Musical Instrument Storage, Purchase & Hire

Musical Instrument Storage

To keep their instrument safe from loss or damage when bringing it to school, each pupil must follow these instructions.

  • 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.

Musical Instrument Purchase & Hire

Parents may purchase a musical instrument direct from suppliers, or use the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS) to purchase an instrument VAT free through the school, provided they do not require the instrument urgently or delivered to a deadline.

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.

Recommended Musical Instrument Models for Beginners

(List under construction)

  • Flutes: Windcraft WFL-110 (Beginner) / Yamaha YFL212 (Intermediate) or contact Mr Harding christheflute@gmail.com for further advice.

  • Oboes: Howarth S10 new or second hand from a good music shop (avoid private second hand sales)

  • Clarinets: Windcraft WCL-100 (Beginner) / Buffet Protige (Beginner/Intermediate) / Yamaha YCL225 (Intermediate)

  • Alto Saxophones: John Packer JP041 (Beginner) / Windcraft WAS-110 (Beginner) / Yamaha YAS280 (Intermediate)

  • Bassoons: Visit https://www.johnpacker.co.uk/shop/woodwind-instruments/bassoon for recommended, second hand bassoons

  • French Horns: John Packer JP162 (Beginner) or contact www.woodheadhorns.co.uk for further advice.

  • Trumpets: John Packer JP051 B flat Trumpet (Beginner)

  • Trombones: John Packer JP031 B flat Tenor Trombone / Jupiter JTB500 Trombone

  • Violins: Stentor Student II

  • Violas: Stentor Student II

  • Cellos: Forenza Prima 2 (Beginner) / Stentor Student I (Beginner) / Hidersine Vivente (Intermediate) / Stentor Student II (Intermediate)

  • Double Basses: Stentor Student 1950

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

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