Skip to content

Financial support is available for school age pupils from low income families to access musical lessons with an HMS teacher this is awarded through the HMS Bursary Award.

The terms and conditions governing the HMS Bursary Award are intended to complement, but not supersede, the Music lesson and ensemble terms and conditions  of our services.

By accepting, you acknowledge that all provisions outlined in the Music lesson and ensemble terms and conditions remain in full effect and applicable to your engagement.

1. Funding

  1. The HMS Bursary Award is available as maximum of 50% for groups or lessons. This is funded by Arts Council England (ACE) and administered by HMS as lead partner of the Hertfordshire Music Hub.
  2. The HMS Bursary Award is subject to ACE funding availability and may be withdrawn at any time.
  3. The HMS Bursary Award cannot be applied retrospectively.
  4. Any fees incurred prior to allocation of funding  will remain the full responsibility of the parent or carer.
  5. The HMS Bursary Award cannot be used for previous debt.
  6. Confirmation that a pupil is eligible for the HMS Bursary Award, through the application process, does not guarantee that funding will be granted.

2. Initial eligibility

  1. To be eligible for the HMS Bursary Award, a music lesson application must be in place.
  2. The HMS Bursary Award is granted up to the end of an academic year (31 August) subject to the completion of a Music Learning Agreement.
  3. If eligibility changes during the year, the HMS Bursary Award will be withdrawn immediately.

3. Continued eligibility

  1. HMS reserves the right to withdraw the funding if three or more unauthorised absences are recorded within a single term without a valid reason as determined by HMS (unauthorised absences exclude exams, hospital appointments and school trips, which are considered valid reason for absence)
  2. HMS reserves the right to withdraw the funding if continued satisfactory attendance or musical progress is not met.
  3. HMS staff will contact parents or carers prior to the funding being  withdrawn.
  4. HMS will monitor the progress and attendance of pupils who are in receipt of funding.

4. Funding allocation

  1. HMS operates a waiting list once available funding is fully allocated.
  2. HMS does not guarantee funding allocation if you are on the waiting list.

5. Costs

  1. The remaining 50% cost is the responsibility of the parents or carers.
  2. If you experience financial difficulties please contact HMS immediately.
  3. Failure to pay the remaining 50% balance will result in the funding being withdrawn. For further details please see - Music lesson and ensemble terms and conditions
  4. In the event that payment is not made, and funding is withdrawn, parents or carers will be responsible for the full cost of individual or group lessons, including any associated fees. 

6. Lesson changes

  1. As outlined in the HMS lesson terms and conditions a minimum of four weeks’ written notice must be provided to HMS if you wish to cancel or make changes to an individual or group lesson for any reason.
  2. If the required notice above is not provided, the lesson will be charged at the funded rate and will not be rescheduled.
  3. If you wish to reschedule a lesson a minimum of one weeks’ written notice must be given to the HMS teacher
  4. Reasonable effort shall be made to accommodate parents or carers request to reschedule, however if a lesson cannot be rescheduled within the academic year, no credit will be provided.

7. Withdrawal

  1. If you wish to withdraw  from lessons you must inform HMS, in writing, according to Section 11 of the Music lesson and ensemble terms and conditions.
  2. If you no longer wish for your child to be on the waiting list for any tuition, you must inform HMS in writing. 

8. Liability

  1. HMS does not accept any liability for loss or damage to pupil’s instruments or personal possessions.

9. Complaints

  1. Any decisions made by HMS regarding the HMS Bursary Award shall be final. Please direct any complaints regarding HMS tuition to Ben Stevens, Director of Music.