Terms, conditions and initial information for the provision of private tuition

Valid for all students from 21st June 2019

Methodology

One of the primary benefits of private tuition is that teaching methods can be tailored to the individual student in a way that cannot be achieved in the larger group classroom setting. There is therefore no set pattern or material for private tuition. Every student is an individual, and student and tutor need to find their best approach together. The first session, therefore, will enable the tutor to assess the prior knowledge of the student, so that an individualised programme can be developed. Background information given before starting is of great help and the tutor will ask for any additional information needed.

Provision of equipment

The provision of exercise books or paper on which to write will normally be the responsibility of the student, however the tutor may have some supplies necessary if needed. Squared paper exercise books can be purchased from the tutor for a small fee. The provision of published text books, other published media shall be the responsibility of the student. Students will be expected to provide their own writing equipment during sessions.

Duration of tuition

Tuition normally consists of one-hour sessions. Shorter or longer sessions should be agreed in advance between student and tutor. Initially, it can be difficult to determine how much tuition a student requires. The tutor will attempt to be as flexible as possible as it is important to get the balance right for each individual student; for instance, some use private tuition as a year round supplement to a student’s education, however for others, just a few sessions may be required as a top-up and confidence builder prior to an exam. All students would like to see private tuition as a rapid solution, in reality it is not. It can take time for trust and rapport to be built between tutor and student, however, sometimes a tutor’s teaching method or personality may not suit the student involved.

Payment and booking of tuition

In the penultimate full week of each calendar month, sessions will be booked for the following calendar month. An email will be automatically generated during the booking process which denotes your confirmation of booking. In the final full week of each calendar month, an invoice will be sent to you by email for the sessions booked during the previous week. Details of the sessions, the amount outstanding, and how to pay the invoice will be detailed on the invoice. During the first week of each calendar month, invoices will be collected.

Short-notice additional sessions

In the case that an extra session is booked during the month, this session will be added to your invoice for the following month.

Session amendment policy

Once a session has been booked, it has been committed to. However, we are aware that sometimes flexibility is needed, so should sessions be available, the tutor will “flex” the booking to another day within 5 days of the original booking. Please note that flexed sessions may be with a different member of the Mallard Days team. Should a session be cancelled completely by the student, no refund will be due. In the case of a cancellation by the tutor, should a session be unable to be rescheduled, a refund will be given.

Late payment

Invoices must be settled within 7 days of the date of the invoice or the first session of the month, or a late payment charge will be levied.

Cessation of tuition by tutor

The tutor reserves the right to cease tutoring a student for any reason. If this occurs, any sessions paid in advance by the student will be refunded.

Cessation of tuition by student

After two initial sessions, two weeks notice of the end of tuition is required, either in writing or by email to your tutor, so that sessions can be brought to an appropriate conclusion. If the notice is sent by post, it will be deemed to have been received the second working day after the notice was posted. Should a session be cancelled by a student with less than two weeks notice, the tutor reserves the right to charge the minimum charge for two sessions. The completion of exams at the end of a programme of study will be considered valid notice.

Monitoring of progress

The tutor can, on request, provide a written progress report to their student regarding their progress. Verbal feedback will be given at any time.

Homework

In spite of the obvious benefits of private tuition, in order to achieve excellence, a student needs to study outside of tutorial sessions. The tutor will normally provide a homework task at the end of each session, normally one or two exam-style questions on the topic of the lesson, for the student to complete on their own, without guidance. This provides the ability for both the tutor and student to assess progress, and also helps in identifying weaknesses to be targeted.

Performance guarantee

The tutor does not accept liability for any student who does not reach their target grade in their course, nor do they guarantee the success (measured by any criteria) of the student in their present or future studies, however the tutor will use their best endeavours to assist the students to work towards their targets.

Scheduling of sessions

The time that a session is scheduled for is indicative only. Sessions will be carried out for their full duration, notwithstanding any delays, in the order in which they appear in the tutor’s planner. Normally, sessions take place within 10 minutes of their published start time, however this cannot be guaranteed. Should a tutor be running more than 30 minutes behind schedule, they will endeavour to contact the student to let them know.

Sessions in May, June and early July

During May, June and early July (“Exam Season”), sessions will only be guaranteed for students who are actively taking GCSE or A level exams (normally those in Years 11, 12 and 13).  A session will be guaranteed for each student between two and four days before each exam for which a tutor is preparing a student.  These sessions may be arranged in the form of group “revision days”.  Additional sessions in this period are not guaranteed, and are at the discretion of the tutor.

Insurance regulations

Due to insurance, a tutor cannot be held responsible for chaperoning minors, nor guarding a house and household effects. A responsible adult must be therefore present on the premises at all times. However, to prevent distraction or unnecessary pressure on the student, it is asked that the responsible adult waits in a different room.

Additional terms for tuition at a student’s house

The student will be responsible for providing an appropriate area for tuition, with sufficient space to write, and a quiet atmosphere conducive to high levels of concentration with no distractions (e.g. pets). Please can students ensure that refreshment (at a minimum, a glass of tap water) is available for the tutor during their visit.