Instrument provision - Assisted purchase scheme

Students can now purchase new instruments without paying VAT, saving an extra 17.5%.

The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme is strictly for pupils attending local education authority schools who receive musical tuition as part of the curriculum.

The scheme was approved by HM Revenue and Customs and reviewed in September 1994 by the VAT Office.

The scheme now operates nationwide through schools, music centres and education authorities.

Here's how the scheme works:

1. The pupil/parent selects an instrument in consultation with the teacher
2. The parent pays a deposit to the local authority
3. The local authority places an official order for the chosen instrument
4. The local authority is invoiced for the full amount inclusive of VAT
5. The local authority claims the VAT in the usual way.
6. The parent collects the instrument from the music school.
7. The parent makes 12 monthly repayments to pay for the instrument VAT free.

Scheme rules

There are conditions to abide by to be able to use this scheme:

• The student should be receiving regular lessons and be a member of an ensemble at school and/or at the Music School.
  
• The scheme is available to residents of the City of Wolverhampton and is only available to pupils in schools maintained by the Local Authority as Community/Foundation/Voluntary Aided or Voluntary Controlled Schools.
  
• The responsibility for any repairs or maintenance to the instrument during the period of the loan rests with the parents, as does the responsibility for maintaining the instrument in good condition.
  
• The period of the loan purchase should not extend beyond the pupils school life
  
• If the pupil elects to give up the instrument during the period of the loan then the outstanding balance of payments must be paid immediately.
  
• No pupil will be penalised in any way because of a failure to purchase his/her own instrument.  Lessons will continue to be provided in the normal way.

Further information

For further information or to make an application, use our online e-form (secure).

Alternatively, you can contact:

Wolverhampton Music School

Children and Young People

Graiseley Hill

Wolverhampton

WV2 4NE

 

Phone: 01902 558105

Fax: 01902 558106

E-mail: music.school@wolverhampton.gov.uk (insecure)