Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of tutoring services by Laura Shields Tutoring.  By engaging with my services, you agree to comply with these terms.

Services Provided

Laura provides tutoring in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science.  Sessions can be conducted in person or online as agreed upon. The duration and frequency of lessons will be agreed upon in advance.

Fees and Payment

1:1 Tuition:

• A free half hour consultation is available for you to meet me and ask any questions you may have.
• New students may try an initial paid trial lesson to begin with.
• Fees for tuition are payable by BACS monthly in advance.
• Invoices will be sent out on the 2nd week of each month for the lessons booked the following month.
• Payment must be made by 28th day of each month, unless an alternative date is specified on the invoice.
• If payment is not received by the due date, students will be at risk of their lesson slot being lost.
• If payment is not made before a scheduled lesson, the session will be cancelled incurring the full lesson fee and payment will be due immediately. No further lessons will be scheduled or take place until payment has been made in full.

Group Tuition and Masterclasses:

• Minimum numbers may be required for groups (including masterclasses). All students attending groups must attend a Zoom chat with Laura free of charge prior to group tuition starting.
• Fees for group lessons must be paid in advance per Half Term by BACS and are non-refundable due to the nature of group tuition. Notes/homework etc. (where requested) from missed lesson will be provided.
• New Clients may try an initial paid trial lesson to begin with.
• Parent/s or guardian/s must be present at the venue within earshot for all lessons.
• If payment is not received by the due date, students will be at risk of their space being lost.

Non-payment of fees – Laura Shields Tutoring reserves the right to refuse to allow the student to attend tuition while fees remain unpaid or if there is a persistent failure by you to pay the fees on time.

Cancellation Policy

1:1 Lessons:

• Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be billed to the client in full.
• If for any reason you need to reschedule an agreed lesson, I am happy to do so, subject to availability at a date/time that is mutually convenient to both tutor and student, when at least 24hrs notice has been given as above.
• Any lessons cancelled by me for any reason, will be rescheduled where possible, or refunded in full (credited to your next invoice).

Group Lessons (including Masterclasses):

• Group lesson fees are non-refundable; any lesson cancelled/missed will not be rescheduled due to the nature of group tuition.  Access to notes and homework etc. (where requested) from any missed lesson will be provided.
• Any lessons cancelled by me for any reason, will be rescheduled where possible, or refunded in full (credited to your next invoice).

Repeated Cancellations – Laura Shields Tutoring reserves the right to withdraw tuition for repeated cancellations and/or no shows.

Confidentiality

All information shared during tutoring sessions will be kept confidential and used solely for educational purposes.  I will not disclose any personal information to third parties without your explicit consent.

Responsibilities

• You are responsible for arriving on time and being prepared for each lesson.
• Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children know how to behave appropriately.  Abusive or discriminatory behaviour towards the tutor and/or other students will not be acceptable.  I reserve the right to cancel any bookings for students whose behaviour is unacceptable, or where abusive language is used by either parent or student.
• Attend online tuition from an open room such as a living or dining room rather than bedrooms; whenever possible for the purposes of safeguarding, if this is unavoidable please ensure the environment is appropriate, parents/guardians must be nearby within earshot in the venue, and doors must be left open for safeguarding purposes.

Liability

Laura will strive to provide the best possible service.  However, Laura will not be held accountable or responsible for the academic success or lack thereof demonstrated by the student/client.  Although Laura will do everything in their power to help grades and skill sets improve, I can offer no guarantee thereto.

Termination

Lessons will continue until a mutually agreed termination date, subject to a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice in writing.  If this coincides with the end of a term, then written notice must be given before that term ends. This is to allow an appropriate transition, allowing me to offer the lesson to a waiting client with reasonable notice.  I reserve the right to end our agreement with appropriate notice as per the above.

Changes to Terms

I reserve the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time.  Any changes will be communicated to you in writing.