Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions form part of the agreement between The Glasgow School of Music and the client for trial lessons, ongoing tuition and other booked services.

The terms will be made available before a booking or ongoing lesson arrangement is confirmed. A contract is formed when GSofM confirms the arrangement and the client accepts it by express confirmation, payment or attendance after the terms have been made available.

An enquiry or request alone does not require GSofM to provide a lesson or require the client to accept a proposed booking.

A different arrangement applies only where GSofM confirms it in writing. In these terms, “GSofM”, “the School”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean The Glasgow School of Music. “Client” means the person responsible for booking, payment and communication.

These terms take effect on 10 August 2026 and apply to Teaching Blocks and services beginning on or after that date, where they have been provided to the client before the relevant booking or Teaching Block is confirmed. Any specific individual arrangement confirmed separately in writing continues to apply unless GSofM and the client agree otherwise in writing.

Trial lessons

A trial lesson is a paid teaching session charged at the applicable published standard lesson rate. An ongoing weekly place begins only when GSofM confirms the tutor, lesson length, regular time, Teaching Block and payment position in writing.

Outside any applicable statutory cancellation right described below, if a client cancels a confirmed trial, GSofM may charge or retain only a reasonable amount for services already supplied and any actual reasonable unrecovered loss caused by the reserved appointment. GSofM will take reasonable steps to reduce that loss. If GSofM cancels and no suitable alternative is arranged, the fee will be refunded or credited.

Distance contracts

Where a consumer contract is made online, by email, by telephone or otherwise at a distance, a 14-day statutory cancellation period may apply, subject to the law and any applicable exception.

Where that right applies, the client may cancel by sending a clear statement to info@theglasgowschoolofmusic.co.uk. A reason is not required.

If the client expressly asks GSofM to begin providing a service during an applicable cancellation period, GSofM may charge a proportionate amount for services supplied before cancellation, as permitted by law. The right to cancel after full performance may be lost only where the legally required consent and acknowledgement have been obtained.

Regular one-to-one tuition runs within the published annual Teaching Block calendar. Each student is invoiced for the lessons scheduled on their regular lesson day within the relevant block.

Ongoing lessons continue from one Teaching Block to the next unless they are cancelled under clause 7. Before each block, GSofM will issue an invoice or written payment notice showing the period, amount due and payment deadline.

A future Teaching Block is treated as confirmed when its published payment deadline has passed without GSofM having received valid written cancellation. For clarity, cancellation must be received by 11:59 pm UK time on that deadline.

The regular lesson fee reserves the student’s weekly timetable place, the assigned tutor’s availability, the teaching room or online time, scheduling and continuity during the block.

Published Christmas, Spring and Summer closures are the planned non-teaching periods. Other public or school holidays do not automatically apply to GSofM.

GSofM may change published dates only where reasonably necessary. Reasonable written notice and an explanation will be provided where practicable. Changes will not be applied retrospectively to services already delivered, and an appropriate alternative or exit route will be considered where a material change significantly disadvantages the client.

Payment deadlines and holds

Published fees are payable in advance. Payment or an approved written payment arrangement must be in place by the deadline shown on the invoice.

The due date shown on the invoice is the final payment date unless GSofM agrees another arrangement in writing.

If payment is not in place by the deadline, the lesson place will be put on hold from the first teaching day of the block. Lessons will not proceed while the account remains on hold unless GSofM confirms otherwise.

Lessons missed while an unpaid place remains reserved are not credited, refunded or rescheduled. GSofM may release an unpaid place to another student after written notice.

If a released place is reallocated, GSofM will not charge for future lessons covered by that reallocation. The client remains responsible for lessons already delivered, lessons for which the place remained reserved, approved administration charges and any actual reasonable unrecovered loss.

Invoice queries should be raised promptly, identifying the disputed amount or entry. Undisputed amounts remain payable unless GSofM confirms otherwise or the client has a legal right to withhold payment.

Future fee changes

GSofM may change lesson fees for a future Teaching Block by providing reasonable written notice before that block’s payment deadline. A fee change will not apply retrospectively to lessons already supplied or to a Teaching Block already confirmed. A client who does not wish to continue at the revised fee may cancel by the relevant payment deadline without being charged for that future block.

