CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PROFESSORS
The provision of principal-study teaching to KCL music students.
This Code of Practice has been produced following detailed discussions between the
Academy and KCL music department. Its purpose is to cement areas of existing practice and
to improve academic and administrative operations between both institutions.
Teaching Provision
Teaching is undertaken by RAM Professors for students who undertake an audition and for
whom it is deemed appropriate [15 hours per academic year, or 30 hours for those admitted
to Advanced Performance Studies in Year 3]
Auditions
Those who opt to audition will be heard at the RAM in a 10- minute recital to be attended by
the RAM Head of Department. Vocal students will audition with a student accompanist,
provided by the Royal Academy of Music and paid for by King’s College.
Allocations
Despite the different RAM/KCL term dates, as well as certain other practical difficulties, the
RAM will do everything possible to administer and complete the audition and allocation
process within 7 working days of the start of the KCL academic year. However, the Academy
reserves the right not to hear a student who does not turn up for audition without explanation
and subsequently requests another hearing.
Heads of Study will have the final word on teacher allocation. However, a student worthy of
professorial teaching who, for logistical reasons cannot be allocated one, must be given a
worthy substitute after full consultation between the King’s staff member responsible for
performance modules and the relevant Head of Study.
[NB: vocal students will not be allocated a vocal coach under any circumstances.]
Teaching
All KCL students will receive their full teaching quota within the academic calendar of either
institution and before KCL performance examinations. It will not be considered acceptable
practice for ‘catch-up’ lessons to take place after the examination period. Therefore, the onus
is on the RAM teachers to propose a suitable teaching schedule for which KCL students will
be asked to supply their teacher with a detailed copy of their academic commitments.
King’s has no objection to lessons being given before the start of the King’s term to continuing
students, provided the lesson times are agreed in advance between teacher and student.
Catch up lessons may be given to first-year and second-year students during the examination
period so as to set new work targets and to plan for the three-month break.
Teachers must record attendance in their yellow 1-1 attendance register. If students miss
more than 2 lessons this should be reported to the Tutor in Charge of King’s Teaching,
Roderick Chadwick (r.chadwick@ram.ac.uk) and the Programme Administrator for
Music at King’s, Laura Brown (laura.c.brown@kcl.ac.uk ) who will then inform the
student’s tutor at King’s, who may wish to consider disciplinary action. NB: Absences
of more than 2 lessons must be reported immediately, so that action can be taken
promptly.
Teachers should encourage their pupil(s) to attend RAM masterclasses relating to their area
of study, but as observers only. Diaries of Events are available from the RAM each term.
All teaching must take place at the RAM or KCL. Teaching may not take place at a student’s
or teacher’s home.
King’s students are free to invite teachers to attend their performance examination.
Assessments
All KCL students must be assessed twice a year (January and April) on the relevant dated
assessment form (issued by RAM Registry) in accordance with the assessment guidelines
produced by KCL (also issued by RAM Registry).
Assessments must be returned to Daly Sarcos in the Registry at the Academy by the
due date.
In cases where pupils have two teachers, a mark must be agreed between both, and one
assessment must be produced and signed by both teachers.
Changes in teacher
KCL students wishing to change from an ex-student/student teacher to professor between
one year and the next will be heard at the start of the new Academic Year. Auditions will take
place in September (normally at the RAM) in order to determine such changes. This method
of assessment will assist the allocation process and determine professorial availability in
advance.