Frequently asked questions about lessons at GSofM.
Clear answers about trial lessons, ongoing tuition, payments, absences, cancellations, safeguarding, online lessons and how The Glasgow School of Music works.
The main things families usually ask first
GSofM operates as a structured music school. Trial lessons are the first step, and ongoing lessons run through a managed weekly timetable with clear payment, absence and cancellation policies.
Most students begin with a paid one-to-one trial lesson.
Ongoing students usually attend at the same reserved weekly lesson time.
Ongoing tuition runs in rolling 10-lesson Teaching Blocks.
Lesson fees are paid in advance before the relevant lessons are secured.
Starting lessons at The Glasgow School of Music
A trial lesson helps us understand the student, assess the right teaching route and confirm whether ongoing tuition is the right fit.
Do you offer trial lessons?
Yes. Trial lessons are paid one-to-one lessons. They allow the student to meet a tutor, experience the teaching style, discuss goals and help us assess the most suitable route for ongoing tuition. For a fuller explanation of the route from trial lesson to weekly tuition, see How Lessons Work.
Does a trial lesson guarantee an ongoing weekly lesson space?
No. A trial lesson does not automatically guarantee an ongoing weekly space. Ongoing availability depends on tutor timetable, subject, lesson length, student availability and whether a suitable weekly time can be agreed.
Where can I read the full lesson process?
The clearest overview is on our How Lessons Work page. It explains trial lessons, tutor matching, fixed weekly tuition, 10-lesson blocks, Part A / Part B payments and planned absences.
What should I read before requesting a trial?
If you are new to the school, read Before You Begin for a concise overview. If you are unsure which subject or route is suitable, use Find Your Lesson Route before submitting the trial lesson request.
How do I request a trial lesson?
You can request a trial lesson through the trial lesson form. Once submitted, the school will review availability and contact you about the next step.
Which trial lesson length should I choose?
Most younger beginners start with 30 minutes. Older beginners and intermediate students may benefit from 45 minutes. Advanced students, exam candidates or adults may prefer 60 minutes. The school may recommend a different lesson length if it better suits the student.
Are trial lesson fees refundable?
Trial lesson fees are non-refundable once a lesson time has been confirmed and reserved, except where required by law or where The Glasgow School of Music cancels the lesson and no suitable alternative can be arranged.
How regular lessons work
Ongoing lessons are structured around consistency, progress and a reserved weekly lesson time.
How do ongoing lessons work after the trial?
If the student continues after the trial, we aim to agree a fixed weekly lesson time with a suitable tutor. Lessons then run on a rolling basis in structured 10-lesson Teaching Blocks. See How Lessons Work for the full step-by-step structure.
What is a 10-lesson Teaching Block?
A Teaching Block is a structured block of 10 lessons. It helps protect weekly consistency, tutor availability and student progress. A full Teaching Block is usually managed through Part A and Part B to make payment and administration clearer.
What are Part A and Part B?
Each 10-lesson Teaching Block may be split into Part A and Part B, usually 5 lessons each, for payment convenience. Part A and Part B together form one full Teaching Block; they are not two separate bookings, and ongoing lessons continue unless cancelled in line with the Terms & Conditions.
Do lessons stop automatically at the end of a block?
No. Ongoing lessons continue at the agreed weekly time unless cancelled in accordance with the Terms & Conditions.
Can I change lesson time later?
We will try to help where possible, but changes depend on tutor availability, room availability and the school timetable. Any permanent change must be agreed by the school.
Pricing, invoices and payment expectations
GSofM uses advance payment to protect reserved lesson times and ensure the school timetable runs properly.
How much do lessons cost?
Current VAT-inclusive one-to-one lesson prices are £26.50 for 30 minutes, £35.50 for 45 minutes and £44.00 for 60 minutes.
Are your prices VAT inclusive?
Yes. Published lesson prices are VAT inclusive. The Glasgow School of Music is VAT registered.
When do I need to pay?
Lesson fees must be paid in advance. A lesson space is not secured until the relevant payment has been received, unless the school confirms otherwise in writing. The How Lessons Work page explains how the payment structure fits around trial lessons and 10-lesson blocks.
What happens if an invoice is late?
Invoices normally have a 7-day grace period unless a different due date is stated. If an account remains overdue, lessons may be paused or the reserved lesson time may be released after written notice. Lessons can only remain active where payment is up to date.
Can I query an invoice?
Yes. If there is a genuine invoice issue, contact the school promptly by email so it can be reviewed. Raising a query does not suspend payment obligations unless the school confirms this in writing.
Planned absences, missed lessons and cancellation
Our absence policy protects tutor time, room space and the reserved weekly lesson slot.
