hello, its my first time i I have posted it and i have read lots of amazing advice on here so going to use this alot more!
I have recently started teaching the piano, probably about 6 months ago, all students have paid weekly but now illnesses and holiday requests are coming up and i have said that really as a space is allocated i still require payment, this however has not gone down well so i didnt charge for the ones they missed and im doing half price for one student when she goes on hols for a month although she looked quite appauled too and i thought i was being accomodating by being half price, was i being tight??.
Do you all have contracts, terms and conditions etc? im thinking of getting some ready for January but wondered if i could download some from anywhere??
Thanks in advance, I have got quite stressed about this in the last fortnight as im so easy going i think people have started to take liberties!!
x
Full Version: Contracts? Please Help
Yes, I do have a contract - many teachers have, albeit not all. I use a modified version of the Musicians' Union's template, which you can access online if you are a member.
The most important thing is that you have to be assertive about your Terms & Conditions, no matter if you have them in writing or not. They have to be clear from the start, and there should be no discussion about them. You can always decide to be more lenient with people who are usually reliable, but at the start, I would strongly advise to be tough - otherwise, people will take advantage.
I found that it is easier to have everything in writing though - because then no one can say afterwards they didn't know about it (be warned: They will still try, but at least I can then say: 'It's not my problem if you don't read what you sign.').
Again: Has been discussed a million times on here, you'll certainly find lots of info if you do a search ...
The most important thing is that you have to be assertive about your Terms & Conditions, no matter if you have them in writing or not. They have to be clear from the start, and there should be no discussion about them. You can always decide to be more lenient with people who are usually reliable, but at the start, I would strongly advise to be tough - otherwise, people will take advantage.
I found that it is easier to have everything in writing though - because then no one can say afterwards they didn't know about it (be warned: They will still try, but at least I can then say: 'It's not my problem if you don't read what you sign.').
Again: Has been discussed a million times on here, you'll certainly find lots of info if you do a search ...
thnx, that sounds like good advice, i have yet to join the union as i dont feel i have enough students yet to warrant it, do you know anywhere else that i could download contracts? thankyou
I use the teaching agreement produced by the ISM; this required membership of the ISM to download.
Yes I use a contract. Send me your email if you'd like me to email you a copy of it
Having resisted having signed contracts for any pupils, my experience has taught me what a minefield it would be to actually enforce things like cancelled lessons. I know some teachers do and that's not the point, but I often wonder what would happen with some if they were on contracts and I charged them for not coming.
Case in point, one pupil cancelled three weeks in a row, twice because of sick relatives (ie in hospital), and one with their car off the road (just one driver in the family which explains trouble getting here). Could I charge them for that with a clear conscience? I think not. Another a while back had flu and didn't want me in their house with flu around. Quite considerate.
I do often write terms out mentioning things like missing lessons, but nothing is signed. If people don't play fair I will sack them, which has only happened once in four years (said pupil had every excuse under the sun for having lessons every three weeks or less, cancelling a few hours before, and not practising).
By all means have contracts, but think of every eventuality.
Case in point, one pupil cancelled three weeks in a row, twice because of sick relatives (ie in hospital), and one with their car off the road (just one driver in the family which explains trouble getting here). Could I charge them for that with a clear conscience? I think not. Another a while back had flu and didn't want me in their house with flu around. Quite considerate.
I do often write terms out mentioning things like missing lessons, but nothing is signed. If people don't play fair I will sack them, which has only happened once in four years (said pupil had every excuse under the sun for having lessons every three weeks or less, cancelling a few hours before, and not practising).
By all means have contracts, but think of every eventuality.
I don't see the problem, Neil (you probably know my opinion about these things anyway 
).
It is not a minefield to enforce payment for cancelled lessons - what you describe are things that are clearly covered by discretion. I hardly know people who would insist on payment in a case like bereavement, hospitalisation etc, and most people I know who have contracts have a clear paragraph or sentence stating 'teacher's discretion' of some sort.
But yes, I do insist on payment in cases of minor illnesses like colds, because they have been used as an excuse in the past, and I am not taking that anymore. It has to be clear that both sides have certain commitments, and also that I have to make a living of my teaching. Next to nobody credits appointments/lessons/courses missed because of illness - only privat teachers seem to do so, and I really don't get it. We are running a business, not a charity. As much as I feel sorry for people who have colds, but if I do this on a constant basis, I cannot live during winter.
Strictly speaking, it is really not a difference if they sign, or you just hand out terms they accept - and by taking lessons with you, they do, it is then a mutual agreement which is not less binding.
HOWEVER, I found it much harder to enforce, and I got tired of the permanent discussions about whether payment is necessary or not. Not all my students are on contracts btw, but even the ones who take adhoc lessons sign a wee paragraph at the bottom of their registration sheet (adress etc) that they are aware of the fact that lessons missed with less than 48hrs notice have to be paid for, and that exemptions from this rule lie within the teacher's discretion (not theirs!).
It always sounds like a contract is something that is frightening or God knows what. I really don't get this. Call it 'agreement' or 'terms and conditions' if you are so scared of the word, but it really doesn't make a difference. Just by not letting people sign, it's not any less valid. The only difference is that something that isn't signed is easier to dodge. I wouldn't get any help from the MU for instance if I don't have it writing.
