FAQS
Questions schools ask us.
Quick answers about costs, instruments, staffing, safeguarding and getting started. Can't find what you need? Call or email us.
For schools
How much does it cost?
All teaching is £40 per hour, with everything included: no instrument hire, no admin fees. Our Service Level Agreement is £250 per school per year and covers a National Plan review, a free assembly, a concert, staff CPD, observations, the Musical Mates Awards and more. See pricing
Can you cover PPA time?
Yes. A specialist teacher delivers your National Curriculum music lessons while class teachers take their PPA time.
Do you provide instruments?
Yes. Instruments are loaned free of charge. Before an instrument goes home, a parent or carer signs our Instrument Loan Agreement: they either accept responsibility for loss or damage, or join our Instrument Care Scheme for £1 a week.
What happens if a teacher is ill or leaves?
We find a replacement teacher quickly, so pupils keep learning.
How do you report pupils' progress?
Teachers report progress each term on forms that fit your school's reporting, pupils work through the Musical Mates Awards, and you receive written observations of every teacher twice a year.
Can we use Pupil Premium funding?
Yes. The National Plan for Music Education confirms schools can use Pupil Premium to subsidise music lessons for disadvantaged pupils. We'll help you plan it. Funding support
Who pays: the school or parents?
We invoice the school, at the start of each term in advance. Whether to ask parents for a contribution is the school's decision.
Do you prepare pupils for exams?
Yes. We support pupils towards ABRSM Music Medals and graded exams, with a free accompanist for SLA schools.
Do you work with the North East Music Hub?
We are an independent music service. Some of our schools also receive funded music from the North East Music Hub, and our lessons can sit alongside that provision.
Which areas do you cover?
Schools across the North East, including Sunderland, Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Darlington.
How do we get started?
Take our free online music health check to see how your school measures up, then book a free visit. We'll review your provision and send a tailored proposal. We send SLA offers each February for the next school year, but you can start at any time. Take the health check or book a visit.
What notice do we need to give?
After a three-week trial, we ask for three weeks' written notice (ideally half a term) to pause lessons or change teacher. Please tell us about trips and INSET days as early as you can. Lessons cancelled by the school with less than 48 hours' notice are still chargeable.
Are your teachers checked?
Every teacher holds an enhanced DBS check, recorded on our single central record, wears a Musical Mates Ltd photo ID badge, completes safeguarding and allergy training every year, and is observed twice a year. Each year we send your school a letter of assurance confirming their checks. Quality & safeguarding
What is the free music health check?
An online questionnaire of 45 short questions, about 15 minutes. It scores your school out of 900 against the National Plan for Music Education, gives you an award from Copper to Platinum and a 3-step action plan. Take the health check.
Can pupils with SEND take part?
Yes. Our teachers work with your SENCo and adapt pace, resources and instruments. Inclusion & SEND
Can you help with our music development plan?
Yes. We give you copy-ready wording for your published summary and an evidence pack for governors and inspectors. Music plans & Ofsted
Do you take photos or film pupils?
Only with your school's permission and recorded parental consent. Images are taken on school or Musical Mates Ltd devices, deleted from the device within 48 hours and kept securely until the end of the academic year.
What happens if a teacher is worried about a child?
They tell your school's designated safeguarding lead the same day, and tell our lead, Kathy Young. Safeguarding contacts
Do you have a data processing agreement?
Yes. You can download our Data Processing Agreement or find it on our Quality & safeguarding page.
For teachers
What do you pay?
Pay starts from £26.40 per hour and is reviewed at regular intervals based on experience, qualifications, lesson observations and feedback from schools.
Am I employed or self-employed?
Our teachers are self-employed: you invoice us monthly and manage your own tax. As a self-employed teacher you also need your own public liability insurance. This is often included with Musicians' Union (MU) membership or similar.
Do I need Qualified Teacher Status?
You need a music degree or equivalent. QTS is a plus, but not essential.
Do I need a DBS check?
Yes. Every teacher needs an enhanced DBS check before teaching for us, and we can help you apply. We expect every teacher to register their DBS certificate with the DBS Update Service and pay the annual fee (£15 a year).
Are there any other requirements?
Yes. All our teachers must: follow the Teachers' Standards for professional conduct; complete safeguarding training and allergy awareness training every year; and send their updated certificates to musical.mates@icloud.com.