Subsidies for Instrument Lessons in Schools

Dorset Music Service (DMS) provides a line of support for children and young people who may have economic barriers when joining music activity in schools.

Schools that have taken out Hub membership can apply for subsidies toward instrument lessons in school. These are available for children eligible for Free School Meals and those who are a Looked After Child or Child in Care of Dorset Council.

There is a limited termly budget for these subsidies, and while we hope to offer the full % subsidy listed below to each applicant it may be that due to demand we have to reduce the % offered to each applicant, and unfortunately it cannot be guaranteed that an application will be accepted even if all criteria are met.

The % subsidy will be calculated based on the lesson costs submitted by the school in the initial application. No additional funding will be available if lesson costs subsequently change. 

Process:

Pupil to sign up for lessons with provider (lessons must take place in school).

Lesson provider to inform school of the lessons.

School to check if pupil is eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), or is a Looked After Child or Child in Care of Dorset Council (LAC or CiC).

If the pupil is:

  • eligible for Free School Meals, the school can apply for a remission from DMS up to a maximum value of 25% of the full lesson cost;
  • a Looked After Child or Child in Care of Dorset Council, the school can apply for a remission from DMS up to the value of 75% of the full lesson cost.

The school must at least match-fund the % subsidised by DMS. A school can choose to provide more of course. The school can meet the match-funding costs using their Pupil Premium money or other means.

The school must complete this form: https://forms.office.com/e/C4bg6sgg94  to apply for the funding and provide the following information:

  • School name
  • Name of pupil
  • Total cost of lessons
  • Cost they are applying for
  • Confirmation of eligibility
  • Type of eligibility (FSM or LAC/CiC)
  • Instrument being learnt
  • Number of pupils in the lesson group
  • Instrumental teacher’s name
  • Instrumental teacher’s contact

Funding is provided on a termly basis so schools will need to give termly confirmation to DMS that the child is still learning for the subsidy to continue.

DMS will transfer the money direct to the school either via Journal payment (maintained schools) or invoice (academies). DMS will not pay instrument teachers directly.

Application Deadline:

In order for DMS to manage its budget and ensure an equitable split of funds across the maximum amount of applicants we need to enforce an application deadline. Failure to meet the deadline does not mean your application will be simply rejected, but it does mean it is highly likely there will be no remaining funds. 

For autumn term 2025 applications must be made to DMS by 5pm 20th Sept 25. DMS endeavour to respond by 30th Sept. 

Application dates for subsequent terms will be published in due course. 

Eligibility:

Pupils are eligible for support with tuition fees if they:

  • Attend a Dorset state school (in the Dorset Council area).
  • Are a Looked After Child, Child in Care of Dorset Council or in receipt of Free School Meals.
  • Are aged 5 –18 years.

This support is available:

  • Towards the cost of lessons for one instrument only
  • Subject to demand – pupils may be added to a waiting list if we receive more applications than we can support
  • Subject to the school at least match-funding subsidy, with families paying any remaining charge
  • Where lessons take place in the school (not in out-of-school settings)

These subsidies are only available through schools – parents cannot apply direct to DMS for instrument lesson funding.

This support cannot be backdated.