What you can expect from Polyphony Tutors?

• Well-prepared lessons that start at the scheduled time.
• Encouragement and clear guidelines of how much practice is required, and which areas to practice for the following lesson.
• Recommendation for ABRSM or TCL exam entry (after discussion with the student and the parent).
• Recommendations for Music Theory Lessons, where appropriate.
• A progress report at the end of the academic year. 

What you can expect from the Polyphony team at the Foundation?

• The Polyphony Team will provide an email, including a timetable, prior to the start of term to parents to ensure students are reminded of their weekly lesson times.
• For JCG students, a timetable of Polyphony lessons prior to the start of term will be made available on the board outside C9 and emailed to parents.
• For JCP students, a timetable of Polyphony lessons will be made available weekly on the Music Notices board.
• If a tutor is absent, the Polyphony Team will notify the students through the School Office and email parents. Any lessons missed due to tutor absence will be rescheduled; if this is not possible by the end of term, then a refund in the form of a gift card will be issued which can be redeemed at the JC Shop.
• If a tutor needs to reschedule a lesson during the week due to a pre-existing commitment, rescheduled lessons will be emailed to parents.
• Tutors will recommend and coach students in relation to the Eisteddfod, Junior and Young Musician competition, where appropriate.
• If the student has more than three consecutive absences within a term, without prior notice, a written warning will be issued to the parent. If after this, a student continues to have consecutive absences, or if they fail to attend six consecutive lessons, their place will be revoked from the Polyphony programme with no refund for any remaining lessons.

What is expected of students and parents?

• The student should undertake regular practice between lessons – the amount and time will vary between instruments and grade levels. Your Polyphony tutor will advise the appropriate amount of practice for your level. 
  • At JCP a Polyphony folder and diary is provided to students to facilitate communication between the Polyphony Tutor and parents
  • At JCG it is a good idea for the student to provide their own notebook for this purpose
• The student must attend lessons at their scheduled time, having allowed time to sign out at the school office and collect their instrument/ music etc. 
• The parent must advise the Polyphony Team of any change in email address.
• The student having instrumental and/or vocal lessons at JCG must join an ensemble and orchestra/choir if  recommended by their instrumental tutor and/or music department staff.
  • There are opportunities for pianists within some ensembles.  

Terms and Conditions for Examinations

• If a student is entered for an examination with either ABRSM or TCL and wants to pull out once entry has been finalised, there will be no refund of examination fees nor the administration fee.

Terms and Conditions for instrument hire 

Instruments are available for hire at £45 per term. Instruments are expected to be hired for a maximum of six terms – after this period, if the student is planning to continue lessons, the parent is expected to purchase a personal instrument for the student. This is to ensure that stock is fairly rotated and all students who wish to access instrumental lessons have the option to do so.

• 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.
• Upon stopping Polyphony lessons, I agree to promptly return the instrument to the 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 Team (polyphony@jcgfoundation.com) know immediately. 

Payment and Cancellation Terms

• I understand that I must advise the Polyphony Team (polyphony@jcgfoundation.com), with a minimum of one weeks' notice, of a College organised activity that clashes with a Polyphony lesson. Only with this amount of notice will a catch-up lesson be scheduled, or a refund JC shop gift card be issued.  If less than one week’s notice is given there will be no refund.
• 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 as far in advance as possible. Catch-up lessons will not be scheduled, nor refunds issued. 
• 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. 

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 which can be given by email (polyphony@jcgfoundation.com). 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 an extra half term of tuition, on top of the final half term of actual tuition. 
  • Please note that this also applies for the transition from Year 6 to Year 7 (JCP to JCG only) 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.