Instrumental Tuition
We offer instrumental tuition in the following instruments:
‘Cello - Year 3 upwards
Clarinet - Year 3 upwards after consultation with the teacher*
Drums/Percussion - Year 3 upwards
Flute - Year 3 upwards after consultation with the teacher*
Guitar - Year 3 upwards
Piano - Year 3 upwards
Recorder (one to one) - Year 2 upwards
Violin - Year 3 upwards
*woodwind instruments generally require children to have their adult front teeth.
Applications
Applications for instrumental tuition should be made by completing the Google Form which will be sent to you via Scholarpack the half term before the following term, (for example during the second half of the Autumn term, for lessons beginning in the Spring Term.)
Once you have applied for lessons, please assume that your application is successful. Please note that although we do generally accommodate 100% of our applications, they are dealt with on a first come first served basis as our instrumental teachers sometimes have limited capacity. If we cannot accommodate your application we will contact you after the deadline has passed and all applications have been received.
Payment
A payment request will go live on ParentPay after the application deadline. This date will be stated on the Google Form. Payment should then be made within one week of this date.
Please note that Childcare vouchers are not eligible for payment of instrumental tuition fees.
Pupil Premium families should contact Mrs Mittins before applying for instrumental tuition, to confirm eligibility.
Lesson information
You will be contacted via Scholarpack to inform you on which week and day the lessons will start.
We deliver 10 lessons per term. You can choose from 20 minute lessons (£150 per term) or 30 minute lessons (£200 per term).
Lessons are held in the school day and are rotated to avoid students missing too much class time. However please be aware that by enrolling your child into instrumental tuition at school, missing class time is inevitable. We cannot accept specific individual requests for timetabling unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Communication
Instrumental lessons are delivered by a team of carefully selected peripatetic teachers. They are professional musicians with a wealth of experience, many of whom have already been working at Ashmole Academy for a number of years.
Communication with the teacher is via the child’s practice notebook which should be looked at by the parent/carer after each lesson. This book will contain important information from the teacher about your child’s progress and practice.
Instruments
Pupils must have their own instrument at home on which to learn and practice. They should bring this instrument, clearly labelled, to school for their lessons. They do not have to bring keyboards or drum kits to school.
Recorders: Students should have their own recorder (Aulos or Yamaha ideally) which can be purchased from Amazon or any good music shop.
Guitars: Students should have a ¾ size classical guitar. These can be purchased from any good music shop or online from Amazon or Argos. A Valencia VC203NA (from Amazon – around £75.00) or a Martin ¾ guitar (Argos £35) are both good choices.
Pianos: Students should have access to a piano or full sized keyboard at home in order to practice and make good progress. Some companies offer a ‘rent to buy’ scheme which is a good option if you are not sure if your child will continue playing long term.
Violins: If you would like to hire a violin please visit the Enfield Music Service website https://traded.enfield.gov.uk/musicstore, and select instrument hire. If you would like to purchase an instrument an average year 2 or year 3 child would need a ¼ size. We would recommend a Stentor or equivalent, https://www.gear4music.com/Violins/Stentor but if you would like a higher quality instrument try Yita music online for a mv5800 model http://www.yitamusicshop.com/ProductView.aspx?ProductID=175.
Important - Terms and Conditions
Non-attendance of lessons
No lessons can be rescheduled or refunded unless at least 48 hours notice is given.
If 48 hours notice is not given, and your child is absent from school, or misses a lesson for any other reason, that lesson cannot be rescheduled or refunded.
Cancellations
If you decide to cancel lessons once you have made your application but before lessons begin, then you may be asked to pay a cancellation fee.
If you wish to cancel lessons, then half of a term’s notice must be given in advance, in writing (via email).
If you would like any further information please contact musicmanager@ashmoleprimary.org
