Year 1 and 2 pupils - Windstars (Toot or Dood) is designed especially for younger beginners and is usually the best starting point at this stage.

Some Year 2 pupils may also be ready for Mini Clarinet, Mini Saxophone, Curved Head Flute or Recorder.

Year 3 pupils - Mini Clarinet, Mini Saxophone, Curved Head Flute and Cornet are all well suited at this stage.

Year 4 pupils - Year 4 pupils can usually manage standard Clarinets, Flutes and Trumpets. Smaller Year 4's might need the smaller instruments (Mini Clarinets, Curved Head Flutes, Cornets or Mini Saxophones).

Year 5 and 6 pupils - Pupils can usually manage all standard instruments. Some Year 5 pupils may also be ready for Alto Saxophone or they can start on the Mini Saxophone if necessary.

There's no need to worry though, if the instrument chosen in the first instance doesn't work out, there is the option to swap to a different instrument, often at no extra cost, if you need to.

Most instruments need a few basic items to make sure they’re comfortable to play and kept in good working order.

If you choose one of the instrument packages from our approved supplier, everything your child needs to get started is included. Over time, you may need to replace small consumable items, such as reeds for clarinet or saxophone, as these wear out with regular use.

If your child already has their own instrument, you’ll need to provide the correct tuition book for their instrument, a music stand and any consumable items needed for that instrument.

You can find more information about consumables and instrument care in the Resources section.

We advise that all children attend their lessons even if they have forgotten their instrument. This enables the children to continue learning the theory element of the lessons. If for any reason it is not appropriate for the tutor to give a theory lesson, we are under no obligation to replace the lesson.

In the first instance, the tutor may be able to help with minor adjustments during the lesson so your child can continue to take part.

If the instrument package was provided by our approved supplier:
If your child’s instrument is still within its 24-month maintenance period, please contact Normans Musical Instruments. They will arrange the collection, repair and return of the instrument under the maintenance agreement. Please note this does not cover wilful or excessive damage. Please do not take the instrument to be repaired by a non-affiliated Normans repairer, as Normans would be unable to reimburse repair fees.

If the instrument is outside the maintenance period, you’ll need to arrange and cover the cost of the repair yourself.

If your child is using their own instrument:
Parents are responsible for keeping privately owned instruments in good working order. The tutor may be able to help with small adjustments during the lesson so your child can take part.

If the issue can’t be fixed in school, you’ll need to arrange a repair before the next lesson. If you would prefer the tutor not to carry out any repairs on your child’s instrument, please let the office know in writing before lessons begin.

We encourage children to attend their lessons even if they don’t have their instrument that week. They can still take part by focusing on the theory element of the lessons. If, for any reason, a theory lesson can’t go ahead without the instrument, it will be rearranged for a later date. If your child’s instrument is likely to be unavailable for an extended period, please let us know as soon as possible so we can help.

The tutor will let you know when your child is ready to move to a full-size instrument, usually by sending a note home.

Please note: Mini Clarinets supplied by Normans Musical Instruments are second-hand instruments, loaned to your child while they are learning. The instrument you are paying for is a new full-size Clarinet, which will be sent to you once the tutor confirms your child is ready to move up.

If you chose a rental package
The mini instrument can be returned using the instructions provided. Families are responsible for the return cost, which is usually no more than £15. Once Normans has received the instrument, your child's full-size instrument will be dispatched. It can be delivered to your home, work or your child’s school for your convenience, just let Normans know.

If you chose the 'Buy an Instrument' package
You’ll be eligible for a £50 trade-in on the purchase of a full-size Alto Saxophone from Normans once the mini instrument has been returned in good condition. Please contact Normans directly to arrange this.

Please note that the 6-month return period begins from your child's first lesson. If your child received complimentary lessons during the summer term, the return period starts from their first lesson in September.

If you provided your own mini instrument
You’re welcome to purchase a full-size instrument from Normans. If you choose a MfSF instrument package, you’ll also receive three free lessons.

We provide 33 lessons across the academic year, from September to July. Although there are more than 33 possible teaching weeks, we build in flexibility for school trips, events, tests and the occasional tutor absence.

Windstars (KS1)
Windstars is offered as a simple all-in-one package which includes:

• Weekly lessons
• A Toot or Dood instrument
• Windstars Book 1

Payments are made monthly by Direct Debit, with no payments taken in August.

