Friday 13 April 2012

All ISM Full and Associate members must at all times comply with the ISM Code of Ethics. This Code of Practice defines areas of responsibility, accountability and professionalism for ISM private teachers in their teaching and relationships with their pupils, or parents of pupils. As a member of the Society you are urged to join the ISM Music Directory and the ISM Approved Private Teachers listing within the Directory.

Contractual Arrangements

The acceptance of a student is a business contract. Teachers should therefore ensure through use of a written agreement, preferably the ISM agreement for private music tuition, that the terms of the contract are clearly understood by the student before lessons commence. If the student is a minor, a parent or guardian must clearly understand the arrangements and agree to them.

Teachers have a responsibility to carry out their part of the contract for services meticulously and professionally in terms of teaching methods and procedures, facilities and equipment.

If extra lessons of any kind are needed, arrangements should be mutually agreed in accordance with the conditions of the written agreement.

Teachers should make clear whether or not they are able to accompany non-pianist pupils and at whose expense the services of an accompanist will be provided.

Teachers should not solicit as pupils those persons whom you know to be pupils of fellow teachers. However, members of the public have the right to choose their own teachers and, if they wish, transfer from one teacher to another.

When a student of one teacher wishes to transfer to another, it is the responsibility of the new teacher to be satisfied that the pupil has satisfactorily terminated all obligations with the previous teacher. New teachers should therefore ensure that all fees have been paid and any property such as books or audio-visual material returned to the previous teacher and that there is no professional reason why that pupil should not be taken on.

Communicating with Pupils and Parents

Teachers are expected to initiate and maintain good communications with parents, schools and other private teachers, as well as with pupils, and to communicate clearly and openly at all times. Child pupils should not be expected to be the sole communicators to other adults of information concerning their music tuition.

Clients should be treated courteously and their rights as individuals respected. Confidentiality of personal information must be maintained at all times, except where disclosure of information is deemed necessary to safeguard the welfare of a child.

Teachers should not communicate with child pupils by internet, email or text message without a parent’s prior permission.

In the case of children, teachers should offer parents regular progress reports. This should include a written progress report, a discussion with parents, or both, at least once a term.

In the case of adult pupils, information on progress should be conveyed during the process of giving tuition.

Teachers are expected to communicate examination results and to pass on certificates promptly to pupils and parents. On no account should results be withheld pending payment of tuition fees or settlement of any dispute.

Teachers should be able to advise pupils and parents or suggest reliable sources of information for making choices about (a) the purchase of instruments, (b) the appropriate schools for music education and (c) courses in further and higher education. While there are many matters on which teachers may be asked to advise, they should only do so where they are professionally competent to do so, or otherwise suggest where an expert opinion can be obtained.

Teaching Content

Teachers are expected to provide a varied and balanced course of study appropriate to the age and ability of each pupil, with regard to both technique and repertoire.

Teachers should make it clear to pupils (and parents) whether theory and aural training are specifically included in lessons, whether and when extra lessons will be necessary, or whether theory lessons will replace instrumental or singing lessons when needed.

Teachers should make it clear whether or not they prepare pupils for graded examinations and should advise on alternative approaches to studying music.

Teachers should not view their work in isolation. They should be aware if a pupil has overlapping musical interests, for example whether the pupil learns other instruments, is studying for GCSE or A/AS Level Music, or belongs to an orchestra, band, choir, music club, etc.

Teachers are expected to provide performing opportunities for pupils.

Child Protection

Teachers should be familiar with the contents of our advice pages, ISM Child Protection Procedures for Members, ISM Child Protection Policy and Child Protection: The Law.

All teachers are in a position of trust with their pupils. Any sexual activity, even if within a consensual relationship, between a teacher and a pupil under the age of 18 (irrespective of the age of consent) could constitute a criminal offence.

Teachers should be aware of the ISM Child Protection Policy and be prepared to communicate information about their own working practices to parents and pupils.

Any physical contact with pupils is open to misinterpretation. Teachers should therefore be aware of the boundaries of appropriate and inappropriate touch and consider using other strategies such as demonstrating for the student to copy or using a mirror. If a teacher intends to use any physical contact in their teaching, they should state this in writing before lessons begin and ask the parent or carer to sign that they have read the document. Explain the type of touch involved, where on the body and why, and make sure the pupil is aware of the reason for physical contact. Explain this orally to parents, carers and pupils, and keep them informed of any need to modify the type of touch required as pupils progress. It is not advisable to touch a child on the trunk of the body unless there is a justifiable reason (e.g. to administer first aid). It is not appropriate to touch a child around the chest, waist, diaphragm or ribs in order to teach breathing.

It is good practice to make it possible for another person to view the lesson from outside the room, as is encouraging parents to sit in on lessons, particularly when teaching at home alone.

Teachers should provide information on who else might be in the house or premises where lessons take place.

Teachers should not take pupils alone in a car on journeys, however short without the parent’s prior agreement. Teachers should be extremely cautious about communicating with pupils via Facebook or using other informal communication tools since it can be difficult to maintain professional boundaries with pupils when such communication tools are used. It is preferable to maintain a professional distance from pupils at all times.

Teachers should treat all personal information acquired in the course of teaching children as confidential, except where there are concerns that a child may be at risk.

Teachers should not allow allegations a child makes to be ignored. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, consider whether it is appropriate to discuss your concerns with the pupil or their parent(s), or whether you should refer the matter to a professional agency, e.g. the police or children’s services. If in doubt, you can seek advice from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s (NSPCC) free 24-hour helpline, 0808 800 5000. Above all, if teachers have concerns about a child or young person, doing nothing is not an option; safeguarding and promoting the child’s welfare is paramount.

Teaching Premises and Facilities

Teachers are expected to have a suitably equipped studio with access to cloakroom facilities for pupils’ use and a waiting area for pupils and parents. Teachers may wish to provide resources – e.g. books, music, CDs, DVDs – for pupils’ use.

Health and Safety

Teachers should ask parents to fill in a form on any health needs and allergies the pupil may have that may require physical attention. Teachers should ask parents to be clear about who is collecting pupils and not allow pupils to leave by themselves without a parent’s or carer’s written permission. Teachers should ensure they have emergency contact details for a parent or carer.

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