Terms & Conditions for Music Tuition at the IIMS
Lesson Time
Each 1-1 lesson lasts 30, 45 or 60 minutes. If a student is late for their lesson, the lesson will still end at the arranged time to facilitate the next student. If students are grade 4 or equivalent, their lesson time should increase to 45 minutes or 1 hour subject to their teachers availability.
Group classes are 45 minutes in length - If less than 3 students show up for the class, the time will be reduced to 30 minutes, however it will still end at the arranged time.
What’s the minimum age you will accept?
We think it’s never too early for children to be introduced to music. For 1-1 lessons and our Group Classes, the IIMS only accepts students 7 and above and refers younger students to our Early Years Department.
Payment
Full or partial payment must be made prior to, or on arrival of your first lesson. All group classes and all one-to-one instrumental classes are paid per term only. Payments can be made via our website, in full or split into 2 equal instalments via our subscription based service. We are no longer accepting bank transfers. Cash will only be accepted for the full term.
No Longer Able To Attend - If you are no longer available to attend your lesson time and wish to opt out of term we are unable to refund you the remaining balance. Term Fees are non refundable and cannot be kept in lieu for a future term.
Missed Lessons
Your lesson time is booked for you with your teacher on a fixed contract basis by term. Missed classes will only be made up in exceptional circumstances such as prolonged sickness once doctors’ certificate is provided.
If a teacher misses a lesson, they will organise another qualified and IIMS approved teacher to cover for them OR the lesson will be rescheduled & made up before the term ends. If the student cannot make the rescheduled date an online lesson can be offered as a last resort only. Where lessons haven’t been made up by the end of term, you may be refunded or credited.
There are no lessons on Bank Holidays, or St. Patrick’s Day.
Communication
General communication between the IIMS Management and Students/Parents will be made by email or phone. We ask that you read all emails or texts sent so you do not miss important information. We may also use Broadcast SMS text messaging / Whatsapp to communicate to the wider school.
We have a double absence policy
In case you should miss your music lesson twice in a row and we do not receive notification from you, you will lose your lesson place as we need to open it to someone else.
Drop off and pick up
Please collect students promptly after lessons, and notify us if there will be anybody else collecting children at the IIMS Reception. Our tutors cannot directly supervise minors outside of their scheduled lessons. Any children who are not picked up on time should wait / return to wait at reception with the receptionist until their guardian arrives. This is not an issue for any children making their own way home. If students are dropped off / arrive early, the IIMS cannot ensure they are supervised at all times, while tutors are teaching. Students are welcome to wait outside their teaching rooms for no more than 5 minutes before their scheduled lesson time, otherwise we recommend they are supervised by a guardian outside these times. If you have any further questions on this please consult our Child Protection Policy.
Disruptive behaviour
Disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated, and anyone deemed to be causing problems for staff, students or parents will be asked to leave.
Photographs & Videos
Photos and videos may be taken of students during lessons for learning and promotional purposes, which may be used in accordance with our child protection policy. Please indicate your consent when completing this part of our online registration form.
Exams
The tutor will determine a student’s suitability for an exam application based on practice and performance. If you would like to enrol in exams this can be done directly through the teacher for administration office.
Here at the IIMS we prepare students for both ABRSM & Riam exams.
Please note on enrollment of exam extra fees may apply - this may include the exam fee variable by grade, an accompanist and rehearsal fee if applicable to the instrument.
Exams take place at exams centres which may not be on site here at The IIMS - however every effort is made by discussion with the teacher to choose the nearest centre for the student.
Covid Regulations and Illness
The specific protective measures in education settings such as mask wearing are no longer in place. However, infection prevention and control measures continue, including ventilation, hygiene measures and advice to stay at home if symptomatic.