What to expect from the Polyphony Staff?

• A timetable of Polyphony lessons prior to the start of lessons will be made available on SOCs. 
• Well prepared lessons starting at the scheduled time. 
• Encouragement and clear guidelines of how much practice is required and which areas to practise for the following lesson. It is a good idea for the student to provide a notebook for this purpose or alternatively they can use their school planner if they bring them to their lessons. 
• If a tutor is absent, Polyphony Administrator will email both parents and students and any lessons missed will be rescheduled in the first instance; if this is not possible by the end of the term then a refund in the form of a gift card will be issued. 
• Rescheduled lessons will be emailed to both parents and students 
• Recommendations for exam entry after discussion with the student and parent. 
• Recommendations for theory lessons where appropriate. 
• Recommendations for joining an appropriate ensemble – it is expected that students having instrumental/vocal lessons at JCG will join an ensemble as recommended by their instrumental tutor and/or the music department staff.

What is expected of Students and Parents?

• Regular practice between lessons – the amount and time will vary between instruments and grade levels. Your tutor will advise the appropriate amount for your level. 
• Lessons must be booked through JC Shop, termly in advance and lessons will not continue if payment is not received by the due date. Termly bookings received after online bookings have closed will incur a 10% late booking fee. 
• Attend lessons at the scheduled time, having allowed time to sign out at the school office and collect their instrument/ music etc. 
• Attend an extra-curricular ensemble as recommended by your tutor or the music department staff. NB there are opportunities for pianists within some ensembles. 
• Advise the administrator of any change in email address. 
• Advising the tutor or administrator immediately (but with a minimum of 72 hours notice) of any school activity that might clash with a Polyphony lesson. Please note that no refunds will be given for lessons not attended by the students except in the case of a College organised activity in which case the student must give 72 hours written notice. This can be by email to the Polyphony Administrator.

Instrument Hire 

Instruments are available for hire at £45 per term. 

• I agree to take all reasonable steps to care for the instrument hired from Polyphony.
• I agree to maintain the instrument in a reasonable manner, including replacing worn-down replaceable parts (strings, rosin, reeds, valve oil etc).
• I understand that the instrument should not be used for any purpose or in any manner other than as a musical instrument.
• I agree to promptly return the instrument, upon stopping Polyphony lessons, to JCG Foundation in a condition that is no worse than the condition it was in at the beginning of the term of this agreement.
• I understand that should the instrument be damaged beyond repair, lost, or stolen; the cost of a similar instrument will be borne by me. If the instrument is damaged, please let the Polyphony Administrator know immediately.

Other Terms and Conditions

• I understand that in the event of school closure due to inclement weather or other conditions beyond our control, a refund/catch up lesson will not be given.  
• I agree that I will give a minimum of a half term’s notice for cancellation of tuition. All students will be expected to complete a full term of lessons with notice to stop to be given by the half term prior to stopping. Failure to do so will incur a charge equivalent to the following half term of tuition. Notice can be given by email. Please note that this also applies for the transition from year 6 to year 7 and the transition from one academic year to the next.
• I understand that Polyphony cannot guarantee requests not to be withdrawn from certain curriculum lessons or to have specific set lesson times.  
• I understand that I should advise the administrator ([email protected]), with a minimum of 72 hours' notice, of a College organised activity that clashes with a Polyphony lesson. Only on this occasion will a catch-up lesson be scheduled, or a refund JC shop gift card will be issued.  
• I understand that if a student is unable to attend a lesson, due to illness, travel or other personal reasons, notice should be sent to the Polyphony Administrator (and teacher if applicable). Catch-up lessons will not be scheduled, nor refunds issued on this occasion. 
• I understand that lessons must be booked through JC Shop, termly in advance and lessons will not continue if payment is not received by the due date. Termly bookings received after online bookings have closed will incur a 10% late booking fee. Please note for late bookings we are unable to guarantee teacher availability. 
• I agree to advise the administrator of any change in email address.