When the studio first opened, we did our best to accommodate every request for a rescheduled lesson because we genuinely wanted to help families.
However, in just one year we received over 200 reschedule requests.
Many parents understandably think moving one lesson is straightforward. In reality, it often involved checking the timetable, contacting five or six other families, exchanging endless messages and emails and rearranging several schedules, all to accommodate one change.
With a full timetable and a long waiting list, there aren't spare lesson slots sitting empty each week, so rescheduling usually means trying to create space that simply doesn't exist. We also don't have a full-time administrator, so every reschedule takes valuable time away from lesson planning, teaching and supporting our students.
In many cases, repeated requests simply meant the original lesson time was no longer the best fit. That's why families commit to a fixed weekly lesson time when they join the studio.
Since introducing our no make-up policy, attendance has been excellent and students have made much better progress. Consistent attendance leads to consistent progress.
Every student has a dedicated weekly lesson reserved exclusively for them. Our teachers prepare each lesson in advance and often travel a considerable distance to teach. They are therefore paid whether or not a student attends.
A missed lesson also leaves an unfillable gap before the next student arrives, meaning that teaching time cannot usually be replaced at short notice. If I then arrange a make-up lesson, I have to pay the teacher a second time, meaning I pay for two lessons while only receiving payment for one. Unfortunately, that simply isn't sustainable for a small independent studio.
Piano is a cumulative skill, so regular attendance is essential. Students who attend consistently make the strongest progress because each lesson builds on the last.
Our teaching calendar closely follows the Bromley school term dates to help families maintain a consistent routine and minimise clashes with school holidays.
We still want students to keep progressing between lessons. If your child is unable to attend, you're welcome to upload a video of their playing to the Practice Space app. Your teacher will review it and provide feedback to help your child stay on track until their next lesson.
This keeps learning moving forward without disrupting the studio timetable.
Like many children's activities, including dance, gymnastics and swimming, many piano studios do not routinely offer make-up lessons. A regular weekly place is reserved for every student, allowing us to provide a consistent, high-quality learning experience for all.
Our no make-up policy isn't about being inflexible. It's about running a fair and sustainable studio so we can focus on what matters most: providing outstanding piano lessons for every student.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
.webp)
