CODE OF PRACTICE FOR CURRENT POSTGRADUATES AND EX-STUDENTS
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 principal-study professors [15 hours per academic year, or
30 hours for those admitted to Advanced Performance Studies in Year 3] or by graduates, or
current RAM postgraduates [15 hours per academic year].
Auditions
First year students are invited to audition in September to be allocated to a RAM professor. A
large proportion opt not to audition and are automatically placed with an ex-RAM student or
current PG student.
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.
Once KCL students have been allocated to a PG or Ex-PG teacher, it will normally be
assumed that this arrangement will continue through their KCL studentship (unless students
opt for the Advanced Performance Course in Year 3).
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.
All teaching must take place at the Academy or KCL. If you would like to teach your lessons
at King’s you can alert the Admin staff there by emailing music@kcl.ac.uk . You will then be
contacted about how to use the King’s room booking system. Rooms become available to
book one week in advance and you will need to book as soon as possible in order to get a
space. Teaching may not take place at a student’s or teacher’s home.
The Academy expects teachers of KCL students to keep their own 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 at Kings, Laura Brown (laura.c.brown@kcl.ac.uk ) who will then inform
the relevant Head of Department at King’s, who may 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.
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) using the relevant dated
assessment form (issued by RAM Registry) in accordance with the assessment guidelines
produced by KCL (also issued by RAM Registry).
Reports must be returned to Daly Sarcos in the Registry at the Academy by the due
date.
Ex- student/student assessments will be passed to the RAM appointed ‘tutor-in-charge’,
Roderick Chadwick, for viewing, moderation and counter-signature. The ‘tutor-in-charge’ will
also attend occasional lessons given by ex-student/student teachers to ensure that teaching
methods and provision are satisfactory.
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. The ‘tutor-in-charge’ will
countersign the mark form in the usual way.
Changes in teacher
KCL students wishing to move teachers must notify the KCL music department. RAM will then
give full consideration to change of teacher and notify KCL of any changes. Teachers who
experience problems with their students should contact the “tutor-in-charge” in the first
instance.