After some views on what other people would do in this situation.
DS1 has instrumental tuition from a private teacher during school time. The teacher visits the school and teaches about 6 kids on one afternoon a week.
Recently she was unwell and as a result had to cancel 4 weeks' of lessons. Our contract with her says that, when she cancels a lesson, it is our choice whether we rearrange the lesson, defer the lesson to the following term or request a refund. DS is in Year 6 so moving to a new school where this teacher doesn't work which means deferring isn't an option.
The teacher has proposed times for the lessons which clash with events DS is doing in school that he doesn't want to miss (including his residential) so I emailed to say he can't do that, we'd like a refund please.
I have had a reply asking not to give us a refund as the period of illness meant she s was unable to work and has left her in a difficult financial position. She has offered to make up the lessons as online instead. DS had online lessons with her during Covid and frankly it was a disaster! Tech never quite worked, our house is chaotic so hard to find somewhere quiet, it was really hard for her to explain what she meant online and DS just failed to engage. It would also mean squeezing them into what little down time DS has (he's at in childcare 3-4 evening a week plus other sports and music commitments at weekends).
DH and I are both reluctant to agree as we think it's largely a waste of time. DH thinks we should just say no, refund us please as accepting just creates hassle for us and her financial situation is not our problem. I feel kind of obliged to accept as I feel bad for her or thought we could decline the lessons but let her keep the money anyway. DH's view on that is that paying for a service we're not receiving is effectively a charity donation and he'd rather we got the refund and gave the money to our local food bank to help more people.
WWYD?