Cardiff and Vale Music Service

Information

Musical Opportunities for Primary and Secondary Schools

Our average lesson charge to parents is £4.67 per week

Discount instruments available to parents from £5.00 per month; delivered free to school

All our musicians are qualified, insured and have clearance by the Criminal Records Bureau (advanced disclosure)

Progress reports on each pupil twice yearly

Entertaining demonstration of instruments for parents and children given as introduction to scheme (and annually if required)

Advice and assistance on the development of music in your school.

In addition to instrumental tuition, there are also many extras available:

Full INSET menu
Piano tuning and restoration
Computers and music workshops
Choral development and INSET
Advice on Music in the National Curriculum

Advantages of using the company

A broadening of the range of musical opportunities offered to pupils.
The addition of guitar and piano tuition would assist directly with the delivery of KS 3 and 4 (e.g. composition, improvisation etc)
The addition of vocal tuition would allow a further option for G.C.S.E. practical. (Many musically talented children who cannot afford expensive instruments avoid G.C.S.E. Music). This can mean an increase in the number of children opting for G.C.S.E. Music.
Continuity of tuition would be available to the many children coming to comprehensives already receiving tuition at feeder schools. N.B. There are already 6000 children receiving tuition in old Glamorgan primary schools.
Flexible lesson time can be supplied to examination pupils (Yr.10 and above) who do not wish to miss important lessons. We have introduced 'breakfast club' and after school lessons to accommodate their needs. (The school may wish to obtain separate funding for such after-school activities.)
Full supply cover is available in the case of illness wherever possible, so that there is continuity of lessons for pupils.
All musicians benefit from public liability insurance and CRB clearance (enhanced disclosure).
Regular free, educational demonstrations are given to encourage more children to learn musical instruments.
Progress reports, in line with the National Curriculum, are issued twice a year to the school and parents. Questionnaires are sent out to schools every two years, in order to maintain a high quality of service.

In conclusion, a partnership in every sense

We see our musical provision as a partnership with the school. New projects are monitored very carefully and regular discussions take place with the department until we feel the needs of the school are fully met.

A shared service in partnership with the LEA would serve to enrich the facilities already provided and an element of competition would serve to raise standards, with the chief beneficiaries being the children and the school as a whole.

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Musical Opportunities for Secondary Schools

There are more than 25 comprehensive schools in the original Glamorgan counties using our service. We teach over 9.5 thousand students per week. Many schools use our company to supplement LEA provision, especially since the modern music industry now features largely in KS3 and 4.

COSTS: Hourly charge £28.00

This cost may be paid either by the school or parents.

School payment: Payment will be requested once a term. School decides on length and number of visits, tailoring work within a budget. Teaching may be adapted weekly to meet exact needs.

Parent payment: CAVMS handles all administration of payment etc. There is a guarantee of no cost to the school.

Have you thought of adding to your current provision?...

Electric Guitar
Piano/Keyboard
Drum Kit
Voice Training
Music Technology and IT skills
Bass Guitar
Rock/Jazz Workshops
Ensemble Development

Added Value

Administration and collection of money if required
Criminal Records Bureau checks
Regular written progress reports
Instrument purchase scheme
Supply cover in case of illness etc.
Concert and assembly support
Free promotional demonstrations
Flexi-teaching to accommodate exam pupils e.g. 'Breakfast' or 'Tea-time' Music club

CAVMS Ltd also has a superb orchestra system, spanning ages from junior to university, with well-established tour links abroad, including Chicago and Ireland.

In conclusion, a partnership in every sense…

A shared service in partnership with the LEA would serve to enrich the facilities already provided and an element of competition would serve to raise standards, with the chief beneficiaries being the children and the school as a whole.

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For Parents

Learning to play and Costs

The joy of music is something we all share - though many adults regret never having learned to play an instrument as a child. CAVMS is Wales' first independent music teaching service and is able to offer your child the opportunity to learn to play an instrument of his/her choice.

The advantages of starting to learn at an early age are enormous. Our team of experienced and dedicated teaching staff visit schools each week, bringing their enthusiasm and expertise to help children obtain a high degree of musical excellence before leaving full-time education.

Cost of Lessons

The cost of tuition you will find surprisingly competitive and compares favourably with that of private lessons. One half hour lesson costs £14.00 but the number of pupils in the group shares this. Where possible, we try to keep all beginners to £4.67 per week. * The examples below are based on an average 12-week term. (This will vary by one or two weeks according to term length.) A preferred group size may be requested but not guaranteed.

Group size	Cost per lesson	Cost per term
2 children	£7.00	£84.00
3 children*	£4.67	£55.99

Individual lessons are always available - starting @ £7.00 per week

NB. Piano is taught in groups of 2 initially as a 20-minute lesson. This keeps the cost down to £4.67 per lesson. As a pupil improves, tuition time can be extended or individual tuition may be given if required.

How to Pay for Lessons

Lessons commence on receipt of a £10.00 deposit. A request for payment of the balance will be sent via your child within the first 3 weeks of term, when the group size and length of term is established. Alternatively, parents may pay by one cheque at the beginning of term if preferred (All cheques payable to CAVMS Ltd).

The number of children in the group determines the cost of lessons and the amount is calculated at the beginning of the term. Therefore, in order to be fair to all parents, we must insist on the following:

Payment, (whether by deposit and balance or by one single amount) must be made at the beginning of term as soon as the invoice is received.
Lessons continue from term to term automatically unless written notification of discontinuation is received at the end of term.
The full amount for each term must be paid, even though a child may wish to dis-continue lessons after just a few weeks.
Lessons missed through no fault of the teacher (e.g. family holidays, school trips, child's absence etc) are non-refundable, although staff will make every effort to compensate for lost work.
NB By making payment to this account you will acknowledge that this is in respect of the settlement of fees due to your instrumental teacher and that in this respect CAVMS Limited acts as a VAT agent for the collection of fees due to others.

Added Value

The following benefits are part of our tuition service:

Full written reports at the end of the Autumn and Summer Terms.
Personal contact with the teacher.
Telephone access to the office for advice on all aspects of tuition or instruments.
Help with grade examinations, concert and assembly performance.
NB. Percussion and Vocal tuition are also available in classical / modern styles. Students will be able to enter for examinations as in other instruments.