Key information:
- Course times:
- 4–6.30pm
- Age:
- Years 4–13
- Fees:
- £136– £420 per term (discounts and bursaries available)
- Venue:
- Music Centres North, Central and South
About Musical Pathways
Musical Pathways is for young musicians in Years 4–13 who want to build their instrumental skills and take their passion for music a step further. Each 2-hour session gives children the opportunity to explore a wide range of musical styles and genres, whilst developing their skills and confidence in playing an instrument.
Children will be put in groups appropriate to their age and ability, where they will learn from a team of inspiring and supportive teachers.
This course is an ideal next step for those who have completed the Introduction to Music course. Beginners also welcome.
A weekly 2-hour session that includes the following:
- A musicianship class — explore different musical styles and genres while building musical understanding and confidence.
- Individual and small-group instrumental lessons — develop instrumental skills in a supportive and enjoyable environment.
- Ensemble playing — choose from String Ensemble, Orchestra, Wind Band or Rock Band.
Through these experiences, young musicians will build confidence, strengthen their musical understanding and nurture their passion for music.
Fees
| Students living or attending school in Islington | Students not living or attending school in Islington | Students attending a Music Centre School* |
|---|---|---|
| £226 per term | £268 per term | £136 per term |
| Students living or attending school in Islington | Students not living or attending school in Islington | Students attending a Music Centre School* |
|---|---|---|
| £420 per term | £462 per term | £330 per term |
*Music Centre Schools are:
Music Centre North: Ashmount Primary School, Duncombe Primary School, St Mark's Primary School, Yerbury Primary School
Music Centre Central: Ambler Primary School, Canonbury Primary School, Gillespie Primary School, Grafton Primary School, St John's Highbury Vale Primary School
There is an additional sibling discount of 10% for students living or attending school in Islington. Sibling discount only applies to the core programme and doesn't include individual lessons. Discount applies to additional sibling only.
Bursaries
All children who qualify for Pupil Premium can apply for a full bursary. For families facing financial challenges, we will process applications on a case-by-case basis to provide further discounts. In order to establish the needs of a family, we will, on occasion, approach the child's school for input.
All successful bursary applications will be charged an annual administration fee of £20. In order to continue accessing a bursary place, we expect at least 80% attendance, reviewed termly.
Music Centre North – Mondays
(Arts and Media School Islington)
September 21, 28 | October 5, 12, 19 | November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Music Centre South – Mondays
(Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School)
September 21, 28 | October 5, 12, 19 | November 9, 16, 23, 30 | December 7
Music Centre Central – Wednesdays
(City of London Academy Highbury Grove)
September 30 | October 7, 14, 21 | November 4, 18, 25 | December 2, 9, 16
Music Education Islington expects as close to 100% attendance as possible from all students.
Bursary funding is granted on the expectation of at least 80% attendance. This is reviewed termly in order to secure the continuation of the bursary.
Notification of illness and planned absence (e.g. school trips) must be given in advance to the MEI admin team. We regret it is not possible to give refunds in the event of absence as the Centres have to continue paying professional tutors and overheads.
Once students are signed up for the 2026-27 academic year, they will not need to sign up again.
You can cancel any provision by giving half a term’s written notice to musiceducation.islington@gsmd.ac.uk. Please note that cancellations can only take effect at the end of a full term, not at half term.
The deadlines for giving notice are:
Friday 30 October 2026 – to stop attending at the end of the Autumn Term.
Friday 19 February 2027 – to stop attending at the end of the Spring Term.
Friday 4 June 2027 – to stop attending at the end of the Summer Term (i.e. not continue into the next academic year).
This policy applies to all Music Centre courses and individual lessons.
Musical Pathways takes place across the following three locations:
- Music Centre North (Mondays) - Arts and Media School Islington (AMSI), Turle Road, N4 3LS
- Music Centre Central (Wednesdays) - City of London Academy (COLA HG), 8 Highbury Grove, N5 2EQ
- Music Centre South (Mondays) - Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School (EGA), Donegal Street, N1 9QG
