Terms and Conditions
15th July 2024
Definitions
“Client” The person or persons who request, arrange and pay for the service. This is assumed to be the person who makes initial contact with Natalie Longhurst.
“Learner” This is the person receiving tutoring from Natalie Longhurst.
“Tuition” is the provision of lessons to the Learner, charged at an hourly rate.
“Consultancy” is the provision of education advice or consultation, charged at an hourly rate.
“Training session” is the time allocated to train individuals, charged at an hourly rate.
"A Term": the Spring Term is up to, and including, the end of the Easter school holidays. Summer Term is up to, and including, the end of the summer school holidays. Autumn Term is up to, and including, the end of the Christmas holidays.
“School holidays” is any period of non-term time, inclusive of all school dates within the UK.
Registration
1.1. Contact details for learners are to be kept up to date and Natalie Longhurst must be informed of any changes. These details include a postal address, a contact number and an e-mail address.
Contract
2.1 Following trial week three, all clients will be required to sign a contract agreeing to payments, cancellation terms and conditions and a notice period.
2.2 By signing the Terms and Conditions Acceptance form, you are reserving an agreed, weekly 60 minute time slot for your child.
Trial lessons
3.1 A 3-week settling in period is recommended where the child and parent can ascertain if the tuition is suitable. The contract can be terminated by either party with immediate effect during this period. These lessons will work as a
trial, and the Client will be committed to no further lessons if they are not entirely happy. The Client will be contacted after lesson 3 to see if they wish to continue.
3.2 It will be necessary, in the first three sessions , to complete informal teaching assessments so that an individualised, multisensory programme tailored to the learner can be drawn up.
3.3 These three initial sessions are paid individually. Following this, advance monthly payments are reuired.
Tuition
4.1 Lessons are offered weekly, and not fortnightly.
4.2 Lessons continue through the school holidays.
4.3 Where lessons are usually taken on Bank Holidays, please note that the Client may be requested to swap to an alternative date which is suitable to both parties.
4.4 All lessons take place 1-1 and face to face on site in The Shepherds Hut.
4.5 Parents are welcome to observe lessons. However, it is requested that parents do not interact with their child unless it is instigated by the tutor, as learning can be disrupted.
4.6 Parents observing must have their mobile phones on 'silent' mode and no calls are to be made or received during lesson time.
4.7 If any behavioural difficulties are experienced during a lesson, this will be reported to parents. Tuition may be terminated if there is unacceptable behaviour. However, this will only happen after the parent has tried to support their child during the lesson.
4.8 A note regarding weekly, consolidating home activities: homework only helps if it gets done. The tutor prepares it specifically for your child, and it takes time to put together. The activities are very short, the impact is great.
Safeguarding
5.1 In accordance with NSPCC guidelines, it is recommended that learners are not left unattended by a parent or carer during tuition. Sometimes this enables the learner to settle initially and sometimes a learner will find their parent's presence a distraction. Parents are welcome to drop in at any time.
5.2 An adult known by the learner, for example the learner’s parent or carer, is asked to be present nearby for the duration of the lesson.
5.3 The lesson will take place with the learner, on a one-to-one basis, in a quiet, private room for the duration of the set time.
5.4 Screenshots may be taken for marketing purposes, and shared on social media. All names and images of individuals will be blacked out before being published.
5.5 Natalie Longhurst will report any concerns about a student’s wellbeing or safety to the appropriate authorities immediately. Guidance will be taken from: ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidelines from DfE
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912592/Keep
ing_children_safe_in_education_Sep_2020.pdf
Fees and Invoices
6.1 Learners will be allocated a weekly time slot when the first booking is made. By booking a regular time slot you agree to pay for and attend all available sessions on your chosen day/time each term. The cost of lessons includes: a regular reserved time slot of 60 minutes, email feedback following each lesson , follow-on home activities and lesson preparation time. Reserving a regular time slot requires commitment. If you do not wish for your child to attend all sessions, Natalie Longhurst is unable to reserve a regular session for your child.
6.2 By reserving a time slot, the Client agrees to pay for all allocated sessions each term, regardless of attendance, unless agreed otherwise in writing before term commencement. Payment is due for monthly blocks in advance.
6.3 Sessions are charged as per the rates discussed and agreed at time of booking.
6.4 Payment details and instructions will be provided when tuition is booked.
Late payments and interest
6.5 Late payment Penalties
Overdue invoices will incur a late payment fee of £10 and interest at 15% per month, in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Services may be withheld until payment is received.
6.6 Invoices are payable in advance on a monthly basis. Invoices will be sent via email at the end of every month for the following month and are to be paid prior to the commencement of the first lesson of the new month.
6.7 If an invoice has not been paid prior to the next lesson, a reminder message will automatically be sent and tuition sessions may be withheld until payment is made. Natalie Longhurst reserves the right to add a £10 'late payment' fee to invoices that are past their due date.
6.8 Initial weekly payments are to be made on the day of tuition, prior to the commencement of the lesson. If payment has not been made on the day, the following scheduled session will not take place. A reminder message will automatically be sent and tuition sessions may be withheld until payment is made. Natalie Longhurst Dyslexia Tuition reserves the right to add a £5 'late payment' fee to payments that are past their due date.
6.9 Tuition rates are agreed upon at the time of booking and may increase annually in line with inflation and cost of living. Clients will receive written notice of any rate adjustments.
Absences
7.1 Arranged Absences (such as holiday): 2 sessions per term may be booked off in advance with 48 hours’ notice. If less than 48 hours’ notice is given, the full fee will apply. Spring Term is up to and includes, the end of the Easter school holidays. Summer Term is up to and includes, the end of the summer school holidays. Autumn Term is up to
includes, the end of the Christmas holidays. Term dates are based on the Buckinghamshire County Council school dates.
