1. FEES must be paid in full before the day THat lessons commence and by the first day of eacH school term there after. Failure to pay a term’s fees may automatically suspend any further tuition. Reinstatement will be at the discretion of the MMF Directorate; if reinstated any loss of lessons will have to be borne by the student.
2. NON PAYMENT OF FEES. The Merton Music Foundation (MMF) reserves the right to discontinue lessons for non payment of fees and charge interest at commercial rates on all overdue accounts.
3. MMF TRUST FUND. In cases of hardship assistance towards the cost of meeting fees for youth tuition may be available from the MMF Trust Fund; application should be made to the Chief Executive of MMF. Application forms for the MMF Trust Fund are available from schools or directly from the MMF Office. Application forms and current proof of entitlement must be submitted EACH TERM.
4. TERM LENGTH. Instrumental tuition will normally consist of 10 lessons per term. Due to the brevity of some terms, the number of lessons may need to be adjusted to ensure thirty lessons in an academic year. A credit or rebate will be issued at the end of the academic year if, due to the tutor’s absence, a student has not received a minimum of 30 lessons. Fees are not refundable if a pupil misses a lesson because of absence from school or forgetfulness. If a student is absent for a period of six consecutive weeks due to illness a half term’s tuition fee will be refunded providing notice in writing has been given to the MMF Office. Fees for the hire of MMF Instruments will not be refunded.
5. REFUNDS. Payments for places on instrumental tuition courses are non-returnable except as provided in 8 below or when we are unable to accept the application because a course is full or is insufficiently subscribed; in this case you will be put on our waiting list and the full fee will be refunded at the time of the course or earlier if requested. If lessons are missed as a result of late payment no refund can be made.

6. TERMINATION OF LESSONS. Lessons may be discontinued ONLY AT THE END OF TERM and notice of withdrawal MUST BE GIVEN TO THE MMF OFFICE IN WRITING BY THE HALF-TERM. If this notice is not given an administration fee of £18.00 will be charged in lieu of notice. Recipients of Trust Fund support will be charged £9.00. Payment of this fee will not entitle the student to any further tuition. The MMF reserves the right to discontinue lessons where a student makes insufficient progress or their attendance is unsatisfactory.
7. FORMS. Applications can only be accepted on official MMF Application Forms. One form must be completed and signed for each applicant. Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to “Merton Music Foundation”.
8. TUTORS. We reserve the right to alter tutors but will endeavour tell you if this is necessary. If we are unable to replace an indisposed tutor we will refund or credit the appropriate fee. All tuition depends on the availability of instruments and tutors.
9. LIABILITY. The MMF accepts no responsibility for loss, damage, injuries or any inconvenience beyond the control of the Trustees.
10.TIMETABLING. Lessons provided in schools are timetabled by the Head of Music/Music Co-ordinator or their representative.
11. MERTON YOUTH MUSIC. Students receiving tuition through the Merton Music Foundation are encouraged, as an extension of their studies, to attend ensembles as part of the MMF’s Merton Youth Music Programme at Chaucer Centre, Canterbury Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 6PX. A membership fee for joining Merton Youth Music is payable termly.
12. Any decision concerning tuition or hire made by the MMF Directorate shall be final. The Trustees of the MMF reserve the right to alter Terms and Conditions without prior notice.

1. THE HIRE PERIOD IS NORMALLY LIMITED TO 3 TERMS, but may be extended subject to availability.
2. HIRE FEES. It is a condition of hire that any fee required should be paid in full before the start of each new term.
3. LIABILITY. Persons hiring instruments from the MMF must accept full responsibility for the safekeeping of the instrument and in the event of loss or damage make restitution. (This does not apply to the rehairing of bows necessitated by fair wear and tear). The MMF accepts no responsibility for damage to, or the loss or theft of, musical instruments. You are strongly advised to provide your own insurance for all instruments hired from the MMF.

4. REPAIRS. Instruments in need of repair must be returned to the MMF Office and not repaired privately. No refunds will be made in respect of repairs under taken privately.
5. If lessons are discontinued for any reason the instrument must be returned immediately to the MMF Administrator at the MMF Office and not to the school, otherwise hire fees will continue to be charged and the instrument's full replacement cost become payable.
6. CONSUMABLES. All reeds, oils, grease and strings are the responsibility of the hirer.
7. Instruments with MMF identification tags must remain labelled for identification purposes.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE LEGALLY BINDING
Your signature on either the Application for Tuition and/or Instrument Hire Forms,
or payment of invoices confirms to the Merton Music Foundation that you have read and understood
the above conditions concerning tuition and hire with the MMF and THAT YOU AGREE TO ABIDE BY THEM.