Teachers with contracts are certainly not any less sympathetic towards peoples' problems, far from it.
).It is not a minefield to enforce payment for cancelled lessons - what you describe are things that are clearly covered by discretion. I hardly know people who would insist on payment in a case like bereavement, hospitalisation etc, and most people I know who have contracts have a clear paragraph or sentence stating 'teacher's discretion' of some sort.
But yes, I do insist on payment in cases of minor illnesses like colds, because they have been used as an excuse in the past, and I am not taking that anymore. It has to be clear that both sides have certain commitments, and also that I have to make a living of my teaching. Next to nobody credits appointments/lessons/courses missed because of illness - only privat teachers seem to do so, and I really don't get it. We are running a business, not a charity. As much as I feel sorry for people who have colds, but if I do this on a constant basis, I cannot live during winter.
Strictly speaking, it is really not a difference if they sign, or you just hand out terms they accept - and by taking lessons with you, they do, it is then a mutual agreement which is not less binding.
HOWEVER, I found it much harder to enforce, and I got tired of the permanent discussions about whether payment is necessary or not. Not all my students are on contracts btw, but even the ones who take adhoc lessons sign a wee paragraph at the bottom of their registration sheet (adress etc) that they are aware of the fact that lessons missed with less than 48hrs notice have to be paid for, and that exemptions from this rule lie within the teacher's discretion (not theirs!).
It always sounds like a contract is something that is frightening or God knows what. I really don't get this. Call it 'agreement' or 'terms and conditions' if you are so scared of the word, but it really doesn't make a difference. Just by not letting people sign, it's not any less valid. The only difference is that something that isn't signed is easier to dodge. I wouldn't get any help from the MU for instance if I don't have it writing.
Teachers with contracts are certainly not any less sympathetic towards peoples' problems, far from it.
QUOTE(neil.clarinet @ Dec 1 2009, 08:18 PM) 
Having resisted having signed contracts for any pupils, my experience has taught me what a minefield it would be to actually enforce things like cancelled lessons. I know some teachers do and that's not the point, but I often wonder what would happen with some if they were on contracts and I charged them for not coming.
Case in point, one pupil cancelled three weeks in a row, twice because of sick relatives (ie in hospital), and one with their car off the road (just one driver in the family which explains trouble getting here). Could I charge them for that with a clear conscience? I think not. Another a while back had flu and didn't want me in their house with flu around. Quite considerate.
I do often write terms out mentioning things like missing lessons, but nothing is signed. If people don't play fair I will sack them, which has only happened once in four years (said pupil had every excuse under the sun for having lessons every three weeks or less, cancelling a few hours before, and not practising).
By all means have contracts, but think of every eventuality.
Yes, it can feel like the wrong thing to do to charge under these circumstances but why should it?
Dancing and swimming lessons are often paid up front with no refunds for no shows whatever the circumstances and nobody sees that as a problem. Why is a self employed music teacher any different?
And I confess that I've not always demnded payment.
I am a member of the ISM and use their teaching agreements with a few adjustments. At around £12 month membership you get access to legal advice & downloadable contracts, and you also get public liability insurance included. I have been required to have public liability insurance for example when hiring a concert venue for my pupils and also when I am playing at various venues and it is very useful to have. So you may consider joining something like the MU or ISM to receive other benefits as a self-employed person.
I agree that charging for cancellation is at the teachers discretion and if someone is unable to attend a lesson I can re-arrange it 99% of the time. I do put myself out and work late on other nights to ensure I can do this, however occasionally it is not possible and you need to protect yourself in those situations.
Good luck
I agree that charging for cancellation is at the teachers discretion and if someone is unable to attend a lesson I can re-arrange it 99% of the time. I do put myself out and work late on other nights to ensure I can do this, however occasionally it is not possible and you need to protect yourself in those situations.
Good luck
QUOTE(annabanna @ Nov 20 2009, 06:13 PM)
hello, its my first time i I have posted it and i have read lots of amazing advice on here so going to use this alot more!
I have recently started teaching the piano, probably about 6 months ago, all students have paid weekly but now illnesses and holiday requests are coming up and i have said that really as a space is allocated i still require payment, this however has not gone down well so i didnt charge for the ones they missed and im doing half price for one student when she goes on hols for a month although she looked quite appauled too and i thought i was being accomodating by being half price, was i being tight??.
Do you all have contracts, terms and conditions etc? im thinking of getting some ready for January but wondered if i could download some from anywhere??
Thanks in advance, I have got quite stressed about this in the last fortnight as im so easy going i think people have started to take liberties!!
x
For the first time in many years of teaching I actually got my newest parent to sign my terms and conditions.
I do make it quite clear that if a child is ill I will try to make the lesson up, but if a lesson is missed due to rehearsal, outings etc no -way !One learns as the years go by, people can take advantage of you but you need to have the upper hand.With my long-standing pupils, I do sometimes give a slightly longer lesson if it fits in with my schedule if they have really had a problem getting to me.
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