Schools’ Music Bulletin Board

Key Dates

Key dates for applications can be viewed HERE

School Grants for First Access now open

We are opening the Portal for requesters but will not be able to confirm until we are made aware of the funding from DfE. Our intention is to continue with the same level of funding, but this will depend on the funding agreement from DfE. Access the Requester Portal HERE

(uploaded 23rd April 2025)

Dear Schools,

We would like to remind you about the process for receiving your First Access Subsidy payment.

Application Process for First Access

  1. Apply for your subsidy through our website:https://wmc-subsidy-portal.glide.page/  The website also outlines the eligibility criteria for subsidies – If you do not have a log-in as a requester, please email pclark@smscio.co.uk

Approval and Payment

  1. After you submit your request for subsidy, our team will review and either approve your request or send it back for more information.
  2. Lynn Hawkins will send mass emails to schools inviting you to invoice for the approved amount in two payments for First Access: one in November and the other in May.
  3. Once your school or trust submits an invoice, we’ll verify it against the approved amount
  4. Payment will then be processed to your school

Questions?

If you need any clarification, please email Lynn Hawkins at: lhawkins@smscio.co.uk

Instrumental & Vocal subsidies

Important information about subsidies:

  • Subsidies are based on either an individual 15 minute lesson, a shared 20 minute or a shared 30 minute lesson.
  • Subsidies are available when one of our associates is providing the tuition and they are being paid the equivalent of £30.40 – £40 p/h.  This is not to include a school’s admin fee, if there is one.
  • Subsidy requests need to come from schools.
  • Subsidies cannot be made retrospectively.
  • Sessions are not to be compressed or doubled up.  We expect lessons to be spread out across the academic year (e.g. 1 session per week)
  • We do n to currently require proof of a pupils SEND – no EHCP is required.
  • a pupil can only be supported to learn with ONE associate Tutor per academic year

We have a limited budget for tuition subsidy – we encourage schools to apply early to avoid disappointment.

The deadline for requesting tuition subsidies for AY 2025-26 is Friday November 7th 2025

You can apply for grants on our online Portal HERE

Tuition Subsidy Payment Process

(uploaded 23rd April 2025)

We would like to remind you about the process for receiving your First Access Subsidy payment.

Application Process for Tuition Subsidy Payments

Apply for your subsidy through our website: https://wmc-subsidy-portal.glide.page/  The website also outlines the eligibility criteria for subsidies – If you do not have a log-in as a requester, please email pclark@smscio.co.uk

Approval and Payment

Approval:

  1. Once you have entered your request onto the Portal, we will be able to review it and take the following action:
    1. Approve the request
    2. Send it back to you for amendment, with an explanation
    3. Deny the request.  This is usually for the following reasons ( but the list is not exhaustive)
      • The request is unreasonable and doesn’t appear to be for the correct provision
      • You school has already had adequate funding to support the program(s)
      • All the year’s funding allocation has run-out

Payments:

  1. Lynn Hawkins will send mass emails to schools inviting you to invoice for the approved amount in three payments for Tuition Subsidy in October, January and March.
  2. Once your school or trust submits an invoice, we’ll verify it against the approved amount
  3. Payment will then be processed to your school

Questions?

If you need any clarification, please email Lynn Hawkins at: lhawkins@smscio.co.uk

If you need to apply for a log-in as a Requester for your school, follow these steps:

Email: pclark@smscio.co.uk

  • Your name
  • Your school email Address

We will then register you so you can access the portal.

Live Music Performances in your School

A limited budget has been made available for schools in Wiltshire to apply for match funding to provide live music performances in your school for the remainder of this academic year (2024-25). You can place a request using the link.  HERE

 

 

 

Letters of Assurance

See here the advice we offer to schools about letters of assurance and what schools need to do when working with Associates HERE

 

Bite Sized CPD Menu

Schools can see what CPD sessions / courses and conferences are available HERE