Cancellation Policy

What do you do when a student texts you 10 minutes before their lesson to say they’re not coming?  Do a little happy dance?  Run out for a quick coffee?  Regret that didn’t know earlier because you could have rescheduled another student?  Or fume because now you won’t get paid?

In the previous post I talked about setting up your studio rules.  This should include your cancellation policy.

My own policy is that students/parents must let me know before 9am if they’re not coming to a lesson.  This works well for things like school camps/sports trips etc. when students know well in advance that they can’t make their lesson.  It’s also good if they are sick and having the day off school.  I am lenient if a student breaks their toe in PE at 2:30pm and their lesson is at 3:30 (true story…) and they have to spend the afternoon at A&E.

But, if a student just ‘forgets’ to come, then it’s too bad.  I have a business to run.  Harsh, but there it is.

Have a think about what you’re willing to put up with in terms of cancellations, and make sure you have it in writing.