• Suspension To Lunchtime Passes
  As a result of the current situation, lunch breaks have been shortened to 30 minutes to accommodate the changes to our daily timetable. Students with a lunchtime pass will not be allowed off-site during their allocated lunch break because of the reduction in time available to them.
  
  Please ensure that your child brings their food/drink with them when they come to school.
  
  Thank you for your support and apologies for any inconvenience.
   
• Parent/Carer - Bullying Survey

• School Photographs
  Bentley Photographic will be coming into school on 15th October 2020 to take school photographs of Year 7 students. Students need to be in normal school uniform for their photographs. Proofs of these photographs will be made available for you to purchase in due course.

Year 9 Options Evening Information - January 2020

Year 9 Careers Fair - List of organisations

Year 11 Intervention Timetable 2019/2020
The intervention timetable will run after school between 3pm and 4pm. 

Booking Lessons

Instrumental music lessons are available with our school’s music provider, Hertfordshire Music Service from September. If you haven’t applied for lessons already, all the information you need to book is available at http://www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk/registeronline. HMS tutors will be teaching face to face or online and every effort has been taken to ensure both tutors and pupils are kept safe in line with guidance.

COVID-19 Relief Fund: All pupils can apply for non-means tested financial support of 25% off fees for instrumental lessons. 

Peripatetic Staff

• Brass - John Lavelle
• Drums - Dan Bird
• Flute - Jane Rose
• Guitar - Ron Aktinson
• Piano - Adrian Oldland
• Violin - Julia Black
• Voice - Lynsey Tibbs
• Woodwind - Valerie Blake

FAQ's

• What instrumental tuition is available at the school?
  The department hires instrumental teachers from the County Music Service. These are all experienced professional musicians.  Tuition is available on flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, drums, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, electric guitar, voice, piano, and keyboard.
   
• How much do lessons cost?
  Fees are as follows: 
  30 minute individual tuition - £231.00 per term
  20 minute individual tuition - £154.00 per term
  
  For students taking GCSE or A-Level Music fees are reduced by The Highfield School as follows:
  GCSE/A Level 30 minute individual lesson - £138.60 per term
  GCSE/A Level 20 minute individual lesson - £92.40 per term
  
  Please note that the music service does not offer remission to students studying music at GCSE or A-Level.
  
  The fee covers 33 lessons per academic year.  This works out on average as 11 weeks in a term but as term lengths vary you may receive 10 lessons one term and 12 the next for example.
   
• When do lessons occur?
  Lesson times are rotated each week to ensure that a student does not constantly miss any one particular subject lesson.
  
  Please therefore make sure students check their timetables which are posted on the notice board outside Music Room 1 for their lesson time each week and note it down in their student planner.
   
• What happens if a teacher misses a lesson?
  The teacher will not claim for that lesson and the lesson is either made up or a refund will be given after the academic year is completed, when all music service statements have been received, i.e., around November of that year.

Notice to cease/alter lessons
A full half term's notice is required in writing to the Finance Office should you wish to alter or cease tuition. Lessons during the notice period must be paid for regardless of whether the student intends to attend lessons during that notice period.

If insufficient notice is given you will be liable for fees in lieu of notice.

What happens if a student misses a lesson, either by accident or illness, a school trip or public exam?

Students who leave instruments at home can still benefit from theory lessons.

Study Leave
Lessons for students in Years 11, 12 and 13 will cease at Whitsun half term.  You will only be charged for this reduced period.  Written notification should be sent if you require lessons to continue to the end of the Summer Term.

How do I communicate with my child's instrumental teacher?
Please write a note to the teacher in the student's practice book and ask the teacher to contact you if necessary.

What do I do if I am dissatisfied with the standard of the tuition my child is receiving?
Please write a note to the Head of Music explaining your concerns and it will be dealt with as required.

Payment of fees
Invoices are sent out by the school Finance Office at the beginning of each term in advance for tuition starting the following term.  All monies are payable to 'The Highfield School' and should be paid via WisePay or sent to the Finance Office.  Please mark the envelope 'Music Lesson Fees'.

Invoices must be paid for a full half term in advance of tuition commencing so that we are able to comply with Music Service requirements.  Non-payment will result in the student being removed from the list and no lessons will be given.

Reimbursement claim form
Please click the link below for the reimbursement claim for for GCSE and A Level students only taking authorised lessons outside of The Highfield School

Claim form
 

Financial Assistance
Information can be found at www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk/remission or please contact the customer service centre on 0300 123 4048 or www.howwecanhelp@hertscc.gov.uk