Music Tuition
Overview
Learning a musical instrument has a wide range of proven educational and social benefits. It supports brain development, boosts concentration, and promotes resilience and creativity whilst having the potential to be a lifelong source of joy and friendship. At Loughborough Schools Foundation we are committed to offering the very best in instrumental tuition. We offer individual lessons in a wide range of instruments – from absolute beginners right through to Grade 8 and beyond. If your child is unsure which instrument to choose, we’re always happy to offer advice and guidance.
Instruments Taught
piano
violin
flute
trumpet
drum kit
organ
viola
oboe
cornet
tuned percussion
singing
cello
clarinet
french horn
tabla
harmonium
double bass
bassoon
trombone
euphonium
harp
saxophone
tuba
Need Help?
If you have any questions, our Admissions Team will be delighted to assist. Please call us on 01509 283808 or email fairfield.admissions@lsf.org.
Ensembles at Fairfield
Playing in an ensemble is a vital and enjoyable part of learning an instrument. We are therefore committed to providing an ensemble for every child who learns an orchestral or Indian classical music instrument at Fairfield. From Prep Reeds to Tabla Club, Young Strings to Prep Orchestra, there will be an ensemble for your child to join and love!
Why have individual instrumental lessons at Fairfield?
Lessons are taught in our purpose-built, cross-Foundation Music School; an inspiring place for your child to learn an instrument right from the very start of their musical journey and where hopefully they will continue to come throughout their time at the Foundation, perhaps eventually even performing in our beautiful Recital Hall at our Year 13 leavers concert.
Our teachers are experts in their instruments, with a wealth of performance and teaching experience, highly skilled at teaching and supporting Fairfield pupils at their individual level. With over 40 teachers, we will have the right person to match your child’s abilities and ambitions.
Lesson Prices
For 2025/26, lesson prices will be:
- £33.50 per 30-minute lesson
- £25.00 per 20-minute lesson (for beginners only and reviewed by teacher after 2 terms)
- £17.50 per joint lesson (subject to availability for beginners only and reviewed by teacher after 2 terms)
For the first year of learning, if needed, we can hire instruments at a cost of £40 per term. Please note that there may be additional charges for books or accessories, depending on the instrument and level of study.
Our popular Year 3 Strings Scheme, which starts every Autumn offers 20-minute individual lessons, a 30-minute group lesson and instrument hire for £17.50 a week as a follow-on from our class-based scheme in Year 2 and is available for the violin, cello or double bass.
Music Tuition Assistance Scheme
We believe every child should have the opportunity to enjoy music education – and we’re committed to removing the barriers that can make learning an instrument feel out of reach.
Our music tuition assistance scheme offers financial support for individual music lessons at Loughborough Schools Music. If your child already receives means-tested financial assistance from the schools, you may be eligible for this support. To find out more, simply get in touch with our Music Manager at music.manager@lsf.org.
This scheme is made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors, and funding is limited. If you’d like to help more children discover the joy of music, you can make a one-off donation or set up a regular gift using the links below. Every contribution makes a real difference.
Terms and Conditions
Lessons take place at a time agreed between the teacher and school; this may vary from week to week according to the rota system. Fixed lessons are limited in availability and priority for fixed lesson times is given to:
- Pupils in Y12 and Y13 (lessons in private study periods or outside curriculum time)
- Pupils in Y11 (lessons outside curriculum time)
- Pupils with identified additional learning needs, as required
- Pupils learning more than one instrument (we make every effort to avoid pupils being timetabled for multiple instrumental lessons in curriculum time in any week)
Billing is applied in arrears to your school fees note. Fees that are applied to your account will be for lessons timetabled. For example, if your child has been scheduled for 9 lessons during the summer term, you will be billed for 9 lessons. Additional costs for sundries, such as reeds, sheet music, strings etc. will also be added to your school fee note. The schools reserve the right to suspend lessons in the event of non-payment by the due date.
Notice to increase fees
The fees will be reviewed from time to time and may be increased by such amount as the governors consider necessary and reasonable. Fees include VAT where necessary.
All instruments brought into school should be insured by parents, including instruments on hire from the school or from an outside organisation. This can usually be done under the ‘all risks’ section of a general household insurance policy.
Please ensure that you provide the Music Manager with two academic weeks’ notice if there is a time or date that your child cannot be scheduled for a music lesson. Scheduled lessons that are missed through a pupil’s unplanned non-attendance will be charged for. Please note if your child is absent from school due to illness, they may not come into school for individual music lessons.
If notice is given by 2 November 2025, lessons will finish the week commencing 9 December 2025.
If notice is given by 4 January 2026, lessons will finish the week commencing 9 February 2026.
If notice is given by 22 February 2026, lessons will finish the week commencing 23 March 2026.
If notice is given by 19 April 2026, lessons will finish the week commencing 18 May 2026.
If notice is given by 31 May 2026, lessons will finish the week commencing 6 July 2026.
If notice is given by 6 September 2026, lessons will finish the week commencing 12 October 2026.
Updated October 2025
Lessons may be discontinued at the end of any school term or half term. Notice to discontinue lessons must be given in writing (which includes email) to the Music Office by the dates specified on the Music webpage. Notice given later than this will be deemed to apply to the following half term. During study leave, when pupils are not required on site, we will assume that they will not attend instrumental lessons in person. However, pupils may opt in for face-to-face lessons as and when they can attend. Please note that for Year 6 pupils continuing to LGS or LHS, lessons will continue unless and until you submit notice to discontinue.
**If you start lessons through the Summer Starter Scheme, you undertake to pay for the lessons arranged for the Summer term but no notice to discontinue will be required. If your child wishes to then continue in the Autumn term, we will issue you with a new contract when the above full terms and conditions will apply.
The charge for each instrument is £40 per term or part of a term. This charge will be added to your school fees bill. If the instrument is an ‘endangered species’ and / or its primary use is to support an ensemble, the fee may be waived.
The hire period is for a maximum of 3 terms, which does not include the Summer holiday. There is always a demand for instruments to hire, but in certain circumstances it may be possible to extend this period.
You are liable for any loss or damage sustained whilst the instrument is on hire to you. Please ensure your home or personal insurance gives you adequate cover for the replacement of an instrument should loss or damage occur. The Loughborough Schools Foundation take no responsibility for any accidents involving instruments on hire.
When the instrument is brought into the Loughborough Schools Foundation it should be kept in the special storage cupboards within the Music School. It should be clearly labelled with both the school’s and pupil’s name.
At the end of the hire period, your child’s instrumental teacher will be happy to advise on the purchase of a suitable instrument.
If the instrument is not being made full use of, the Loughborough Schools Foundation reserves the right to recall the instrument for someone else’s use.
Any repairs must be carried out by an approved repairer. The Director of Music should be contacted before any work is undertaken.
Please inform the Music office in writing as soon as the instrument is returned so that accurate accounts can be kept.
