Dear Parents, Carers and Students,
At Ysgol John Bright we take great pride in nurturing the talents of students and providing additional opportunities for students to learn and grow beyond the classroom. Music students find enjoyment and pride at improving their skills and performance techniques. We are able to provide the following peripatetic music lessons with visiting staff this year:
Violin
Cello/double bass
Harp
Voice
Guitar
Drums
Woodwind
Piano
Brass (*new for 2021 - this provision is subject to a numbers of students selecting it)
We also facilitate LAMDA lessons for those who wish to develop their dramatic talents with our visiting specialist teacher. These lessons build confidence, dramatic talent and improve public speaking amongst students and they thoroughly enjoy them.
All students are encouraged to participate in music groups and our productions to further their talents as soon as covid restrictions allow.
All lessons can progress towards recognised qualifications if the student wishes to pursue these. Grades 6-8 contribute to UCAS points for university.
Due to changes within the funding we receive from Conwy, new charges and terms can be found below.
You will receive 30 lessons across the year. As term lengths vary, the number of lessons can vary from term to term.
Covid-19
We are continuing with precautionary measures regarding Covid-19.
Learners will be required to use the cleaning products provided at the end of each lesson to wipe down anything that has been touched. Where appropriate, learners will need to use their own instruments (with the exception of harp and piano). This is now standard practise in schools, in order to ensure students and visiting teachers can operate safely.
Tutors will be using perspex screens between themselves and the student and everyone will be required to follow the social distancing rules as outlined by the Welsh government. Tutors will wear masks and/or visors if appropriate and in accordance with the latest guidelines.
If you or your teacher cannot attend because of isolation, a “virtual” lesson will be arranged so that you do not lose out on lesson time. In the instance that a virtual lesson is needed (for example, the teacher or student is isolating), details and consent forms will be made available to you.
Frequency of lessons
LAMDA lessons will be delivered weekly in 20 minute duologue slots and biweekly monologue lessons.
All music lessons will be delivered bi-weekly to give your child a 30 minute lesson every other week. This supports cleaning between students to keep everyone safe. Feedback suggests that this is the most effective use of student and teacher time.
Please note: it is possible to request weekly lessons if you wish (at an additional cost). Please contact Mrs Cook on
f.cook@johnbright.uk to arrange this.
Time of lessons
All lessons happen on a rotation basis to try and eliminate missing the same lesson twice in a row. Lessons begin as early as 8:45am and end by 3:15pm.
All students will be added to a google classroom to see their timetables. It is the child’s responsibility to check their times. Paper copies are displayed in the music and drama corridor. Reminders are added to teachers registers and we also endeavour to remind parents via a message on School Comms the night before the lesson.
Costs for Singing and Instrumental lessons
Lessons are individual. There will be screens placed between the teacher and the student. Your child will be able to access 30 lessons this year.
Instalment 1 £61
Instalment 2 £61
Instalment 3 £61
We reserve the right to alter the number of lessons received in each term as the number of weeks can vary and there may be bank holidays etc. that can prevent a lesson being taught that week. However, the final number of lessons received will always total 30.
Costs for LAMDA (Drama) lessons
Duologue lesson: Your child will be able to access 30 lessons this year in a shared lesson with a student in their year group. There will be a screen between the teacher and students. We always endeavour to match ability levels appropriately. Lessons last 20 minutes.
Monologue lesson: Your child will be able to access 30 lessons as biweekly double lessons. There will be a screen between the teacher and students. Lessons last 20 minutes.
You will be contacted after submitting this form to see if your preference is for a monologue or duologue lesson.
Instalment 1 £61
Instalment 2 £61
Instalment 3 £61
We reserve the right to alter the number of lessons received in each term as the number of weeks can vary and there may be bank holidays etc. that can prevent a lesson being taught that week. However, the final number of lessons received will always total 30.
Payments
Payment can be made termly or yearly. All payments must be made on parent pay by the following dates:
20/09/2020
10/01/2021
25/04/2021
If you prefer to pay for the year, please contact Michelle Goss on
m.goss@johnbright.uk or alternatively, call the main school office.
Failure to pay will result in lessons being withheld. Conwy county does pursue missed payments and will take further action if required.
Stopping lessons
This agreement is on the basis of an academic year’s tuition. Should you find that you have a problem in meeting the payment, please contact us as soon as possible. Notice of stopping lessons for this reason requires half a term notice to Mrs Cook. It should be made via email to
f.cook@johnbright.uk.
FSM students
If you are in receipt of free school meals and wish to have music or LAMDA lessons, please email Mrs Cook on
f.cook@johnbright.uk, Head of Performing Arts to see what support is available for you.
GCSE music students
For the academic year 2021-22, all students who are on the GCSE music course will have 30 instrument or voice lessons free of charge. This will be chosen with their GCSE music teacher to best support their success on the course. Additional lessons may be purchased.
Musical instruments
All students require an instrument to practise playing at home. We have a small number of woodwind, brass and string instruments that can be borrowed. We cannot always provide them if they are already loaned out, but you can hire instruments through instrumental loan businesses. Any instrument that is borrowed will have a contract of care issued outlining the loan term (usually until the end of the child’s education at Ysgol John Bright), that all consumables (e.g. reeds, strings etc.) are replaced as necessary by the parent/student, and that instruments are serviced upon returning to the School.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the lesson (i.e. times, organisation etc.), please contact Mrs Cook on
f.cook@johnbright.uk .
If you have any questions or issues regarding payment, please contact Mrs Michelle Goss on
m.goss@johnbright.uk .
Summary of agreement
By submitting this form, I understand the terms and conditions as described in this letter. I understand payment must be made on or before the given dates on ParentPay. I understand that failure to pay will result in lessons being withheld/cancelled and that further action will be taken. I understand that my child will be responsible for observing rules and practices to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
