Teaching Contract

To ensure you get the most out of your lessons I’ve put together this working contract, using the basic template for teachers from the Independent Society of Musicians, of which I am a member.

I do not require a contract to be signed, but by agreeing to lessons with me I expect these general rules to be followed, and in turn I agree to adhere to these rules too.

Feel free to email me with any questions you may have.

1. Lessons

The Teacher will give tuition in a Series of lessons consisting of the number of lessons specified in advance with agreed dates. Series will not necessarily coincide with school terms. The Teacher will give the lessons at the time and date stated, from my home studio, and the Teacher will reserve this time slot for the Pupil. Pre booked lessons in a series will have preference of after school time slots.

Lessons paid for on a PAYG basis for adults (45min/1 hour long) will not necessarily have the same time slot week to week, and require an advanced 48hr cancellation time or they will still be charged.

2. Payment of fees

The Pupil (or the Pupil’s parent or carer) will pay the fees for each Series in full on or before the first lesson of the Series.

3. Lesson timetable

Before the first lesson of each Series, the Teacher will give the Pupil (or the Pupil’s parent or carer) written confirmation of (i) the dates and times of all lessons in that Series (ii) the start date of the following Series. Holiday breaks (as specified by the Teacher) may occur partway through a Series. Lessons will take place on public holidays only by prior agreement between the Teacher and the Pupil (or the Pupil’s parent or carer).

4. Missed lessons

The Teacher will charge for any scheduled lessons which the Pupil does not attend, unless the Teacher chooses not to do so because of exceptional circumstances.

Whilst some exception may be given for last minute illness, this would be for perhaps 2 lessons in any 12 month term. Otherwise, lessons will still be charged.

If the Teacher cancels a scheduled lesson, the Pupil (or the Pupil’s parent or carer) may choose between (i) carrying the lesson forward; (ii) receiving a replacement lesson; or (iii) receiving a refund of the lesson fee.

5. Examinations, competitions and public performances

The Pupil will not be entered for any examination, competition or public performance without the prior consent of both the Teacher and the Pupil (and the Pupil’s parent or carer, where appropriate).

6. Termination of tuition

  1. This Agreement may be ended by mutual consent at any time by either Teacher or pupill/guardian by email if notice is given, of one month.

  2. Where fees are not paid on time, the Teacher reserves the right, entirely at the Teacher’s discretion, to terminate this Agreement with immediate effect by giving written notice/email of termination to the Pupil or Pupil’s parent or carer. This right to terminate is without prejudice to any other rights the Teacher may have.

  3. Either party to this Agreement may terminate the Agreement by giving notice in writing/email to the other signatory at least one month before the end of a Series for the termination to take effect at the end of that Series. Such termination will take effect at the end of a Series only and not at any other time. If the Teacher gives notice to terminate tuition at the end of a Series in accordance with this Condition 6(c) the Teacher will continue to provide lessons until the end of that Series.

7. Conduct

If the Teacher, in his or her reasonable opinion, feels unable to continue tuition on account of unreasonable conduct by the Pupil or anyone connected with the Pupil, the fees for any outstanding lessons will not be refundable.

8. Changes

  1. Any changes to the terms of this Agreement will be emailed by the Teacher to the Pupil (or the Pupil’s parent or carer).

  2. If the Teacher chooses to waive any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise (for example, if the Teacher chooses to waive fees for any lessons which the Pupil does not attend) this shall not mean that he or she must do so in future or that he or she waives any other rights or remedies, unless agreed in writing.

9. Communication between the parties

For the purposes of this Agreement written notice must be given on paper or by email.

10. Governing law and jurisdiction

This Agreement shall be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction of the location for the lessons (United Kingdom) and the parties to this Agreement agree that any dispute relating to the subject matter of this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that jurisdiction.