PORTOBELLO MUSIC STUDIO

These terms and conditions form the basis of the contract between Portobello Music Studio referred to as ‘teacher’) and students (referred to as ‘you’). Portobello Music Studio reserves the right to amend or update these terms and conditions as needed. In the event of any significant changes, students will be notified in writing (via email or another suitable method).

 

Continued enrollment in lessons after the notification will signify acceptance of the updated policies.

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Tuition Policy for students (under 18) attending schools.

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 Invoices & Payment

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1. You will be invoiced two weeks before the beginning of each term (Autumn, Spring, and Summer terms).

2. You will typically be invoiced two weeks before the beginning of each term. While I strive to ensure invoices are sent promptly, please allow for up to a few days’ variation. Payment of the invoice is due in advance of the lesson in order to secure your lesson slot.o If preferred, you may stagger payments in two instalments, typically alignedwith the half-term break. Please request this in advance.

3. Late payments will incur a late fee of £10 if not received within 5 days of the due date. Failure to make payment on time can result in your lesson slot being re-allocated. Continued non-payment of fees will result in your place being withdrawn.

4. Any additional costs, such as event registration fees, books, etc., will be added to the next invoice, and you will be informed of these costs beforehand.

5. Portobello Music Studio reserves the right to review and increase fees at anytime.

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Scheduling & Attendance

 

1. ​​Weekly attendance is expected for the duration of the term.

2. If you are late for a lesson, you will only be taught for the remaining lesson time.

3. You must bring all assigned materials to each lesson.

4. A parent or responsible adult must attend lessons with children under 11 to supervise and support the child during the lesson. If a parent cannot attend, a designated adult (e.g., a nanny or caregiver) may attend in their place, provided they are responsible for the child during the lesson.Portobello Music Studio is not responsible for accidents or injuries which occur at the studio.

5. For online lessons with children under 11, a parent or responsible adult is expected to be nearby during the lesson (e.g., in the same room or with the door open) to provide support if needed. Where possible, we kindly ask that a parent or guardian be available for a brief 1–2 minute check-in at the end of each lesson. This allows us to share progress and any key points for the week, and greatly supports the child’s learning and motivation.

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Tuition Policy for Students over 18)

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Payment Options

 

​​You can choose from the following payment options for adult students:

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Option 1: Monthly Payments

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1. Invoices will be issued at the beginning of each calendar month.

2. Payment must be made in advance to secure your lesson time for the month.

3. If a lesson is cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, it will be charged in full.

 

​Option 2: Block Payments (10 Lessons)

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1. Block payment for 10 lessons can be arranged at a discounted rate.

2. Payment for the block of lessons must be made in full before lessons begin.

3. If any lessons are missed, they will be forfeited unless rescheduled with prior agreement.

4. Unused lessons will expire after 6 months from the first lesson unless otherwise agreed.

 

1. ​Late payments will incur a late fee of £10 if not received within 5 days of the due date.

2. Any additional costs, such as event registration fees, books, etc., will be added to the next invoice, and you will be informed of these costs beforehand.

3. Portobello Music Studio reserves the right to review and increase fees at any time.

 

Scheduling & Attendance

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Weekly attendance is expected, though you may adjust lesson frequency upon

agreement with the teacher. Lessons can be held in-person or online, and may be rescheduled with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you are late, you will only be taught for the remaining time.

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High-Frequency Bookings (3+ Lessons/Week)

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Pupils attending more than three lessons per week will be offered a flexible package tailored to their schedule. Please note that all booked slots are held exclusively and cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged in full and may not be rescheduled.

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General Policies​

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1. Cancellation Policy

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Student Cancellations

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• If you need to cancel a lesson, a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required. Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged in full and

are not eligible for rescheduling or a refund.

• In the event of a timely cancellation, you are expected to reschedule the missed lesson within the same term /month.

• It is the pupil’s responsibility to contact me to arrange the rescheduled lesson. I am not always able to chase or follow up on missed lessons.

• If no rescheduling is arranged, the lesson will still be charged.

• Make-up lessons are subject to availability and must be taken within the same term/month as the original booking. Missed lessons do not roll over beyond this period unless explicitly agreed in writing.

• I keep certain times / days free to allocate specific times (e.g. Sunday mornings) for make-up lessons.

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Teacher Cancellations

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• In the rare event that I need to cancel a lesson, I will offer to reschedule or provide a credit/refund if rescheduling is not possible.

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2. Communication

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• I kindly ask all families and adult students to read and respond to important messages from me — especially those related to scheduling, payment, or lesson logistics — within a reasonable time. A quick acknowledgement (e.g. a thumbs-up or short reply) is often all that’s needed to help keep everything running smoothly.

