FAQ
Please click on this link for an application form. Once we receive this we will email an acknowledgement and send an application form in the post.
Bronze
Shared instrument lesson for 36 weeks a year + 1hr ensemble/theory (Bronze is not available at Music School)
Silver
Individual 15 min lessons for 36 weeks a year + 1.5 hrs ensemble/ theory + a place at Summer School
Gold
Individual 30 min lesson for 36 weeks a year + unlimited ensemble/theory + a place at Summer School
Single Ensemble
One ensemble for 36 weeks a year
Unlimited Ensemble
Unlimited ensembles for 36 weeks a year
Adult tuition
Gold and Silver packages with no ensembles/theory
For violin, viola, ‘cello, recorder, and piano - Year 1.
Double Bass - Year 2
Guitar, Brass and woodwind and percussion - Year 3.
There is no upper age limit and we welcome adult learners.
For lessons in school
Individual schools have varying instrument availability which may be dependent on school year. Please email us at musicschool@havering.gov.uk to enquire if you are looking to set up lessons in your child’s school.
Early Years
We take students from the year before they start Reception (Music Time Tots at Saturday School) or Kindergarten class for Reception age children again at Saturday Music Centre. In these group lessons, children sing and learn about rhythm and pitch.
As part of the Bronze, Silver and Gold packages students are invited to attend musicianship lessons and ensembles, there is no additional cost for this. Musicianship sessions help learners with rhythm, notation, pitch and general musical understanding. Ensembles are opportunities to play/sing as part of a group or orchestra and is important in terms of expanding experience, increasing ability, confidence, commitment, enjoyment and for building friendships and co-operative working.
This will depend on if there is any waiting list for the particular instrument wanting to be learnt. For some instruments this may be no time at all but for others there may be a waiting list. Once you hand in the application form it will be acknowledge and then you or your child will be on that list.
The cost of the 36 lessons, delivered across the academic year, is added up and divided into 12 equal instalments. Unfortunately, it is not possible to stop or reduce direct debit payments based on how many lessons are available in each month. Therefore, the direct debits will be continuous throughout the year, taken on the 24th of each month.
Any lesson changes will affect the teacher’s pay and we are required to give notice for any reduction in hours. Lessons will continue during the notice period and it is part of the terms and conditions agreed when signing up e.g. if you give notice at any time in June then the lessons will finish at the end of July. Please click on this link to see our terms and conditions.
Instruments are available to hire for most instruments – we do not hire pianos or instruments requiring electrical input. Please email musicschool@havering.gov.uk for the latest cost.
Instrument hire is only available for students having instrumental lessons on that specific instrument and with a Havering Music School teacher.
If your child’s teacher was unavailable to teach then they will make the lesson up later in the term or next term. We guarantee 36 lessons per academic year, pro rata. This does not apply if the school cancels the lesson for any reason.
Please email musicschool@havering.gov.uk – someone will respond to your email at the earliest opportunity.
Our telephone lines are open between 10am – 3pm Monday to Friday. The Music School reception is open the following days/times each week (both excluding school/bank holidays):
AM PM
MON 08.30 - 11.00 14.30 - 17.00
TUES 08.30 - 11.00 14.30 - 17.00
WEDS 08.30 - 11.00 14.30 - 17.00
THURS 08.30 - 11.00 14.30 - 16.00
FRI 08.30 - 11.00 14.30 - 17.00
Please click on this link to see the latest Music School calendar.
In the first instance we would ask that you email musicschool@havering.gov.uk , your message will be picked up and dealt with. If you would prefer to write to the borough then please see the complaints procedure on this website: https://www.havering.gov.uk/complaints
All Gold and Silver package children from year 2-year 13 are invited at no extra cost – Summer School runs in the first full week of the summer holidays – if you would like your child to attend and they do not have a silver or gold package then please email musicschool@havering.gov.uk for the costs for your child this year.
Yes, we use exam boards Trinity and ABRSM – this is an additional cost to parents and they take place twice each year – autumn and summer – your child’s teacher will advise if they are ready to sit an exam – exams are not compulsory.
No, Havering Music School is not able to accept childcare vouchers.
We participate in a government scheme whereby instruments can be purchased with VAT exempt. If you are interested in this then please see the VAT Free purchase form using this link.
You can write into musicschool@havering.gov.uk and we will forward this to the teacher.
Reports are issued once each year, spring term for secondary students and summer for primary. If you have a specific query then you can email musicschool@havering.gov.uk and we will pass this on.