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Terms and conditions

Terms and conditions - frequently asked questions

Blended learning offer

  1. Can I sign up for face to face lessons only?
    We are only offering blended learning from the autumn term so pupils are unable to sign up for face to face lessons only. We do understand that our blended offer is a new way of learning, however, where possible the majority of lessons will be face to face. Safety is key to this and the changes to our offer have been made to ensure that pupils can access their lessons regardless of what restrictions are in place due to COVID-19. We all want face to face lessons to resume as soon as possible but we must also have other options of delivery in place so that our music making can continue if we are faced with challenging situations and restrictions again. We're keen to have no more pauses - we are striving to 'let the music play' in the very best way we can.
  2. If my school or centre were to close again for a while and the online lessons were offered, would I be able to opt out of those and receive a credit?
    No. We are only offering blended learning from the autumn term. Where possible the majority of lessons will be face to face, but should further restrictions be imposed due to COVID-19 then we would deliver online lessons where possible to ensure continuation of learning.
  3. I do not want to sign up for the blended offer as I do not feel my child’s musical progress is effective with online classes compared to face to face classes.
    We are only offering blended learning from the autumn term. Whilst we appreciate for some parents/carers that face to face lessons might be preferable, we are keen to have no further unnecessary pauses. Feedback from tutor and parent surveys indicate that musical progress remains consistently high during online learning, and pupils have learnt new skills in exciting and fun ways. For example, parents feel more involved in their child’s learning and feel more confident to help them practice.
  4. What happens if my school or centre closes and I cannot access online lessons? Will I receive a credit back?
    We are offering blended learning from the autumn term so it is assumed that pupils can access online lessons. If the school or centre closes for less than a week,then HMS Tutors will endeavour to reschedule if you cannot access online lessons. Whilst many pupils have received an education via online learning portals following school closures in the summer term 2019/20, we do understand there are exceptions. Therefore, should the centre or school close for an extended period of time, and you cannot access online lessons, please contact us to discuss this further and we will work with you to find a suitable solution where possible.
  5. If I sign up for blended learning at my school, will face to face and online lessons happen during the school day?
    HMS tutors will endeavour to deliver face to face lessons during the school day where possible. Flexibility and safety is key for everyone, therefore should your school not be able to accommodate face to face or online lesson during the school day due to COVID-19 (e.g. school facilities are unsuitable for safe face to face teaching and there is no internet connection in the music room) then your HMS tutor will work with you to agree the scheduling of your lessons so music making can continue.

Missed lessons – individual, shared and small group

  1. Will my lesson be credited if the tutor misses as lesson due to illness or travel delay?
    When an HMS tutor misses a session due to illness or travel delay, they will endeavour to reschedule the session (e.g. through an extra lesson or a double lesson), which may be rescheduled in a different term to the original missed session. If the tutor is unable to reschedule then a credit will be applied where required at the end of the academic year.
  2. Will my lesson be credited if my school or centre is closed less than 7 days due to an event outside of HMS control (e.g. force majeure, a pandemic, flooding, heavy snow or industrial action)?
    As there are more than 33 teaching week available in the academic year, the HMS Tutor will endeavour to either deliver the lesson online or reschedule the session (e.g. through an extra lesson or a double lesson), which may be rescheduled in a different term to the original missed session. If the tutor is unable to deliver the lesson online or reschedule then no credit will be due.
  3. Will my lessons be credited if my school or centre is closed for more than 7 days due to an event outside of HMS control (e.g. force majeure, a pandemic, flooding, heavy snow or industrial action)?
    In the event of closures to schools and centres beyond 7 consecutive days then the HMS Tutor will endeavour to deliver the lessons online or reschedule within the academic year. However, we recognise that the longer the school or centre is closed the more difficult it is to deliver a total of 33 face to face lessons within the academic year. Therefore, we reserve the right to only reschedule or credit up to one lesson in the case of an extended closure as it is expected that lessons would be delivered online.

    We are only offering blended learning from the autumn term so it is assumed that pupils can access online lessons. Whilst many pupils have received an education via online learning portals following school closures in the summer term 2019/20, we do understand there are exceptions. Therefore, should the centre or school close for an extended period of time, and you cannot access online lessons, please contact us to discuss this further and we will work with you to find a suitable solution where possible.
  4. Will my lesson be credited if the pupil is unable to attend?
    Lessons missed by pupils due to reasons including, but not limited to, forgetfulness, short term sickness, school trips/activities, revision leave, exams etc. will not be made up or credited. However, in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a medical appointment) and if written notice is given to the HMS tutor, the HMS tutor will endeavour to reschedule the lesson (e.g. through an extra lesson or a double lesson). No credit will be due if the HMS tutor is unable to reschedule a lesson missed by the pupil. 

Missed sessions – music centre ensembles

  1. What happens if my ensemble is cancelled?
    Ensemble membership fees are significantly subsidised by Hertfordshire Music Service. Therefore, credits cannot be given for termly membership fees (e.g. Ensembles or County Activities)

Withdrawal from music lessons

If you would like to withdraw from your music lessons you need to let us know in writing to the relevant email by:

  • Monday 9 October 2023 for withdrawals and/or changes effective from Thursday 4 January 2024
  • Monday 5 February 2024 for withdrawals and/or changes effective from Monday 15 April 2024
  • Monday 13 May 2024 for withdrawals and/or changes effective from Monday 2 September 2024

If the required notice to withdraw from lessons or memberships at the end of term is not given, a late notice administration fee equivalent to 5 lessons will be applied, or for ensemble memberships, a fee of £26 be charged. The late notice administration fee is a one-off charge and does not entitle you to receive any HMS provision.

Please ensure that all communication of notice to terminate lessons, requests to change lesson durations or types and / or invoice queries is given in writing directly to HMS and not to the HMS tutor.

Please click on the button below to send us the request, unless the school bills you directly for your lesson; in this case please contact your school directly. A list of direct billed schools can be found on our Music lessons page.

Withdraw from my music lessons

Policies

Privacy notices

Health and safety

We make every effort to ensure the health and safety of students, parents and staff on the premises.

We're responsible for students whilst they are in a lesson or music centre activity but we can't provide general supervision at other times. Students should therefore remain in the care of their parents before and after lessons or activities.

Key Stage 1 children should always be collected from the door of their music centre activity.

We don't provide a qualified first aider in our music centres.