Music for Confidence, Creativity & Connection
Piano, singing and guitar lessons for children, specialist vocal coaching, and adult group singing experiences — led by experienced musicians, educator sand performers, Talena and Paul Cuthbert.
Layston Music
Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions of Becoming a Layston Music Client/Student for
Singing and Instrumental lessons
Updated: July 2026
By becoming a student/client of Layston Music and by having music lessons with Layston Music, you (or your parent/guardian) are agreeing to the below terms and conditions.
Our Terms and Conditions are here to make sure everything runs smoothly for both students and teachers. By setting clear expectations around lesson times, payments, cancellations, and communication, we can create a positive, respectful learning environment for everyone.
When you sign up for lessons at Layston Music, you’re agreeing to these terms – they help us stay organised, give our best to every student, and ensure your musical journey is supported every step of the way.
FEES, LESSONS and CANCELLATIONS [1]
[1.1] Lessons are provided through the Layston Music Tuition Plan and are reserved across the academic year [August to July]. Tuition Plan fees are spread evenly across the year through fixed monthly payments.
[1.2] Tuition Plan invoices are issued monthly in advance for both PRIVATE and GROUP lessons.
[1.3] Monthly payments must be received in full fourteen (14) days after Invoice is issued.
[1.4] Tuition Plan payments reserve a dedicated lesson slot for the student throughout the academic year. Because this lesson time is held specifically for the student, payments remain payable whether the student attends lessons or not.
[1.5] The Layston Music academic year is structured around:
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6 half terms
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34 Teaching weeks from September through to end of July
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1 weeks of make-up/extra lessons during the summer holidays and make-up weeks through the year.
This structure provides flexibility throughout the year for timetable planning, teacher illness, make-up sessions and academic calendar variations.
[1.6] Where holidays are booked and communicated in advance, a video lesson will be provided or Zoom Online lesson will take place.
[1.7] Where possible, lesson videos, practice guidance and/or homework may be provided in cases of student absence, provided notice is given before the lesson start time. Students are always welcome to attend lessons via Zoom if unable to attend in person.
[1.8] If Layston Music needs to cancel a lesson, replacement sessions will usually be offered during designated make-up weeks, at the end of half terms, or during additional summer lesson weeks. Teacher cancellations will not reduce the student’s yearly lesson allocation.
[1.9] All students receive access to the MyMusicStaff student portal, including lesson schedules, invoices, practice notes, downloadable resources, lesson reminders and important studio information.
[1.10] If accounts fall into arrears by two months or more, Layston Music reserves the right to suspend lessons and offer the lesson slot to another student.
[1.11] Ad-hoc lessons require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for cancellation. Lessons cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged in full.
Illness procedure: [2]
[2.1] If a student is unwell with potentially contagious symptoms, the student must inform Layston Music as soon as possible. If the student is well enough to take part in a lesson then it will go ahead remotely via Zoom video. If the student is not well enough to take part in a lesson then lesson resources and a short lesson video will made (and sent via our MyMusicStaff portal) for the student to practice with and continue their learning when they are ready.
[2.2.] If the teacher is unwell with potentially contagious symptoms, then a face-to-face lesson should not take place. The lesson will be given remotely via Zoom/WhatsApp video.
[2.3] If the teacher is not well enough to teach a lesson then an alternative “make-up” session will be booked for you at your usual time in the next "make-up" week.
LEAVING [3]
[3.1] Please give us 1 month (4 weeks) notice to “give-up” your instrumental/vocal lessons & leave Layston Music. We will be sorry to see you go.
CLASSES & PERFORMANCES [4]
[4.1] Students must inform Layston Music of any illness or condition which may affect their ability to participate in the scheduled musical activities in the lessons - the lesson plans can then be changed in accordance to what the student needs.
[4.2] Layston Music expects ALL students to show due respect and manners to ALL staff & fellow students at all times.
[4.3] Layston Music gives you a wonderful opportunity to perform at our annual show - The Winter Shindig. Please inform Layston Music if you are unable to perform as schedules are made well in advance.
PHOTOGRAPHS & VIDEO [5]
[5.1] Lesson Recordings
During a lesson, Layston Music may occasionally take a short photograph or video recording where this would provide the student with useful guidance for their practice at home. Wherever reasonably possible, recordings will focus only on the relevant instrument, hands, posture or exercise and will not include the student’s face.
