MEI Music Centres
Music Education Islington’s (MEI) Music Centres are an after-school community where young people can get together to play music, learn new skills and make friends.
Key information:
- Course times:
- After school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in term time
- Age:
- 4–18
- Fees:
- From £72 per term, full details below. Bursaries are available.
- Venue:
- Multiple venues across Islington
- Contact details:
- MusicEducation.Islington@gsmd.ac.uk
Our Music Centres are home to a creative and welcoming after-school community where young people aged 4–18 can come together to play music, learn from inspiring teachers, make new friends and build confidence.
Choose from one of four courses, designed for everyone from beginners to more advanced musicians.
Our Courses
Further information
The different courses take place at different venues and times, so it’s important to make sure to attend the right one.
| Monday, 4-6pm | Monday, 4-6.30pm | Tuesday, 4.15-5pm | Tuesday, 4.15-5pm | Wednesday, 4-7pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music Centre North Arts and Media School Islington, Turle Road, N4 3LS |
Music Centre South Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, Donegal Street, N1 9QG |
Music Explorers West Library, Thornhill Square, Bridgeman Road, N1 1BD |
Music Explorers St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School, Compton Street, EC1V 0EU |
Music Centre Central City of London Academy - Highbury Grove, N5 2EQ |
|
Introduction to Music Musical Pathways Individual lessons (throughout) |
Introduction to Music Jazz and Beyond Individual lessons (throughout) |
Music Explorers Reception and Year 1 | Music Explorers Reception and Year 1 |
Introduction to Music Musical Pathways Individual lessons (throughout) |
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 Explorers – Tuesdays
West Library and St Peter & St Paul's School
September 22, 29 | October 6, 13, 20 | November 3, 10, 17, 24 | December 1
Music Centre Central – Wednesdays
(City of London Academy Highbury Grove)
September 30 | October 7, 14, 21 | November 4, 18, 25 | December 2, 9, 16
You can find fees for the 2026/27 academic year here.
Bursaries are available for children and young people that live in or go to a state-maintained school in Islington. Pupils on a bursary and otherwise supported place are expected to follow our attendance and cancellation policies.
Find out more about who is eligible and how to apply here.
Music Education Islington expects as close to 100% attendance as possible. 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 notice in writing to musiceducation.islington@gsmd.ac.uk. It is only possible to stop at the end of a full term (not half term). Deadlines to give notice:
- Friday 30 October 2026 to stop attending from the end of the Autumn Term.
- Friday 19 February 2027 to stop attending from the end of the Spring Term.
- Friday 4 June 2027 to stop attending from the end of the Summer Term (i.e. to not continue for the next academic year).
This policy applies to all Music Centre courses and individual lessons.
Music Education Islington offers an instrument loan scheme to support students’ learning. All instruments (see below) are available to learn, subject to availability. Costs are per term.
| Instrument for those living or attending a state-maintained school in Islington | £19 |
|---|---|
| Instrument for those not living or attending school in Islington | £35 |
Lessons on the following instruments are currently on offer at our Music Centres, subject to availability.
If the instrument you would like to learn is not available at your preferred Music Centre (or doesn’t appear here at all!), please get in touch at musiceducation.islington@gsmd.ac.uk to discuss options.
Bowed Strings
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
Plucked Strings
- Ukulele
- Guitar (classical, electric, bass)
Woodwind
- Flute
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Clarinet
- Saxophone
Brass
- Trumpet
- French horn
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
What else?
- Piano
- Keyboard
- Drums
- Voice
All of our centres have step-free access. More information about autism accessibility will be available soon.
Please contact MEI's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) if you have any safeguarding concerns, or would like any information or support.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Mirjam James (mirjam.james@gsmd.ac.uk)
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) is Kate Walker (kate.walker@gsmd.ac.uk)
Find out more in our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy below.
Music Education Islington - Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Need to know more?
You may be able to find more answers at our Music Centre FAQs here.
If you need to get in touch, please email us at musiceducation.islington@gsmd.ac.uk.