FOR SCHOOLS
A music package designed for your school.
Since 2011 we've helped more than 70 North East schools build their music provision. We meet you, look at what you already do, and build a package around your pupils, your timetable and your budget. One teacher for an hour a week, or a whole-school programme: it all works the same way.
Our services
Choose one service or combine several. Every package is built around your pupils, your timetable and your budget.
Whole-class ensemble teaching
Every child in the class learns an instrument together for a year of weekly lessons, building notation, ensemble playing, composing and performing. Music hub funding is often available.
Popular choices: ukulele, violin, chalumeau clarinet, recorder, guitar, samba and class percussion
Small-group tuition
Groups of around five pupils, timetabled so several instruments can visit on the same day. We support pupils towards ABRSM Music Medals and graded exams, with a free accompanist.
Instruments: violin, cello, double bass, clarinet, flute, saxophone, cornet, trumpet, Eb horn, baritone, trombone, French horn, harp, keyboard, guitar, drum kit, ukulele and more
National Curriculum music & PPA cover
A specialist music teacher delivers your curriculum lessons, so class teachers can take their PPA time knowing music is in expert hands. We link curriculum music to your instrumental programme.
Clubs, choirs & ensembles
Rock band, orchestra, choir, musical theatre and instrument clubs at lunchtime or after school, giving pupils regular chances to play together and perform.
Music technology workshops
Whole-class sessions where pupils compose using iPads and GarageBand. Many schools use these to cover PPA as well.
Planning & funding support
We review your provision against the National Plan for Music Education, help with your School Music Development Plan, and advise on hub funding, pupil premium and parental contributions.
Which instruments suit which year groups?
A clear route lets children build on what they learn year after year. This is our usual advice, and we'll tailor it to your school.
Key Stage 1
Violin (from an eighth-size instrument), recorder and singing. Early starts build skills that transfer to any instrument later.
Year 3
Recorder: affordable and ideal for notation and ensemble skills, leading naturally into clubs.
Year 4
Chalumeau clarinet: a year-long first-access course, and a stepping stone to clarinet and saxophone with the same fingering.
Years 5 & 6
Clarinet, saxophone and brass. Many pupils reach ABRSM Grade 2 before secondary school.
Across Key Stage 2
Ukulele, guitar, drum kit and keyboard, often leading to a school rock band.
Simple, transparent pricing
Our Service Level Agreement covers everything around the teaching, so you only pay for the hours you use.
£250
SLA per school, per year
£40
per hour for all teaching
£0
instrument hire
Without an SLA, extras are charged individually: for example, a National Plan review is £80 and a concert £250.
How the year works
February: We send SLA offers for the next academic year.
March to April: We meet (or talk by phone) about your needs and budget.
April to May: We send you a tailored proposal and quote.
May to June: You confirm in writing.
September: Teaching starts, launched with a free demonstration assembly, and is quality-assured from week one.
New to Musical Mates Ltd mid-year? Get in touch any time and we'll fit around you.
What it costs: worked examples
All teaching is £40 per hour, with instruments, planning, reports and quality assurance included. Add the £250 SLA for the full package.
1 hour a week
e.g. one small-group instrument
£40 per week · £1,440 per year*
3 hours a week
e.g. half a day of PPA cover
£120 per week · £4,320 per year*
6 hours a week
e.g. a full day of curriculum music and lessons
£240 per week · £8,640 per year*
*Based on 36 teaching weeks. Your quote will reflect your own timetable. Pupil Premium and music hub funding can often be used towards costs. Funding support
Prefer paper? Download our school visit booking form (PDF), fill it in and email it to musical.mates@icloud.com.
Working together
We invoice at the start of each term, in advance.
Please give us as much notice as possible of trips and INSET days so lessons can be moved.
After a three-week trial, we ask for three weeks' written notice (ideally half a term) to pause lessons or change teacher.
Please share your fire procedures, risk assessments, SEND information and behaviour policy with new teachers.