Subsidies for Instrument Lessons in Schools

Dorset Music Service (DMS) is opening this new line of support for children and young people who may have economic barriers when joining music activity in schools.

Subsidies toward instrument lessons in schools are available from DMS for children eligible for Free School Meals and those who are a Looked After Child or Child in Care of Dorset Council. See below for details.

There is a limited budget for these subsidies, and unfortunately it cannot be guaranteed that an application will be accepted even if all criteria are met.

Process:

Pupil to sign up for lessons with provider (lessons must take place in school).

Lesson provider to inform school of the lessons.

School to check if pupil is eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), or is a Looked After Child or Child in Care of Dorset Council (LAC or CiC).

If the pupil is:

  • eligible for Free School Meals, the school can apply for a remission from DMS up to the value of 25% of the full lesson cost;
  • a Looked After Child or Child in Care of Dorset Council, the school can apply for a remission from DMS up to the value of 75% of the full lesson cost.

The school must match fund 25 % (or more) of the lesson costs using their Pupil Premium money or other means.

The school must complete this form: https://forms.office.com/e/C4bg6sgg94  to apply for the funding and provide the following information:

  • School name
  • Name of pupil
  • Total cost of lessons
  • Cost they are applying for
  • Confirmation of eligibility
  • Type of eligibility (FSM or LAC/CiC)
  • Instrument being learnt
  • Number of pupils in the lesson group
  • Instrumental teacher’s name
  • Instrumental teacher’s contact

Funding is provided on a termly basis so schools will need to give termly confirmation to DMS that the child is still learning for the subsidy to continue.

DMS will transfer the money direct to the school either via Journal payment (maintained) or invoice (academies) at the start of each term to cover the tuition for that term.

Eligibility:

Pupils are eligible for support with tuition fees if they:

  • Attend a Dorset state school (in the Dorset Council area).
  • Are a Looked After Child, Child in Care of Dorset Council or in receipt of Free School Meals.
  • Are aged 5 –18 years.

This support is available:

  • Towards the cost of lessons for one instrument only
  • Subject to demand – pupils may be added to a waiting list if we receive more applications than we can support
  • Subject to the school match-funding at least 25% of the lesson costs, with families paying any remaining charge (up to 50%)
  • Where lessons take place in the school (not in out-of-school settings)

These subsidies are only available through schools – parents cannot apply direct to DMS for instrument lesson funding.

This support cannot be backdated.