At Warminster School, we run a very popular service which offers Instrumental Music Lessons to any pupil. We use a carefully selected team of inspiring, professional musicians who visit the school each week. Pupils learning an instrument are expected to take part in at least one musical group (there is a very wide choice available in both schools). Not only does this aid their progress, it is also excellent fun. All GCSE and A-Level Music pupils are required to learn at least one instrument.

Lessons happen during the school day on a rotational basis. Although pupils will come out of class, their instrumental lesson will be at a different time each week, thus minimising disruption. The rota stating lesson times is published at the start of each term and is available on SOCS in the Senior School and published around the Prep School. Pupils in the Sixth Form have lessons timetabled to fit in with their free periods.

We encourage the channels of communications between families and Visiting Music Teachers and teachers will always be pleased to update families on the progress and learning happening in these lessons. Teachers will reward excellent progress with Merits and communicate any concerns with home and/or the boarding houses, where applicable. Practice is recorded on Firefly in the Senior School and in Practise Diaries in the Prep School.

Fees & Instrument Hire

We have a stock of certain instruments which are available to hire through the school. The Fees for instrumental lessons are added to your termly school fees bill.

Getting to lessons

In the Prep School, pupils are collected from lessons up until Year 3. From then on they are expected to remember themselves. A watch with an alarm set each week is a tried and tested success to help with this. The teacher will find them if they forget. Parents are invited to contact the Head of Prep Music should they suspect a clash with a school trip is likely. In the Senior School, pupils are expected to arrive at lessons on time. Teachers will not come to find them as the site is too big, however, missed lessons (except in the case of teacher absence) will be charged for. Senior pupils are expected to check ahead and speak to the Music Department should there be a clash. A watch with an alarm set each week is a tried and tested success to help with this.

Queries 

Please contact jbridges@warminsterschool.org.uk should you have a query for the Senior School and scollishaw@warminsterschool.org.uk should you have a Prep School query.

If you would like your child to receive lessons at school, please complete the online form as soon as possible so that timetables can be accurate for the start of term.

With Best Wishes,

Mr Jonnie Bridges, Director of Music and Mrs Stephanie Collishaw, Head of Prep Music

Please read the following terms and conditions very carefully:

Terms and Conditions of Instrumental Lessons

  •  One full terms notice in writing is required to terminate lessons.
  • Instrumental Fees are payable directly to the teacher, in advance, if they are self-employed OR added to the School bill if the teacher is an employee of Warminster School.
  • All instrumental lessons will last for 30 minutes.
  • Lessons cannot be refunded if the pupil is absent. Forgotten lessons are charged for in full.
  • It is be expected that all pupils receiving school instrumental lessons will attend at least one lunchtime or after school musical group.
  • All instruments must be clearly named, both on the case and on the instrument itself. The pupils are responsible for keeping their instrument in a safe place e.g The Music Department or a corner of their classroom that is agreed with their form tutor.
  • All instruments must be insured. The School takes no responsibility for any instrument that is either lost or damaged whilst on school property. You may find instruments are covered on your home insurance.
  • Senior Pupils are expected to take responsibility for their own timetable, and arrange a lesson change should there be a clash with a match. Should this be impossible they should contact Mr Bridges.
  • Prep Pupils or Parents are invited to contact the Head of Prep Music should they suspect a clash with a school trip is likely.