A message from Ms Stone, Head of Music:
Welcome to the vibrant world of music at City of London Academy Shoreditch Park! As Head of Music, I am delighted to introduce you to our dynamic Music department, where creativity, ambition, and a passion for music flourish.
Our dedicated team of 12 peripatetic tutors from Hackney Music Service offers individual, paired, and small group lessons across a wide range of instruments, including violin, viola, cello, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, flute, drums, guitar, bass guitar, piano, and voice.
At City of London Academy Shoreditch Park, we are proud to provide a music education that is both ambitious and inclusive, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive as a musician.
Curriculum Overview
Our broad and balanced curriculum emphasises listening, performance, composition, and music theory, ensuring a holistic music education for all students.
In Year 7, every student learns an orchestral instrument, with the opportunity to continue developing this skill throughout their time at school.
We offer Eduqas GCSE and A Level Music. Many of our alumni go on to pursue further studies in music, reflecting the strength and success of our programme.
Year 7 Instrumental Programme
All Year 7 pupils are given the opportunity to learn a new instrument as part of our curriculum offer.
Key Features
- One hour per week of instrumental tuition
- Taught in small groups of approximately 10 pupils
- Delivered for the full academic year at no cost
- Instruments are provided, with the opportunity to take them home for practice
On their induction day, pupils will receive a form allowing them to indicate their preferred instrument choices. Instruments typically offered include:
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Cello
- Violin
- Clarinet
- Guitar
While we always aim to allocate pupils their first-choice instrument, this is subject to staff availability. Pupils should not select an instrument they can already play, as this programme is specifically designed for beginners, enabling groups to progress together at an appropriate pace.
Once groups are finalised, instrument changes will not be possible.
Instrument Pathways and Progression
The programme provides a strong foundation across four instrumental pathways:
- Guitar
- Woodwind (clarinet)
- Brass (trombone or trumpet)
- Strings (violin or cello)
By the end of the academic year, pupils are supported to reach Grade 1 standard, assessed through the COLASP Music Grade. This early milestone equips students with the skills needed to progress confidently towards GCSE Music by Year 10.
Instrument Loans for Year 7
Pupils will be able to take their instrument home once a loan agreement has been signed.
We ask for a minimum £5 donation to help maintain and service instruments for future cohorts. Further details will be shared at the start of the academic year.
Encouraging Student Practice and Achievement
Regular practice is central to musical progress, and the Year 7 Programme actively supports this through:
- A practice booklet to track home and school practice
- Access to practice rooms for supervised rehearsal
- Teacher signatures to recognise effort and consistency
Practice evidence as well as effort in class can be used towards earning COLASP Music Badges!
At the end of the year, students who pass their COLASP Music Grade and have achieved a Bronze, Silver, or Goldbadge will be awarded the Platinum Badge and Certificate in recognition of their commitment and progress.
Instrumental Lesson Provision
We are proud to work with a dedicated team of 12 peripatetic tutors from Hackney Music Service, offering high-quality instrumental tuition across a wide range of instruments, including:
Violin, viola, cello, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, flute, drums, guitar, bass guitar, piano, and voice.
All instrumental tuition is delivered over ten lessons each term, totalling 30 sessions across the academic year. Lessons are scheduled around assessment weeks and key school events, during which tuition may pause.
Subsidised Small Group Tuition:
- £40 per term (£120 per year)
- 30-minute sessions in groups of 3–4 students
- Highly subsidised to reduce cost to approximately £4 per lesson
- Supported through the creative strand of the City Experience programme, giving KS3 students access to instrumental learning at reduced cost
Full Price Individual Tuition:
- 20-minute sessions: £145 per term (£435 per year)
- 30-minute sessions: £215 per term (£645 per year)
Year 8 & 9 Scholarship Duo Lessons:
We offer 20 scholarship places for Year 8 and 9 students to learn in duets
Applications must be submitted by 25th May 2026 for September 2026 entry: Scholarship Lesson Application Form (Year 8–9) – Fill in form
GCSE Music Scholarship Duo Lessons:
- Free duo lessons for GCSE Music students
Application Forms:
For full details and to apply for any lesson type, please use the relevant application link here:
Music lesson applications: Sign Up Form for Instrumental Lessons: Autumn Term – Fill in form
Scholarship applications: Scholarship Lesson Application Form (Year 8–9) – Fill in form
Payment Information
Payment for all instrumental tuition must be made via ParentPay.
The full year’s fee will be added to your ParentPay account at the end of the previous academic year (or at the start of the academic year for Year 7 students). Termly payments must be made in full at least two weeks before the start of each term.
Payment Deadlines
- Term 1: Payment due 2 weeks before the end of the Summer Term
- Term 2: Payment due 2 weeks before the start of January
- Term 3: Payment due by the end of the Easter holiday
Monthly Payment Option
If you would prefer to spread the cost, payments can be made in 10 monthly instalments.
To arrange this, please contact the finance officer at:
enquiries@shoreditch.cola.org.uk
Monthly instalments must be paid by the 1st of each month via ParentPay.
Instrument Hire
We offer school instrument hire for £20 per year. Please indicate on your application if you would like to hire an instrument.
By enrolling in instrumental lessons, parents/carers agree to take responsibility for the safe keeping of any school-owned instrument in their child’s possession.
Minor damage is covered by the hire fee. However, in cases of major damage, loss, or theft, parents/carers will be required to cover the full cost of repair or replacement via ParentPay.
School instruments are part of required equipment and must be brought into school on the days of instrumental lessons.
Attendance & Absence
By enrolling in tuition, students commit to attending all 10 sessions per term across the academic year.
- Lessons missed by students are non-refundable
- If a student has a school trip on the day of their lesson, at least one week’s notice must be given so the tutor can attempt to rearrange
- If a tutor misses a lesson, it will be carried forward to ensure students receive the full 30 lessons across the year
Cancellation Procedure
A full half term’s notice is required to cancel instrumental tuition.
Cancellations must be made in writing directly to Ms Stone, Subject Leader for Music, via email:
b.stone@shoreditch.cola.org.uk
Due to the subsidised nature of group tuition, subsidised lessons cannot be cancelled unless a replacement student is found to fill the space.
Enrichment opportunities
Our enrichment programme provides students with opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom and develop as confident, creative musicians.
Opportunities include:
- Choirs and vocal ensembles
- Orchestras and instrumental groups
- Music technology and composition clubs
- Performance opportunities within school and the wider community
- Student leadership roles such as Music Ambassadors
These activities encourage collaboration, creativity, and regular performance experience.
Concerts and performance opportunities
Throughout the year, students take part in a wide range of concerts and performance events, including:
- Winter Concert
- Spring Recitals
- Summer Recitals
- Summer Musical Production
- Battle of the Bands
We are proud to work in partnership with organisations such as the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, offering students inspiring opportunities to engage with professional musicians and high-level performances.
Students also take part in regular trips to West End productions, enriching their cultural experience and broadening their understanding of live performance.
