Assisted Musical Instrument Purchase Scheme
This scheme lets parents and carers buy their child an instrument free of VAT and usually at a discounted price. You choose an instrument from the supplier of your choice, it is delivered to your child’s school and you make payment to the East Sussex Music Service (ESMS).
To qualify for the scheme, your child must be:
- of school age and in full time education at a ‘maintained’ (state-funded) school
- receiving weekly tuition through the ESMS at school as part of their curriculum.
Other rules also apply:
- the instrument must be appropriate for the pupil’s needs. For example, an absolute beginner should not be given a handmade professional instrument
- the instrument must be portable and required for regular classroom use – ie brought into school on at least a weekly basis.
Buying an instrument
First speak to your child’s music teacher to make sure you get advice on the model and size of instrument for your child. Ask the teacher to complete the relevant part of the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme application form.
To receive this form, please contact your child's instrumental teacher.
Then contact the musical instrument supplier of your choice. They must be registered for VAT. It is important that you tell them that you wish to buy the instrument through the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme run by the East Sussex Music Service.
Once you have chosen the instrument, confirm that the school are willing to accept delivery of the instrument.
You will then need to complete the rest of the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme form. The form must be signed by you and your child’s music teacher. It must also include the make and model of the instrument, the price excluding VAT and name and address of the supplier. You’ll need to send the form with a cheque, to cover the cost of the instrument and administration fee, to the East Sussex Music Service.
Receiving your instrument
Please allow up to 10 working days before the instrument is delivered. It will be delivered to your child’s school and given to your child by their instrumental teacher. Instruments can only be delivered during term time.
Insurance
We strongly recommend you take out insurance to cover the replacement cost of your new instrument from the day your child will receive it. For more details, see our page on insuring your child's instrument.
