Updated Corona Virius Rules For Guitar Teachers

Please follow the guidance for music teaching during the lockdown. Our advice for our guitar teachers relates to the Government guidance on working safely in the performing arts during Covid-19, guidance for full opening: schools, working safely in out of school settings during Covid-19, new national restrictions for 5 November, and education and childcare: new national restrictions for 5 November.

England is subject to new national restrictions until Wednesday 2 December. Schools are open, and music teaching can continue in schools subject to each school’s approval and appropriate Risk Assessments being in place (see below).

Government guidance on new national restrictions for 5 November states that only ‘formal education’ rather than ‘extracurricular classes such as music tuition’ justifies students leaving their households. We are seeking further clarity on these definitions and pushing for recognition that private music teaching is often part of ‘formal’ education. For now, however, we have been advised that private music teaching should take place online and not in homes or studios. Any change to this will be published here.

New legislation, which was brought before Parliament on 3 November and came into force on 5 November, states that ‘for the purposes of education and training’, exceptions can made to the new regulations that limit gatherings. Unfortunately, we cannot confidently advise that this permits private music teaching in homes and studios, for two reasons.

Firstly, the Government’s guidance is more specific than the legislation; and secondly, the legislation states that the exception must be ‘reasonably necessary’, and it can be argued that face-to-face teaching is not reasonably necessary if it can be delivered online. We will inform members if we are advised differently by Government.

One circumstance that does permit face-to-face lessons in homes can be found in the Government’s guidance for full opening: schools, which states that ‘if there is no viable alternative, music lessons in private homes can resume’.

We advise that this is only applicable if a lesson cannot be delivered online, or if it cannot be delivered in a school or college (either organised through them or in agreement with them). Because of the guidance against students leaving their households to attend lessons in teachers’ homes (see above), we advise that ‘private homes’ should be taken to mean students’ homes and not teachers’ homes for the time being, although we have asked for confirmation that teachers’ homes would be acceptable. Any teaching in private homes is subject to all relevant Government guidance, including on working in homes and out-of-school provision. Members are advised to check here for updates.

Teaching that normally takes place in private music schools or other out-of-school settings should also move online, except in a limited set of circumstances, which are given in new Government guidance on education and childcare: new national restrictions for 5 November. These are:

If the primary purpose is registered childcare or other childcare activities, where this is reasonably necessary to enable parents to work, look for work or undertake training/education.
For the purposes of respite care, including for vulnerable children.
For use by home-educating parents as part of their arrangements for their child to receive a suitable full-time education.
For youth support services, including 1-1 youth work and support groups.
Schools

Children and young people have returned to school in England. Visiting music teachers can teach in and move between schools as long as Government guidance and school policies are followed.

If you teach in a school, request to see a copy of its Risk Assessment to make sure that this addresses the circumstances in which you work. If you teach in a school through a music education hub, music service or other organisation, this organisation should advise you on any applicable Risk Assessment.

Other settings

You should not currently teach in other educational settings (i.e. out-of-school settings) except for in a limited set of circumstances (see above). If these circumstances apply to you and someone else is responsible for the space, that person should provide a Risk Assessment and an action plan to deal with all identifiable hazards. If you are responsible for the space, you are responsible for providing the Risk Assessment.

Ensembles and groups

Choirs, bands and orchestras are permitted in schools as long as government guidance is followed. Ensembles should play and/or sing outdoors if possible, or indoors with ventilation as described in the HSE air conditioning and ventilation guidance.

Pupils should be socially distanced and positioned back to back or side to side if possible, directing the air from wind and brass instruments away from other pupils.

Singing and wind/brass playing should not take place in large groups unless significant space and natural airflow is available for all present, including audiences. Performances should follow the Government’s performing arts guidance to minimise risk.