Overdue-account administration

Where a balance remains overdue after a written reminder and additional account administration is required, GSofM may apply one fixed £35 Overdue Account Administration Fee for that overdue account episode. An overdue account episode means the continued non-payment of the same outstanding balance, or balances covered by the same reminder. The fee is not automatic and will be applied only once to that episode. It will not be applied where the client has contacted GSofM and an alternative written payment arrangement has been agreed before the fee is added.

Instalments

A two-instalment arrangement may be requested before the payment deadline and is subject to written approval. A £10 Instalment Arrangement Administration Fee applies. If an agreed instalment is missed, lessons are put on hold until the account is brought up to date.

Direct Debit

A GoCardless mandate may be used for future collections. Authorising a mandate does not automatically pay an invoice that has already been issued. Unless the invoice states that it will be collected by Direct Debit, or GSofM confirms this in writing, the invoice must be paid using the instructions shown on it.

A failed, cancelled or unavailable Direct Debit does not remove responsibility for an amount properly due.

Fortnightly and flexible arrangements

Weekly tuition is the standard arrangement. Fortnightly, alternate-week or flexible tuition applies only where GSofM approves it in writing and is charged at the standard lesson fee plus 20%.

GSofM may decline or review a non-standard arrangement where it cannot be accommodated within the tutor timetable, room schedule or School operations. Reasonable notice of a required change will be provided where practicable.

Student absences remain chargeable because the tutor’s time, teaching space and regular lesson place have been reserved. A student absence does not create an automatic right to a replacement, refund, credit or reduction in fees.

Clients may record individual absences as circumstances arise through the Student Portal. Recording an absence means that the student will not attend that lesson; it does not cancel the ongoing lesson arrangement, make the lesson non-billable or approve a make-up opportunity. Informing the tutor alone does not change the account position.

Eligibility for review

Recording an absence does not automatically submit a make-up request. Where an absence is recorded at least 48 actual hours before the scheduled lesson start time, the client may request consideration for a make-up opportunity by emailing GSofM administration at info@theglasgowschoolofmusic.co.uk. The request must be received by 11:59 pm UK time on the seventh calendar day after the original scheduled lesson. A later request will not normally be considered unless GSofM agrees otherwise because of exceptional circumstances or a reasonable adjustment. Meeting the notice requirement creates eligibility for review only and does not guarantee that a make-up lesson will be offered.

Absences recorded with less than 48 hours’ notice, including same-day cancellations and non-attendance, do not qualify under the standard make-up policy. Exceptional circumstances may be considered separately under the final part of this clause.

Review and approval

Every make-up opportunity must be approved by GSofM administration before it is promised, confirmed or scheduled. Tutors may identify possible availability but must not independently authorise a make-up lesson, credit, refund or change to the billing position.

In deciding whether to offer a make-up opportunity, GSofM may reasonably consider whether the notice requirement was met, the number and frequency of make-up opportunities already provided during the current Teaching Block and the immediately preceding Teaching Block, the frequency or pattern of absences, any suitable make-up opportunities previously declined, any accepted make-up lessons subsequently missed or cancelled by the student, and the availability of a suitable tutor, room, online session and timetable capacity.

Where an absence pattern may relate to disability, GSofM will consider its reasonable-adjustment obligations before reaching a decision. GSofM will also consider any other relevant obligations under applicable equality law.

The make-up policy is intended to provide a limited opportunity where suitable capacity exists. It does not convert a reserved weekly lesson place into a flexible or on-demand rescheduling arrangement. Decisions will be made reasonably and consistently, taking account of relevant individual circumstances. GSofM will confirm the outcome of the administrative review in writing.

How an offer works

Following administrative review, GSofM may offer a make-up opportunity where suitable tutor, room, online and timetable capacity exists. The lesson may be offered on another day, at another time, online or with another suitable GSofM tutor. If an offered time is declined, GSofM may make another offer where suitable availability arises, but a further offer is not guaranteed.

Time limits

An offer expires if it is not accepted within 72 hours, unless GSofM confirms an extension in writing. An accepted make-up lesson must take place within 28 days of the original absence, excluding published Christmas, Spring and Summer closures, unless GSofM confirms an extension in writing.

A make-up opportunity cannot be transferred or exchanged for money, credit or a reduced invoice. If an accepted make-up lesson is missed or cancelled by the student, no further opportunity will be offered for that absence.

If GSofM cancels an accepted make-up lesson, the student will remain eligible for another discretionary opportunity, subject to suitable availability.

