1. Data Protection

1.1 Your personal details will be held in the strictest confidence in accordance with the data Protection Act 1998 and will be accessible only by B Sharp Studios.

2. Services

2.1 Every potential client is eligible for a free 20 min consultation lesson with a teacher of B Sharp Studios. The Studio can accommodate a single student to try a maximum of two various instruments for free, however, any excessive trial lessons will have to be paid for according to the rates of the Studio.

2.2 In the case of a successful trial lesson, we require the student to commit to a monthly course with a minimum of a weekly 30 minute lesson. Please note that the place is not secured until the first payment has been made.

2.2.1 Once the first payment is made, the Studio assigns a permanent weekly slot(s) for any lesson(s) required by a client. This is agreed according to clients availability and free slots available for a particular instrument. The time slot allocated should be mutually convenient, the Studio, however, cannot guarantee that all the customer’s request will be fully accommodated.

2.3 Lessons will be 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 1 hour as stated upon booking. Please arrive promptly for your lesson, whether in person or online. Late arrival will mean you will not get your full lesson time due to client changeover.

2.4 The Studio operates within the school academic year. The Studio may provide tuition during half-terms and holidays, this however, cannot be guaranteed and will need to be discussed with the Directors should extended tuition be needed.

2.5 Regular lesson times may be changed subject to the agreement of both parties

2.5.1 If the client requests a change in lesson day or time, and the Tutor cannot accommodate then no fees can be refunded. An alternative Tutor may be offered if they are available at the requested time.

2.5.2 If the Tutor requests a change of lesson day or time and the client cannot arrange this, then an alternative Tutor will be arranged.

2.6 All Tutors are DBS checked and the relevant certificates can be requested upon request.

2.7 Any exams, festivals, competitions or concerts should not be attended without the Tutors knowledge as it is the Tutor’s role to assess clients level and prepare the client accordingly.

2.8 Tutors are not responsible for any extra work to be done outside the lesson time. The only exception to this is communication with clients/parents/guardians if for any reason an urgent matter arrives in between the lessons and cannot be discussed during the lesson time.

2.9 The Studio and its Tutors are not responsible for providing any teaching materials. The materials should be always purchased by client/parent/guardian according to the Tutors suggestion.

3. Liability

3.1 Whilst B Sharp Studios and their Tutors strive to do their best for each client, there is no guarantee of improvement for a clients instrumental ability.

3.2 The client, or parent/guardian in the case of a child under the age of 18, must disclose any medical issues or diagnosis to the Studio before enrolment or as soon as diagnosis takes place.

3.3 By participating in lessons provided by the Studio, the client or parent/guardian in the case of a child under the age of 18, agrees to take all responsibility for their health. B Sharp Studios will not be liable to the client, for any pain, injury or vocal damage brought upon from exercises and instrumental training.

3.4 B Sharp Studios is not qualified to give medical advice, however if a medical situation is suspected the Studio will alert the client/parent/guardian in the case of a child under the age of 18, so that they may seek the appropriate help and advice.

3.5 The Studio does not accept liability for the loss or damage of a client’s instrument or personal possessions. Appropriate insurance for these items should be arranged by the client/parent/guardian.

3.6 When using studio equipment and instruments, the clients/parents/guardians will take reasonable care to keep the equipment in full working order and in good condition at all times. In the case of damage by any family member or student, any repairs that the Studio deems necessary to restore the Instrument to good working condition will be charged to the Customer. If instrument or equipment is beyond repair, a replacement fee will be charged.

4. Tuition

4.1 The Studio requires all clients/parents/guardians to conduct themselves accordingly and appropriately with respect to the Tutor and peer learners at all times during a lesson and when in the premises. In a situation where this is not the case, the Tutor may cease the lesson immediately. The Tutor will discuss the inappropriate behaviour with the client/parent/guardian. If it, however,continues, the tuition may be suspended and no refund will be given.

4.2 The Studio welcomes all sorts of feedback and makes every effort to meet the individual needs of each student. However, the Tutor may refuse undertaking any actions requested by the client/parent/guardian if in their professional opinion the student will not benefit from them. This applies to the repertoire choice, exam/competition/concert entries, teaching methods and all professional tuition-related matters.

4.3 The Studio puts a strong emphasis on establishing a professional and appropriate atmosphere between Tutor and client, that encourages honesty and open dialogue at all times. The Studio recommends that all concerns be raised immediately. If for any reason a client/parent/guardian feels uncomfortable with any teaching technique employed by the Tutor, they should discuss this with the tutor/director immediately.

4.4 The first point of contact for all teaching related issues is your instrumental Tutor and all other related issues is the Artistic Director.

5. Safeguarding

5.1 The Studio is unable to provide any form of supervision before or after the lesson. For this reason, a child under the age of 18 must remain in the care of accompanying adults before and after lessons. Parents/carers are requested to arrive a few minutes before the lesson has finished. This ensures a smooth and safe transition between lessons for all clients.

5.2 A child under the age of 18 will only be allowed to leave the premises with the parent/guardian with whom he or she arrived with. In the case of an alternative pick up arrangement, the Tutor and Director will need to be informed.

5.3 Parents/guardians should not enter a clients lesson without prior permission as this can be disruptive for both Tutor and client.

5.3.1 No parents/guardians will be permitted to attend group lessons or workshops. We ask that the parent/guardian is punctual in drop off and pick up, so that classes are able to run smoothly.

5.3.2 Only one parent/guardian will be able to accompany a student to their private instrumental lesson. To avoid distraction and disruption in learning, siblings are not permitted to be present during the class.

5.4 All clients/parents/guardians will be provided with a media release form. It is not compulsory. If this is not signed the clients image will not be used for media publications.

6. Cancellations and Refunds

6.1 There is a 48 hour cancellation policy on all 1:1 lessons. Lessons that are cancelled within this time frame will not be rescheduled or refunded.

6.2 Lessons are non refundable. Any 1:1 lessons cancelled by the client with more than 48 hours notice will be able to reschedule the lesson. If a tutor is unable to attend a lesson a cover teacher will be provided. If a cover teacher is unable to be organised, the lesson will be rescheduled.

6.3 All group lessons are non refundable regardless of cancellation notice. Lessons cannot be rescheduled, unless in the case of tutors absence.

6.4 In exceptional circumstances such as illness or unavailability due to bereavement or other commitments, actual or potential conflict of interest, or other reasons, the Studio can terminate the lessons to the client early or refuse to provide further lessons to the client. In such circumstances, the client will be given reasonable notice of termination and will be refunded for any advanced payments for lessons not yet provided.

7. Payments

7.1 Payments are organised in monthly instalments. Payments are accepted by bank transfer. Payments by cash are not accepted.

7.2 Payments for consecutive months must be made on time with regards to the invoice, otherwise tuition may be suspended.

7.3 The Studio requires an additional monthly payment of cancellation notice in case the tuition is about to be terminated. Please note that the Studio requires a full payment to be made for this monthly period of time which starts once the notice has been given.

7.4 In case of financial difficulty then please contact the Director to discuss alternative payment arrangements. All information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.