Instrumental Lesson Arrangements

At Newland House we have a thriving music department and have arrangements with some highly skilled and experienced Visiting Music Teachers (VMT) to offer a wide range of instrumental lessons to pupils.

As self-employed Visiting Music Teachers, they are responsible for setting their own charges for their lessons and will send out fees at the start of each term which need to be paid directly to them. The school will not get involved in any disputes about charges as this is an arrangement between the parent and VMT.

Fees

VMTs will offer 30 half-hour lessons during the course of the academic year. The number of lessons given each term may vary, depending on the number of teaching weeks available. If a teacher cannot teach 30 lessons during the course of a year, a refund will be issued or fewer lessons billed for.

The lesson rate for each teacher is noted on individual profile pages on Firefly, ranging from £26 - £30 per lesson. The VMT pays a small facility charge to the school which is used to develop the music department. Group lessons may be available for Year 1 and 2 only for recorder and violin lessons.

Teachers send out their own accounts, and the fees are paid directly to them. Accounts are normally sent as term starts. If the fees are not received, the right is reserved to suspend lessons until they are, but the parents’ liability remains for the full amount requested.

Fees for instrumental lessons will be published before the start of each academic year and may increase. VMTs will give one term’s notice of any proposed fee increase.

Timetables

Lessons are given during school hours on a rotating timetable so that a different school lesson is missed each week. By this system, a pupil rarely misses the same subject more than two or three times a term.

In the Prep school, instrumental timetables are posted on the notice board in the Music Department. If your child is absent from school the teacher is not obliged to make up the lesson. In the event of a trip or sport fixture, the teacher will try to fit the lesson around it if given sufficient notice by parents (at least one week) but they are not obliged to make up the lesson. If your child forgets their music/instrument, they will still receive a lesson but it will be theory, aural or sight-reading only.

In the Pre-Prep, lessons are rotated where appropriate on a weekly basis and the teacher will collect the pupil from class. A sensible approach is taken each week to ensure children are ready and able to leave the class for a different lesson.

Notice to discontinue lessons

Lessons may be discontinued by the parents by giving the VMT half a term’s notice in advance. A letter to the VMT must be received by half term in order to discontinue lessons at the end of that term.  The VMT will endeavour to ensure any difficulties a pupil is having with their instrument will be corrected as discontinuing lessons is seen as a last resort.

Loan, hire and purchase of instruments

The school possesses a small number of instruments which may be hired to pupils if available. A small hire fee will be made. School instruments may be used for a maximum of one term only, until they are able to source their own instrument. There are several excellent hire schemes available through various music shops and the VMT’s can offer advice. Please ensure all instrument cases and music are labelled.

Stringers London best for string instruments

Haworth’s of London best for woodwind instruments

Hill Sound Hampton *local music shop*

Musical Instrument Hire.Com

Tuition books and resources

VMT’s will recommend which books to buy in time for the first lesson. These books will be available through the local music shops or online (for example Musicroom.com). It is very important that all students have a practice book alongside their tuition books for the VMT to write in.

Communication with home

Each week the VMT will write notes and information in the practice book for you to see with details about what to practice, new books to purchase or informing you that your child will be entered for a concert or an exam. You can respond via the book or contact the VMT directly with the contact details he/she has given to you. The practice book is the most direct way of communicating between the VMT and home.

Insurance of musical instruments and their storage

If your child brings a musical instrument to School, we strongly recommend that the instrument is fully insured. This can be achieved by either:

1. Adding the instrument as a specified item to your household all-risks policy; ensuring that cover is extended to the journey to and from school or
2. Insuring the instrument with a separate policy through a specialist broker.

Neither the School nor the VMT will be responsible for any loss or damage to instruments, including those hired from a shop or from School. We recommend that parents check their policies to make sure that the instrument is covered at home, at School and on the journey between the two, which is when most instruments are lost.

An instrument storeroom is provided in the Prep Music department for storage, but it should be noted that items are left at your own risk. Instruments must not be left in the individual teaching rooms, cloakrooms or classrooms.

External examinations

Pupils can be entered for external examinations - Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music/ Trinity Guildhall Board /London College of Music with the approval of their VMT. If a child is taking an exam at an external exam centre, then please notify the School Office and Form Teacher of their absence from school.

ABRSM Music Examinations are held at school if we have over three hours of examination time and pupils may be entered at the discretion of their teacher. The VMT will not enter the pupil for any examination without the prior consent of the parent or guardian who will be liable for the examination fee. Fees are non-refundable and will be added to the next term school invoice. Exam times cannot be changed.

Home Practice

Music practice sessions at home are a vital part of the learning process between lessons and should be routine, at least 4 times a week. The supervision and support of an adult may be needed for children to practice successfully at home, and to achieve progress.

Application for music lessons

If you wish your child to have lessons, please complete the application form below. The VMT will be in contact shortly to discuss commencing lesson. When no vacancy is available, you will be informed that your child’s name has been put on a waiting list. Please note, information used on the application form will be passed directly onto the VMT.