A question I’m often asked is "how long will I have to wait before getting lessons?"
This is a very hard question to answer as it is dependent on a number of factors. So, I thought I’d outline some of these to help provide a better understanding of the process.
student turnover
The first component is the turnover of existing students. My turnover is relatively low and typically three or four students each year will cease lessons. However, there may be more in a year when there are several senior high school students moving onto university study, or when adult students’ work commitments change.
It's also not simply a case of one student leaves and another one takes their place. A senior student, for example, may be a 60 minute lesson which creates opportunities for two beginner students on the waiting list when they depart.
lesson time flexibility
The second factor is whether or not the time slot which becomes available will actually work for prospective students currently on the list.
When a slot opens up, I review the waiting list and identify those people who have been waiting the longest and who have indicated availability at the time which has come free. They are then contacted to see if they are interested in taking the slot, and if not, the next person who matches the criteria is approached.
Your flexibility around lesson times is definitely an advantage. When requesting to go on the waiting list, please indicate all of the times you are likely to be available.
There have been occasions when I’ve received an enquiry and that person has been able to start the following week because they could come in a morning lesson slot which had recently opened up, and which no one else on the waiting list was able to fill. This is not a common occurrence, but does happen from time to time.
communication
The other contributing factor to the length of the waiting list is when a prospective student on the list finds another teacher in the interim, but fails to let me know that they want to be removed from my list. So, while my records may show a large number of names, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all of them will still actively be waiting for lessons.
At regular intervals through the year, I contact waiting list students and remove the names of those who are no longer seeking tuition, so I do endeavour to keep my waiting list as up to date as possible.
So how long will I have to wait to get lessons?
As you can see, it’s difficult to assess exactly how long someone will have to wait. My best estimates, judging on previous experience and current waiting list numbers would be:
lessons after school
After 3.00pm
These times are very popular and highly sort after by both school students and adult students who would prefer to have their lessons after work.
Consequently, when one of these slots arise, there are more students in the queue, and time spent on the waiting list is longer.
You are likely to be waiting between 6 and 9 months for a lesson time to become available after 3.00pm.
lessons during the day
Prior to 3.00pm
You should expect to be on the waiting list for around 6 months for a lesson time to become available during the day prior to 3.00pm.
How do I get added to the waiting list?
Step 1
Please read the Studio Policy and then complete the New Student Enquiry form, giving me as much information as possible about your availability for lessons.
Step 2
I will get back to you within 24 hours with any additional questions, and once I have all the information required, I will confirm that you have been added to the waiting list.
Step 3
I will contact you every three or four months, to confirm that you wish to remain on my waiting list.
It's never too soon to get in touch
If you are wanting to have tuition with me in the future, I’d strongly recommend getting in touch with me now and going onto my waiting list. I receive enquiries on a regular basis so the sooner you or your child are on my list, the better!