Through funding provided by Services For Education (SFE), we are expanding access to music-making for children from low-income families, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent students from pursuing musical tuition.
The Make Music Possible (MMP) programme is a cornerstone of our commitment to social mobility through the arts. By removing financial barriers, we provide fully funded music-making opportunities to more than 100 children in Years 4–11 across Birmingham. Our mission is to ensure that a student’s musical potential is determined by their talent and dedication, rather than their socio-economic background.
Our mission is to bridge the opportunity gap in Birmingham. By repurposing previous ‘free hour’ allocations into the new Make Music Possible programme, we can provide over 100 fully-funded places for students from low-income families.
To mitigate the impact of this change on our partner schools:
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Price Guarantee: We have held all 2026/27 prices for CMS and Instrumental/Vocal tuition at current rates.
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Extended Funding: We are currently reviewing our Arts Council allocation and bidding for Trust & Foundation grants to increase support for this programme.
For further discussion, please reach out to richard.mabbott@servicesforeducation.co.ukÂ
 Phase 1: Identification & Invitation
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Annual Identification: Services For Education (SFE) reviews and identifies schools that meet specific eligibility criteria. This review happens once per year to ensure the programme reaches the right students.
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The Invitation: Schools that meet these criteria receive a formal invitation from SFE to express their interest in the programme.
 Phase 2: Expression of Interest & Briefing
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Formal Expression of Interest (EOI): Interested schools must formally respond to the invitation to move forward in the selection process.
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Mandatory Briefing Session: To ensure everyone is on the same page, schools must attend a briefing session. This covers the programme’s goals, expectations, and logistics.
 Phase 3: Allocation & Commitment
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Confirmation of Hours: Once the briefing is complete, SFE contacts the schools to confirm the specific number of MMP hours allocated to them for the academic year.
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Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): The final administrative step involves signing an MOU. By signing, the school agrees to:
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Adhere to the usage criteria for MMP hours.
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Commit to tracking and reporting student progress throughout the year.
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 Phase 4: Formal Reporting & Impact Review
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Submission of Progress Data: At the end of the programme cycle, participating schools submit a formal report to SFE. This report includes the tracking data agreed upon in the MOU.
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Impact Evaluation: Schools will be asked to provide qualitative feedback and/or quantitative evidence of pupil’s development. This information is vital for SFE to evaluate the programme’s success and secure continued support for future cohorts.
 Summary Table for Invited Schools
| Step | Action Required | Responsibility |
| 1. Identification | None | SFE |
| 2. Invitation | Receive Invite | SFE / School |
| 3. Expression of Interest | Submit Formal EOI | School |
| 4. Briefing Session | Attend Meeting (Mandatory) | School |
| 5. Hour Allocation | Receive Hour Confirmation | SFE |
| 6. MOU Signing | Sign Agreement & Commit to Tracking | School |
| 7. Formal Reporting | Submit Impact Report & Data | School |
 Criteria for selection
Services For Education (SFE) proactively identifies schools located in areas of high socio-economic deprivation where existing music provision is currently limited. We invite these schools to nominate students who meet the following core requirements:
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Long-term Commitment: Students must have at least three years of school education remaining to ensure they gain the full developmental benefits of learning an instrument.
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Engagement: The student must have expressed a genuine interest in musical tuition.
In addition, students must meet at least one of the following criteria:
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Eligibility for Free School Meals or Pupil Premium funding.
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Recognized SEND requirements (within a mainstream school setting).
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English as an Additional Language (EAL) status.
1. Programme Overview
What is the Make Music Possible Programme?
MMP is an initiative by Services For Education (SFE) that provides free music-making opportunities to over 100 children (Years 4–11) across Birmingham. It targets students from low-income families who currently cannot afford music lessons.
Where does the programme take place?
The programme is active across the city of Birmingham, supporting students in both primary and secondary school settings.
What is the primary goal of the programme?
The goal is to bridge the opportunity gap by removing financial barriers, ensuring that a child’s musical potential is determined by their talent and dedication rather than their family’s income.
2. Eligibility & Contact
Can I apply directly for MMP funding to SFE?
No, there is no direct application form. SFE carries out an annual identification process to select schools that meet specific eligibility criteria. If your school is identified, SFE will contact you directly with an invitation to participate.
How are schools selected for the MMP programme?
SFE identifies schools annually based on agreed eligibility criteria. This is an internal review process carried out at the start of each academic cycle.
How will I be contacted if my school is eligible?
If your school meets the criteria, you will receive a formal invitation directly from SFE. This invitation invites the school to express their interest in participating for the upcoming year.
Who is eligible for the music lessons?
The programme is specifically for children in Years 4 through 11 from low-income families who face financial barriers to accessing musical tuition.
3. Application & Process
What are the steps to join the programme?
The process follows four distinct phases:
- Invitation & Expression of Interest: SFE invites eligible schools to formally apply.
- Briefing Session: Schools attend a mandatory session to learn about programme requirements.
- Allocation & MOU: SFE confirms the number of hours, and the school signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
- Reporting: Schools provide impact data and progress reports back to SFE.
Why is the briefing session mandatory?
The briefing ensures that schools understand how the hours are allocated, the criteria for student selection, and the requirements for tracking student progress.
4. Funding & Costs
How much does the programme cost for schools or families?
There is no cost. The programme is fully funded by Services For Education. Schools and families do not pay for the mentoring hours provided.
Will our school get funded hours every year?
Not necessarily. Funding is allocated as part of an annual process. Schools are reviewed each year against the current criteria, meaning eligibility and hour allocations are confirmed on a year-by-year basis.
5. Commitments & Reporting
What is required in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
By signing the MOU, schools commit to:
- Using the allocated hours according to SFE criteria.
- Actively tracking the progress of every child involved.
- Reporting impact data back to SFE.
Why is reporting back to SFE (Phase 4) necessary
Formal reporting allows SFE to measure the real-world impact of the funding. This data is essential for evaluating student development and securing the programme’s future.
