BALM is what makes teaching it such an effective and exciting endeavour. By combining your unique talents and passions with the principles of BALM, you can create an unparalleled learning experience for your students that is both uplifting and inspiring. We hope that by the time you graduate, you will have developed an appreciation for the level of work and support that we give our students. We hope you feel that you can do that same, and I would expect that we will have been chatting and creating a plan to share BALM within your community.
Baking As Lifestyle Medicine (BALM) Teacher License Terms and Conditions
Upon successful completion of the BALM Diploma or Certificate, the Licensee may apply to join the Licensor’s community of professionals by becoming a licensed BALM teacher. We have to have a formal approach to the licensing, and if the team feels that you would make a good BALM registered teacher, then you will be invited to apply for a license. Awarding of this License is at the Licensor’s discretion and by invitation only. This agreement provides the Licensee access to the resources and listing on The Sourdough Club’s platform. The Licensee may share their BALM qualification but is obliged to apply for this License to access the resources and listing. Please note that the acceptance of a Licensee’s application is subject to the Licensor’s assessment and approval. The Licensor reserves the right to refuse any application at its sole discretion if wishing to be a registered BALM teacher is obliged to apply for this License to access the resources and listing.
The BALM Certificate and Diploma programs are foundational prerequisites for graduates who aspire to become licensed teachers under the Sourdough School Ltd. However, completion of these programs does not automatically confer eligibility for a teaching license. The awarding of a teaching license is contingent upon a separate application process, which includes a personal interview. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on a variety of factors, some of which may include:
- Proximity Constraints: We aim to prevent market oversaturation and maintain healthy competition. If there’s an existing licensee offering a similar teaching program in close proximity, another license may not be granted in the same area.
- Capacity Limitations: As a small organization with a strong commitment to quality and personal mentorship, we may be limited in the number of new teachers we can support concurrently.
- Financial Feasibility: Depending on the economic circumstances or exchange rate issues in certain countries or regions, the licensing program’s associated fees may not be financially sustainable.
- Regulatory or Legal Impediments: Local laws or regulations in certain jurisdictions could complicate or inhibit the licensing process.
- Alignment with the Sourdough School’s Values and Standards: Our licensing program is more than just a business transaction; it’s a relationship founded on shared values and standards. Should an applicant’s teaching approach or ethos not align with The Sourdough School’s philosophy, it may not be feasible to grant a license.
Becoming a BALM registered teacher is an invitation process initiated by our team, who carefully select potential candidates that embody our ethos and teaching standards. While we would love to extend this opportunity to all, practical limitations and specific requirements may restrict us from doing so. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this regard.
Before accepting the invitation, we strongly recommend consulting with a legal professional to review the terms and conditions detailed below. This is an important step to ensure comprehensive understanding and compliance.
1.0 This agreement is made between:
- The BALM teacher (“the Licensee”) and
- The Sourdough School Ltd (“the Licensor”).
2.0 Licensing
The Licensee agrees to the following fees and commitments:
- A one-off Initial Registration Fee: £1000
- Annual License Fee: £1000 per year
- Monthly Support Fee: £99 per month
- Business Planning Consultation: £800 (optional)
Sourdough Club memberships for the Licensee’s students are a separate cost and are compulsory for participation in the BALM Teaching program. These memberships are to be purchased from The Sourdough Club Ltd. The Licensee agrees to purchase these memberships via The Sourdoughclub.com Teachers’ licence page at a discounted rate of £99 per membership and “gift” them to their students as part of their course package.
2.1 Social Enterprise Component
As part of our commitment to social justice and community development, our unique Social Enterprise Program is integrated into our licensing structure. Your students can apply of social discount to the Sourdough club.
3.0 Licensee Obligations
3.1 Course Sizes: The Licensee agrees to a maximum hands-on class size of 12 students.
3.2 Compliance: The Licensee agrees to comply with all local authority regulations, including hygiene certification, and must maintain professional indemnity and public liability insurance. The Licensee must also maintain up-to-date St. John’s Ambulance First Aid Training.
3.3 Support and Guidance: The Licensee is free to attend the live sessions and must adhere to the BALM Protocol. The Licensee will use materials and recipes from www.sourdough.co.uk, www.TheSourdoughclub.com, www.theSourdoughschool.com, and the books as teaching aids. Any changes to Dr Kimbell’s recipes much be agreed prior to the course listing with The Sourdough School ltd in writing.
3.4 Teaching Environment: The Licensee agrees to complete a Sourdough School health and safety check for their teaching premises.
3.5 Course Material: The Licensee will use Botanical Blend Flour in classes or use a mill to create their own botanical blend flour. Courses must emphasize social justice, environmentalism, and local community connections and must include “soil to slice” principles and agricultural practices.
