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Students Poorly in Lessons (All Teachers)
Hi all,
I’ve recently had a few students who aren’t cancelling lessons when they’re poorly – mainly parents who are allowing their children to continue with their lessons when they are quite clearly sick. Just over a month ago, I had two students throw up in their lessons (one having a sick bucket next to the piano as her mum said she’s in the middle of a 24 hour sickness bug!), and then a couple with your average cold, and then one that had previously thrown up last week had just got back from doctor with tonsillitis and an infection. I seem to be picking up illness left, right and centre!
I’ve explained to students that it is okay to cancel if they/their kids are sick, and it’s getting to the point where I don’t mind losing money within my 24 hour cancellation policy as missing that one lesson is nicer than missing 2- 3 days of work! However, they don’t seem to listen to this. (I tend to play it by ear a bit with my cancellation policy – if I know a student is legit sick then I usually won’t charge within 24 hours as I know sickness can’t be helped!). I start to feel I’m being used as a babysitter.
Any advice would be appreciated! Whether on what to say to students, or what you take to fight off these bugs! Today I’ve been off as my tonsils are the size of golf balls – urgh!
Cheers –
Becky
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3 Replies
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That is ridiculous – I actually can’t believe the parents would allow that. Unbelievable!
It’s a 48 hour cancellation policy for me, even if they’re ill – they still pay the full lesson price. I’m strict with this because it’s a fair system that everyone respects. If I’m ill, I lose the money too.
I have had to send an email asking them to actually be okay with losing the money and try not to come if they’re riddled freshly with illness…! I offer a piano/theory lesson alternative if they feel too croaky to sing and don’t want to lose out on the lesson.
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I think pupils who turn up for lessons when they are sick are astoundingly selfish. Keep your bugs to yourself! I make this pretty clear, obviously with a kinder turn of phrase.
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I think I need to stop being so lenient with them! Definitely considering a 48 hour cancellation policy – I definitely have enforced mine enough this year.
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