The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme
The Suffolk County Music Service (SCMS) is able to offer
instruments for sale to pupils, which may either be VAT free and/or
benefit from educational discount. These savings can be passed on
to the pupils if certain conditions are met (see below*). The
scheme only applies to new instruments, it is not possible to
purchase second-hand instruments through the scheme, regardless of
their condition/age.
Why have a scheme?
- To encourage lifelong learning by enabling pupils to have
access to their own instruments
- Ownership of own instruments encourages the child, and feelings
of pride, interest and involvement
- To provide professional advice and information about purchase
of instruments from Suffolk County Council approved suppliers,
including warranty and after sales service
- To maintain maximum availability to new pupils needing to
borrow from our own limited supply of instruments
VAT Free
This scheme operates with regard to the guidance given by HM
Revenue & Customs, and governs the sale of goods closely
related to the provision of education. Education provided by the
local authority (Suffolk County Council) is treated as a
non-business activity. The Local Authority is therefore able to
obtain refunds of VAT in certain cases.
*Conditions of the Scheme
- The instrument must be for the direct use of the pupil and is
necessary for delivering their education
- The tuition must form part of the normal school curriculum
- The instrument is required for regular classroom use (regular
is defined as - must be brought to school on at least a weekly
basis)
- The instrument is portable
- The pupil must be receiving tuition in a Local
Authority Maintained school from a Suffolk County Music
Service appointed tutor
- The instrument must be appropriate to the needs of the
pupil
- The instrument must be handed to the pupil in the school
teaching room
Suffolk Youth Music (SYM) Members
If the pupil is not receiving lessons in school
from the SCMS, but is a member of an SYM
instrumental activity, then it may still be possible to purchase an
instrument through the SCMS.
The Conditions of the Scheme for SYM members are exactly as
above, except that the pupil may attend any school, i.e. including
Academies, Free, and Independent schools; they must show regular
and on-going attendance of a SYM activity in which they use the
instrument; and the instrument would have to be handed to the pupil
within the SYM activity premises.
Administrative Charge
An administrative charge is added to the cost of the instrument
based on the following values:
| Instrument value |
Charge (incl. VAT) |
| Up to £150 |
£ 6.00 |
| £151 to £300 |
£11.75 |
| Over £300 |
£14.55 |
What You Need To Do Next
If you have not already done so, you may wish to ask your Music
Tutor for advice on the most appropriate make and
model of instrument for you. You may be investing a considerable
sum of money and need to be sure that the instrument is appropriate
for your needs. In most cases there are a number of good
alternative makes and models which can vary in price. Unless you
ask us to quote for a specific model, we will usually send you a
quote for 2 - 4 instruments all known to be good alternatives.
Next contact the SCMS office on the telephone numbers listed,
and we will ask you a few questions, to ensure your
eligibility to access the scheme. Once we are sure
you are eligible, we will send you a quotation. You need to ask
your parent/carer to sign this form and return it to us with
payment. Payment can be made on-line, or by
cheque, postal order or cash (please do not put cash in the
post).
We will then place an order for the instrument, and
delivery will be made to the SCMS at the Northgate
Arts Centre. (If paying by cheque we need to ensure this has
cleared before placing the order). The instrument will be checked
by the tutor and then given to you during your lesson at
school.
Delivery of the instruments can vary according to the supplier's
stock, the time of year when demands may increase, and the make and
model of the instrument. As a general rule, instruments take
approximately 4 weeks to arrive, though in some cases can take
several months if they need to be imported or if there is a waiting
list. Please ensure you leave enough time for delivery,
particularly if the instrument is needed to replace a loan
instrument which is due for return. Please note:
You should also allow plenty of time to order before the end of
term, otherwise the instrument handover may be delayed until the
beginning of the new term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where do the instruments come from?
A: The SCMS is part of Suffolk County Council. It
therefore purchases instruments from the Council's list of approved
suppliers. We ensure the companies used give us good quality, value
for money and offer good after sales care. We do not keep a stock
of instruments for sale, but buy them individually when
requested.
Q: My child wants to try the instrument first
to decide if it is right for them, before we buy it. Is this
possible?
A: In most circumstances the tutor will have a
good idea of which instrument is suitable, and you may not need to
try it first. However, if you wish to contact the office, it may
possible to arrange for you to visit our suppliers to try the
instrument out.
Q:My child is leaving school at the end of the
term and will no longer be having lessons with a SCMS tutor in
school. Can we still buy an instrument through the scheme?
A: Unless your child is also a member of SYM, (see
overleaf) and will be continuing with this membership after leaving
school, then it will not be possible to use the scheme.
Q:My child’s school has converted to an Academy
although they will continue with lessons with a SCMS tutor in
school. Can we still buy an instrument through the scheme?
A: Unless your child is also a member of SYM, (see
overleaf) and will be continuing with this membership after the
school changes to an Academy, then it will not be possible to use
the scheme.
Q:Can we collect the instrument from the
office/shop so we can get it quicker?
A: The rules governing the scheme do not allow us
to do this. The instrument must be delivered to your child in
school or if applicable at the SYM
activity.