The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme is strictly for pupils attending Local Education Authority Schools who receive musical tuition as part of the curriculum.

On the scheme, a student can to purchase an instrument from us without paying the VAT on it. This can lead to quite a good saving on the standard price of the instrument. The scheme was approved by HM Customs and Excise and reviewed in September 1994 by the VAT Office.

The scheme operates nationwide through Schools, Music Centres and Education Authorities.

Here's how the Scheme works:

1. The pupil or parents selects an instrument

2. The parent pays the VAT free figure to the school

3. The school places an official order for the instrument

4. We invoice the school for the full instrument cost inclusive of VAT

5. The school claims the VAT amount back

6. The pupil collects the instrument from the school

There are rules which must be met in order to take advantage of this scheme

1. The Pupil must be in full time education at a Local Educational Authority School

2.Pupils must be either receiving tuition at the school as part of their curriculum or receiving private tuition in support of a curricular activity such as GCSE music.

The instrument must be appropriate for the pupil's needs.

The instrument must be portable

The instrument must initially be sent to the school and then passed to the pupil in a designated teaching room

The instrument must be charged to the pupils at or below the normal schools cost, exclusive of VAT (i.e. non-profit-making)

To print out a copy of the Assisted Purchase Scheme form - right click HERE and choose 'Save Target As'