Adjustments and exceptional circumstances

GSofM will consider and implement reasonable adjustments where required under applicable equality law. Further information is available on the Accessibility page. Separately, requests for financial, attendance or make-up concessions arising from serious illness, bereavement or other exceptional circumstances may be reviewed by the Director on a case-by-case basis. These concessions are not automatic.

If GSofM or the assigned tutor cancels a lesson, the School may provide a suitable substitute tutor, an online lesson or another appropriate alternative. Where a suitable substitute tutor or agreed alternative is provided, the lesson is treated as fulfilled.

If no suitable cover, alternative lesson or replacement arrangement is provided, GSofM will arrange an appropriate credit, refund, replacement or carry-forward.

The timing, tutor and format of a replacement are subject to availability.

How to cancel

Ongoing lessons do not end automatically at the end of a Teaching Block. Cancellation must be sent by email to info@theglasgowschoolofmusic.co.uk. Telling a tutor, stopping attendance or stopping payment does not cancel the arrangement.

To avoid confirming the next Teaching Block, valid written cancellation must be received by 11:59 pm UK time on that block’s published payment deadline. Where valid notice is received by that deadline, no fee will be charged for the next block unless another written arrangement has already been agreed.

After a block has been confirmed or started

Once the published payment deadline has passed without valid written cancellation, the Teaching Block is confirmed. Cancellation after that point, or after the block has started, does not automatically remove payment responsibility for the block.

GSofM may charge or retain a reasonable amount for lessons already delivered and for actual reasonable unrecovered loss caused by the cancellation, including committed tutor time, room time and administration while the place remained reserved.

GSofM will take reasonable steps to reduce its loss, including seeking to reallocate the place where practicable. Any amount charged will be proportionate, will not exceed actual reasonable unrecovered loss and will not operate as a penalty.

The client will not be charged for future lessons successfully reallocated to another paying student. A calculation of any cancellation amount will be provided on request.

GSofM will acknowledge written cancellation. Ending lessons does not remove responsibility for any amount properly due. Exceptional circumstances may be reviewed by the Director but do not create an automatic right to cancellation, credit or refund.

Summer

The standard weekly timetable closes during the published summer closure. Optional summer lessons, workshops, intensives or exam preparation may be offered separately, subject to availability and School approval. These services are booked and invoiced separately.

Groups and short courses

Group courses, short courses, workshops, bootcamps and similar programmes may have their own dates, fees, capacity limits, payment deadlines and cancellation conditions. Any separate conditions will be made available before the booking is confirmed.

A group place is confirmed when payment is received or a written payment arrangement is approved. Sessions missed because of student absence are not credited, refunded or rescheduled.

If GSofM cancels a group session or programme and no suitable replacement or alternative is provided, an appropriate credit or refund will be arranged.

Students, parents, guardians, tutors and staff are expected to communicate respectfully and professionally.

GSofM may pause, refuse or end lessons where behaviour creates a safeguarding concern, materially disrupts lessons, places a person at risk, involves a serious breach of these terms or makes the teaching relationship unworkable.

Immediate action may be taken where safety or serious conduct requires it. In other cases, GSofM will normally explain the concern in writing and provide reasonable notice or an opportunity to address it where appropriate.

If GSofM ends future lessons for reasons not caused by the client or student, any prepaid amount for services that will not be supplied will be refunded or credited.

Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring students arrive and are collected on time unless another written arrangement has been agreed.

Account, payment, scheduling, cancellation and policy matters must be handled through School administration rather than informal arrangements with tutors.

Safeguarding concerns should be raised through the GSofM safeguarding route. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

GSofM processes client and student information to administer lessons, bookings, payments, safeguarding, communication and School operations.

Clients are responsible for keeping contact details, emergency details and relevant student information up to date.

GSofM may contact clients by email, phone, SMS or student-management software where necessary for administration, payment, safeguarding or lesson management.

Personal information is handled in accordance with applicable data protection requirements. Further information is provided in the GSofM Privacy Policy.

Complaints or concerns should be emailed to info@theglasgowschoolofmusic.co.uk. GSofM will acknowledge receipt and provide a written response after reviewing the concern. Where more time is required, the client will be updated.

GSofM may exercise discretion in exceptional cases. A decision made in one case does not create a general entitlement or precedent.

Nothing in these terms removes or restricts a client’s statutory rights, including the right to services provided with reasonable care and skill.

If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms continue to apply.

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the law of Scotland.