The student, or their parent or guardian where appropriate, will be informed before a photograph or recording is made. They may decline without this affecting the student’s lessons.
[5.2] Use and Sharing of Lesson Recordings
Lesson photographs and recordings will be used solely to support the individual student’s learning and home practice. They will only be shared privately with the student or their parent or guardian through Layston Music’s usual communication or student-resource systems.
These photographs and recordings will not be published, shared publicly or used for advertising, social media, publicity or marketing.
Recordings will be stored securely and retained only for as long as they are reasonably required for the student’s tuition, after which they will be deleted.
[5.3] RSL Awards Video Examinations
Where a student enters an RSL Awards recorded digital examination, the examination must be filmed in accordance with RSL Awards’ current recording and identification requirements. The student’s face and performance may therefore need to be clearly visible.
The student, or their parent or guardian where appropriate, will be informed before an examination is recorded. The recording will only be used for the administration and assessment of the examination and will be uploaded to the appropriate RSL Awards submission system.
RSL Awards will process and retain the examination recording in accordance with its own privacy policy, examination guidance and data-retention procedures.
[5.4] Promotional Photographs and Videos
Layston Music will not use identifiable photographs or videos of a student for social media, publicity, advertising or any other promotional purpose without obtaining separate, specific consent from the student or, where appropriate, their parent or guardian.
Choosing not to provide promotional consent will not affect the student’s lessons, examination opportunities or participation in Layston Music activities. Any promotional consent previously given may be withdrawn at any time by contacting Layston Music, although it may not always be possible to remove material that has already been printed or otherwise distributed.
LAYSTON MUSIC’S COMMITMENTS [6]
[6.1] Data Protection and Confidentiality
Layston Music will collect, use, store and dispose of personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
Personal information will only be collected where it is relevant and necessary for the provision and administration of lessons, events, examinations and related services. It will be processed fairly and lawfully, kept accurate where reasonably possible, protected using appropriate security measures and retained only for as long as it is required.
Information relating to health, disabilities, SEND, access requirements or other sensitive circumstances will be treated with particular care and confidentiality.
Personal information may be shared where reasonably necessary with trusted service providers, examination boards such as RSL Awards, payment or accounting providers, professional advisers or relevant authorities. Information may also be disclosed where
Layston Music has a legal or safeguarding obligation to do so. We will not sell personal information or use it for unrelated purposes.
Further information about the personal information we collect, our lawful reasons for using it, how long it is retained, who it may be shared with and the individual’s data-protection rights can be found in the Layston Music Privacy Notice.
Anyone wishing to exercise their data-protection rights or raise a concern about how their information has been handled should contact Layston Music. Data-protection complaints will be acknowledged within 30 days and investigated and answered without undue delay. Individuals also have the right to raise a concern with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
[6.2] DBS Checks and Safer Working
Teachers and other team members whose roles involve eligible work with children or vulnerable individuals will hold the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service check for their role.
Where a team member is registered with the DBS Update Service, Layston Music may carry out status checks with their permission. Where they are not registered, a new DBS check may be requested when Layston Music considers this appropriate.
DBS certificates do not have an official expiry date. Layston Music will review checks periodically and whenever a person’s role, responsibilities or circumstances materially change. A DBS check forms only one part of our wider safeguarding and safer-working procedures.
[6.3] Public Liability Insurance
Layston Music will maintain appropriate public liability insurance for the lessons, events and activities it provides. This insurance is intended to provide protection in the event of eligible claims involving injury, damage or loss arising from Layston Music’s activities, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the relevant insurance policy.
[6.4] Safeguarding
Layston Music is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.
We maintain safeguarding procedures that explain how concerns should be recognised, recorded, reported and managed. These procedures are reviewed regularly and updated when required to reflect changes in legislation, official guidance, our services and recognised good practice.
All teachers and relevant team members are expected to understand and follow Layston Music’s safeguarding procedures and professional boundaries. Where there is a concern about a person’s safety or welfare, relevant information may be shared with the appropriate safeguarding authority, emergency service or other responsible organisation when it is lawful and necessary to do so.
[6.5] Training and Continuing Professional Development
Teachers and team members will undertake induction, training and continuing professional development appropriate to their individual roles and responsibilities.
This may include training in teaching practice, safeguarding, SEND and inclusive provision, data protection, health and safety, first aid, professional boundaries and other relevant areas. Training needs will be reviewed periodically to help maintain safe, informed and high-quality services.