Musicians who teach – MU benefits
The MU aims to support members with their work in education, providing established educators with advice and guidance on the issues surrounding their work. Below is a list of MU services and partnerships that members who teach can benefit from.
The MU is partnered with MusicTeachers.co.uk, the largest online database of UK music teachers and accompanists, to benefit its MU members who work in music education. With over 10 years of experience in connecting teachers and pupils, it is the leading online way for music educators to showcase their skills and experience.
Free registration will offer:
- Comprehensive Database
- Personal Profile
- Qualification Verification and Testimonials.
There is also an option to kite mark yourself if you are an MU member. For more details and to register, visit www.MusicTeachers.co.uk.
*NEW* Art of Teaching Project
MusicTeachers.co.uk and the MU have also developed the Art of Teaching project which is now available on YouTube.
The idea behind the project is share good practice amongst instrumental and vocal teachers. To see the videos, visit www.MusicTeachers.co.uk/youtube.
MU/NUT partnership
The Musicians' Union (MU) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) formed a partnership in 2011.
Both unions work together nationally and locally to further the mutual interests of their respective members and to promote the education service in general and music teaching in particular. As part of the partnership, there is a deal for joint membership of both unions.
To join the NUT, you have to have Qualified Teacher Status (PGCE or QTS). MU members can join at the NUT's local rate by telephoning 0845 300 1666.
Child Protection Awareness Training (CPAT)
The MU recommends that members who teach are up-to-date with the legislation regarding safeguarding children. The MU has developed a bespoke online CPAT course, Child Protection Awareness In Music, which was developed with the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) in partnership with ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) and MusicLeader. A series of videos created as part of this valuable online course can be viewed at:
www.youtube.com/TheMusiciansUnion
For detailed information about this course or to sign up, please visit platinum.educare.co.uk/music.
- The MU also regularly runs Child Protection Awareness Training (CPAT) workshops throughout the UK. These workshops cover updates on legislation, best practice for instrumental teachers, how to minimise the risk of allegations and what to do if one is made against you.
Learn to Play Day
Saturday 16 March 2013
The first National Learn to Play Day took place on March 31st 2012. Organised by the charity Music for All and with support from the Musicians’ Union and MusicTeachers.co.uk, the day offered FREE musical instrument taster lessons to the public. Nearly 70 music shops in the UK took part and gave close to 10,000 lessons to both brand new and returning musicians. Following its successes the next day will be planned for Saturday 16 March 2013. For more information go to http://www.learntoplayday.com/
Awards for Young Musicians
AYM believes that all talented young people deserve the chance to progess in their music making. They help young musicians aged 5-17 with exceptional potential who are struggling with their musical costs. They are awarding yp to £10,000 in grants in 2013. For moe information and to apply for a grant go to http://www.a-y-m.org.uk/
Public Liability Insurance
For self-employed instrumental teachers who work at home, in a studio or in pupils' residences, the £10m of Public Liability Insurance provided by MU membership is vital. This valuable member benefit allows the MU to handle cases where teachers are held responsible for incidents that occur during lessons.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
We’re pleased to announce that the MU is offering members access to a Professional Indemnity Insurance scheme at a discounted rate. As part of its commitment to providing members with essential support services and resources, the MU has arranged an insurance scheme to protect members who provide private tuition, lecturing, coaching in a self employed capacity.
Many teachers undertake private work (effectively in a self-employed capacity) without realising that this leaves them open to claims that could be made against arising from errors and omissions, professional negligence or other liability. When you are working for the Local Authority or another employer, it is usual for the employer’s own liability insurance policies to provide you with appropriate protection. But when you work outside the course of your normal employment or are self employed then you are potentially exposed to liability claims which might be brought against you personally by pupils, parents or third parties.
Instant cover available from just £50 a year (plus £5 admin fee). You can buy cover online and download your policy documentation through the site www.alanboswell.com/mu
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
The work of the CRB and of the ISA has merged into a single, new Non-Departmental Public Body called the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The DBS will carry out the CRB’s and ISA’s functions so this will not represent a change to the services which you receive – it just means that they will be provided by one organisation rather than two. For more information please go to www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/vetting-barring-scheme/
DBS Certificate
We recommend that all teaching members have a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). To process DBS checks for self-employed members, the MU has an arrangement with Rockschool. Please note that a fee is charged for this service. For information on how to apply for a DBS check, contact Rockschool, quoting your MU membership number:
T: 0845 460 4747
E: joshua@rockschool.co.uk
W: www.rockschool.co.uk
Get it in writing!
If you teach in an independent school or in a state school where your arrangement is with the pupils, please make sure that you have a contract in place — with both the institution and your pupils. There are two MU Standard Contracts for teaching members — T1 Private Teaching and T2 Teaching In Schools (independent/maintained) — both of which have been specially designed to be used for almost all engagements. These MU Standard Contracts are available in printed form from your Regional Office or can be downloaded from theMU.org.
The MU has also been involved in developing a self-employment contract with the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA). If you are an MU member who is working for an independent school, make sure that this is the contract which you are asked to sign.
Should you be presented with any other type of self-employment contract, please contact your Regional Office for advice and guidance.
In addition, the recommended MU fees for private teaching and teaching in schools are available on theMU.org.
Please remember that, if you do not have a written contract in place, then you will find it hard to recover unpaid fees.