Brass and Woodwind Lessons (KS2)
Payments are currently £28.50 per month (covering three lessons) and are collected on the 1st of each month by Direct Debit. No payments are taken in August.

Not a problem. We can start your child's lessons at any time of year, whether or not we have visited school to recruit new musicians, or even if we have but you're a little late enrolling!

If you are stopping lessons with Music for Schools, you can cancel your Direct Debit payments directly with your bank. Please ensure you also contact our Head Office to close your tuition account.

If you need to change your Direct Debit details, you will need to change this directly with your bank. Please note we are unable to change the date of the Direct Debit payments.

Very little. Schools simply need to provide a suitable space for lessons and help pupils arrive on time. Tutors manage the teaching and lesson content, and we take care of administration, payments and communication with families.

We’ll share teaching dates in advance and work with the school to keep everything running smoothly with minimal disruption to the school day.

Once lessons are set up, the ongoing time commitment for schools is minimal. We handle enrolment, payments, tutor coordination and parent communication, while tutors manage the lesson content themselves.

Schools mainly support by helping with room access and pupil movement during lesson times. We aim to keep the process simple and flexible, fitting around the school day rather than adding to workloads.

Lessons work best in a quiet, safe space where pupils can focus, such as a small classroom, meeting room or practice room. The space doesn’t need to be large, just suitable for small group teaching.

We’re happy to work with whatever space is available in school and can be flexible to fit around other activities where needed.

We understand that schools may have reservations about taking children out of class time. Whilst most of our lessons do take place during the school day, we do have lots of flexibility in our timetabling.

Lessons times are based on the number of pupils in the group - so smaller groups would mean shorter lessons. Plus, we can organise rotating timetables either on a weekly or half termly basis so that the times of pupils' lessons can vary.

Of course, we are always happy to discuss individual pupil and timetable requirements, and in some cases, tutor timetable permitting, lessons at lunch time or after school may be available.

We support schools with pupil recruitment whenever needed, usually every 18 to 24 months, to help maintain healthy group numbers.

This includes a free music workshop for pupils and a free information session for parents, both delivered by an experienced MfSF representative. We handle all administration, communication and materials. Schools simply need to provide space and time in the diary.

After the sessions, parents enrol online and we work with the school to agree timetables and start dates. Lessons typically begin within a few weeks, depending on pupil numbers and tutor availability. New pupils can also join at any point during the school year.

We understand that pupil numbers can vary, especially when a programme is new. We’ll work closely with the school to monitor numbers and explore ways to increase interest, such as adjusting groupings or promoting lessons at a later point.

If numbers remain too low to be viable, we’ll discuss the next steps with the school and agree the best way forward. Our aim is always to be flexible and find a solution that works for everyone.

Each school has a Tuition Co-ordinator, who is responsible not only for your school but your tutor as well. They are always your first point of contact should you have any questions or queries.

Likewise, your co-ordinator will be in regular contact with you regarding any changes and keeping you updated about new pupils.

Some schools do have a selection of instruments, which we are happy for pupils to use. However, most do not, and this is absolutely fine. Ideally pupils need to be able to take their instruments home anyway, so that they can be getting on with all of that lovely practice!

We have worked with our approved supplier, Normans Musical Instruments, for many years to make sure that we can make learning an instrument accessible for all parents.

Instrument packages are supplied through our approved instrument supplier, Normans Musical Instruments. Parents choose and manage their preferred option directly, so there is very little for schools to oversee.

Families can opt for a rental package, which allows pupils to get started without a large upfront cost, or a purchase package, where the instrument is bought outright and offers an overall saving. In both cases, the instrument will eventually belong to the pupil once all payments have been made, with flexibility to return it if they do not continue.

Parents may also provide their own suitable instrument, provided it is in good working order and appropriate for the child’s age and size. All ordering, payments and ongoing arrangements are handled between families, MfSF and Normans, keeping the process simple for schools.

All pupils are welcome to try lessons. We have an all-inclusive policy and our tutors will be supportive of any child that expresses an interest in music. Communication is important though - we ask for as much information as possible so that our tutors can tailor their approach to the individual child. We can adapt our group sizes (including offering individual lessons), plus if you would like a Teaching Assistant to be present in lessons, this is fine too.