Summary of Terms and Conditions
Instrumental tuition
Tuition can be arranged for the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, French Horn, Oboe, Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Piano, Singing (both classical and musical theatre), Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Drums & Music Theory.
N.B. All students having music lessons at school should participate in at least one co-curricular group
Instrumental music lessons & loan/hire of an instrument
Extra-curricular music lessons are available at the additional cost of £240.00 per term. Theory lessons are available at the additional cost of £240.00 per term for individual tuition or £120.00 per term for shared lessons. Payments are made direct to the peripatetic music teacher concerned. One full term’s written notice is required to terminate lessons. Subject to availability a range of school instruments are available for hire, free for the student’s first term then £40.00 per term thereafter.
Number of lessons per term/year
- A total of 30 lessons of 30 minutes are given in a school year.
- The number of lessons given each term will vary according to the availability of the teacher and/or the different lengths of the three school terms.
Timing of lessons
- In First to Fourth Year, lessons are given during school lesson time on a rota timetable, and care is taken to ensure that students do not miss the same academic lesson each week.
- From the Fifth Year upwards, teachers will try to ensure that lessons are given during break/lunchtime/before or after school or during free periods to avoid disruption of academic lessons.
Fees
- Fees are payable directly to the music teacher, and you will be invoiced directly by them. Fees are then payable via bank transfer.
- Fees will be reviewed before the beginning of each school year.
- Fees for exams and exam accompaniment will be charged separately.
- Sheet music must be purchased by the student, as suggested by the teacher.
Notice
- At least ONE FULL TERM’S WRITTEN NOTICE must be given to the teacher and the Director of Music if you intend to terminate lessons. If notice is not received, you will be charged for the following term.
- If a change or termination of lessons is desired in the first term of tuition ONLY, notice must be received by both the teacher and the Director of Music before the start of the half-term holiday of that term, and lessons can then be changed or terminated at the end of that term.
Missed lessons/extra lessons
- Lessons missed by a student will be charged for unless there are exceptional circumstances.
- A lesson may be cancelled by the teacher at any time, but the teacher will then carry the lesson forward.
- Extra lessons may be given at the teacher’s discretion, by prior arrangement.
Instruments
- Instruments are loaned for one term and then hired for a further two terms. After that, a student will be expected to possess his or her own instrument. Liability for the instrument’s insurance during the period of loan and hire remains with the parent/guardian.
- Specialist insurers include: Musicians Insurance Services (01629 760101) www.musiciansinsurance.co.uk and Allianz 0344 3914051) www.allianz.co.uk
Contracts and disputes
The contract for lessons is between the visiting music teacher and the parent or guardian. The school cannot intervene in the event of a dispute between the teacher and the parent.
Guidance notes for parents
These notes describe the terms under which music tuition is agreed between the visiting music teacher and the parent. They also contain the conditions under which the School makes instruments available for hire.
The agreement for music tuition constitutes a contract between the visiting music teacher and the parent, and the School cannot intervene in the event of a dispute between the teacher and parent.
Thirty lessons will be given by the teacher during the school year. The differing length of the three terms does mean, though, that the number of lessons each term may vary. Lessons missed by the teacher will be made up. A student should give 48 hours’ notice of any absence which will be caused by attending a school activity such as a field trip, visit etc. The teacher will attempt to make up such lessons if possible but is not obliged to do so. Lessons for students in the First to Fourth Years are arranged during the academic teaching periods on a rota system.
A parent wishing their child to begin instrumental lessons should obtain the appropriate form from the Music Department. Termination of lessons, a change of music teacher or any other alteration to tuition arrangements requires a full term’s notice in writing to the visiting music teacher and to the Director of Music. If notice is not given, then the fees for another term of lessons will be charged. (Notice of termination/alteration received within seven days after the start of a term satisfies this condition, and lessons finish/change at the end of that term.) In an exceptional circumstance where a transfer from one teacher to another is desired, again, a full term’s written notice is required.
In the case of a student starting lessons with a new teacher, notice may be given before the half-term holiday of the term that lessons began, and lessons can then be changed or terminated at the end of that term. Visiting instrumental music teachers are self-employed and may decline to continue teaching a particular student.
For reasons of professional etiquette, a student may not be taught an instrument by a teacher in school if he/she is being taught on that instrument out of school by another teacher.
A student shall be entered for a music examination by the teacher only when, in the teacher’s judgement, they are prepared. Students who are taught outside school but wish to take an examination inside school must inform the Administrative Assistant of the Music Department. All candidates to be entered for an exam must note that the deadline for entry is at least two months prior to the examination date. Full details of exam dates and deadlines can be found on the Music Department noticeboard.
Reports will be written once a year on the progress of all students receiving instrumental and singing tuition. Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher directly to sort out any minor problems or difficulties.
Students have the opportunity to hire musical instruments (subject to availability) belonging to the School for the first year of their tuition, although they are normally expected to acquire their own instruments after that time, in order that the instruments become available for other beginners. No charge is made during the first term of hire. Parents are responsible for ensuring that hired instruments are looked after with every reasonable care, and for insuring them against loss or accidental damage when taken off the School’s premises. Parents are also responsible for the first £250.00 of any loss or damage to a musical instrument belonging to the School. The Director of Music should be informed at once, in writing, if loss or damage occurs. Hired instruments should not be taken out of the country without the prior written permission of the Director of Music.
Specialist insurers include:
Musicians Insurance Services (01629 760101) www.musiciansinsurance.co.uk
Allianz (03443 914051) www.allianz.co.uk
Privately owned instruments, which must be clearly labelled with the owner’s name, are not covered by the School’s insurance policy, and any such instrument brought to the school site is done so at the owner’s risk. Insurance cover to the full replacement value is strongly recommended.