• If you need to get in touch with me — for example, if you're stuck with a piece, have a question, or need to let me know something urgent — I’m happy to receive occasional messages and do my best to reply. Please just be mindful of my teaching hours and personal time, and know that while I may not be able to respond immediately, I will get back to you as soon as I can.

• All scheduling or billing queries should be made by email. I aim to reply within 48 hours during term time.

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3. Discontinuing Lessons

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• Notice of cancellation for adult students must be provided at least 3 weeks before the end of a term or one month in advance for monthly lessons.

• Cancellations must be in writing (email). Failure to provide written notice may result in continued charges.

• Late cancellation notice will incur a fee of 50% of the termly fees.3. Home support and practice

• Consistent practice between lessons is essential for musical progress and enjoyment. While I tailor expectations to each student’s age, goals, and personality, regular home engagement makes a big difference to learning.

• For younger pupils (typically under 11), I ask that a parent or caregiver support practice at home—helping to establish routines, guide early reading, and encourage listening and reflection. This is especially important in the early months, when habits are forming.

• Even five to ten minutes of focused, supported playing each day can help build confidence and momentum.

• I’m always happy to offer suggestions for how to make home practice feel enjoyable and achievable, and I welcome feedback if anything feels unclear or difficult.

• I encourage parents of younger pupils to check in briefly after lessons when possible, or to message me midweek if anything feels unclear during home practice.

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4. Young learners and studio environment

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• My studio is a working professional music space containing valuable instruments and equipment. While I welcome young learners, lessons require a degree of listening, calm focus, and respect for the teaching space. Children must not touch instruments or equipment without permission.

• Parents / carers of pupils under 7 are kindly asked to remain present for the trial period and ensure their child is supervised appropriately during lessons. This helps create a safe, respectful, and focused environment for musical learning.

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5. Supporting Diverse Learners

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• I welcome neurodivergent students and those with specific behavioural or learning needs, and have experience adapting lessons to suit a wide range of learning styles. With the right support in place, music can be an incredibly positive and empowering outlet.

• To ensure the best possible experience, I ask families to share any relevant information—such as attention, sensory, or communication needs—ahead of the first lesson. This allows us to create a calm, structured, and effective learning environment.

• In some cases, a short trial period may be suggested to assess how well the studio setting and lesson structure work for the student.

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6. General conduct

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Students are expected to behave respectfully and responsibly during lessons. Disruptive or disrespectful behaviour, including lack of preparedness or failure to practice regularly, may result in the termination of lessons with no refund.

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7. Online Lessons Technology Requirements:

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For online lessons, students must ensure they have a reliable internet connection and a suitable device with a working camera and microphone. The environment should be free from distractions and allow for good visibility and sound.

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8. Online Lessons as a Replacement:

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If a student is unwell but is alert and happy to engage at home, I’m happy to offer alternative lesson options such as:

– A shorter online check-in lesson

– Sending a video performance for feedback

– A personalized tutorial video in place of a missed lesson

These options help maintain momentum while recognizing that children occasionally fall ill. Please contact me to arrange this where appropriate.

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9. Exams / Performances

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I support pupils through ABRSM, Trinity, or Rockschool exams where appropriate, and will advise when a student is ready.

Depending on availability I will host a concert every year. There will aslo be opportunities for online pupils to share what they learn online.

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10. Force Majeure / Exceptional Circumstances

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In the event of unforeseen circumstances (e.g., illness, family emergencies, force majeure events), both the teacher and the student agree to communicate promptly and attempt to reschedule lessons where possible. If rescheduling isn't feasible, the lesson may be canceled or credited.

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11. Liability Waiver (for Accidents)

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Portobello Music Studio is not liable for any accidents or injuries that occur on the premises during lessons. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to supervise students under the age of 18.

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12. Recording & Sharing of Lessons

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Lessons may be recorded for personal reference or promotional purposes. Students/Parents will be notified beforehand, and written consent will be obtained for any public sharing.

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13. Health & Safety

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For the health and safety of all students, please refrain from attending lessons if you are feeling unwell or have any symptoms of contagious illnesses.

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14. Personal Data & Privacy

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Portobello Music Studio collects personal information to provide services. This will be stored and used in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR regulations.

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15. Agreement to Terms & Conditions

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By enrolling in lessons at Portobello Music Studio, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined above. If you have any questions or concerns about the policies, please feel free to reach out before confirming your enrollment. Continued participation in lessons signifies your acceptance of these terms.

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Thank you for choosing Portobello Music Studio. We look forward to working with you and supporting your musical journey. If you have any questions or need clarification at any time, don't hesitate to reach out.