Tuition and Policies
Tuition covers more than my time with the student in the lesson. Your tuition payment is an
investment in quality music instruction, a guaranteed place at my Piano School and my preparatory
planning outside the lesson. This planning includes searching for repertoire, organising recitals,
designing group lessons, researching and remaining current with the latest technology, writing
student targets and reports, attending conferences and practicing. I pride myself on teaching with
honesty, commitment, integrity, professionalism and passion.
Tuition Options
Note:
these rates are approximate. Expect an annual increase
in tuition.
One to One Lessons
- Weekly 60 minutes - £142.00* per month
- Fortnightly 60 minutes - £77.00* per month
*Fees are calculated on a £45.00 hourly rate.
Students who opt for Weekly lessons receive 38 one to one lessons in a year.
Students who opt for Fortnightly lessons receive 19 one to one lessons in a year.
Performance Classes
available only to students signed up for one to one lessons
The fees given above include access to 3 Performance Classes over the
course of the academic year. All Performance Classes are held on Mondays only, with the exact dates
and times given on the Lesson Dates page of this website.
Tuition Terms and Conditions
-
Lesson Payments: Fees are payable by Standing Order only. All lessons in a year are
paid for in 12 equal instalments from September to August. You will be required to set up
the Standing Order before lessons commence.
-
Lesson Dates: All lesson dates, including group classes, for each academic year are
given on the Lesson Dates page of this website. It is expected
that the student will attend all scheduled lessons in each term.
-
Missed Lessons: Because specific times are set aside for specific students, a student
who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. I will then use
that time to plan for the student’s progress, locate materials etc. Students who are signed
up for in-person tuition can request that their scheduled lesson be taken as an online
lesson
on the same day and time it is scheduled if needs be. A minimum of 12 hours notice is
required for this.
Please be assured that
your tuition pays for far more than the time spent with each student. There are no refunds,
discounts or make ups given unless I am unable to teach the agreed number of lessons. To
help accommodate an occasional unavoidable change in student’s schedules you can also choose
to
be part of the email Swap List. (Please let me know if you do not want to be included in the
list.) If a student uses the Swap List and creates a swap I must be informed in advance. The
easiest way to keep me informed is to cc me on the final email between the two
parents/students confirming that a switch is happening.
-
Flex Weeks: All weekly students are scheduled for 4 additional lessons each year, and
fortnightly students are scheduled for 2 additional lessons on top of the ones they are charged
for. So each weekly student is scheduled for 42 lessons each year and is only charged for 38 of
those, and fortnightly students are scheduled 21 lessons each year and are only charged for 19
of those lessons. This allows me the flexibility to take up to four
sick/personal days, or Flex days in each academic year without affecting my income.
If
I do not need
to take any sick/personal days off I will then take the Flex days as a
holiday towards the end of the year and all students will be given advance notice of this.
-
Illness: Students who are ill can request an online lesson on the same day and time
as their usual in person lesson if they are up to it. I require a minimum of 6 hours notice
for this. Lessons missed due to me being ill will be deducted from my Flex week total. If all of the
Flex days have been used up and I need a further sick/personal day I will offer a make-up
lesson or deduct the lesson fee from the remaining payments.
-
Commitment: I make every effort to improve the knowledge and ability of my students,
but a student cannot be expected to improve unless he/she fully co-operates with me and in
particular adheres to the practice sessions as advised by me.
Practising the piano for 30 minutes each day will ensure good progress.
It is expected that the students will attend all scheduled lessons in each term.
-
Piano Maintenance: Students must have either an acoustic piano (regularly tuned) or
an 88 key, key weighted, touch sensitive, electric piano in good order at home to practise
on. Smaller keyboards are not acceptable.
-
Book Fees: I am able to supply all music books as required, having a good link with a
local music shop and can receive your payment for those later. Likewise when exams are
booked.
-
Photos and Video Release: From time to time I may use photos, sound clips and short
videos of my students either on my website or my Instagram or Facebook page.
If you do not want your image to
be used please let me know. The students are only identified by first name.
-
Dismissals and Termination: One month’s notice is required to discontinue lessons and
must be put in writing. At that time, I will pro-rata the tuition for your final month to
reflect the number of lessons that you have received based on the last lesson date. You will
be required to pay this balance within 30 days. Regrettably, I will have to dismiss a
student if any of these circumstances occur:
- Failure to pay tuition on time
- Persistent absences
- Uncooperative attitude
- Failure to follow practice as instructed
- Lack of progress due to insufficient practice
You will be asked to sign an agreement, which will include a month’s notice of permanent
cancellation.
- Safety Policy: All students are required to read the Piano School Safety
Policy and agree to abide by its
conditions.
