HMS Bursary Award
The HMS Bursary Award is designed to provide bursaries for instrumental music lessons/groups to eligible students in Hertfordshire schools who learn with a HMS music teacher.
Back to topPurpose
The HMS Bursary Award aims to:
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provide bursaries to students who may not otherwise afford access to music provision
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motivate students to continue their musical education through different stages
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further support students who achieve higher levels of proficiency
Back to topBursary stage and eligibility criteria
| Stage | What you get | Eligibility criteria |
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Stage 1
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50% bursary for in-school, 30-minute small group music lessons for one academic year.
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Pupil Premium (PP) students in participating schools.
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Stage 2
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50% bursary for individual music lessons, up to 20 minutes.
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Students who have completed Stage 1.
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Stage 3
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50% bursary for advanced 30-minute individual lessons.
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Students who have demonstrated strong progress in their learning and completed Stage 2.
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Children Looked After (CLA) students:
- CLA students can apply for a bursary for up to 30 minutes individual lesson.
- Carers, case workers and schools please email HMSbursary@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
Back to topHow to apply
Bursary process
Stage 1:
- Schools complete the Stage 1 HMS Bursary – schools request form.
- Schools nominate eligible PP students.
- Schools confirm PP status for identified students.
- HMS Bursary team supports parents/carers in completing bursary lesson applications.
Stage 2:
- Teachers nominate students who have completed Stage 1.
- HMS Bursary team forwards Stage 2 HMS Bursary – Application Form to parents.
- HMS Bursary team confirms funding availability and applies discounts.
Stage 3:
- Teachers nominate students who have completed Stage 2.
- HMS Bursary team forwards Stage 3 HMS Bursary – application form to parents.
- HMS Bursary team confirms funding availability and applies discounts.
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Music Learning Agreement
The music learning agreement should be read alongside the HMS Bursary Award terms and conditions.
Getting the most out of your funding
It is important when learning a musical instrument to support their learning, so that your child can have fun and make progress. We have put together some hints and tips to get the most out of music lessons. As HMS is providing funding for the lessons, we must ensure a minimum standard is maintained.
Helping as a parent/carer
We understand that parents/carers do not need to be a musician or have any musical experience to support a child’s learning at home. You can support your child by:
a. supporting the learning and practice objectives set by the teacher by reminding your child of set exercises
b. assisting with logistics e.g. making the instrument easily accessible at home and transporting the instrument to and from school or centre
c. creating a quiet space for practice, free from loud noises and distractions
d. listen and praise practice and performances at home
e. inform the teacher of any planned or unplanned absences from lessons
Visit our Helping you to learn online for more information.
What pupils need to do
HMS has a minimum standard that all pupils who receive a HMS music bursary should maintain.
- Play and practice their instrument at home regularly – little and often is best to start with.
- Do their best in lessons and ask questions if they don’t understand what or how to practice at home.
- If academic class lessons are missed for an instrumental music lesson, check with the class teacher if any home learning has been set (school lessons only)
What HMS will help with
HMS staff will support pupils to continue their learning both in and out of school whilst also working with parents/carers to ensure that expectations for attendance and musical progress is met.
HMS can provide a loan instrument, subject to availability, at fee of £15.00 per term (usual price £30 per term). Please indicate if you require a loan instrument on the confirmation form.
Pupils can take up additional activities and opportunities with us across the county, and we want every child to enjoy their musical journey with us. If you are in receipt of a bursary, this support can also be applied to HMS music centre ensembles or choirs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the HMS Bursary Award?
To provide financial support to students who may not otherwise afford access to music provision, motivate them to continue their musical education through different stages, and further support those who achieve higher levels of proficiency.
What are the requirements for each stage?
Stage 1 – Schools programme - students in participating schools.
Stage 2 - students who have completed Stage 1.
Stage 3 - students who complete Stage 2.
I am currently receiving financial support – what stage do I go on?
Stage 2 – 50% bursary on a 20-minute individual lesson.
I currently have a lesson longer than 20-minutes – does my lesson time drop when I move to stage 2?
No – you will move over to stage 2 with a discounted amount the same as a 50% bursary on a 20-minute lesson (£8.66 per lesson).
For example, from September 2025, a 20-minute lesson full cost is £17.32; the 50% bursary will be for £8.66. If you want a 30-minute lesson, which costs £25.98, we will subtract £8.66, and you will pay the remaining £17.32.
What if I want a longer session than 20-minutes?
The bursary will be for 50% of a 20-minute lesson. If you wish to have a lesson longer than 20 minutes you will have to pay the difference.
For example, from September 2025, a 20-minute lesson full cost is £17.32; the 50% bursary will be for £8.66. If you want a 30-minute lesson, which costs £25.98, we will subtract £8.66, and you will pay the remaining £17.32.
How much discount do I get at each stage?
The bursary award is allocated for 50% at each stage and is linked to the current academic year (1 September to 31 August). The award is subject to the availability of funds.
What if I join a couple of months before the start of the academic year (September) – will my bursary continue for a year?
No – the bursary will finish at the end of the academic year (31 August) – you will need to re-apply.
What happens if my child is a Children Looked After (CLA) student?
The funding agreements for CLA students are different; please contact HMSBursary@hertfordshire.gov.uk to discuss support.
How can schools nominate students for Stage 2?
Current funded students who were funded in 2024/25 and are continuing lessons will be eligible, subject to the availability of funds. Teacher nominations at Stage 2 will start from the 2026/27 academic year.
Will new students be able to receive funding?
Yes - new students will be able to receive funding at Stage 1. This stage is available from September 2025 and is part of the schools’ program.
This is pending funding availability, and further information will be made available nearer September 2025.
How will I be eligible for the funding as a new student?
Eligibility includes Pupil Premium (PP) students in participating schools. Schools can nominate eligible students by completing the Stage 1 HMS Bursary – Schools Request Form. The award offered is a 50% bursary for in-school, 30-minute small group music lessons within one academic year, subject to the availability of funds.
Am I guaranteed to get funding?
No - HMS funding is subject to availability.
I get school funding and/or Free School Meals (FSM) – does that mean I should receive the funding automatically?
No - School funding or Free School Meal funding is separate to the HMS Bursary Award.
How can I change my lesson duration if I am already having lessons?
To change your lesson duration, you can contact HMS Customer Support at hms.customersupport@hertfordshire.gov.uk for guidance and assistance or fill in a change lesson form Change of music lessons - request form.
What are the lesson costs?
For detailed information on lesson costs, please refer to the Music Lessons web page.
Who can I contact if I have another question?
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Other grants
Students and families can apply for funding for music with Young Sounds UK.
You can apply if:
- Your child is aged between 5 – 17 years old
- Your child is an instrumentalist, composer, producer, singer or song-writer.
- Your family are on a lower income.
- You're eligible if the total income of any parents/carers in your home is less than £30,000 a year.
- You may be eligible if it's between £30,000 - £40,000 a year.
- It's unlikely you'll be eligible if it's above £40,000 a year.