Terms & Conditions
1. Whereby it is Agreed
1.1 The Teacher will provide lessons lasting 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 minutes once a week. For school age students, this is only expected during school term dates, but encouraged through holiday periods.
1.2 The Teacher will provide an agreed schedule of lessons detailing dates and times prior to each half term. The dates and times of the lessons may be changed if both the Teacher and Guardian agree.
1.3 The fee per lesson is £25 / £32 / £39 / £46. An invoice will be prepared for each half term and will be paid prior to lessons commencing. Late payment may result in a delay to lessons.
1.4 This Agreement shall continue until terminated by either Party giving to the other not less than 4 weeks notice in writing. The Guardian is requested to provide details in writing (email address provided).
1.5 The Teacher may from time to time review the agreed rate for tuition. The Teacher shall give the Guardian not less than 4 weeks’ written notice of any increase in rates.
1.6 For additional lessons during school holidays. These may be booked ad hoc but must be pre-booked and agreed by both the teacher and the guardian. Payment for these lessons will be charged individually and must be paid in advance.
1.7 Guardians with more than one student will be charged for one set time. E.g. 2 students receiving 30 minute lessons will be charged for one 60 minute session.
2. Cooling Off Period
2.1 The Guardian has a legal right to cancel this Agreement and receive a refund under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations (2013) during the ‘cooling off period’ which starts from the date of this Agreement and ends 14 days later. To cancel the Agreement, the Guardian should let the Teacher know by email that he/she has decided to cancel. The Teacher will confirm receipt of this email and arrange a refund for lessons not received. Reimbursement will be made using the same means of payment for the initial transaction, unless agreed otherwise.
3. General
3.1 The Guardian is responsible for ensuring that the Student is available for the arranged lesson as confirmed by email between the Teacher and Guardian. Delays or interruptions (for which either the Guardian or Student is responsible) encroaching into this time will be considered as time provided. Notice of cancelations must be served 24h in advance of any scheduled lesson.
3.2 If no notice to cancel/discontinue lessons has been served as above and the Student fails to attend an arranged lesson according to the Schedule provided by the Teacher (or as subsequently confirmed by email between the Teacher and Guardian), fees for that lesson remain payable and no refund of any fees paid in advance will be given.
3.3 Should a lesson be missed by the Teacher for whatever reason, the Teacher will either provide a replacement lesson at an agreed time or issue a credit note.
3.4 Extra lessons may be scheduled at any other time by mutual agreement and at a cost agreed between the Guardian and Teacher.
3.5 The Guardian and Student undertake not to make unlawful photocopies of music.
3.6 Examination entries, festivals, competitions or similar activities or events, will only be entered if the Guardian (in consultation with the Student) and Teacher agree. Any entry fees will be paid for by the Guardian. (See note 1 below)
3.7 The Guardian is responsible for informing the Teacher of any medical, health, or other such condition(s) which may affect the learning experience and interaction.
3.8 The Guardian and Teacher agree to comply with all applicable laws, statutes, regulations including in relation to confidentiality, privacy, and GDPR.
3.9 Neither party shall be liable to the other party for any breach by the other of any of the terms and conditions herein occasioned by pandemic, any act of God, war, revolution, riot, civil disturbance, strike, lock-out, flood, fire or other cause not reasonably within the control of such party.
4. Space and Equipment
4.1 The Teacher is not responsible for the loan of any equipment (e.g., instruments, computers, etc.) or materials (e.g., sheet music) unless agreed in advance.
4.2 Materials supplied electronically by the Teacher remain the Intellectual Property of the Teacher.
4.3 The Teacher is not liable for any technical faults, failures or damages of equipment used at the Guardian’s/Student’s premises or elsewhere for the purposes of receiving teaching and will not be required to make up any lost teaching time caused by such faults, failures or damages.
4.4 The Guardian is responsible for the insurance of the Student’s instrument and all equipment used by the Student.
Note 1: It is important to note that whilst a Teacher will use his or her best endeavours to ensure the Student makes satisfactory progress, this cannot be guaranteed. Careful regular practice as advised by the Teacher is a prerequisite of success on any musical instrument or in any musical endeavour.5. Safeguarding
5.1 Lessons must not be recorded by either party unless there is a prior agreement for this. If recordings are made, they must not be shared with third parties or uploaded to social media (this includes videos and photographs).
5.2 All communications regarding missed or cancelled lessons must be between the Guardian and Teacher. Under no circumstances should the Student contact the Teacher directly or vice versa.
5.3 For the purposes of confidentiality and privacy, all communications between the Guardian and Teacher should be via email. Communication by telephone should only take place where necessary due to urgency, e.g., unavoidable last-minute cancellations.
5.4 Any defamatory, offensive or illegal material aired online and/or via social media by the Student or Guardian, or inappropriate behaviour by the Student or Guardian, will result in the immediate termination of lessons. What constitutes such behaviour will be determined in the reasonable opinion of the Teacher. In this instance, the Teacher reserves the right to withdraw entirely from this Agreement with immediate effect. Fees paid will not be refunded.
5.5 The Guardian may, if they wish, be present during the lesson if agreement is given by the Teacher.
5.6 The Teacher agrees to comply with the MU’s safeguarding advice in relation to instrumental music teaching. Information is available on the MU’s website.
5.7 The Teacher has a current DBS or Disclosure Scotland certificate.