Terms and Conditions

Terms of Tuition 

Open 2 Music is the trading name of Music in Education LLP, an independent organisation providing music lessons in schools and online, these Terms and Conditions form a contract between Open 2 Music and the pupil or the pupils’ main contact/s if the pupil is under 18 years old.

Lessons will only commence once full payment for lessons has been received by Open 2 Music. 

Payments 

In school lessons will continue to be renewed automatically each half term unless you choose to discontinue tuition by sending us a written notice of cancellation as detailed below. Invoices will automatically be sent to you in advance and we must receive payment no later than 7 days before the first lesson. Where, due to COVID-19 restrictions, lessons are being provided online, these will also be invoiced per half term.

For online lessons taking place in schools where we do not provide tuition, these lessons will be invoiced in rolling blocks of six lessons.  If you wish to take a break between blocks we can't guarantee the same tutor will be available when you resume lessons.

Late Payments

If you are aware of an issue making payment by the due date please contact us as soon as possible. 

Late payment may result in the lesson being withheld and potentially the lesson time being reallocated to another pupil. 

Lesson Times

In school lessons are rotated on a weekly basis unless agreed otherwise. Once lessons have been timetabled and confirmed it is expected that pupils will attend all lessons at the given time.

Online lessons are scheduled at a time agreed between the teacher and parent or pupil (if over 18 years old). Once lessons have been timetabled and confirmed it is expected that pupils will attend all lessons at the given time.

Group Lessons

At present, due to COVID-19 restrictions, no group lessons are available.

Credits and Refunds 

If a tutor is absent for a lesson then we will attempt to make up this lesson at a later date. If this is not possible a credit note or refund will be issued by Open 2 Music. 

In School

During the uncertainty of COVID-19, if the school closes then lessons will be transferred, for those that wish to, online at the time the lesson is scheduled at school. We will of course communicate this to parents as soon as possible. Where the lesson cannot take place online, a credit or refund will be applied.

If a “bubble” within the school is required to isolate we will also try to accommodate those pupils with online lessons if required. If this is not possible a credit or refund will be applied.

Refunds will not be given in the event of pupil absence for example due to sickness, school trips, exams, dental / medical appointments, etc. unless Open 2 Music have agreed the absence in advance (see terms below for Agreed Absence). Where possible tutors may be able to make up a missed lesson but neither the teacher nor Open 2 Music are under any obligation to do so. 

We appreciate that during this time of COVID-19 restrictions that individual pupils may be required to self isolate. As per our normal Terms and Conditions this would be an unauthorised absence, however, while self isolation is set at more than 7 days the second missed lesson would be credited / refunded unless it has been arranged with our tutor to provide the missed lessons online.

It is the parent / guardian’s responsibility to inform Open 2 Music of any timetable changes e.g. school trips / sports days etc. that may affect their music lesson. 

Online

Due to the limited amount of lessons available online now that pupils have returned to school, any missed lessons will be charged. If sufficient notice, no less than 48 hours, is given directly to the teacher, where possible the lesson will be rearranged, however it is not guaranteed that there will be a lesson time available in which case the lesson will not be credited / refunded. 

Agreed Absence Terms

Open 2 Music will allow up to one agreed absence per half term if given at least one weeks’ notice. Notice must be received in writing directly to Open 2 Music (not to your school or tutor) by email to dawn@open2music.com. 

Giving Notice  

We require a minimum of four lessons notice in writing, effective from the date we receive the notification. You will be liable for payment of these lessons whether or not the pupil attends. 

To cancel tuition, please send written notification directly to Open 2 Music (not to your school or tutor) by email to dawn@open2music.com. We will confirm your final lesson date any additional payments due within three working days of receipt. 

If you do not wish to continue lessons into a new academic year then we must receive written notification before end of the preceding July.

Tutors 

All instrumental and vocal tutors are highly qualified and all appropriate checks are made. We reserve the right to alter tutors but will endeavour to tell you if this is necessary. If we are unable to find a replacement tutor then we will refund or credit the relevant fee as appropriate. All tuition depends on the availability of tutors. 

Exams 

We do not expect all pupils to take exams unless they wish to, however if a pupil wishes to take exams the teacher will provide advice on grades and timing. Parents will be responsible for entering the pupil for the exam with the relevant exam board on the advice of the teacher. Parents are requested not to book exams until the teacher has confirmed the pupil will be ready. 

How to pay for lessons 

All fees must be paid in advance, by the date indicated on your invoice. 

Payment is made through online banking via our account - full details will be on your invoice. Please ensure you include the pupil name as a reference. 

Equipment 

Parents are expected to provide instruments, where applicable, accessories and music where possible. Open 2 Music does not accept liability for loss or damage to any personal possessions or personal injury, however caused. Any damage to instruments or equipment belonging to the teacher, Open 2 Music, or the school, caused by the pupil, will be the responsibility of the parent. 

During COVID-19 restrictions it is highly recommended for pupils to use their own instruments. For drum students, please ensure that your child brings their own drum sticks to each lesson. Where instruments are being provided by the school i.e. piano / drums, these will be cleaned between each lesson. If your child does not own their own guitar / ukulele please ensure that you inform Open 2 Music before lessons recommence.

COVID-19

For lessons that are taking place in school, please note that both tutors and pupils must adhere to the rules set out by the appropriate school with regard to COVID-19 recommendations with regards to face coverings, instrument cleaning, etc. Please refer to your schools communications regarding this matter.

Online Safety

It is the parent / carers responsibility to ensure that their child is appropriately safeguarded in their home environment.  For pupils under 16 years old we require an appropriate adult to be in attendance at all times. This does not mean the have to sit in the lesson, but they must be within the pupil's calling distance, this is at the parents discretion. If an appropriate adult is not evident then the tutor will have to terminate the lesson and the lesson is forfeit.  We recommend an appropriate adult stays with younger children in case they need assistance, this is at the discretion of the adult.

Our tutors reserve the right to terminate the lesson immediately if they feel the pupil is not appropriately  supervised, is behaving inappropriately, or is inappropriately dressed.  In this case we will call the parent /carer to let them know, as soon as is practically possible.

Safeguarding 

Open 2 Music believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them and to that end we have a clear Safeguarding Policy which has been informed by the NSPCC’s general guidance. All our tutors have a clear DBS check and are required to undertake and pass an NSPCC online safeguarding training programme specifically relating to music tuition. 

Policies and Procedures 

We have the following policies and procedures available on request: 

• Data Protection Policy
• Conduct, Personal Safety and Lone working
• Recording and Information Sharing
• Safeguarding (Child Protection and Adults At Risk) 

If you wish to receive a copy of any or all of these documents please email contact@open2music.com. 

Your information will never be shared with third parties, unless complying with legal obligations or instances allowable under our safeguarding and information sharing policies. 

By agreeing that you have read, understood and accept our Terms and Conditions you are giving us permission to record and store the information you have provided. This will be held securely and will only be used by members of Open 2 Music members and staff in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. 

All data is stored and used in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the GDPR 2018. 

A copy of our full Data Protection Policy can be requested by contacting us at contact@open2music.