Tuition and Policies

Tuition Options

Registration Fee

Each student pays an annual Registration Fee of £30.00 in the summer term. Once paid this secures the students slot for the following school year.

Tuition Terms and Conditions

1. 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.
2. Registration Fee: An annual Registration Fee of £30.00 is payable in the summer term to secure the student's slot for the following year, and also when a new student begins lessons.
3. Technology Fee: A Technology fee of £10.00 is payable once each year in the summer term, and also when a new student begins lessons.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Flex Weeks: All weekly students are scheduled for 2 additional lessons each year, and fortnightly students are scheduled for 1 additional lesson on top of the ones they are charged for. So each weekly student is scheduled for 40 lessons each year and is only charged for 38 of those, and fortnightly students are scheduled 20 lessons each year and are only charged for 19 of those lessons. This allows me the flexibility to take up to two 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.
7. 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 both 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.
8. 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. Parental support is invaluable here and I ask that all parents regularly hear their child’s assigned pieces and signs their Practice Record book every week. Practising the piano daily for 10 minutes for 5-6 year olds, 20 minutes for 7-9 year olds and 30 minutes for an older child or adult will ensure good progress. It is expected that the students will attend all scheduled lessons in each term.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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. Students love to see their pictures and videos and find this motivating and exciting to think that their fellow students want to know what they are learning. If you do not want your/your child’s image to be used please let me know. The students are only identified by first name.
12. 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.
13. Safety Policy: All students are required to read the Piano School Safety Policy and agree to abide by its conditions.