• Each pupil must label their instrument case and instrument very clearly with their name.

• Unlabelled instruments will be assumed to belong to the school and may be moved or used by other pupils.

• Parents should insure their child's instrument against loss or damage.

• Whilst at school, the instrument may be kept in the musical instrument store (Room 87a, music department, ground floor) or in the pupil’s locker.

• Pupils can protect their instrument in a number of ways: by putting the instrument away immediately after use, by labelling the instrument case and instrument clearly, by storing it on a shelf (not in the middle of the floor), by locking it either in a locker or with a bicycle lock to the shelf.

• Pupils who play a musical instrument may ask music staff (found in the music office) for the code to the musical instrument store. This code is not shared with pupils who do not play a musical instrument.

• It is expected that the instrument will be taken home regularly to practise.

• On a normal school day, so as to deposit/collect their instrument from the musical instrument store, pupils may access the music department for at least 30 minutes before and after school. Outside these times access cannot be guaranteed.

• Pupils unable to collect their instrument at the end of the school day may choose to leave their instrument in the store overnight and collect it the next day.

• Nonetheless, due to the number of instruments stored, pupils are discouraged from leaving their instrument, unused and unchecked, for long periods (weeks/months). In the past, neglected instruments like these have been the most likely to be lost or damaged.

• Whilst the school will do everything it can to keep pupils' instruments safe, instruments are stored at pupils' own risk.

The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS)

To purchase a VAT free instrument for your child through the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme, please:

• Identify your preferred retailer and instrument model, noting the price of your chosen instrument.

• Transfer the cost of the instrument (exc. VAT) to the following account: Tiffin School, Acc. No. 13951847, Sort 20-47-23, labelling your payment ‘musical instrument’ or similar.

• Email momalley@tiffin.kingston.sch.uk with the following information: parent and pupil names and contact details; retailer name and contact details; instrument make, model, size, catalogue number and price exc. VAT; and confirmation that your payment has been made to Tiffin School.

• Place AIPS orders early, no less than ONE MONTH before the instrument is requred and before the end of term: the school is unable to place orders or receive goods during school holidays.

• Once delivered to the school, the pupil will receive a message inviting him/her to collect the instrument from the Music Office.

• Please do not use this scheme if you require delivery of an instrument urgently or to a deadline: the school will not pursue instrument suppliers on behalf of parents.

• For the purpose of individual music lessons, pupils in Years 8 and above must have access to their own purchased or comercially hired instrument. The school will not extend overdue instrument loans to pupils beyond Year 7 whilst a pupil waits for their musical instrument to be delivered.

• Parents are strongly advised not to wait until the end of the academic year to order AIPS musical instuments. They must place AIPS musical instrument orders as soon as possible and no less than one month before the instrument is required and before the end of term.

Local and web-based retailers offering musical instrument purchase and/or hire

Many musical instruments can be hired for around £20 per month.

• ABC Music, Esher, 01372466195, www.abcmusic.co.uk (instrument hire and purchase)

• Caswells Strings, 01280707140, www.caswells-strings.co.uk (string instrument hire and AIPS purchase)

• Chamberlain Music, Haslemere, 01428658806, www.chamberlainmusic.com (instrument hire and AIPS purchase)

• Dawkes Music, Maidenhead, 01628630800, www.dawkes.co.uk (brass and woodwind instrument hire and AIPS purchase)

• Dawsons Music, Reading, 01189581320, www.dawsons.co.uk (instrument hire and purchase)

• DV247, Romford, 02031766247, www.dv247.com (instrument purchase)

• Gear4Music, York, 08435150600, www.gear4music.com (instrument purchase)

• Hillsound, Hampton Hill, 02089777788, www.hillsound.co.uk (brass and woodwind instrument hire and purchase)

• Howarth, Marylebone, 02079352407, www.howarth.uk.com (woodwind instrument hire and AIPS purchase)

• John Packer, Taunton, 01823282386, www.johnpacker.co.uk (woodwind and brass instrument hire and purchase)

• The Music Hub, 02084676354, www.musichubsales.org.uk (instrument hire and purchase)

• Normans, Burton-upon-Trent, 01283535333, www.normans.co.uk (instrument hire and purchase)

• Old Violin Workshop, Hampton Hill, 02089772952, www.oldviolinworkshop.co.uk (string instrument hire and purchase)

• Ritz Music Shop, Richmond, 02083321488, www.ritzmusic.co.uk (instrument hire and purchase)