Important Update
Help with music fees (Music Remission): Information for Parents & Carers from the 8th September
There has been a significant increase in the demand for help with music fees ('Remission of Music Fees') throughout this year and for this term, while the available funding has remained the same.
Hertfordshire Music Service is currently processing renewal applications from existing students (those who received lessons during the summer term with music remission funding). All renewal applications need to be sent by your school or music centre to the Music Service by Friday 16th September.
After this renewal deadline, any remaining funding will be allocated to applications that are placed on the waiting list by schools and centres in strict date order. We are reminding schools and parents who have applied for help with music fees that lessons should not begin until funding for a specific lesson has been confirmed by the Music Service to you and your school or music centre.
The letter that you may have received from the Education Benefits Team at Hertfordshire County Council only confirms that your child/ren are eligible for help with music fees, but it does not guarantee that your child will receive a lesson or financial assistance.
Please speak to your school or music centre first if you have any questions.
Help with Music Fees (Remission) Eligibility for Academic Year 2011/12
About
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
Schools can find out more information about help with music fees here
What you need to do next:
- We recommend that you speak first to your school office, the school’s Music Co-ordinator or Head of Music, or your local HMS Music Centre, to find out what lessons and activities you can apply for.
When you have made a choice, they can also advise you how to apply. - You will need to confirm your financial eligibility with Hertfordshire County Council. To apply online click here or telephone Hertfordshire County Council’s Customer Service Centre on 0300 123 4048.
- When your financial eligibility is confirmed, your school or music centre will apply on your behalf to Hertfordshire Music Service for funding to cover the specific lesson or activity that you are interested in.
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Only after Hertfordshire Music Service confirms the acceptance of your application to you and your school or HMS Music Centre, can your 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.