Charging and Remission Policy 2023-2024

To be reviewed March 2024.

Introduction

A key objective of the Music Education Hub grant, provided to Inspiring Music by the Department for Education (DfE), is to help assist in the removal of barriers to learning and making progress for young musicians. As such, this policy has been created to help support engagement and progress in music across a whole range of activities provided by Inspiring Music. 

Whole Class Delivery 

To support children engaging with First Access sessions are subsidised by 40%, where further supporting with progression of 2 terms a subsidy of 545% is awarded and to support with progression beyond one term a subsidy of 55% (for those following the progression pathway covering instrumental progression and singing) is awarded to further support the musical development of the children and young people in Central Bedfordshire. All children who engage with our whole class provision are also offered a large-scale performance opportunity to celebrate their work which is funded through a grant from Arts Council England for vocal provision with smaller scale concert opportunities for instrumental learners. 

Ensemble Tuition 

To support children and young people with their ensemble skills all ensemble activities are also subsidised to support schools in offering these opportunities. To support the children and young people in schools in developing their ensemble skills, encouraging them to participate in activities with others, promoting positive mental health and wellbeing whilst also supporting continuation and long term musical progress. 

Instrumental Loan (Weekly Tuition and Music Centres) 

All instruments, for whole class and weekly tuition are given free of charge to ensure children and young people can access the resources needed to start their musical journey and continue without the barrier of costly instrument hire or purchase for a minimum of one year. We also offer a free loan of certain smaller instruments at each Music Centre where available. 

Instrument Loan (Class Sets and Larger instruments) 

The following charges apply with an additional contribution to travel/fuel costs as appropriate.

Level 1: £15 per term

Small Set (2-8 instruments instruments): Boomwhackers, Handbells (2 sets of 1 octave), practice Drum Pads, Small Handheld Percussion set. 

Level 2: £25 per term

Class Set (33 per class set): Recorders, Ocarinas, Hand-held Percussion, Handbells (includes 5 sets of 1 octave).

Single item: Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Amp, plus a range of beginner/intermediate standard Woodwind, Strings, Brass instruments.

Level 3: £50 per term

Class Set (33 per class set): Clarineos, jSax, pBuzz, Guitars, Fifes.  

Small Set (2-8 instruments instruments): Soprano/Alto/Bass Xylophones, Large Glockenspiels.

Single item: 1 set of Handchimes.

Level 4: £100 per term

Class Set (33 per class set): iPads, Trumpets, Violins, Djembe, Samba, pBone, Cellos, Ukuleles, Educational/Classroom Glockenspiels, Steelpans.

Single item: Drum Kit, Digital Piano, Marimba, Vibraphone, Orchestral Xylophone, Soundbeam (Big Band 6), Timpani set plus a range of professional/advanced standard Woodwind, Strings, Brass (including auxiliary such as Piccolo, Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Cornet etc.) instruments.

Music Centres 

Our music centre membership fee is subsidised by Arts Council funding. With a 25% introduction cost in the first instance and a morning a low charge of under £10 per morning we are able to offer high quality provision through Arts Council funding for all children and young people in Central Bedfordshire whatever the stage of their musical journey. As part of our relaunch we are heavily subsidising our music centres in the region of 66% and 71% through Arts Council grant and Leighton Linslade Town Council for Leighton Linslade Music Centre only. 

Looked-After Children 

The Virtual School awards 100% remission for all looked-after children engaging with weekly tuition. 

Inclusion Strategy

Through our Inclusion Strategy we are able to work with specific target groups to providing access and opportunities free of charge at the first point of contact. We have also started to identify students wo have engaged and have shown a particular aptitude for music, identified by hub partners or school/council colleagues to offer continuation opportunities free of charge through Inclusion funding. 

Pupil Premium

We work in partnership with schools to allow students to access Pupil Premium funding to subsidies in part or full their weekly tuition. 

Inclusion Strategy

View our Inclusion Strategy.