Direct billing
Some primary schools have asked us to operate a Direct Billing of Parents Scheme, which means that payment for lessons is made, by parents, directly to NMPAT.
In these schools, tuition is delivered, during school time, as 15-minute individual lessons. In some circumstances, lessons may be combined into a shared half-hour. Orchestral instruments are loaned free of charge for the first year, with a voluntary contribution for an extended loan.
To check if your school is involved with this scheme, which is only available in a select number of primary schools, please use the drop-down list on this page: Music in School
If your school is involved with the scheme, and you would like to sign up for lessons, please choose the relevant school from the list and click “next” to continue your application: register for lessons in a Direct Billing of Parents school
For more information on commitments and partnership working, please see our terms and conditions page.
If you have any questions, get in touch with Libby Marsland, Direct Billing Coordinator: lessonsdirect@nmpat.co.uk
| Teaching periods | Final payment due date |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term
(Lessons from 8th September – 5th December) |
5th September 2025 |
| Spring Term
(Lessons from 8th December – 26th March) |
5th December 2025 |
| Summer Term
(Lessons from 13th April – 6th July) |
10th April 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Payment is due in advance of each 11-week payment period and can be made via our online system, iPresto, where your card payment will be processed by WorldPay – please use the link below:
If you need to discuss potential arrangements for payment terms, please contact the NMPAT office: office@nmpat.co.uk
Please ensure you have read and agree to the terms and conditions between NMPAT and parents of children receiving music lessons billed directly by NMPAT, available on our policies page.
The terms state that:
- in the event of wishing to discontinue lessons, you will give a minimum of five teaching weeks’ notice, in writing, to NMPAT, using the email address above
- no refund of fees will be due to you for notice given within the term
- if payment isn’t received by the tuition fee deadlines, there is a risk that lessons may have to be paused until payment is received
Please ensure you have read and agree to the terms and conditions between NMPAT and parents of children receiving music lessons billed directly by NMPAT, available on our policies page.
The terms state that:
- in the event of wishing to discontinue lessons, you will give a minimum of five teaching weeks’ notice, in writing, to NMPAT, by contacting office@nmpat.co.uk
- no refund of fees will be due to you for notice given within the term
Once you have given notice, we will get in touch with you as soon as possible to confirm when the last music lesson will take place. Please be aware that due to needing teaching week notice, the notice period can sometimes be split across terms.
When signing up for lessons, you can request to use Pupil Premium or apply for an NMPAT bursary on the application form.
NMPAT bursaries
Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) makes available a number of bursaries and subsidies to assist with the costs of music education to support students in financial need, where Pupil Premium funding is not available. These subsidies may be granted to children and young people of all ages, including those new to instrumental tuition.
To find out more please contact lessonsdirect@nmpat.co.uk
Yes, you can! We factor in the number of weeks of a term you have left for lessons and calculate a reduced fee for the first term that you apply for lessons. This will then rise to the standard £147 a term in the following term.
Due to popularity, we sometimes have waiting lists for particular instruments. We will let you know once you have applied if we have availability and if not, we can discuss another instrument or keep you on a waiting list.
Saturday Centres
Did you know that if you’ve not been to one of our Saturday Centres before, as your child is having music lessons, they’re entitled to a free term at one of our Saturday Centres? The take place in various locations around the county on a Saturday morning and gives children the opportunity to learn music and be creative in a group setting!
