Parent Information & Lesson Policy

Every student follows a structured learning programme based on their age, ability, goals and learning pace.

Lessons may include practical piano playing or singing, music theory, aural training, sight-reading, rhythm and musicianship, technique and posture, performance skills, ABRSM, LCM or Trinity examination preparation, and competition preparation.

These areas work together and are necessary for complete musical development. A student may need time on foundations before visible performance results become consistent.

Music theory is not separate from practical music. It helps students read notation, understand rhythm, recognise musical patterns, develop musicianship, play or sing independently, and prepare for examinations and performances.

Essential topics will not be skipped merely to create the appearance of faster progress. The teacher determines how theory and practical work are balanced according to the student's needs.

During early lessons, Hashini reviews the student's starting point, chooses suitable foundation work and a manageable learning focus, and gives clear practice tasks based on each lesson. After four lessons, she reviews the work with you and explains the next steps.

Guidance and the four-lesson review take place within booked lessons. The work and pace depend on the student; four lessons do not promise a particular musical standard, exam readiness or an examination result.

Musical progress is gradual and differs between students. Suitable work can include posture and technique, pitch and rhythm, reading, listening, confidence and correcting existing habits.

Hashini Herath Music does not guarantee a fixed rate of progress, examination passes, distinctions, competition awards, or a specific performance level within a fixed period.

Progress depends on attendance, practice, ability, age, confidence, preparation and individual learning needs.

As a broad guide, working through all grades may take around five years. The actual time depends on the student's starting point, chosen examination route, practice and learning pace; it is not a completion guarantee.

Regular home practice is essential. Lessons provide instruction and guidance, while much of the student's improvement happens through consistent practice between lessons.

Progress may be limited when practice is irregular, assigned work is not completed, the student frequently misses lessons, the student does not have access to an appropriate instrument or practice environment, or instructions are repeatedly ignored.

Hashini gives clear practice tasks based on the work covered in each lesson and revisits previous work during booked lessons. Tell her if a task is unclear or difficult so the next steps can be adjusted.

Parents can help by setting aside a suitable practice time, asking the student to show the assigned task and encouraging a careful attempt. Musical expertise is not required. Actual tasks and practice duration depend on the student.

Scores, worksheets, recordings, videos and other resources are selected when useful for the current work. Every student does not receive every type of resource every week.

Lesson planning, teaching methods, repertoire, exercises, syllabus selection and the order of topics are determined by the teacher according to the student's needs.

Parent feedback and relevant information are welcome. Please discuss concerns outside the lesson rather than interrupting teaching. Hashini will explain the approach and choose work that supports the student's foundations and realistic goals.

Essential subjects cannot be skipped simply to create faster-looking progress. If the teaching approach does not suit the family after discussion, Hashini may recommend another teacher.

Lessons begin and end at the scheduled time. Students must arrive or connect online on time. Late arrival does not automatically extend the lesson.

Additional teaching time beyond the booked duration cannot be expected or guaranteed. Extra time offered voluntarily on one occasion does not create an entitlement to longer future lessons.

Parents must collect children promptly after in-person lessons. A lesson may end early if the student behaves unsafely or is unable to participate appropriately.

Parents should provide notice as early as possible if a student cannot attend. Missed lessons are non-refundable, subject to rights that cannot legally be excluded.

For student absences, rescheduling is subject to teacher availability, and a replacement lesson is not guaranteed. Repeated cancellations or irregular attendance may result in the student's lesson time being released.

If Hashini cancels a paid lesson, you receive a replacement lesson at a mutually suitable time or a credit for the cancelled lesson.

Lesson fees must be paid according to the agreed schedule. Lesson payments are non-refundable, including payments for missed or unused prepaid lessons, subject to rights that cannot legally be excluded.

Withdrawal after a completed lesson does not create a refund entitlement. Time voluntarily provided beyond the paid lesson duration does not reduce or invalidate the agreed lesson fee.

Dissatisfaction caused solely by unrealistic expectations of immediate progress does not create an automatic refund entitlement.

The existing cancellation and rescheduling arrangements continue to apply. Nothing in this policy removes rights that cannot legally be excluded.

Students who qualify for a confirmed monthly fee lock keep the agreed lesson fee for their protected period. The fee lock does not require a full year's payment upfront and does not change attendance or rescheduling arrangements.

Examination, festival and competition fees may be collected and forwarded to external organisations. Hashini Herath Music is not the organiser of third-party examinations, festivals or competitions unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Once an entry has been submitted or payment has been transferred, refunds depend on the organiser's rules. Hashini Herath Music cannot personally authorise or issue a refund for money already paid to an external organisation.

Entry acceptance, dates, schedules, categories, regulations, results and organiser decisions are controlled by the relevant organisation.

Parents must verify student names, ages, categories, songs, grades and other entry details before final submission where confirmation is requested.

The teacher is not responsible for changes, cancellations, delays or decisions made by external organisers. Preparing a student does not guarantee a prize, medal, examination pass or distinction.

Questions, concerns and constructive feedback are welcome and will be handled professionally. You can message Hashini to clarify assigned work or discuss lesson arrangements. Practice review and teaching take place during booked lessons; messaging does not include unlimited support, additional private teaching or a guaranteed reply time.

Please communicate respectfully. Abusive language, threats, harassment, intimidation, knowingly false accusations and unsafe or aggressive conduct are not acceptable.

The teacher is not obligated to answer repeated calls or messages where communication has become abusive, threatening or disrespectful.

The teacher may limit communication to writing, stop responding to repetitive messages, block a person from communication channels or take appropriate action to protect the teacher, students and business.

Either the family or the teacher may decide that the arrangement is no longer suitable.

The teacher may suspend or discontinue lessons because of continued disrespect, harassment or threats, false or defamatory allegations, repeated non-payment, serious disruption, unsafe behaviour, persistent interference with lessons, refusal to follow studio policies, breakdown of trust, repeated attendance problems, behaviour that negatively affects other students, or an irreparable breakdown in the teacher-parent relationship.

Where practical, notice may be provided in writing. However, lessons may be ended immediately in serious circumstances.

Ending the teaching relationship does not create a refund entitlement for lessons already delivered or third-party fees already submitted.

Hashini Herath is committed to structured teaching, age-appropriate instruction, respectful treatment, honest feedback, safe learning, individual support, professional preparation for examinations and performances, and continuous improvement of teaching materials and methods.

During early lessons, Hashini reviews the student's starting point, chooses suitable foundation work and a manageable learning focus, and gives clear practice tasks based on each lesson. After four lessons, she reviews the work with you and explains the next steps.

If Hashini cancels a paid lesson, you receive a replacement lesson at a mutually suitable time or a credit for the cancelled lesson.

Students have achieved examination distinctions and earned awards at regional and all-island competitions. These achievements are evidence of experience and teaching quality, not a promise that every student will achieve identical results.

This policy may be updated when necessary to improve clarity, reflect changes in services or maintain safe and professional studio operations.

The latest version published on hashiniherath.com will apply. Continued booking, payment, attendance or participation after an updated policy is published constitutes acknowledgement and acceptance of the updated policy.

Where a major change materially affects existing prepaid services, reasonable notice will be provided where practical.