Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions for Piano Tuition

Woking Piano School

Last updated: 4th January 2026

1. Lessons

1.1 Piano lessons are provided on a weekly basis during school term time and take place at the teacher's home, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

1.2 Lesson length, day, and time are agreed in advance between the teacher and the pupil (or parent/carer).

1.3 Lessons usually follow the term dates of local schools. Lessons during school holidays may be available by prior arrangement with the teacher.

2. Fees and Payment

2.1 Lessons are invoiced in half-termly blocks (usually between 5 and 7 weeks), aligned with local school term dates.

2.2 Invoices are issued in advance and must be paid in full before lessons commence. The teacher reserves the right to suspend lessons if payment is not received.

2.3 Fees for lessons that have been delivered are non-refundable. Fees paid in advance for lessons not yet delivered will be refunded where:

(a) the teacher permanently ceases teaching or is unable to continue for an extended period (see Section 5); or

(b) the teacher terminates the teaching relationship.

2.4 Fees are not refundable for lessons missed by the pupil (see Section 4).

2.5 Fees may be reviewed annually. Any fee increase will be communicated at least one half-term before taking effect.

3. Notice Period

3.1 A minimum of four weeks' notice is required to discontinue lessons. "Four weeks' notice" means four lessons from the time notice was given, regardless of holidays. For example, if a pupil gives notice with one lesson remaining in the half term block, there will be three lessons due the following block.

3.2 Notice must be given in writing to the email address from which invoices are sent.

3.3 Where insufficient notice is given, lesson fees for the balance of the four-week notice period remain payable in lieu of notice.

3.4 If notice is given and the teacher is able to fill the time slot before the end of the notice period, the teacher may fill the slot, and waive the remaining notice fees at their discretion.

4. Missed Lessons and Cancellations by the Pupil

4.1 Lessons missed by the pupil for any reason (including illness, holidays, school events, or other commitments) are not refundable and do not carry over to future invoicing periods.

4.2 Make-up lessons for missed sessions within a prepaid block may be offered solely at the discretion of the teacher and subject to availability. There is no guarantee that missed lessons can be rescheduled.

4.3 If a pupil fails to attend three or more consecutive scheduled lessons without notice or reasonable explanation, the teacher may treat this as notice of discontinuation and may offer the time slot to another pupil. Any prepaid fees for undelivered lessons in such circumstances will not be refunded.

5. Cancellations by the Teacher

5.1 If the teacher is unable to provide a lesson due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, a make-up lesson will be offered where possible, or the lesson will be credited to a future invoice.

5.2 If the teacher is unable to provide lessons for a continuous period exceeding three weeks, the pupil (or parent/carer) may elect to receive a pro-rata refund for lessons not delivered rather than credit toward future lessons.

5.3 If the teacher permanently ceases teaching, any prepaid fees for undelivered lessons will be refunded within 14 days.

6. Punctuality

6.1 Lessons begin and end at the scheduled time. Late arrival by the pupil will not result in an extension of the lesson.

6.2 If a pupil arrives more than 15 minutes late without prior notice, the teacher may treat the lesson as a missed lesson under Section 4.

7. Practice and Progress

7.1 Regular practice between lessons is essential for progress.

7.2 The teacher cannot guarantee specific outcomes or be held responsible for lack of progress where insufficient practice has taken place or where the pupil does not engage with the learning process.

8. Children and Supervision

8.1 Parents or carers are responsible for ensuring that children arrive on time for their lessons and are collected promptly afterwards.

8.2 The teacher is not responsible for the supervision of pupils outside their scheduled lesson time. The teacher's duty of care applies only during the lesson itself.

9. Instruments and Property

9.1 Pupils are expected to treat the teacher's instruments, equipment, and property with reasonable care.

9.2 The parent, carer, or adult pupil may be liable for the reasonable cost of repair or replacement of any damage caused by the pupil's negligence or misuse.

10. Online Lessons

10.1 Where lessons are delivered online by prior arrangement, the same terms and conditions regarding fees, cancellations, and notice periods apply.

10.2 For online lessons, the pupil (or parent/carer) is responsible for ensuring access to a reliable internet connection and suitable device with camera and microphone.

10.3 Technical difficulties on the pupil's side that prevent a lesson from taking place will be treated as a missed lesson under Section 4.

10.4 If there is a pandemic, or a similar reason in-person lessons cannot happen, lessons will switch to an online setting. The teacher will advise on the best set-up. This will not affect the rest of the agreement.

11. Safeguarding

11.1 The teacher is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils. The teacher holds a current enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

11.2 Any safeguarding concerns should be raised with the teacher immediately.

12. Data Protection

12.1 The teacher collects and processes personal data (including names, contact details, and lesson records) for the purpose of providing piano tuition and managing the teaching relationship.

12.2 Personal data is held securely and is not shared with third parties except as required by law.

12.3 Financial records are retained for 6 years following the end of the teaching relationship, as required for tax purposes. Other personal data is deleted when no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, unless a longer retention period is required by law or for safeguarding purposes.

12.4 Pupils (or parents/carers on behalf of children) have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of their personal data, subject to the teacher's legal obligations. Requests should be made in writing to the email address from which invoices are sent.

13. Termination

13.1 Either party may terminate the teaching relationship by providing notice in accordance with Section 3.

13.2 The teacher may terminate the teaching relationship immediately and without refund of prepaid fees where:

(a) the pupil or any accompanying person behaves in a manner that is abusive, threatening, or otherwise unacceptable;

(b) the pupil repeatedly fails to attend lessons without notice (see Section 4.3); or

14. Limitation of Liability

14.1 The teacher's liability to the pupil (or parent/carer) in connection with these terms shall not exceed the total fees paid in the 12 months preceding any claim.

14.2 Nothing in these terms excludes or limits the teacher's liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law.

15. Changes to Terms and Conditions

15.1 The teacher may make changes to these terms where reasonably necessary (for example, to reflect changes in how the teaching practice operates, or changes in law).

15.2 Changes will be communicated at least four weeks before taking effect. Significant changes to fees will be communicated at least one half-term in advance.

15.3 If a pupil (or parent/carer) does not wish to continue under the amended terms, they may give notice to discontinue in accordance with Section 3.

16. Complaints

16.1 Any concerns about lessons or these terms should be raised directly with the teacher in the first instance. The teacher will endeavour to resolve any complaint promptly and fairly.

17. General

17.1 These terms and conditions, together with any written agreement regarding lesson arrangements, constitute the entire agreement between the teacher and the pupil (or parent/carer) regarding piano tuition.

17.2 If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

17.3 The teacher's failure to enforce any provision of these terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

17.4 These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales shall have jurisdiction over any dispute arising from them.

18. Acceptance of Terms

18.1 By booking lessons, parents/carers or adult pupils confirm that they have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.

Contact:

For all communications regarding these terms, lessons, or to provide notice of discontinuation, please email the teacher at the address from which invoices are sent.

These terms and conditions are designed to be fair to both parties and comply with consumer protection legislation. If you have any questions about these terms, please ask before booking lessons.