Guidelines for pupils and parents/guardians in Oslo School of the Arts

Revised 18/09/2020.

1. Admission and waiting lists

Everyone who applies to Oslo School of the Arts will be notified that their application has been received. For most programmes, the pupils will be offered a place in the current or next semester. There are some exceptions; some programmes have many applicants and limited capacity. In these cases, the applicant will be put on a waiting list.

2. School year

The school year in Oslo School of the Arts is up to 35 weeks, and we follow the same holiday schedule as the city’s primary and lower secondary schools. The duration of programmes and courses may vary between the different disciplines. Project weeks and weekends may sometimes replace ordinary classes. There may also be concerts, performances and exhibitions in addition to ordinary classes.

3. Expectations

Oslo School of the Arts expects pupils to come to class on time and well prepared, as well as to actively participate in the school’s concerts/performances/exhibitions. If the pupil is unable to attend class, please let the teacher know in good time, so they can adjust their teaching plans. If the pupil fails to attend or is late to class, the teacher will have to consider whether the pupil will be allowed to enter an ongoing class and whether the pupil will be able to participate in the next concert/performance/exhibition.

4. Academic content, duration and organisation

Oslo School of the Arts operates within the national framework plan for schools of the arts and has its own subject-specific syllabuses. Teachers have the freedom to choose their own teaching methods. Vocal/instrument teachers are responsible for organising their class schedules within the allotted time frame. Classes are normally taught as group sessions of at least 30 minutes. The school organises the pupils into groups based on their age, level of maturity and skill level. In connection with projects of varying size, pupils must be prepared for attendance times to vary.

5. Learning materials

• Music pupils are expected to buy their own sheet music according to instructions from their teacher.

• Dance pupils are expected to acquire all necessary equipment, clothing, etc.

• Theatre pupils must have black clothes.

• Pupils in individual programmes pay an annual materials fee in addition to the semester/programme fee.

• Pupils learning an instrument must have access to an instrument for daily practising between classes, and they must maintain this instrument in playable condition. Piano pupils must have access to a piano; a keyboard is not sufficient.

Oslo School of the Arts does have some instruments available for hire.

6. Renewal of full-time enrolment

Pupils who attend programmes of extended duration (full-time enrolment) will be asked to renew their enrolment every school year. Information about how to do this will be sent out to all pupils who need to renew their enrolment toward the end of the semester. If the new class schedule does not work for you, you can withdraw from the programme by the dates specified in the letter.

7. Extended absence from class

If the pupil needs to be absent from class for an extended period, you can send an application to the school administration via e-mail. The pupil will not keep their place in the programme, but will, when they reapply, be given priority when a place opens up.

8. Payment of semester/programme fee

Pupils must pay a semester/programme fee, as decided by the City of Oslo. If the school is forced to cancel class more than two times in a single semester, some of this fee may be refunded. Pupils who become ill or injured and are unable to attend class, can submit a medical certificate before the end of the semester and apply for a partial deduction on the semester fee for the next semester. If the semester/programme fee is not paid, the pupil will lose their place.

9. Discounts

Oslo School of the Arts does not offer any sibling or low-income discounts. However, some city districts do offer financial assistance for cultural and recreational activities. Contact the district where you live to learn more about their programmes.

10. Withdrawal

Enrolment in Oslo School of the Arts is binding. If you are admitted in the autumn semester and do not wish to continue in the spring, the final date for withdrawal from the spring semester is December 1st. Withdraw from the programme by logging in to SpeedAdmin (Oslo School of the Arts’ administration portal) and click on “Utmelding”. Pupils who withdraw after December 1st must pay the semester fee for the spring semester.

Pupils who do not wish to continue after the summer holiday should not renew their enrolment (see 6 above). Renewal of enrolment is binding for the autumn semester.

Please note: It is not enough to let the pupil’s teacher know you are withdrawing.

Most programmes offer one – 1 – trial class before the enrolment becomes binding. If the pupil does not want to continue after their trial class, they must withdraw from the programme. They must do so by the end of the week of their trial class. Log in to SpeedAdmin and click on “Utmelding”. Alternatively, you can send an e-mail to kulturskolen@kul.oslo.kommune.no before the end of the week.

For programmes of shorter duration, e.g. summer programmes and 8-week programmes, we do not offer any trial classes, and the entire programme fee must be paid even if the pupil decides to withdraw.

11. Termination of enrolment

Oslo School of the Arts may terminate a pupil’s enrolment if:

• The pupil repeatedly fails to attend class

• The pupil’s conduct is a hindrance to teaching

• The semester/programme fee is not paid

• If pupils in a group withdraw in the middle of the semester, the school reserves the right to cancel the group. If so, you may be entitled to a partial refund of the fee due to cancelled classes.

12. Unforeseen circumstances

In case of unforeseen circumstances (force majeure), we reserve the right to cancel classes without compensation. Examples of such circumstances include natural disasters, strike or major outbreaks of disease in the population (pandemic).

13. Insurance

Pupils of Oslo School of the Arts are covered by the same insurance as other pupils in primary and secondary education in the City of Oslo. Read more here.