3.6 Student Enrollment and Support: The Licensee agrees to use the Licensor’s policies and health and safety guidelines for student enrollment. The Licensee will also follow GDPR compliance guidelines and privacy best practices templates provided by the Licensor. The Licensee agrees to provide all students with sourdough starters, ingredients, a symbiotic eating lunch and teaching materials as part of the course
3.7 Online Platform Access: The Licensee will provide the details for their account and keep the Licensor informed of any change to their homepage.
3.8 Student Conduct
As a licensed BALM teacher, you are responsible for maintaining a safe and respectful environment in your classes. We have zero tolerance for abusive or inappropriate behaviour from students, in line with our community’s ethos and standards.
In the event of a student engaging in such behavior, the Licensee has the right, and indeed the responsibility, to address the situation appropriately. If necessary, this can include removing the student from the course and revoking their Sourdough Club membership, in accordance with our terms of service.
It is essential that your own terms of business align with our policies and do not contradict them in any way. This includes provisions regarding student behaviour and the potential consequences of misconduct.
Non-compliance with this provision, including failure to address student misconduct appropriately or contradiction between your terms of business and ours, may result in penalties, up to and including revocation of your BALM teaching license
4.0 Termination of License
The Licensor reserves the right to revoke the Licensee’s BALM teaching license without refund in the event of serious misconduct or breach of BALM’s values and standards. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, racism, inappropriate behaviour, unhygienic practices, and any action that could bring BALM or The Sourdough School Ltd into disrepute. The Licensor also reserves the right to cancel any Sourdough Club memberships allocated with immediate effect.
5.0 Reporting Issues
If the Licensee encounters any issues or challenges in relation to their BALM teaching license, the Sourdough Club, or interactions with students, it is their responsibility to report these issues promptly to The Sourdough School Ltd. Reports should be submitted in writing and include as much detail as possible to assist us in addressing the situation effectively.
6.0 Complaints Procedure
In the event of a complaint or dispute, the Licensee agrees to follow our official complaints procedure, as outlined in our policy documents. This procedure provides a structured process for raising, investigating, and resolving complaints, ensuring fair treatment and effective resolution for all parties involved.
7.0 Course Cancellation & Rescheduling
If, for any reason, the Licensee needs to cancel a scheduled course, it is their responsibility to notify all enrolled students as soon as possible and arrange for the course to be rescheduled at a suitable future date. We require all Licensees to include clear provisions regarding course cancellation and rescheduling in their own terms of business.
8.0 Confidentiality and Data Protection
The Licensee acknowledges that in the course of their teaching activities, they will have access to and be entrusted with confidential information pertaining to the teaching materials, student data, and proprietary information belonging to The Sourdough School Ltd. The Licensee agrees to keep this information strictly confidential and will comply with all applicable data protection and privacy laws and regulations. Any breach of this clause could result in immediate termination of this agreement.
9.0 Intellectual Property Rights
The Licensee acknowledges that the teaching materials, methods, recipes, and other resources provided by The Sourdough School Ltd are proprietary and protected by copyright, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights. The Licensee agrees to use these materials solely for the purposes of teaching under this licensing agreement and will not reproduce, distribute, or use these materials for any other purpose without express written permission from The Sourdough School Ltd.
10.0 Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Sourdough School Ltd’s liability under this agreement shall be limited to the amount of fees paid by the Licensee under this agreement. Under no circumstances shall The Sourdough School Ltd be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, consequential or similar damages or costs (including, but not limited to, lost profits or data, loss of goodwill, loss of or damage to property, loss of use, interruption of business and claims of third parties) arising out of this agreement or the performance of the services provided herein.
11.0 Health Advice and Referrals
The Licensee agrees not to provide any form of health advice or diagnoses unless they are legally recognized and registered as a licensed healthcare practitioner in their own jurisdiction. This agreement particularly pertains to health conditions related to food intolerances or allergies, such as wheat allergy or coeliac disease.
It is expressly forbidden for Licensees to teach or give advice to anyone with such health conditions unless they are professionally qualified to do so. If a Licensee has any concerns about a student’s health, they should follow the established procedure of referring the student to their GP via the appropriate referral letter. Any breach of this clause may result in immediate termination of the License agreement.
The Licensee should make this clear to students before course enrollment and also provide clear information within the course about the limitations of their role in this respect. By doing so, we can ensure the wellbeing of our students and maintain the integrity of our course offerings.
12.0 Modification of Agreement
This agreement may be modified or updated from time to time at the sole discretion of The Sourdough School Ltd. The Licensee agrees to adhere to the most recent version of the agreement as communicated to them in writing. Any modifications or updates to this agreement shall take effect immediately upon their communication to the Licensee