7.2 Unarranged Absences (such as sickness): 48 hours’ notice to be given please, otherwise the £50 fee will apply.
Tutor Cancellation
8.1 If the tutor cancels for reasons due to personal circumstances, then there will be no charge to parents and the lesson will be rearranged where possible. If this is not possible, the lesson will be credited to the next invoice.
Time-Keeping
9.1 Unless otherwise arranged, all one-to-one lessons are 60 minutes in duration. Clients are responsible for arriving for tuition on time, and lessons will end at the designated time to enable the next student to have their full lesson.
Parent Cancellation
10.1 Clients are able to book 2 sessions per term in advance for planned absence (with more than 48 hours’ notice). However, lessons cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice are charged at full fee, as your tutor will have planned that lesson and allocated the time.
10.2 If you need to request that your child’s session is rescheduled, this will try to be accommodated, but if it is impossible then the lesson will count as a cancellation.
10.3 If a learner is unwell during, or prior to a lesson, the lesson cannot be transferred, but it will be ended early if the learner is not well enough to complete the activities.
Consistent Parent Cancellation
11.1 Natalie Longhurst Dyslexia Tuition reserves the right to terminate tuition if lessons have been cancelled on a regular basis (two times or more in one term) and to offer the tuition time slot to a learner on the waiting list.
Inclement Weather
12.1 Lessons are expected to proceed as scheduled wherever possible. The Shepherds Hut is heated in Winter and air conditioned in Summer.
12.2 Where a parent chooses to cancel due to weather conditions, the session remains chargeable unless otherwise agreed.
12.3 During periods of extreme heat, lessons are adapted to include revision activities, educational games, and skills-based learning to maintain student engagement and wellbeing.
Stopping lessons
13.1 Cancellation of the tuition contract must be communicated in writing or via email.
Notice Period for Termination
14.1 Lessons will continue until a mutually agreed termination date, subject to two paid lessons’ notice from either party. Any overpayment will be refunded. Both parties have the right to terminate tuition if continuing the lessons is no longer beneficial to the Student.
Unacceptable Behaviour
15.1 If the behaviour of the child, parent, or guardian jeopardizes safety or becomes unacceptable, the Tutor reserves the right to terminate lessons without notice.
Student Progress
16.1 Following the end of each lesson, email feedback will be sent to parents. Strategies will also be shared to enable parents to support their child at home.
16.2 The normal 1:1 hourly tuition rate is charged for additional meetings in person, or by phone or email, as requested by parents outside of tuition sessions.
Progress Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability
17.1 While the tutor will endeavour to ensure that the student makes satisfactory progress, this cannot be guaranteed, and the tutor cannot be held accountable for the academic success, or otherwise, of the student. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the tutor accepts no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage, foreseeable or otherwise, including any indirect, consequential, special or exemplary damages arising from the tutor’s services or any errors or omissions in the contents of the tutor’s learning materials.
Special Requests
18.1 There is a charge for special requests. Examples include but are not limited to: the completion of a form/questionnaire for educational psychologists/other education professionals; a written report regarding student progress (email feedback each lesson is included in your tuition fee); contribution to E.H.C.P. applications.
18.2 Discussions by email or phone, with other teachers or professionals, at the request of the parent, will be chargeable at the standard hourly rate (or a percentage of, according to the time taken). This fee will be discussed prior to any communications taking place, and charges being incurred.
18.3 Sessions may not be recorded (audio or video) without written prior consent from Natalie Longhurst.
Resources
19.1 Parents will be required to provide specific learning resources that can be used by the learner during the lesson. For example, any visual aids such as tinted glasses or overlays.
19.2 Resources that are created by Natalie Longhurst Dyslexia Tuition are the intellectual property of Natalie Longhurst Dyslexia Tuition.
19.3 Resources or worksheets provided for use during home activities, are strictly for use of the intended student, and
are not to be shared.
19.4 Any other use of/request for the resources must be requested in writing or by email and a reason for their use before permission is granted. Permission will only be granted by email from Natalie Longhurst Dyslexia Tuition
Changes to terms
20.1 Natalie Longhurst reserves the right, at her discretion, to modify, add, or remove any or all of these terms and conditions at any time and each such change shall be effective immediately upon posting. Please check these terms and conditions periodically for changes.
Privacy policy and Acceptable use policy
21.1 Registration and other information provided by you is subject to our Privacy Policy and shall only be used in accordance with it. For more information, please go to the Privacy Policy.
Expenses
22.1 All expenses for training and tutoring materials will be covered in your agreed fee with Natalie Longhurst unless otherwise specified. All prices are exclusive of mileage, unless otherwise specified. Mileage is charged at a rate of £0.45p per mile.
Code of Ethics
23.1 Natalie Longhurst is a professional member of the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) and PATOSS (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties). Please refer to the BDA and PATOSS Code of Ethics:
https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/terms/bda-code-of-ethics-v2-april-2019
https://www.patoss-dyslexia.org/write/MediaUploads/Code_of_Ethics_and_Prof_Conduct_2022.pdf
Complaints
24.1 If you have any concerns about any practice or incident relating to Natalie Longhurst Dyslexia Tuition, please
contact Natalie in the first instance for an informal discussion. If this does not solve your concern, you may refer to the PATOSS complaints procedure.
Insurance
25.1 Natalie Longhurst (owner of Natalie Longhurst Dyslexia Tuition) holds Public Liability Insurance and Indemnity Insurance through PATOSS (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning difficulties). This is provided by Arthur Gallagher– HISCOX Professional Insurance Protection.
If you have read through the Terms and Conditions carefully and would like to book tuition, please go the Acceptance of Terms and Conditions page.