Terms & Conditions (PDP and Out of School Activities)
The Lancashire Music Service (LMS) (a business unit within the Lancashire County Council) will provide tuition at the school/Music Centre/Online or access to the ensemble as stated on the application under the following terms and conditions.
All Lancashire Music Service teachers are appropriately qualified and appointed in line with the Safer Recruitment guidelines after interview and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced checks. Teachers undertake regular training, including Safeguarding, Information Governance and Health and Safety.
Lessons through Parent Direct Payment Scheme
Service Delivery
1. Lessons start at the beginning of each half term after the application form has been completed and returned to the Lancashire Music Service Office.
2. Lessons will be given on the school’s premises and all arrangements will have the approval of the Headteacher and Governors of the school.
3. Group lessons will be taught for a minimum of 20 minutes not exceeding 4 pupils per group. Individual lessons will be taught for 20 minutes or 30 minutes.
4. When pupil numbers become non-viable in a group lesson, LMS reserves the right to cancel tuition giving a ½ terms notice. Alternative options will be offered.
5. Lessons may be at times when the pupil would normally be involved in lessons which form part of the school curriculum but the pupil will only be removed from such lessons with the consent of the Headteacher. The parent or carer indicates his/her agreement to this by submitting the application
6. Where lessons take place outside school hours, parents will be responsible for the safe transportation of pupils and for their supervision before and after the lesson.
7. Lessons, so far as possible, will be given at the same time and on the same day each week during term time but some variation may be necessary to accommodate school activities and service delivery.
8. Lessons not provided by LMS will not be charged for. If your child misses a lesson or forgets their instrument, a charge will be made for that lesson.
9. It is envisaged that the number of lessons will be 34 over an Academic Year.
10. Pupils are responsible for the safe keeping of their musical instrument and Lancashire County Council does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to such instruments.
11. LMS teachers will provide regular feedback on progress and achievement, access to the online Charanga platform and signposting to further LMS opportunities.
12. Online teaching will be via a secure platform and will comply with safeguarding recommendations.
13. Any complaints should be sent in writing to: play.music@lancashire.gov.uk
14. Data protection: Your privacy is important to us. For more information view our Privacy Statement at www.lancashire.gov.uk/data-protection and click ‘Service and project specific privacy notices’ then ‘Lancashire Music Service’. The name of the Data Controller is Lancashire County Council. The nominated contact for the Data Protection is The Data Protection Officer, P.O. Box 100, County Hall, PRESTON PR1 0LD. This Data will be processed for the purpose of administration of the Parental Direct Payment Scheme.
Billing Information
1. Fees for tuition are payable at the start of each term (non-refundable) and will automatically renew for each term thereafter until we receive notification requesting to withdraw your child from lessons. Invoices will be issued by email from our database system, Speedadmin, and online payments processed through Worldpay. When invoices are raised, they are due for immediate payment. Payment plans are available for each invoice issued. If payment is not received within 30 days of the date on your invoice we will withdraw your child from music lessons for the next term. You will still be liable for payments for the duration of the current school term.
2. Lancashire Music Service is unable to provide refunds for any reason except for teacher absence credits. These will be applied against your next terms invoice. Where refunds cannot be issued against a new term invoice you will be credited through Worldpay.
3. Failure to attend 3 consecutive lessons or more without prior notification, will be received as tuition cancelled. The scheduled time slot will then be made available to another student. Any invoices raised for the current term will still require payment for non-attendance of scheduled lessons.
Cancellation Policy – If you wish to withdraw your child from lessons, written notice is required (as lessons can only be cancelled at the end of a full term. (e.g. December, March and July), providing 6 weeks’ notice has been received). You can email this to: play.music@lancashire.gov.uk DO NOT SEND YOUR CANCELLATION REQUEST TO SCHOOL
Out of School Activities (including Music Centres and County Ensembles)
Health and Safety/Safeguarding
1. LMS teachers will be responsible for the Health and Safety of students and adults whilst on the premises and a qualified first aider from Lancashire Music Service will be in attendance at each centre.
2. The safety of students travelling to and from lessons, events and rehearsals is the responsibility of the Parent/Carer.
3. Any visiting adults without a Lancashire County Council DBS will be supervised by LMS teachers, including adults accompanying pupils
4. When students who have had an lesson remain on the premises (eg: waiting to participate in an ensemble activity) they should wait in the room with their teacher or in a designated waiting area
5. Parents/Carers are asked to ensure their child understands that they MUST NOT LEAVE THE PREMISES DURING AND BETWEEN LESSONS AND ENSEMBLES.
6. LMS uses the school/venue by permission of the head teacher/manager. It is therefore essential that every student exhibits only the highest standard of personal conduct whilst on the premises. We reserve the right to withdraw a student from an activity in the event of unacceptable behaviour.
7. Students and parents/carers must enter the school/venue by the designated entrance only and sign in/out when entering and leaving the premises.
8. We expect the highest standard of behaviour from students and all decisions and instructions of teachers should be respected and followed at all times. We reserve the right to withdraw a student from an activity in the event of unacceptable behaviour.
9. It is requested that when parents/carers and students drive cars into school/venue grounds they do so with extreme care and at their own risk.
10. The Music Service accepts no responsibility for the security of personal belongings.
Service Delivery
1. Lessons – Participation in lessons can only start at the beginning of each term/half term after the application has been submitted and received by the Music Service. Ensemble Membership – Participation in Ensemble activities can start anytime after the application has been submitted and received by the Music Service.
