Covid-19
As you are aware Covid-19 hasn’t disappeared and I am in the highly vulnerable group and as case numbers are variable. Given that when I contracted covid in hospital my admission lasted 4 months.
I have carried out a risk assessment and we have returned to a
blended teaching formata combination of face to face (in school/studio lessons) and zoom lessons.
It has not been possible to return to teaching in all schools as this requires their risk assessment to allow for visiting teachers as well as meeting the requirements of Owl Music risk assessment! Instead pupils have been offered a lessons at the studio in River.
Changes
Parents will be required to agree to an updated contract and terms and conditions prior to resuming face to face lessons.
A copy of the Risk Assessment will be available on the parent portal along with specific instructions regarding attending lessons.
All pupils and parents may be required to wear a face covering during the lesson
Parents may be asked to wait outside and siblings will no longer be permitted to accompany pupils. The full recommendations can be found here - ISM guidance for private music lessons
The main message is if you are unwell don’t come to lessons!
Contact me and we can arrange online or possibly rearrange a face to face lesson.
Please note that in line with T&Cs rearranging an in person lesson is not automatic and you may be charged for cancellations within the notice period.
Lesson Slots
Tuesday, July 21, 2020 by Ceri Jones | Admin
Lesson slots are now uploaded to book your lessons for the rest of July and August!
If there is a specific/repeating time you would prefer and you cannot see it on the calendar please contact me.
All slots are open for all instruments and 30 minutes long to allow for technical glitches.
Once you have booked your lesson I will change the instrument type to confirm the lesson.
Please check the Student Portal for any practice notes and repertoire/resources allocated to your child
New guidance will allow for some face to face in school teaching at the schools discretion if Covid safe working arrangements are possible. In order to allow continuity of lessons I have opted to continue to teach online initially during term 1 2020/21 until schools are able to settle pupils into their new routines.
Face to Face Studio lessons are currently not possible due to guidance from the ISM and are likely to remain online for September and October however again this will be kept under constant review as the situation changes.
Bursary Scheme
Monday, July 20, 2020 by Ceri Jones | admin
The Kent Music Bursary scheme 2020/2021 which assists with the cost of lessons and provision of certain instruments is now open (MONDAY JULY 20th)
If you currently are in receipt of a bursary or may have had a change in circumstances and potentially now be eligible please look at the Kent Music Website and apply as soon as possible as last year all bursary places were full by October! Bursaries are available to cover 75% of lessons costs.
You may need to register as a new applicant as you have lessons via Owl Music not Kent Music.
If you know of someone who may be interested in learning an instrument but where money may be a barrier please encourage them to contact Kent Music re financial assistance.
The scheme is managed by Kent Music so please contact their customer services department or Gail Batty directly in the first instance with any queries.
If you are awarded a Bursary please let me know.
Instrument Tuning
Thursday, July 9, 2020 by Ceri Jones | Uncategorized
String Instrument Tuning while you wait!
We can now offer a socially distanced string instrument tuning service for the following instruments
Violin Viola Cello
Guitar Ukulele
Current pupils please contact via text to arrange a suitable time.
There will be a small charge for non Owl music pupils. Please contact us using the website contact form for further details.
Please note we do not accept responsibility for any damage to instruments while in our care.
There will be a charge for replacement strings/parts.
In line with current covid recommendations as the virus can live on non porous surfaces for 72 hours instruments may be cleaned with detergent/ bleach wipes which may potentially may damage the varnish.
You will be asked to wait in your car/outside while the instrument is tuned.
Please hand the instrument to the collector out of its case.
If you have are unwell or have members of your household who are self-isolating please do not request or arrange a tuning slot!
