Hobley Music School Private Lesson Terms & Conditions

Last updated: October 2025

These Terms & Conditions apply to all private lessons delivered by Hobley Music School (“the School”, “we”, “us”).
By enrolling or continuing lessons, you (“the pupil”, “parent”, or “guardian”) agree to the following terms.

1. Lessons

Lessons take place weekly at our Winnington studio or another agreed location.
Each lesson time is reserved specifically for your child and remains consistent unless changed by mutual agreement.

2. Lesson Fees

  • Tuition fees are £63 per month + VAT, collected by Direct Debit via GoCardless.

  • Fees are spread evenly across the year, excluding August (no payment in August).

  • You’ll be invited to set up your Direct Debit after your trial lesson if you choose to enrol.

  • Payments are taken automatically on the 1st of each month.

  • If a payment fails, a £5 + VAT late fee will be added, and lessons may be paused until payment is received.

  • No refunds or pro-rata adjustments are given for missed lessons, holidays, or cancellations (see Section 3).

  • The School may review and adjust tuition fees periodically. We will provide at least 30 days’ notice before any fee changes take effect.

3. Cancellations & Make-Up Credits

  • Cancellations must be made through the parent/pupil portal at least 24 hours before the lesson.

  • If cancelled within this timeframe, a make-up credit is issued automatically.

  • Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the lesson are forfeited.

  • Make-up credits:

    • Can be used with your tutor on another day or time.

    • Expire each August (all credits reset).

    • A maximum of two credits may be held at once.

  • If you cannot arrange a make-up with your tutor, email info@hobleymusicschool.co.uk to request a make-up with another tutor (this cannot be done through the portal).

  • If a tutor cancels a lesson, we will either:

    • Provide a make-up credit, or

    • Arrange a supply teacher.

    • Refunds are not offered.

  • Late arrivals: Lessons end at the scheduled time and cannot be extended or credited.

  • No-shows: If a pupil fails to attend without notice, the lesson is forfeited. Two consecutive no-shows may result in losing the regular slot.

  • Communication: Advance cancellations must be made through the portal to qualify for make-up credit. Last-minute messages can be sent by text or phone if urgent.

4. Trial Lessons

Each pupil is entitled to one free trial lesson per instrument, subject to availability.

5. Ending Lessons

  • To stop lessons, notify us before the next billing cycle (by the 25th of the month).

    • If notice is given before the 25th, lessons end at the end of that month and the Direct Debit is cancelled.

    • If notice is given after the 25th, the next month’s payment will still be taken, and lessons will continue until the end of that following month.

  • To cancel, email info@hobleymusicschool.co.uk to request our online cancellation form.

  • The School may also terminate lessons, with reasonable notice, for reasons such as non-payment, repeated absences, or inappropriate behaviour.

6. Health, Safety & Liability

  • Pupils attend lessons at their own risk.

  • The School is not liable for any loss, damage, or injury to pupils, guardians, or personal property, except where such liability cannot be limited by law.

  • Parents/guardians must ensure that all instruments and equipment are safe, maintained, and insured.

  • Lessons are in-person only. Online lessons may be offered only in exceptional circumstances at the School’s discretion.

7. Recordings & Materials

  • Lessons are not recorded, except for certain exam performances submitted to examining boards.

  • All learning materials (sheet music, handouts, exercises, and curriculum resources) remain the intellectual property of Hobley Music School or the individual tutor.

  • Materials are provided for personal educational use only and may not be copied, shared, or distributed without permission.

8. Data Protection & Privacy

  • Hobley Music School complies with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

  • We collect and store limited personal information (contact details, attendance, and payment data) solely for managing lessons and communications.

  • All data is held securely and shared only with authorised staff or trusted service providers (e.g. GoCardless, My Music Staff).

  • You may request access, correction, or deletion of your data at any time by contacting info@hobleymusicschool.co.uk.

  • Photos or videos of pupils will only be used for promotional purposes with prior written consent.

  • For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

9. Force Majeure

In the event of circumstances beyond our control (e.g. illness, weather, or government restrictions), lessons may be:

  • Postponed and rescheduled,

  • Delivered by a substitute tutor, or

  • Cancelled with a make-up credit.
    Refunds will not be issued in these situations.

10. General

  • These Terms & Conditions form the entire agreement for private tuition with Hobley Music School.

  • If any clause is found invalid, the remainder still applies.

  • Failure to enforce a right does not waive it.

  • The School may update these Terms & Conditions at any time, and the latest version will always be available on our website.