2. Lessons, so far as possible, will be given at the same time and on the same day each week during term time but some variation may be necessary to accommodate venue activities.
3. Group Lessons will be taught for a minimum of 20 minutes not exceeding four pupils per group. Individual Lessons will be taught for 20 minutes, 30 minutes or 40 minutes.
4. If pupil numbers become non-viable LMS reserves the right to cancel tuition giving a ½ terms notice. In so far as is practicable, alternative options will be offered.
5. Failure to attend 3 consecutive lessons or more without prior notification, will be received as tuition cancelled. The scheduled time slot will then be made available to another student. Any invoices raised for the current term will still require payment for non-attendance of scheduled lessons.
6. Lessons not provided by LMS will not be charged for. If your child misses a lesson for whatever reason a charge will be made for that lesson
7. It is envisaged that the number of sessions will be 34 over an Academic Year.
8. Pupils are responsible for the safe keeping of their musical instrument and Lancashire County Council does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to such instruments.
9. Any complaints should be emailed to play.music@lancashire.gov.uk
10. Data protection Your privacy is important to us. For more information view our Privacy Statement at www.lancashire.gov.uk/data-protection and click Service and project specific privacy notices’ then ‘Lancashire Music Service’. The name of the Data Controller is Lancashire County Council. The nominated contact for the Data Protection is The Data Protection Officer, P.O. Box 100, County Hall, PRESTON PR1 0LD. This data will be processed for the purpose of administration of the Music Centre Activities.
Billing Information
1. Subscriptions for ensembles are for the full year and payable termly at the start of each term (non-refundable) Membership will be automatically renewed unless we receive written/email notification requesting to withdraw from membership. Invoices will be issued by email from our database system, Speedadmin, and online payments processed through Worldpay. When invoices are raised, they are due for immediate payment. Payment plans are available for each invoice issued. If payment is not received within 30 days of the date on your invoice we will withdraw your child from ensembles. You will still be liable for payments for the duration of the current school term.
2. Fees for tuition are payable at the start of each term (non-refundable) and will automatically renew for each term thereafter until we receive notification requesting to withdraw your child from lessons.
3. Failure to attend 3 or more consecutive lessons without prior notification, will be received as tuition cancelled. The scheduled time slot will then be made available to another student. Any invoices raised for the current term will still require payment for non-attendance of scheduled lessons.
4. Cancellation Policy – If you wish to withdraw your child from lessons, written notice is required (as lessons can only be cancelled at the end of a full term. (e.g. December, March and July), providing 6 weeks’ notice has been received. You can email this to:play.music@lancashire.gov.uk DO NOT SEND YOUR CANCELLATION REQUEST TO SCHOOL
4. . Lancashire Music Service is unable to provide refunds for any reason except for teacher absence credits. These will be applied against your next term’s invoice.
5. If your child is in receipt of Pupil Premium, you may be able to access this funding for activities at the music centre. Please ask your school to email play.music@lancashire.gov.uk to confirm this money can be used and enter the school address and school contact name in the billing section of your application.
If your child’s school will not support lessons using Pupil Premium, you qualify for a free group lesson and ensemble membership if you meet the criteria listed below. PROOF OF EXEMPTION WILL BE REQUIRED – WITHOUT THIS AN INVOICE FOR TUITION WILL BE RAISED
To claim you must be in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
For more information please visit the direct.gov.uk website
Cancellation Policy – If you wish to withdraw your child from music lessons or ensembles, written notice is required as lessons and ensembles can only be cancelled at the end of a full term providing 6 weeks’ notice has been received. You can email this to: play.music@lancashire.gov.uk
DO NOT SEND YOUR CANCELLATION REQUEST TO SCHOOL OR TO COUNTY HALL
Instrument Loan Scheme (subject to availability)
1. Instruments must be collected and returned to our Warehouse in Chorley.
2. The instrument, including the bow or mouthpiece where applicable, and its case will at all times remain the property of LMS and may be recalled for inspection at any time.
3. LMS will withdraw the instrument and case from the pupil if tuition stops and may do so if in LMS’s opinion the instrument is not looked after adequately.
4. The instrument will be issued in good playing order. The Music Service will meet all service and repair costs due to normal usage, excluding the replacement of consumables (stings, reeds, cork grease, valve oil etc.).
5. The parent/carer must accept responsibility for the proper care and safeguarding of the instrument on loan. Guidance on instrument care can be found at: www.lancashiremusichub.co.uk/site/parents/find-instruments/
6. In the event of damage to, or loss of, the instrument or case LMS must be informed immediately. Under no circumstances should a parent or carer attempt to repair the instrument. Parents/carers will be responsible for the cost of repairs up to and including full replacement cost. LMS may, in its sole discretion, in individual cases waive these charges.
7. Parent/carers are advised to arrange insurance cover for instruments on loan or arrange for them to be specifically noted on their household insurance policies.
8. Instruments should not be left in an unattended vehicle.
9. The instrument must not be used by any person other than the student to whom it is on loan.
10. Instrument Hire fee is a fixed termly charge (non-refundable) and invoiced at the start of each term. Hire Fees will renew automatically for each new term thereafter until written or email confirmation is provided of withdrawal. Endangered/specialist instruments are exempt from charges.
11. Instrument Hire Cancellation Policy – To return the hired instrument, please contact the Instrument and Warehouse Distribution Team on Tel. 01257 517127 or email: lmsinstruments@lancashire.gov.uk to arrange a suitable return date.
