Help with music fees

Stage 1:

1. Eligible schools (highest deprivation and FSM matrix) will be invited by HMS to complete the Stage 1 HMS Bursary – schools request form.
2. Participating Schools nominate eligible PP students (to join a bursary music group).
3. Participating Schools confirm PP status for identified students.
4. HMS Bursary team supports parents/carers in completing bursary applications.

Stage 2:

1. Teachers may nominate students who have completed Bursary Award Stage 1.
2. HMS Bursary team assess nomination. Successful nominations for Stage 2 HMS Bursary will be forwarded to parents by the bursary team.
3. HMS Bursary team confirms funding availability and applies discounts.

Stage 3:

1. Teachers may nominate students who have completed Bursary Award Stage 2.
2. HMS Bursary team assess nomination. Successful nominations for a Stage 3 HMS Bursary will be forwarded to parents by the bursary team.
3. HMS Bursary team confirms funding availability and applies discounts.

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.

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.

Stage 1 – Schools programme - students in participating schools.

Stage 2 - students who have completed Stage 1.

Stage 3 - students who complete Stage 2.

Stage 2 – 50% bursary on a 20-minute individual lesson.

From 1 September 2025, HMS financial support will transition to a new HMS Bursary Award, at a maximum of 50%, pending funding availability.

There is not currently an open application for 25/26. 

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.

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.

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.

The cost is dependant on your lesson type, all Stage 2 HMS Bursary Awards are for a maximum of 50%.

Yes - on a successful application you will be sent an HMS Bursary Award application form. You will be asked to agree with the learning agreement and confirm you will pay the remaining 50% lesson cost.

We will not process the HMS Bursary Award application without the agreement being confirmed.

No – the bursary will finish at the end of the academic year (31 August) – you will need to re-apply.

The funding agreements for CLA students are different; please contact HMSBursary@hertfordshire.gov.uk to discuss support.

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.

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.

Eligibility includes Pupil Premium (PP) students in participating schools. Schools can nominate eligible students to be part of a music bursary group by completing the Stage 1 HMS Bursary – Schools Request Form. The award offered is a 50% bursary for in-school, 30-minute music bursary group within one academic year, subject to the availability of funds.

No - HMS funding is subject to availability.

No - School funding or Free School Meal funding is separate to the HMS Bursary Award. 

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.

For detailed information on lesson costs, please refer to the Music Lessons web page.

Yes - to get the most out of your funding we regularly monitor music lessons. If attendance slips below the required standard, as indicated in the HMS Bursary Award terms and conditions, the Bursary team will contact you to help.

Please email HMSBursary@hertfordshire.gov.uk