MUSIC EDUCATION MATTERS
Music teaching built around your school.
Bringing high-quality music education to children across the North East since 2011.
Specialist instrumental and curriculum music for primary and secondary schools across the North East. Quality-assured teachers, instruments included, and a package designed for your pupils and your budget.
70+
schools across the North East
20
specialist teachers, most with QTS
2011
teaching music in schools since
2×
formal observations per teacher, every year
Everything your school needs for music
Choose one service or combine several. We'll build a timetable that keeps disruption to a minimum and gives every child a route to progress.
Whole-class ensemble teaching
A full year of first-access lessons on ukulele, violin, chalumeau, recorder, guitar and more, often with music hub funding.
Small-group tuition
Strings, woodwind, brass, guitar, drums, keyboard and even harp, in groups of around five, with ABRSM exam support.
National Curriculum music & PPA cover
A specialist music teacher delivers your curriculum lessons while class teachers take their PPA time.
Clubs, choirs & ensembles
Rock bands, orchestras, choirs and musical theatre, at lunchtime or after school, so pupils can play together.
Training for your staff
Practical CPD on GarageBand and iPads, composition, musical vocabulary and whole-class teaching, or sessions built for you.
Concerts & workshops
Live rock concerts, string and brass quartets, harp duos and whole-school ceilidhs with professional musicians.
Why schools choose Musical Mates Ltd
Instruments included
Every instrument is loaned free of charge. No hire fees for schools or families.
One simple price
£40 per teaching hour, all-inclusive, with one invoice each term.
Specialist teachers
Music graduates, most with QTS, all with enhanced DBS, observed twice a year.
Help with your music plan
We map your provision to the National Plan and help you write your published plan summary.
Concerts organised for you
Live music with professional musicians, from rock concerts to harp duos.
One point of contact
A family business: you always speak to Kathy or Chris, and we reply quickly.
FREE MUSIC HEALTH CHECK
How strong is your school's music? Find out in about 15 minutes.
Answer 45 short questions across 9 areas of the National Plan for Music Education. You'll see your score out of 900, your Musical Mates award, and a 3-step action plan straight away.
Copper · Bronze · Silver · Gold · Diamond · Platinum
Free and no obligation. Your answers come to Musical Mates Ltd, and we only contact you about your results if you say we can. See our privacy notice.
OUR SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT
One simple agreement. Instruments included.
£250
per school, per year
£40
per hour for all teaching
No instrument hire charges. Pupil premium and music hub funding can often be used towards tuition, and we'll help you work out the costs.
Every SLA school receives
A review against the National Plan for Music Education and help with your School Music Development Plan
Instruments on loan free of charge
A free instrument demonstration assembly to launch lessons
At least one live concert with professional musicians
CPD sessions for your staff
Written lesson observations of every teacher in your school
Musical Mates Awards to track and celebrate progress
ABRSM exam visits and a free accompanist
A replacement teacher if yours is ever unavailable
Worth over £400 at our standard prices.
Packages we've built recently
No two schools are the same. Here's how schools in four different areas use Musical Mates Ltd each week.
Infant school, Sunderland
6 hours of curriculum music, covering PPA for every teacher
After-school singing club
1.5 hours of small-group violin
Primary school, South Tyneside
7.5 hours a week with one specialist teacher
Whole-class music and recorders
Choir and hymn practice
Primary school, Durham
5 hours of violin: small groups plus a whole-class lesson
6 hours of small-group keyboard and chalumeau clarinet
1 hour of whole-class chalumeau clarinet
Secondary academy, Darlington
5 hours of small-group drum kit
6 hours of small-group piano
Quality you can see. Safeguarding you can trust.
Every teacher is vetted, observed and supported, and you receive the evidence.
Observed twice a year
Written feedback with strengths and targets goes to your school.
Fully checked
Enhanced DBS for every teacher (most on the update service), recorded on our single central record.
Trained and supported
Regular safeguarding training, plus regular CPD meetings for all teachers.
Insured
Public liability insurance of £10 million.
What schools say
“We are now absolutely confident that all our music tuition staff are being effectively monitored.”
School evaluation of Musical Mates Ltd
“Replacement tutors quickly found in any cases of absence.”
School evaluation of Musical Mates Ltd
“We always receive a very prompt response to any communication with Musical Mates Ltd.”
School evaluation of Musical Mates Ltd
OUR STORY
Designed by a pupil. Built around pupils.
Our logo was designed by a pupil, the winner of a competition we ran when Musical Mates Ltd began in 2011. It's still on everything we do, a reminder of who we're here for.
Led by directors Kathy Young and Chris Little, who bring over 20 years' experience in music education, Musical Mates Ltd now works with more than 70 schools across the North East. The aim hasn't changed: every child, whatever their background, should have the chance to learn an instrument, sing and make music with others.
NOW BOOKING CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
The Akademiks: a rock concert, free with your SLA.
Singer, guitar, bass and drums: 45 minutes of live, interactive music that gets pupils excited about playing. We also offer quartets, harp duos, ceilidhs and the Chris Little Roadshow.
What to expect at your concert · Watch the promo · See a school ceilidh
Are you a music teacher?
Join our team of 20 specialists. Regular work in local schools, prompt monthly payment, ready-made resources and real professional support.