The scenario:
Child is taught in a large lunchtime group at school, and has been learning (or at least attending the lessons ) since September. Payment is due every six weeks at the beginning of that block of lessons. Mother duly paid for this block. Child comes to first lesson. Second lesson, sends a message with a friend saying she's not coming today. Third lesson comes and says please could she have some "time out". I explain that she can't do that and either has to learn properly or stop (with theoption of starting again next year with the next lot). She says she'd like to stop. Fine by me - she never practises anyway and obviously has concentration problems.
This morning I find the cheque which I had already paid in returned to me by the bank - mother has stopped it. (Thought crosses my mind - don't you have to pay to stop a cheque? It was only for £10 - I wouldn't have thought it was worth it.)

Has anyone else been in this situation? I don't normally have any contact with the mother because it's all done through school. Part of me says just to let it go because I'm happy not to be teaching the child anyway (not in that big group, anyway), but it does seem a bit cheeky... doesn't it?

Hi Alison,

I would suggest that you have a right to demand the payment from the parent because the child attended the first lesson. I heard last week that someone phoned our County Music Service to ask if a pupil could pay for lessons up to half term only as he had recently passed his Grade 8 and would be moving on to university after the summer where he would resume lessons. However, because this pupil had attended the first lesson of the term he was liable for the full fees for the whole term.

I think you should chase this up Alison. I know its only £10 but the parent shouldn't get away with it. Are you supported by your music service if its all done through the school?

Good luck

BB

It varies from bank to bank, I think. My bank will charge if I change my mind - however if the cheques are stolen or lost, then they'll not charge (I only know this because a company actually did lose a cheque of mine so I stopped the cheque in case they ever re-found it!)
Even if this person's bank would charge for a changed mind, a story like 'my daughter lost it on the way to the music teacher's house' might get the fee waived!

I would have written a polite letter to the parent explaining that the fee was due and saying how sorry you were that she had stopped the cheque. Ask for payent by return. If this fails then get heavy!

Above all, don't stress yourself over it. That sort of behaviour is the lowest of the low and I'm sure you don't want to stoop to her level. If it's possible to get the school to be your agent then let them mediate, but don't engage with her personally - no syrupy letters, etc. That's my view. You're very well rid!

LR

Are you a member of the ISM or MU? They would help you recover the fees. Do let the school know, if you haven't already, so that if child wants to learn another instrument, he/she can be on a blacklist as a non-payer. Maybe you could write to this effect?

It extremely cheeky! Did you even get paid for the lesson the girl did have?

I can't believe someone would be so petty over £10!