Can I miss a lesson if I give notice?
Yes, where the absence is planned and submitted through the correct school process within the required notice period. As a guiding structure, each 5-lesson part of a Teaching Block allows one planned absence, meaning up to two planned absences across a full 10-lesson Teaching Block.
Can I just tell the tutor about an absence?
No. Planned absences must be communicated directly to school administration. Informing a tutor alone does not count as official notice.
What happens with additional absences?
Additional absences within the same Teaching Block normally remain chargeable because the tutor’s time, room space and weekly lesson slot have been reserved. For the full structure, including planned absences, see How Lessons Work.
What happens if I cancel on the same day?
Unplanned, late or same-day cancellations are not normally eligible for a replacement lesson, refund or credit. Exceptional circumstances may be reviewed at the school’s discretion.
How do I cancel ongoing lessons?
Clients must provide a minimum of four weeks’ written notice to The Glasgow School of Music administration by email. Cancellation cannot be made by informing a tutor alone, stopping attendance or stopping payment.
Do school closure weeks count as delivered lessons?
No. Scheduled closure weeks are not counted as delivered lessons within a Teaching Block. The block resumes when lessons restart.
Tutor matching and teaching standards
We match students with tutors based on instrument, level, goals, availability and teaching suitability.
Can I choose my tutor?
You may tell us if you have a preference, but tutor allocation depends on availability, subject, student level and timetable suitability.
How does tutor matching work?
Tutor matching considers the student’s subject, age, level, confidence, goals, lesson length and practical weekly availability. You can also read more about the teaching team on Meet Our Tutors.
What if the tutor is not the right fit?
If there is a genuine concern about fit, contact the school directly. We will review the situation and advise on the most appropriate next step.
Do your tutors teach beginners?
Yes. We teach beginners, intermediate students and advanced learners across a range of instruments and subjects.
Do you teach adults?
Yes. Adult students are welcome, whether learning for enjoyment, confidence, exam preparation, performance or personal development.
Online and in-person tuition
Where suitable, GSofM can support online music lessons alongside in-person tuition.
Do you offer online lessons?
Yes. Online lessons may be available depending on the subject, student level, tutor availability and suitability for the learning goals.
Are online lessons suitable for beginners?
Sometimes. Online lessons can work well for some beginners, particularly older children and adults. Younger beginners may benefit more from in-person support.
Can I switch between online and in-person lessons?
Occasional changes may be possible by agreement, but this depends on tutor availability, scheduling and whether the change supports effective learning.
Exams, goals and student development
Lessons can support formal exams or broader musical development depending on the student’s aims.
Do you prepare students for graded exams?
Yes. Where appropriate, tutors can support graded exam preparation. Exam suitability depends on the student’s level, consistency, practice habits and goals.
Are exams held at the school?
Exams are not normally held at the school. We can support coaching and preparation, and advise where appropriate, but exam entry and exam centre arrangements may depend on the relevant exam board.
Can a student complete a grade quickly?
That depends on the student’s current level, practice routine, musical background and the requirements of the grade. We avoid promising exam timelines before working with the student.
Do students have to sit exams?
No. Exams are optional. Many students learn for enjoyment, confidence, creativity, performance or long-term musical development.
How can I understand student progress beyond exams?
Use Student Outcomes & Progress for a clearer explanation of confidence, consistency, musical skill, independence and longer-term learning habits.
Student welfare, safeguarding and PVG
GSofM treats safeguarding as part of the school’s wider professional structure.
Do you have safeguarding and PVG information?
Yes. Safeguarding and PVG information is available on our Safeguarding & PVG page.
Do tutors need PVG membership?
Tutors carrying out regulated roles must have appropriate PVG Scheme membership. PVG is one part of the school’s wider safeguarding and safer recruitment approach.
Who should I contact with a concern?
Parents, guardians, students or tutors should contact the school directly through the official contact route. If someone is at immediate risk of harm or in immediate danger, contact emergency services on 999.
Where we are and how to contact the school
The Glasgow School of Music is based in Kinning Park, Glasgow.
Where is The Glasgow School of Music?
We are based at 542 Scotland Street West, Kinning Park, Glasgow, G41 1BZ.
Is there public transport nearby?
Yes. The school is close to Kinning Park Subway, making it accessible from across Glasgow.
How do I contact the school?
You can contact us through the Contact the School page or by email at info@theglasgowschoolofmusic.co.uk.
Contact the school and we’ll help direct you to the right next step.
For lesson availability, trial lessons, account questions, planned absences or policy queries, contact The Glasgow School of Music directly rather than only contacting an individual tutor.
