Learn more about Rotherham Music.
Terms and Conditions
The following terms & conditions are required to be read by parents/ carers who have children receiving instrumental/ vocal tuition from Rotherham Music and/ or hire a musical instrument from Rotherham Music.
1. Sessions
1. RM provides a minimum of 33 instrumental lessons over the three-term academic year and 30 instrumental lessons at our Music School.
2. Due to the uneven length of school terms, the number of lessons/sessions offered in each term may vary i.e., the number of lessons billed may not equate to the number of lessons offered.
3. For Music School bands, groups, and Breaking Through, RM will aim to offer a minimum of 30 sessions over the academic year.
2. Fees
1. If you are invoiced by the pupil’s school, any queries relating to lesson fees should be directed to the relevant school.
2. Customers will be invoiced annually in advance and asked to set up a direct debit to pay by monthly instalments. Customers who do not wish to pay by direct debit may pay the annual cost up front by payment link or bank transfer.
3. RM will invoice for instrumental/vocal lessons, together with any appropriate ensemble and/or instrument hire fees.
4. Children starting part way through the academic year will be set up to start at the next half term, subject to capacity and direct debit payments will be set up for the remainder of the academic year.
5. Group/paired lessons - If the group or pair membership reduces below the minimum requirement, we will get in touch to discuss options for continuing lessons at the appropriate rate. We will continue lessons at the original rate for the half term that has started and give a further half terms notice where an increase of fees is to be requested and send a revised invoice.
6. Instrument hire is £30 per year for RM students and £150 per year for external hire. Music School fees are £75 for one activity and £120 for 2 or more activities per year. Our Breaking Through provision is currently fully subsidised.
7. If a direct debit payment remains unpaid, lessons will be suspended until payment is made.
8. Fees are reviewed annually under the governance of RMBC.
3. Teaching
1. We offer a variety of different lessons: grouped, shared, and individual. Group size will depend on instrument, ability and number of applicants. If group lessons are not available due to fewer numbers of students, we offer individual lessons as an alternative. As students progress, the tutor may recommend individual lessons to support further development.
2. Schedule and or teacher changes may take place due to changing circumstances. RM will try to maintain consistency and notify customers of changes.
3. We will provide feedback on all students through our reporting systems.
4. Time of lessons
1. Lessons delivered at a school usually take place during the school day.
2. The RM tutor is not responsible for escorting children to/from lessons, although the RM tutor will make every effort to ensure attendance is consistent.
3. Pupils at secondary school are responsible for monitoring the relevant school notice board to confirm the day and time of their lesson each week and RM tutors will endeavour to accommodate the scheduling requests of each school.
4. Lessons and activities at Music School will take place outside school hours
5. Commencement
1. Lessons, classes, and ensembles will commence following receipt of a completed application form and direct debit mandate / annual upfront payment.
2. Lessons are arranged in half term blocks, with a minimum commitment of a term.
3. Tutors will advise on the appropriate bands and ensembles for young people to join.
4. Trial sessions for ensembles, bands and choirs may be offered by RM at our Music School.
6. Supervision
1. RM only accepts responsibility for pupils during actual lesson/session time. At all other times, responsibility lies with the school or parents/carers.
7. Liability
1. RM does not accept any liability for loss or damage to pupil's instruments or personal possessions.
2. It is advisable to arrange appropriate insurance for Rotherham Music Instruments. Instrument insurance is often available under existing contents insurance policies or via specialist insurers.
8. Behaviour
1. Pupils are expected to always behave in a responsible and courteous manner, to attend lessons regularly, and to practise between lessons.
2. Poor attendance, as well as disruptive or anti-social behaviour by either the pupil or by the parent/carer, may result in tuition being withdrawn, and any paid or outstanding fees would be retained or remain payable. No credits will be given in such circumstances.
9. Missed Lessons
1. Where the number of lessons offered differs from the number of lessons paid for at the end of the academic year, a credit will be applied where required.
2. Lessons missed by pupils due to reasons including, but not limited to, forgetfulness, sickness, school trips/activities, Insets, exams, special assemblies etc. will not be made up or credited.
3. When an RM tutor misses a lesson for reasons such as illness or travel delay etc. they will either reschedule the session within the academic year, or a credit will be applied at the end of the academic year.
4. Rescheduled lessons may be in a different term to the original missed session but will be in the same academic year.
5. RM will endeavour to provide a cover tutor in cases of extended staff absence.
6. Credits cannot be given for termly Music School ensemble fees.
7. For missed lessons in the event of an emergency or closure of a school (full or partial) or Music School due to an event outside RM control (e.g. force majeure, a pandemic, adverse weather, or industrial action), no credit will be due.
10. Withdrawal or Changes
1. Lessons are arranged in half term blocks. Cancellations and changes can be made with a minimum of 6 weeks written notice before the start of the next half term by emailing music@rotherham.gov.uk.
2. Lessons and ensemble charges (Music School) will continue term-on-term and year-on-year until written notice is sent to music@rotherham.gov.uk.
11. Health and Safety
1. Health and safety is the responsibility of us all. Please bring to our attention anything that may give you cause for concern.
2. Whilst in schools during the school day, we can only take responsibility during the lessons. School maintains primary responsibility.
3. Music School has health and safety measures in place to ensure the safety of our pupils whilst within the building. It is parent/carers responsibility to ensure the safe arrival and departure of participants. Parents/carers will need to provide written permission for RM to allow any young person to leave unaccompanied.
4. Access to basic first aid provision and a way to call for assistance is available at all music school sites.
12. Hire of Instruments
The instrument remains the property of Rotherham Music and may be held on hire for the sole use of that student and for no other person until it is returned to Rotherham Music.
​The instrument may be exchanged for a different size or make during the course of study, on the advice of RM Tuto.
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The instrument must be returned to Rotherham Music if lessons are discontinued.
​The conditions on which this hire is granted are that:
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1. You will be responsible for the care and maintenance of the musical instrument, its case and accessories in the condition in which they are received.
2. You will ensure that reasonable care is taken by your child in the use, storage, and transportation of the instrument and that the instructions on the use, care and maintenance of musical instruments are carried out.
3. In the event of damage to or a defect occurring in the instrument while on hire to you as parent/carer of the student you will be responsible for reporting such damage or defect to your child’s instrumental teacher or to Rotherham Music. Where such damage has been caused by negligence on the part of your child or any person using or handling the instrument while on hire to you, you will pay to Rotherham Music the cost of making good the damage. We strongly advise parents/carers to check that their household policy includes cover for the instrument and if necessary add it specifically to the policy in case or loss or damage.
4. In the event of the instrument being stolen, you report the incident to the Police and inform Rotherham Music of the theft and the crime reference number as soon as possible, and replace the instrument.
5. Parents are expected to pay for incidentals such as replacement strings and rosin (string instruments), reeds and cork grease (woodwind instruments), valve oil and slide cream (brass instruments).