Unbelievable. It's only the second week of term and I have already had 10 cancellations this week out of a total of 24 pupils. Five due to coughs and colds, three due to 'the school play' and two are off to London for a jolly. To rub salt into the wound I had previously cancelled two other pupils so I could go to see the wonderful Alan Barnes in concert at Ripon Grammar School - an event not be be missed. So.....I shall be only giving 12 lessons this week out of 24, ie 50% capacity. Is 50% a record?

What...you mean to say you don't know who Alan Barnes is? Shame on you. One thing is certain, he won't be giving an all Beethoven concert on Thursday evening.

I hope you have a cancellations policy in place so that you still get paid for these lessons. If not, get one sorted now.

I know very well who Alan Barnes is - he's fantastic and you're right, not to be missed, either for the music or the stand-up routine - enjoy it!

I recently introduced a cancellation policy that said if you cancel with less than 24hrs notice of your scheduled lesson, you will be charged.

I could not believe the call I got from one pupil a few days later - it went something like this:

"Sorry I can't make my lesson tomorrow at 8pm, so will see you the following week. Can I just confirm with you that it is now 7:58pm, and therefore I won't be charged"

All very carefully planned methinks!!!! Policy or not, they still get around it one way or another!

W

I might have been tempted to say ' my clock says it's 8.01 ...

!

That's outrageously calculating!

I used to do this as well. But this academic year I have changed it to 48 hours - 24 hours never seemed to be enough, and people tended to ring the evening before an afternoon lesson and still call it 24 hours.

I have had a lot of cancellations too over the last couple of weeks. Depressing, huh?

I don't allow any cancellations. If people want me to teach their child then I reserve a time and day for them and if they don't turn up it's bad luck. Occasionally if I am able I will try to reschedule but it's at my discretion and I don't have that written down. My bills do not decrease just because they don't come for a lesson.

Last week I had two cancellations with flu (one back last night coughing all through her lesson, another not wanting me in their house with flu around) and one with a Duke of Edinburgh meeting. Only two pupils and one free consultation last week. I can't really take any more as I'm at college now so it has to stay this way, and pupils are generally reliable.

I must be relatively fortunate - one cancellation last week, and one who hasn't got back in touch (could be away??) otherwise everyone expected has turned up.

Except for a couple of adults, new enquiries are all boys this term!

A cancellation policy is all very well, but how do you enforce it? I don't have one at all. If a parent says, "I'm not paying you for cancelling a lesson," what can you actually do?
I think I'm too nice!
P.S. I assume we are taling about private lessons here?

Yes, private lessons.

Some of us issue invoices at the start of each 'group of lessons' (month, half term etc). If lessons are paid for up front it makes it easier - and they may think twice about missing if the lesson is already paid for.

I don't do much private teaching - when I do I drive to pupil's houses (I really don't like having them at home, it is my sanctuary!).

I agree, it's really difficult. Perhaps it's worth having some sort of contract with the parents before they start? This is what I do in one of my private schools where I bill the parents directly. It has saved hassle a few times when I have been able to refer to the half term notice policy etc.

I'm Mrs Nasty about this now. I use a standard contract, with terms and conditions, and a general information leaflet. As far as cancelling is concerned, I spell it out to new pupils/parents that it is at my discretion if I give a credit for a cancelled lesson. At the beginning of the year I lost a lot of money through last minute cancellations and dropping out with no notice period. Unfortunately, I've just lost a couple of pupils through no fault of their own, who are hoping to come back, and both sent me a cheque to cover their notice period. As far as cancellations are concerned, I try and be as fair as possible, and if attendance is usually excellent I give a credit for the next month. I insist on payment in advance as well, on a monthly basis, and currently it seems to be working.