Clear terms for structured, consistent music tuition.
These Terms & Conditions explain how lessons, payments, absences, cancellations and account responsibilities work at The Glasgow School of Music. They are designed to protect lesson consistency, tutor availability, student progress and the smooth running of the school.
The key points before you read the full terms
This summary is provided to help families understand the main structure. The full Terms & Conditions below remain the complete agreement.
Ongoing lessons run in rolling 10-lesson Teaching Blocks.
Blocks may be split into two 5-lesson parts for payment convenience; together they form one full Teaching Block.
Your weekly lesson time is reserved specifically for the student.
One planned absence is allowed per five-lesson part, with up to two across a full 10-lesson Teaching Block, provided the correct notice process is followed.
Additional missed, late-cancelled or unattended lessons normally remain chargeable.
Four weeks’ written notice by email is required to cancel ongoing lessons.
Trial lessons are paid and do not guarantee an ongoing weekly space.
Lesson fees are payable in advance and lesson spaces are not secured until payment is received.
1. General terms
By requesting a trial lesson, enrolling for ongoing lessons, paying an invoice, attending a lesson, or using services provided by The Glasgow School of Music, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Acceptance of these Terms & Conditions occurs upon enrolment, payment, or attendance at a lesson, whichever occurs first.
These Terms & Conditions supersede any previous versions, informal arrangements or verbal discussions unless otherwise confirmed in writing by The Glasgow School of Music.
References to “the school”, “GSofM”, “we”, “us” or “our” mean The Glasgow School of Music. References to “client” mean the person responsible for booking, payment and communication with the school.
2. Trial lessons
Trial lessons are paid lessons. They are designed to help us understand the student’s level, goals, suitability for the chosen subject, and potential route into ongoing tuition.
A trial lesson does not guarantee an ongoing weekly lesson space. Ongoing lesson availability depends on tutor timetable, subject, lesson length, student availability and scheduling suitability.
Trial lessons are arranged by appointment. The Glasgow School of Music reserves the right to recommend a different lesson length, tutor, subject route or schedule where this would better support the student.
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.
Important: Submitting a trial lesson request does not automatically confirm a lesson time. A lesson is confirmed only when availability has been agreed and the relevant payment process has been completed.
3. Lesson structure
Ongoing lessons at The Glasgow School of Music operate on a time-reservation basis. This means the student’s weekly lesson time is reserved specifically for them and cannot usually be reassigned at short notice.
Lessons run in structured 10-lesson Teaching Blocks. To make payments more manageable, each Teaching Block may be split into:
- Part A — 5 lessons
- Part B — 5 lessons
The Part A / Part B split is for payment convenience only. It does not create two separate bookings. Payment of Part A confirms commitment to the full 10-lesson Teaching Block, including Part B.
Lessons continue on a rolling basis at the agreed weekly time unless cancelled in accordance with these Terms & Conditions.
Why this matters: Consistent weekly attendance is central to student progress. The block structure protects the student’s lesson time, tutor availability and room scheduling. If continuing after a trial lesson, clients should read this section carefully before confirming ongoing tuition.
4. Fees and payments
All lesson fees must be paid in advance. Current VAT-inclusive rates are:
| Lesson length | VAT-inclusive price |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | £26.50 |
| 45 minutes | £35.50 |
| 60 minutes | £44.00 |
The Glasgow School of Music is VAT registered. VAT No. 492185959.
Lesson times are not secured until the relevant payment has been received, unless otherwise confirmed in writing by The Glasgow School of Music.
Fees may be reviewed periodically. Where fees change, The Glasgow School of Music will communicate the updated pricing before it applies to future lessons or Teaching Blocks.
5. Invoicing, due dates and late payments
Invoices are normally issued before the relevant Teaching Block or Teaching Block Part begins. A 7-day grace period applies from the invoice issue date unless a different due date is stated on the invoice.
Invoices unpaid after the grace period may incur a reasonable administrative charge of up to £35 where additional account-management work is required. This charge is intended to reflect the administrative cost of managing overdue balances.
The administrative charge will not be applied where The Glasgow School of Music has confirmed a payment query or payment arrangement in writing before the charge is applied.
If an account remains overdue, The Glasgow School of Music reserves the right to pause lessons, withhold access to lessons, suspend access to materials and systems, or release the reserved lesson time after written notice, until the account is brought up to date.
Raising a query about an invoice does not suspend payment obligations unless The Glasgow School of Music confirms this in writing.
Payment queries: If there is a genuine issue with an invoice, clients should contact the school promptly by email so the matter can be reviewed before the account becomes overdue.
6. Absences and missed lessons
Planned absences
The Glasgow School of Music recognises that occasional planned absences may arise. Each five-lesson part of a 10-lesson Teaching Block allows one planned absence, provided it is submitted through the correct school process and with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. This means a student may use up to two planned absences across a full 10-lesson Teaching Block: one in Part A and one in Part B.
