QUALITY & SAFEGUARDING
Every teacher vetted, observed and supported.
We've been trusted by North East schools since 2011. When a Musical Mates Ltd teacher walks into your school, you can be confident about who they are, how they teach and who is accountable for them.
Named The Best Music School in Durham for 2026
Named The Best Music School in Durham for 2026 by the Quality Business Awards, with quality ratings over 95%. See our public listing.
How we recruit
Our 20 teachers are educated to at least music degree level, and most hold Qualified Teacher Status. Every new teacher passes five checks before they teach for us. We also check identity, right to work, prohibition from teaching and qualifications.
1
DBS first
Satisfactory enhanced DBS clearance before any interview.
2
Performance
They perform on their main instrument.
3
Interview
Questions on education and current music teaching practice.
4
Teaching assessment
They teach part of a lesson, observed by us.
5
References
Two relevant references checked.
Observed twice a year, with the evidence sent to you
Observation criteria are shared with the teacher in advance.
Head teachers and music leads are welcome to observe jointly with us.
Written feedback with strengths, areas for development and targets goes to every school the teacher works in.
Where needed, we put a support plan in place, including team teaching.
New teachers have a three-term induction with extra observations and one-to-one meetings.
Safeguarding and compliance
Enhanced DBS
Every teacher holds an up-to-date enhanced DBS check, with most on the DBS update service.
Single central record
A full record of checks for all our teachers.
Safeguarding training
Compulsory every year, led by a suitable professional, with allergy and anaphylaxis training too.
Photo ID badge
Every teacher wears a Musical Mates Ltd photo ID badge in school.
Yearly letter of assurance
Each year we confirm in writing each teacher's checks and training, ready for your single central record.
Keeping Children Safe in Education
We follow KCSIE, with Prevent training and a named safeguarding lead and deputy.
Fully insured
Public liability insurance of £10 million.
Professional standards
Teachers sign contracts with us agreeing to the Teachers' professional code of practice.
Cover when needed
If a teacher leaves or is unwell, we find a replacement quickly.
DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD
Kathy Young
Commercial Director · 07966 010 381 · musical.mates@icloud.com
DEPUTY DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD
Chris Little
Musical Director · 07970 887 445 · chrislittlemusic@me.com
Any concern about a child is reported to the school's designated safeguarding lead straight away, and to ours.
Policies and documents
Insurance certificate (£10 million public liability): on request
We ask, and we listen
Every term, schools, pupils and teachers evaluate our service, and teachers complete a yearly self-evaluation. Pupils' progress is reported on our forms to fit your school's reporting.
“We have received copies of lesson observations of the staff we use in our school with relevant feedback.”
School evaluation of Musical Mates Ltd