Terms and Conditions
Lessons Delivery
Our tutors deliver 30 lessons per year. Lessons are spread over the academic year, meaning that there will not necessarily be a lesson every week. You may also find that more lessons are given in the Autumn and Spring than in the Summer (to try and accommodate Bank holidays, school trips and secondary school visits!). Lesson dates are published via our administration system, SpeedAdmin. You will receive Login details once lessons have been scheduled.
Lesson Times
It is advisable that pupils arrive punctually or a few minutes early, in order to maximise lesson time. MfSF will endeavour to accommodate parental requests. However, this is dependent on tutor / school availability.
Lesson Groupings
Typically, groups of 4 and 5 children are taught for 30 minutes, 3 pupils for 25 minutes, and 2 pupils for 20 minutes. The tutor may alter a pupil's grouping, dependent upon age and ability, particularly if they feel a pupil may benefit from alternative grouping arrangements.
What Happens If...?
The pupil is ill or away on holiday.
The Foundation is under no obligation to replace this lesson.
The pupil forgets their instrument or lesson
The Foundation is under no obligation to replace this lesson.
The pupil has a long-term absence, e.g. broken limb, illness (3 consecutive weeks or more)
Parents should contact Head Office at the earliest opportunity, and we will make arrangements to amend your next invoice.
The pupil’s instrument is broken or away for swap or repair
The pupil should go to the lesson as normal, and a Theory lesson will be given when appropriate. If for any reason a Theory lesson cannot be given, the lesson will be replaced at a later date.
The MfSF tutor is absent
The lesson will be made up during the current or following terms.
School Trip/Inset Day
If we are given more than 2 days notice, the tutor will endeavour to make up the lesson as above, or a double length lesson will be given.
A lesson is scheduled on a bank holiday
The tutor will take this lesson on a separate occasion.
Circumstances Beyond our Control
We will endeavour to reschedule the lesson.
Pupil Progress
Detailed Progress Reports can be issued upon request.
Examinations
There are opportunities for pupils to take Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations. The MfSF tutor will advise when your child is ready to be entered.
Music and Accessories
Parents will be requested to purchase additional music required for lessons and examinations, and accessories such as reeds, valve oil, cork grease, etc, when they are needed.
Lesson Costs
Current charges for 3 lessons are:
£25.50
If you have ordered an instrument (except recorder) via one of the Normans packages, you will receive your first 3 lessons free of charge. If you have provided your own instrument, lessons cost £25.50 per month and payment is only taken once lessons are scheduled.
How do I pay?
Payments will be taken where possible via Direct Debit through our provider GoCardless.
Lessons will be withdrawn if payment fails, and we are under no obligation to replace lessons missed due to non-payment.
We have some funding for reduced price lessons if your child is eligible for Pupil Premium funding. Please contact us for further information. We reserve the right to charge the full price for lessons if we do not receive adequate documentation in support of an application for reduced price lessons.
Instrument Repairs
If you have obtained your instrument through Normans Ltd, and a problem arises, your instrument may be repaired by your child's tutor.
If they are unable to make the repair and the instrument is within the specified guarantee period of the rental or purchase, you should contact Normans via email using the address support@normans.co.uk. Normans will advise of the arrangements for the collection, repair and return of your child’s instrument.
Please do not take the instrument to be repaired by a non-affiliated Normans repairer, as Normans would be unable to reimburse repair fees.
Pupils attending lessons with their own instruments must make sure that their instrument is in good working order. Should a minor fault occur, the MfSF tutor will attempt to repair the instrument in order to ensure the pupil can participate in the lesson.
If you do not wish the tutor to make repairs to your child's instrument, please advise MfSF Head Office in writing, at the address above, before tuition commences. If the tutor is unable to repair the instrument, please make arrangements to repair the instrument prior to the next lesson.
We regret to advise that tuition refunds are not available if the pupil's instrument is away for repair. The pupil should attend the lesson as usual, but without their instrument and a theory lesson will be delivered.
Ending Lessons
Whilst we hope that all pupils enjoy their lessons, we do understand than in some instances it may be necessary to cancel your lessons. If this is the case, please notify Head Office as soon as possible - cancellations CANNOT be taken by your tutor or school. Payments are made on the 1st of the month, so we ask that you let us know you wish to cancel lessons at least two weeks before the next payment is due.
If you have purchased your instrument outright from Normans, you can return it to them for a 75% refund within 6 months of your lessons starting (calculated from the date of your first lesson). If you wish to cancel a Rental agreement with Normans, this can be done provided at least 3 payments have been made.
Normans Ltd provide our parents with excellent instruments and service, however your instrument agreement is separate to your tuition and Normans do not accept any liability in the event of changes to your lesson provision.
Recorder Lessons
Recorder Lessons are offered under the same terms and conditions as our standard lessons, with the exception that unfortunately we cannot offer initial lessons free of charge.
