Q & A For Wiltshire Associates

Questions and Answers

We will continue to add Q & A here from time to time, as questions come in.  Feel free to email  pclark@smscio.co.uk if you have a question that is not found here

The Associates Directory will be migrated across to Swindon Music Service over the Christmas break ready for January 2025, and it will look exactly the same.  You will not need to do anything as your information will remain on the directory.

A. You will have been sent this information by Wiltshire Music Connect through a passworded document.  You can send that to:  pclark@smscio.co.uk with the password still actioned.  When we receive it, we will place your details onto a new central register.  You can start to send this information (still passworded - do not change the password) to us now!

A: We currently have a funding agreement in place for the current academic year. We are awaiting further information from the Department for Education (DfE) regarding funding for subsequent academic years.

A: Instrument hire will continue as before, with two new application points added:

  • Wiltshire Learning Resources Hub
  • Swindon Music Service

A: No, the core instrument hire process remains the same. The only update is the additional locations where you can submit your application.

They will have an extended agreement to cover the period: January through to March 2025, whilst we go through the appointment process for Lead Schools.  Also during this period, we intend to undertake a thorough Needs Analysis with schools while ascertaining what Lead schools can feasibility do.  We will then look to re-design the Cluster Coordinator post to ensure it remains 'fit-for-purpose'.

A: At present, we do not anticipate any changes to the associate model. If any modifications are considered in the future, we commit to:

  •  Conducting a thorough consultation process
  • Ensuring your input is heard
  • Only implementing changes that could potentially improve the existing process
  • Working to maintain the self-employment status of our associates

A: The grant system will remain fundamentally unchanged:

  • Schools will continue to use the existing application form
  • The key difference is that the application form will now be sent directly to Swindon Music Service