“Pupils are offered the opportunity to learn to play an instrument through peripatetic tuition provided by the Dorset Music Service. If your child is interested in starting music lessons then please enquire for more details at the school office. Here is a link to the Dorset Music Service website where you can find information on instrument hire, funding opportunities, playing opportunities and much more: www.dorsetmusicservice.org.uk”
We offer Instrumental Tuition for the following musical instruments:
Tuition is available for children from Year 2 upwards
Who teaches the lessons?
Terry Quinny teaches Woodwind
Kevin Stockley teaches Guitar
Matthew Fairman teaches Violin and Piano
Please note all lessons are offered subject to sufficient pupil numbers and the availability of the teacher.
Who can apply?
Pupils in Year 2 and above are invited to join the instrumental tuition programme on the strict condition they wish to learn to play the instrument and will practise regularly each day. In the case of clarinet, flute and saxophone tuition, the teacher will wish to meet with the pupils to assess their physical suitability to learn the instrument. All other instrumentalists will be accepted onto the programme (subject to sufficient pupil numbers) without the need for a formal assessment.
How are the lessons organised?
We offer individual and, numbers permitting, group tuition (maximum of 3 pupils per group). Pupils receive 30 instrumental lessons a year (10 per term). Individual lessons, and those for groups of 2 pupils, will be 20 minutes in duration. Groups of 3 pupils will receive 30 minutes tuition.
Lessons may be timetabled during, and after the school day (including lunch times).
Please note that pupils may miss part of a lesson and/or break time in order to attend instrumental tuition.
How much do lessons cost?
The charge for instrumental lessons for the 2017/2018 academic year is:
Individual tuition (20 mins session once weekly): £100 per term
Group tuition (20/30 mins session once weekly): £50 per term
No charge will be made in respect of group tuition for a pupil who is looked after by a local authority (within the meaning of section 22(l) of the Children Act 1989).
Withdrawal from Programme?
Instrumental teachers are booked in advance, therefore if you wish to withdraw your child from the programme you must give half a term’s notice, in writing, or you will be liable for the following term’s payment.
Please see ‘Withdrawal from tuition’ below.
Please note: Refunds for missed lessons will only happen in the case of this school being closed for an unforeseen emergency or if the instrumental teacher is not in attendance and the missed lesson is unable to be rescheduled. A refund/extra tuition is not offered in respect of any lesson missed due to pupil illness, pupil holiday and/or pupil appointments & forgetfullness.
Are there any other costs?
It will be necessary for you to meet the cost of purchasing/hiring a suitable instrument. We have a small number of instruments available to hire for £10 per term. These are on a first come first served basis and on receipt of a signed contract and payment.
The music teacher will be pleased to offer advice if required. Additional costs include payments for music tuition books and entry fees for music examinations/medals.
Is financial help available?
This school’s Governing Body, recognising the benefits of the instrumental teaching programme, offers a facility where the termly fee can be reduced in exceptional circumstances. Parents experiencing serious financial difficulty are asked to apply in writing to Mr Robert Kennedy and the Governing Body. Please note that any subsidy offered would be reviewed each term and would apply to group tuition in one instrument only.