Terms and conditions for teaching and accompanying

 

1. Your first no-obligation consultation lesson is free.  Lesson schedules thereafter will be issued in advance for each half term.  You are expected to attend for a lesson each full week of the Buckinghamshire LEA school term, although it may be possible to arrange special schedules in some circumstances.   In the case of accompanist services, the initial rehearsal is free, and a schedule of rehearsal times will be agreed with you at that point.   

 

2. Workshops and extra lessons during the summer and other school holiday periods are also available, and you are encouraged to attend such of these as are appropriate to your level, and to perform at pupils’ concerts.

 

3. Fees are normally payable half termly in advance and will be invoiced at the time of agreeing the lesson schedule.  Payment is due on the second Friday of each half term; fees unsettled at this date incur a 10% late payment charge added to the next invoice.  If these terms would cause you difficulties please ask: it may be possible to arrange weekly payment terms.

 

4. Rates stand at £14.00 per half hour for individual lessons, rehearsals and accompanist services for exams, and £4.00 per half hour for group lessons, irrespective of grade.  Half a term’s notice will be given of an increase in rates, and rates will not increase more than once in an 18 month period.

 

5. A sibling discount scheme is in operation; a 30-minute individual lesson for the second child will be charged at £9.00.  No reductions apply to group lessons attended by more than one sibling.

 

6. If you need to cancel a planned individual lesson, please give as much notice as possible.  Where more than 48 hours notice is given, I will attempt to arrange an alternative slot with you for the same week, but please bear in mind that as my teaching schedule is quite full, I cannot guarantee to be able to provide an alternative time. In these cases the lesson fee will be deducted from the invoice for the following half term of lessons.  Except in special circumstances, only one lesson per student per half term will be deducted in this way.

 

7. Late cancellations/ no shows will be charged at the full normal rate.  A late cancellation is one for which you give me less than 48 hours notice.  Naturally if it is I who needs to reschedule or cancel, your lesson fee will be reimbursed if no alternative time can be agreed.

 

8. When I come to you an agreed consideration for travel time (representing the one-way journey only) and mileage will be added to your invoice.

 

9. In the case of lessons in LEA Schools, the student is responsible for remembering their lesson time and bringing their music into school on that day.   Please try to inform me if your child is away from school by 10am on the day of their lesson; the school office staff does not undertake to inform me of absences. 

 

10. If you cannot attend a group lesson, the fee will not normally be refunded.

 

11. If you decide to discontinue lessons, or take an extended break, please give four weeks notice in writing.  I reserve the right to charge for four lessons in lieu of notice.  In the case of long term absences I reserve the right to request a retainer fee.

 

12. I reserve the right to terminate this agreement in the case of unreasonable behaviour from a student or those associated with them.

 

13. From time to time I will recommend Tutor books or repertoire pieces for purchase.  As a teacher I get a 10% discount on music from Perfect Pitch in Chesham which I am happy to pass on to you if you would like me to get books for you.  You are always welcome to borrow material from me, but please respect copyright law.

 

14. Examination fees will be invoiced separately at time of entry (usually around 6 weeks in advance of the examination) and except in special circumstances are non refundable.  Specific weeks or days for examinations will be requested in consultation with you where necessary.