September 2016

Dear Parent / Guardian

Re: Instrumental Music Lessons at Byrchall High School

I am delighted that your child has expressed an interest in learning to play a musical instrument here at Byrchall High School. Please find information in this letter which will help you to understand the organisation of this tuition and the pricing structure.

Who will provide the tuition?

Specialist instrumental music teachers visit school every week to teach pupils. These teachers are deployed by Wigan Council Music Service.

Which instrument?

At Byrchall High School, lessons are available on almost every musical instrument including:

Brass (trumpets, trombones etc.)Woodwind (clarinets, flutes, saxophones etc.)Orchestral Strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass)Guitar and Bass GuitarPiano and Electric KeyboardDrum kit

How much will weekly lesson cost?

Lessons are available as follows:

1-to-1 individual tuition lessons lasting 20 minutes: £10.20 per weekShared tuition lesson (2 pupils) lasting 20 minutes: £5.10 per week

Parents must commit to a term’s worth of lessons at a time. The cost for a full term of lessons is therefore: £142.80 for 14 individual tuition lessons

£71.40 for 14 shared tuition lessons

A £20 non-refundable deposit must be made by Wednesday 13th July with the full balance paid by 9th September. Payments to be made by Wise Pay or cheque made payable to Byrchall High School. Financial assistance may be available in certain circumstances. Please contact school for a confidential discussion.

What about buying / hiring an instrument?

Parents may wish to purchase instruments from a music retailer but Wigan Music Service operates an Instrument Hire Scheme through which parents can arrange hire of an instrument for a term or for a whole year. For beginning pupils, it is suggested that parents initially arrange hire of an instrument before committing to purchasing an instrument at full price. A pupils’ first lesson is normally delivered without the instrument as in many cases, the first lesson is needed to measure the pupil or decide which instrument from the chosen family is most appropriate for them.

When will the lessons start and at what time of day will they be?

Lessons take place during the school day. Where there are a number of pupils learning a family of instruments, lessons are arranged on a ‘rota’ system in order that children don’t miss the same curriculum lesson each week. The first lessons for new beginners will take place on the week commencing Monday 12th September, 2016. Pupils should consult the notice boards in the music department where all information about lesson organisation is displayed.

What do I do now?

Please complete the reply slip below and return it to Mrs Lipton, Head of Performing Arts, by 13th July 2016.

May I take this opportunity to thank you for considering supporting your child’s musical development in this special way.

Yours sincerely

Mr. S. GibsonHead of Music

Reply Slip

Instrumental Music Tuition

Please return to Mr. S. Gibson, Head of Music, Byrchall High School by Friday 16th September.

Name of Pupil: ____________________________________ Form: _______________

I have discussed learning to play an instrument with my son/daughter and am happy to go ahead with lessons in school.

The instrument my child wishes to play is the _________________________

I have selected the following lesson length:

Individual tuition lesson (20 minutes) at £10.20 per week

Shared tuition lesson (20 minutes) at £5.10 per week(please tick appropriate box)

I enclose initial payment of £20

I have Paid by Wise Pay

Enclosed a cheque

I agree to make the full payment by 19th September, 2016.

Signed: Date:

PRINT NAME: