We have moved our Customer Management Information System over to a new platform - SpeedAdmin. SpeedAdmin is used in over 60 other music services across England as well as music schools and centres across Europe.
We have chosen SpeedAdmin to ensure we can deliver the best customer experience possible.
SpeedAdmin introduces additional features that you can access via your music service account:
- View your account balance and make payments
- View student timetable
- Register your child to new activities (ensembles/lessons/holiday clubs)
- Holiday and term date information
- Payment details
- Online individual instrumental/vocal lessons
You should have already received your log-in details for the Parent Portal, if you need them re-sent please email HMSspeedadminsupport@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
Back to topVideo guides
We have produced a couple of short video guides to help you with the main elements of the Parent Portal and payments. Please note the videos have no sound.
Parent Portal
You can also download the Parent Portal guidance as a PDF.
Payment video guide
You can also download the payment guidance as a PDF
We have also put together some FAQs to help with some of the questions you may have with the new system.
FAQs
Back to topLessons
What can I see about my child’s lessons on SpeedAdmin?
You will receive a login to the system where you will be able to access online lessons and see e.g. when your child’s activities have been timetabled, attendance record, lessons which have been cancelled, your account statement.
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Log-in and sign up
Do I need to install anything on my devices?
No it’s a web based system; you just need to login. You can download an app to your mobile device however this isn’t necessary and you may prefer to use the website.
Do I need to keep any software up-dated?
No – as SpeedAdmin is 100% web-based you will always have access to the latest and most secure edition of the system.
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Payments and invoicing
Can I request a paper copy of my invoice?
All communication will by email. You will be able to view your account statement from your Customer portal on the new system and download a copy to save or print. For accessibility reasons if you require a paper invoice please let us know at
HMS.CustomerInvoiceQuery@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
When will I receive a payment reminder?
A reminder will be sent by email 7 days and 14 days from the date of the invoice. No further reminders will be sent.
What happens if payment has not been received by the 14 days payment date?
In the unfortunate event that payment is not received within 14 days, tuition will finish at the end of the current term. An email will be sent to confirm that lessons have finished.
If fewer (or more) lessons have been scheduled than I have been invoiced for by the end of the summer term will my fees be adjusted?
Yes – you will receive an adjustment during the summer term if an amendment is due to your fees for lessons scheduled across the academic year.
If I pay in advance, what happens if the tutor misses a lesson?
If the teacher misses a lesson we will try and reschedule the lesson for you. If we are unable to do so by the end of the academic year you will receive an adjustment to the fees you have paid.
If I pay in advance what happens if the student misses a lesson?
If the student misses the lesson due to e.g. short term sickness, school trips/ activities, forgetfulness then the lesson will not be made up or credited.
I am unable to pay the amount in full by the payment deadline but can still make payment before the start of term. Is this possible?
Payment is due with 14 days of the date of your invoice. This is in place so that notice can be provided to our teachers where payment is not received and tuition has to be cancelled.
How can I make payment once my lessons have been cancelled?
Payment will not be possible once lessons have been cancelled. You must reapply for lessons via our website
Registration - Hertfordshire Music Service. Your application to restart lessons will be added to a waiting list and you will receive a confirmation if lessons can restart when you will receive your invoice.
What happens if I am no longer able to continue with lessons after I have already paid?
Once payment has been made, the minimum commitment will be until the end of the term for which payment has been made.
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Payment plans, financial support and childcare vouchers
Can I make payments using an instalment plan or direct debit?
We are currently unable to offer instalment plans or the facility to set up a direct debit but are looking at how we might provide these options in the future.
Can I apply for financial support?
Yes - please visit our
'Help with fees area' to apply for financial support.
Can I set up a standing order for payments?
No - payments will be via the online card payment system.
Can I make payment using childcare vouchers?
No - The Music Service is a team within Children's Services at Hertfordshire County Council and as an internal department of the council we are not able to register as an independent childcare provider which would be necessary for us to be able to accept childcare vouchers in payment for activities.
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Once lessons have started
What do I do if I need to change the time of an individual lesson?
If you need to change an individual lesson, please let your teacher know 1 week in advance in writing, either by email or through the messaging system in SpeedAdmin.
What happens if my circumstances change, and I need to withdraw from lessons?
Written notice for any withdrawals or changes to HMS tuition must be received by the beginning of the upcoming half term break (i.e. if you wish to withdraw and or make changes for the start of the spring term notice must be received by the autumn half term break) – Hertfordshire term dates.
Online lessons
Whilst lessons will normally take place in person, HMS recognises that an online platform may be required at times.
You may never need to use the online platform if all your child’s lessons can take place face to face, however if a school or centre is forced to close, then the lessons can be delivered online.
To access online lessons, simply click on 'Online Learning' at the top of your SpeedAdmin main page.
Will my child miss class time for their music lessons?
If you select lessons at your child’s school, then it is likely they will miss some class time. HMS teachers make every effort to ensure pupils don’t miss the same class each week but in some cases this may not be possible.
HMS teachers liaise with each school they teach at regularly to keep updated on pupil progress.
Why is HMS changing to payments being made before my lessons start?
During the pandemic HMS supported families during those difficult times by billing in arrears and allowing more flexibility with payment terms. However, it is no longer financially sustainable for HMS to continue providing tuition which for some customers remains unpaid after the 14 days payment term. Payment in advance is common practice for many other music services and extra curricula activities for children and young people so many of our customers are already used to this practice.
My child attends a shared or group lesson. What happens if lessons are cancelled for someone else in the group?
When a group 30-minute lesson reduces to just two pupils, unless a suitable pupil is immediately available to replace the leaver, then the lesson will be offered in the next academic term as a shared 20-minute lesson, charged at the same fee as a group 30-minute lesson. We will charge you the shared 30-minute lesson rate for the remainder of the current academic term for the remaining lessons.
When a shared or group lesson reduces to just one pupil, unless a suitable pupil is immediately available to replace the leaver/s, the lesson will be offered in the next academic term as an individual 20 or 30 minute lesson, charged at the appropriate individual lesson fee. You can also request to remain on the waiting list until HMS can integrate other pupils to make a viable group or shared lesson.