Important Note - 5th April 2012

Please see the attached briefing note for Schools from Hertfordshire Music Service, including changes to financial support for instrumental and vocal tuition in schools

There are changes and clarifications to the Remission of Fees Scheme that will apply from September 2012.

Download Financial Support for Music Tuition in Schools here. (attach PDF ).

More detail on these changes will be published here shortly.

If you have any immediate questions, please contact Jenny Blanch at Hertfordshire Music Service on 01438 844848 or jenny.blanch@hertscc.gov.uk.

Help with Music Fees (Remission)  Eligibility for Academic Year 2011/12

Information for Schools

Students receiving Free School Meals and/or other benefits while living in and attending school in Hertfordshire may be able to receive financial support for instrumental or vocal lessons with Hertfordshire Music Service (HMS). We also support children in the care of Hertfordshire County Council.

The local authority’s remission funding is available for students in Year 3 and above to support lessons with Hertfordshire Music Service between September 2011 and July 2012. Students will only have remission funding renewed if the Music Service receives evidence of good attendance and progression in the student’s learning.

Parents/Carers can download A Guide to Help with Music Fees here

What you need to do next:

1. We recommend that parents/carers speak first to their school office, the school’s Music Co-ordinator or Head of Music, or their local HMS Music Centre, to find out what lessons and activities theycan apply for.
   When they have made a choice, you can also advise them how to apply.  


2. Parents/Carers will need to confirm their financial eligibility with Hertfordshire County Council. To apply online click here or telephone Hertfordshire County Council’s Customer Service Centre on 0300 123 4048.


3. When their financial eligibility is confirmed, the school or music centre will apply on the parent's/carer's behalf to Hertfordshire Music Service for funding to cover the specific lesson or activity that they are interested in.



4. Only after Hertfordshire Music Service confirms the acceptance of the schools application can the lessons begin.

Please note:

• Due to steadily growing demand and a fixed amount available to support Music Remission, the local authority expects that there may be more applications than we can support in 2011/12. 
  Funding for continuing pupils will only be agreed on the basis of good attendance and progression by the student in the prior year, and this funding may be withdrawn or not renewed if the student’s commitment to learning is unsatisfactory.


• From 15th June 2011, parents/carers can start to apply or reapply for remission funding for lessons to begin in September 2011. We recommend that you discuss with your school or HMS Music Centre what you need to do first.


• Remission funding will not be backdated. Lessons that start before Hertfordshire Music Service confirms the remission funding to the parent/carer and school/HMS Music Centre will not be reimbursed, and the school or Music Centre has to accept responsibility for these costs.


• Remission will not be offered to students in Year 2 or below, unless the student previously received remission in the academic year 2010/11.

More Details

• Schools can download a guide to Help with Music Fees here
• Schools can download a remission application form (for Children Looked After) here
• Parents/Carers can find out more information on Help with Music Fees here
• Parents/Carers click here to check your eligibility for Help with Music Fees and other education benefits  

Important Note to Schools

Reviewing the use of Music funding

HMS aims to put in place whole school music programmes with access for all. Music Remission is funded by the local authority and supports first access and genuine talent and commitment for a student on Free School Meals or from another vulnerable group. Music Remission has to be delivered by HMS in partnership with schools.

HMS would like to invite schools to review with us how we can best support Remission for their students. Please contact your Area Head to discuss opportunities for your school:-

• East Area Head – Rebecca Hughes 01438 351138
• West Area Head– Angela Gilby 01727 860941

Remission of music fees is subject to the availability of funds provided by the County Council.

In academic year 2010/11, the applications for Music Remission exceeded the available funding. Due to steadily growing demand and no increase in the available Music Remission fund, the local authority expects that there will again be more applications than we can support.

Funding will only be agreed on the basis of good attendance and progression by the student, and this funding may be withdrawn or not renewed if the student’s commitment to learning is unsatisfactory.

Staff at the music centre can provide you with more information, or you can look at our website: http://www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk/remission/.  

You can apply to check your eligibility either online at www.hertsdirect.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals, or by calling Hertfordshire County Council's Customer Service Centre on 0300 123 4048 (8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat). Applying is easy, quick and takes about ten minutes. Please note that cconfirmation that your child/ren are eligible for help with music fees does not guarantee that your child will receive a lesson or financial assistance.