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What You Need To Know - Parents/Guardians

The information contained here is designed to help answer the typical questions that parents/guardians tend to ask prior to their child commencing tuition.

If you have a question that is not answered here, or are unclear about anything, please telephone directly for more information.

General Information

What do I need to start lessons?

• Read through the information presented on this website, then, if you still have unanswered questions, write or telephone for more information.
• If you haven't already received them, get in touch and request to be sent two copies of the Agreement for Private Drum / Percussion Tuition, and an invoice for the appropriate length of lesson.
• Read the Terms and Conditions and the Agreement for Private Drum / Percussion Tuition.
• Complete the required information and sign both copies of the Agreement for Private Drum / Percussion Tuition.
• Return both signed copys of the Agreement, along with the appropriate fees at or by the child's first lesson. Alternatively you can send them by post to the contact address, but please ensure that they arrive at least a day before the first lesson.
• Before the first lesson, purchase some appropriate drum sticks. Note: As a convenience for parents/guardian's, Rhythmic Media Limited normally maintains a small stock of drum sticks that may be purchased directly. Please telephone to check availability and price.
• At the first lesson, the Tutor will countersign both copies of the Agreement and return one copy to you via your child.

Do we need to have a set of drums at home?

Not necessarily.

Whilst it is essential that your child does regular practice in order to make progress, you won't necessarily need to have a full drum kit at home.

It is often possible for students to use the drum kits at the school for private practice, but there may be restrictions as to when this can be done (e.g. breaks or lunchtime, before/after school). Students should discuss this with, and seek permission directly from the head of music at the school.

Please read Drum Practice at Home for some further suggestions and solutions.

Most people are concerned about the noise of a set of drums, but there are ways to significantly reduce the noise, whilst maintaining some of physical experience of playing a real kit.

What about Hearing Protection?

This is definitely something you need to be aware of. Please read the note on Hearing Protection.

Tuition

Are lessons given during school time?

Yes. Please read Timetabling of Lessons in Schools for more information.

How do I keep track of my child's progress?

Are they doing any Practice? If not, they are unlikely to be making significant progress.

Have a look at their last few Lesson & Practice Notes. If they are working on fresh material on a regular basis, then they are probably making good progress. On the other hand, if they are being asked to keep working at the same material, it could be that they are not making much progress.

Do you do examinations?

Yes and No.

Tuition is aimed at developing the technical and musical skills required to be a competent player, rather than to pass exams. Tuition is also tailored to the students requirements, and they are under no obligation to undertake graded examinations.

However, where it is appropriate, students will be encouraged to work towards undertaking graded exams, as these can provide a focus and goal for the student's studies, as well as a recognised measure of students ability.

Please note that the tutor will not enter the student for an examination without the consent of the parent/guardian, who will be liable for all entry fees or charges. It may also be necessary for the parent/guardian to arrange for the student to take time off school on the day of a public examination.

Fees and Payments

Details of Payment Methods can be found on your invoice.

If you are able to pay electronically, either by telephone or online banking, please can I encourage you to do so, as it saves me a significant amount of time processing and taking cheques to the bank.

If you are paying by cheque, please watch the spelling of "Rhythmic", as I frequently have to return cheques where this has been spelled incorrectly.

If you require a formal receipt, please let me know, otherwise, I will acknowledge receipt of your payment on your child's Lesson & Practice Notes.

Missed Lessons

What if my child misses a lesson?

If a child is ill, or otherwise misses their timetabled lesson, it is unfortunately not possible to refund the lesson fee as the tutor will have had to be present at the school for the duration of the child's timetabled lesson.

Anticipated Continuous Absence

If a child is likely to be unable to attend lessons for a continuous, extended period of time - e.g. as a result of a broken limb, accident, or hospital treatment, you should get in touch with the tutor as soon as possible. In this situation, the tutor would normally agree to temporarily suspend lessons for the child, and carry any remaining lessons forward to a future term.

Termination of the Agreement

What do I need to do to stop lessons?

According to clause 5.1 of the Terms and Conditions, you must give one half term's notice in writing.

By way of example, supposing your child is undertaking GCSE or 'A' Level examinations, and is due to be on study leave for most of the Summer Term, it would make sense to discontinue lessons for the Summer Term.

• In order to avoid incurring a fee for lessons in the Summer Term, notice would need to be given by the Spring Half Term holiday. The notice could be delivered by your child at the last scheduled lesson before breaking up for the holiday, or could be delivered by post to the contact address.
• To make this clear, if I have not received the notice letter before the first Saturday of the Half Term Holiday, it will be assumed that lessons are to be continued as normal, and you will automatically be invoiced for the next term's worth of lessons.
• In this scenario, if you forget to give notice before the Half Term Holiday, and instead give notice during or after the Spring Half Term holiday, you will be liable for an additional Half Term's worth of lesson fees in lieue of the notice period.

Tutor termination of the Agreement

Clause 5.2 of the Terms and Conditions states that the Tutor can terminate the agreement without notice.

Although this sounds a bit like permission to take your money and run, this is not the purpose or intent of the clause.

Normally, if there were grounds for the Tutor to consider such action, it would be discussed with the Head of Music at the school and/or with the Parent/Guardian prior to it's implementation.

It is also intended to cover the (hopefully unlikely) eventuality of my sudden and untimely demise.

Parental Contact Details

Clause 6.1 of the Terms and Conditions requires you to keep me up-to-date with your contact details.

If you move house or change telephone numbers, it is probably best to send a note in with your child giving the new details, and the date from which they will apply. Alternatively, you can get in touch directly.

The Tutor will endeavour to acknowledge the notification on your child's next Lesson & Practice Notes sheet.