Lesson
Terms.

About these terms

These terms apply to regular tuition provided by Rebekah Gould, trading as The Music Room by Rebekah. Tuition may include piano, singing, flute, violin, recorder, music theory, GCSE Music, A Level Music, examination preparation, performance preparation or scholarship preparation.

For a learner under 18, the agreement is with their parent or guardian. An adult learner enters into the agreement themselves. Any individual arrangements confirmed in writing form part of the lesson agreement.

Lesson arrangements

Lessons normally take place weekly at the agreed time, either at Rebekah’s home in Market Drayton or online. The agreed lesson time is reserved for that learner.

Current lesson prices are £17 for 20 minutes, £20 for 30 minutes and £40 for 60 minutes. The most suitable lesson length will depend on the learner’s age, area of study and goals.

The annual tuition programme

Regular tuition is arranged as an annual programme of 47 scheduled weekly lessons. Rebekah takes five planned non-teaching weeks during the tuition year. These will generally cover the Christmas period, one week at Easter, one week during the summer and one further school half-term week.

Exact non-teaching dates will be shared in advance. No lesson is included or charged for during those five weeks; they are already excluded from the annual total.

Learners joining partway through a tuition year will receive their remaining lesson dates and payment arrangement in writing.

Monthly payments

The total fee for the 47 scheduled lessons is divided into 12 broadly equal monthly instalments, payable on the first day of each month. A small adjustment may be made to the final instalment where needed to ensure the total paid matches the lessons provided.

The monthly amount does not represent the number of lessons falling within that particular calendar month. Some months contain more teaching weeks than others. Together, the 12 instalments pay for the complete annual programme and reserve the learner’s regular lesson time throughout the year.

Weekly payment may be agreed in advance where a different arrangement is needed. Payments should be made by the agreed method and any payment difficulty should be discussed as early as possible.

Learner absence and family holidays

If a learner cannot attend, at least 24 hours’ notice should be given. Where sufficient notice is received, Rebekah may offer an alternative time, an online lesson or another suitable arrangement, subject to availability. A replacement lesson cannot be guaranteed.

Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, missed without notice or missed because of a family holiday during a scheduled teaching week remain payable. This is because the time has been reserved and may not reasonably be offered to another learner.

Where there are exceptional circumstances, please speak to Rebekah. Individual situations can be considered fairly.

If Rebekah cancels

If Rebekah cancels a scheduled lesson, she will arrange a replacement wherever reasonably possible. The replacement may be offered on a different day or, by agreement, online.

If the lesson has not been replaced by the end of the relevant tuition year, its value will be credited or refunded. A learner will not lose a paid lesson because Rebekah was unavailable to teach it.

Late arrival

If a learner arrives late, the lesson will still finish at its scheduled time so that the next learner is not delayed. If Rebekah begins late, the full lesson time will be provided or the missed time will be rearranged.

Ending regular lessons

Four weeks’ written notice is required to end regular tuition. Lessons and monthly instalments remain payable throughout the notice period, whether or not the learner chooses to attend.

Rebekah may end tuition by giving reasonable written notice. In serious circumstances, including unsafe, abusive or persistently inappropriate behaviour, tuition may be ended immediately and any lessons paid for but not provided will be refunded where appropriate.

Fee changes

Lesson prices may be reviewed from time to time. At least six weeks’ written notice will be given before a change takes effect. A learner may end tuition during that notice period by providing the usual four weeks’ notice.

Online lessons

For an online lesson, the learner is responsible for having a suitable instrument, device and internet connection ready at the agreed time. If a technical problem on the learner’s side prevents or shortens the lesson, it will normally remain payable. If the problem is on Rebekah’s side, the missed time will be rearranged or credited.

A responsible adult should remain available in the home during an online lesson for a learner under 18.

Practice, progress and examinations

Progress depends on regular attendance, suitable practice and participation between lessons. Rebekah will provide guidance appropriate to the learner’s age, experience and goals, but cannot guarantee a particular rate of progress.

Examinations, auditions, performances and scholarship applications are entered only after discussion. Entry fees, accompanist fees, music and any travel costs are normally separate. Preparation will be thorough, but a particular result, mark, award or scholarship cannot be guaranteed.

Music, instruments and resources

Learners are responsible for obtaining the instrument, books and materials agreed for their study unless another arrangement has been confirmed. Instruments brought to lessons remain the learner’s responsibility.

Resources supplied by Rebekah, including Learning Room activities, are for the learner’s personal educational use. They should not be copied, republished or shared publicly without permission.

Communication, privacy and safeguarding

For learners under 18, lesson arrangements and important communications will be made with the parent or guardian. Appropriate safeguarding boundaries will be maintained in lessons and online. Photographs, audio or video recordings will not be published without appropriate permission. Further information is available in the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Personal information is handled as explained in the Privacy Notice. A parent manages any Learning Room profile created for their child and may remove it at any time.

Illness, safety and events outside our control

Please do not attend an in-person lesson where doing so could place others at unnecessary risk. An online lesson may be offered where practical.

Sometimes lessons may be affected by circumstances outside either person’s reasonable control, such as severe weather, power failure or a major service disruption. Both parties will communicate promptly and try to agree a fair alternative.

Your right to change your mind

If the lesson agreement is made entirely online, by telephone or away from Rebekah’s usual teaching premises, a parent or adult learner may have a legal right to cancel within 14 days. To cancel, contact Rebekah clearly in writing.

If tuition is requested during that 14-day period, payment may still be due for lessons already provided. This section does not affect any statutory consumer rights.

Agreement and questions

Booking and continuing regular tuition confirms acceptance of these terms. Parents and adult learners should read them before lessons begin and keep a copy for reference.

If you have a question, please contact Rebekah at bexgould@icloud.com or on 07538 905606.