Planned absences must be communicated directly to school administration. Informing a tutor alone does not constitute official notice.
Additional absences
Any additional absences beyond the permitted planned absence allowance normally remain chargeable. This is because the tutor’s time, room space and weekly lesson slot have been reserved for the student and cannot usually be reassigned at short notice.
Late cancellations and missed lessons
Unplanned, late or same-day cancellations are not normally eligible for a replacement lesson, refund or credit. The school may review exceptional circumstances at its discretion, but this does not create an automatic entitlement to a replacement lesson.
School or tutor cancellations
If a lesson is cancelled by The Glasgow School of Music or by a tutor, a replacement lesson or credit will be arranged. The timing, tutor and format of any replacement lesson are subject to availability.
7. Ongoing lessons, cancellation and account closure
Ongoing lessons do not end automatically at the conclusion of a Teaching Block. Lessons continue into the next Teaching Block unless cancelled in accordance with this policy.
Cancellation notice
To cancel 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, stopping payment, or assuming that lessons end automatically at the end of a block.
Effect of cancellation
Where a Teaching Block has already commenced, the full 10-lesson Teaching Block remains payable. This is because the weekly lesson time has been reserved, tutor time has been allocated, and the space cannot usually be reallocated at short notice.
Cancellation will normally take effect at the end of the current Teaching Block, provided the required notice period has been completed and the account is fully settled.
Account closure
An account is considered closed only once valid written cancellation has been received and acknowledged by The Glasgow School of Music, and any outstanding balance has been paid in full.
8. No automatic pause or account suspension by non-attendance
Lessons are not paused automatically because of non-attendance, unpaid invoices, holidays, timetable changes, personal circumstances, or a student deciding not to continue.
The reserved weekly lesson space remains active until cancellation has been completed in accordance with these Terms & Conditions.
If a client wishes to discuss a temporary change, payment issue, absence pattern or scheduling concern, they must contact The Glasgow School of Music administration directly by email. Any temporary variation must be confirmed in writing by the school.
9. Holidays and school closures
The Glasgow School of Music operates scheduled closure periods during the year, including a Christmas / New Year break and other planned closure dates.
No lessons take place during scheduled closure periods. Scheduled closure weeks are not counted as delivered lessons within a Teaching Block; the block resumes when lessons restart.
Teaching Blocks are therefore not reduced because of planned school closures, and the student still receives the lessons included in the relevant Teaching Block.
Closure dates and teaching schedules may be published separately through the school’s teaching calendar or administrative communications.
10. Refunds
Refunds are not normally offered for missed, unattended, late-cancelled or unused lessons where the lesson time has been reserved for the student.
Where a lesson is cancelled by The Glasgow School of Music or a tutor, a replacement lesson or credit will be arranged. Refunds are not normally issued in place of credits, except where required by law or where The Glasgow School of Music cancels and no suitable credit or replacement can be arranged.
Withdrawal part-way through a Teaching Block does not normally entitle the student to a refund for unused lessons.
Refunds are not normally provided due to changes in personal circumstances, availability, preference, or failure to attend.
11. Conduct, safeguarding and learning environment
The Glasgow School of Music is committed to providing a safe, respectful and productive learning environment for students, families, tutors and staff.
Students, parents and guardians are expected to behave respectfully and appropriately at all times, including during lessons, while on school premises, and in communication with tutors or staff.
The Glasgow School of Music reserves the right to take appropriate action where behaviour is disruptive, abusive, unsafe or inappropriate. This may include a formal warning, pausing lessons, or withdrawing tuition.
Where tuition is withdrawn due to conduct-related concerns, refunds are not normally provided for unused lessons within a Teaching Block.
Parents and guardians remain responsible for minors outside of lesson times. The Glasgow School of Music accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property on the premises, except where required by law.
Safeguarding: Safeguarding and PVG information is provided separately on the school’s Safeguarding & PVG page.
12. Data protection and communication
Personal data is handled in accordance with the school’s Privacy Policy and applicable UK data protection law.
The Glasgow School of Music may contact clients about scheduling, lessons, payments, absences, policies, account administration and other matters necessary for the proper delivery of tuition.
Website cookie information is provided separately in the school’s Cookie Policy.
13. Complaints, amendments and governing law
If a client has a concern or complaint, they should contact The Glasgow School of Music in writing so the matter can be reviewed through the school’s internal process before any further action is considered.
The Glasgow School of Music may update these Terms & Conditions periodically to reflect operational, policy, system or legal changes. The latest version will be available on this page.
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Scotland. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.
Questions about lessons, invoices or cancellations should be raised with the school directly.
To ensure requests are handled properly, account changes, cancellation notices, planned absences and payment queries should be sent to The Glasgow School of Music administration rather than only to an individual tutor.
