Safeguarding & PVG at The Glasgow School of Music
At The Glasgow School of Music, student safety, wellbeing, and trust are central to how we operate. As a PVG-accredited school, we support safer recruitment, appropriate disclosure processes, professional tutor standards, and a structured learning environment for children, young people and adult learners.
GSofM supports appropriate PVG disclosure processes as part of our safer recruitment responsibilities.
We consider tutor suitability, professionalism, communication, experience and role requirements.
Tutors are expected to maintain appropriate conduct, clear communication and respectful teaching practice.
Lessons are supported by clear administration, attendance expectations and school communication channels.
Our Commitment to Student Safety
Music lessons should be inspiring, enjoyable and confidence-building — but they must also take place within a professional, properly managed environment.
The Glasgow School of Music works with children, young people, adults, families and learners of different ages and abilities. We recognise the responsibility that comes with providing one-to-one music tuition and aim to ensure that lessons are delivered within a safe, professional and carefully managed school setting.
- Appropriate tutor checks and safer recruitment procedures.
- PVG Scheme membership where required for regulated roles.
- Professional boundaries and clear expectations around tutor conduct.
- Clear communication with parents, students, tutors and school administration.
- Suitable teaching environments that support confidence, respect and musical progress.
- Clear routes for raising concerns or asking safeguarding-related questions.
Safeguarding is not treated as a one-off administrative step. It is part of the culture and operation of the school.
What Is the PVG Scheme?
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme, commonly known as the PVG Scheme, is managed by Disclosure Scotland. It helps organisations in Scotland check whether individuals are suitable to carry out regulated roles with children, protected adults, or both.
For music education, this matters because many tutors work directly with children and young people in a position of trust. Where a role meets the criteria for a regulated role, appropriate PVG Scheme membership is required.
The purpose of PVG is to help protect vulnerable groups by preventing unsuitable individuals from carrying out regulated roles.
PVG and Our Tutors
As a PVG-accredited school, The Glasgow School of Music requires tutors carrying out regulated roles with children, protected adults, or both to have appropriate PVG Scheme membership for the type of work they undertake.
We also ensure that relevant disclosure checks are handled through the appropriate PVG process before tutors carry out regulated roles with students.
As part of our safer recruitment and onboarding process, we may check or request evidence relating to:
- PVG Scheme membership and relevant disclosure requirements.
- Identity and suitability for the role.
- Teaching experience, qualifications or relevant professional background.
- Understanding of school expectations and professional boundaries.
- Agreement to GSofM conduct, lesson and communication standards.
Safer Recruitment
We believe that high-quality music tuition begins with careful tutor selection. When appointing tutors, The Glasgow School of Music considers not only musical ability, but also professionalism, reliability, communication, teaching approach and suitability for working with students.
- Reviewing experience and musical background.
- Checking suitability for the teaching role.
- Confirming appropriate PVG requirements.
- Discussing professional boundaries and expected conduct.
- Explaining school policies, lesson procedures and communication expectations.
- Monitoring reliability, professionalism and suitability once teaching begins.
Professional Boundaries
Clear boundaries protect students, families, tutors and the school. Tutors are expected to maintain appropriate professional relationships with students at all times.
- Communicating respectfully and appropriately.
- Keeping lessons focused, age-appropriate and professionally delivered.
- Respecting student confidence, welfare and dignity.
- Maintaining professional conduct in and around lessons.
- Following school procedures for concerns, incidents, attendance and communication.
- Referring administrative matters to GSofM rather than making informal arrangements directly with clients.
For children and young people, communication regarding scheduling, payment, absences and policy matters should normally go through the school or the parent/guardian, not through informal private arrangements.
Lesson Environment
The Glasgow School of Music aims to provide a calm, professional and welcoming learning environment. Students should feel able to ask questions, make mistakes, build confidence and develop their musical skills without pressure, embarrassment or fear.
- Respectful teaching.
- Age-appropriate lesson content.
- Supportive feedback.
- Clear expectations.
- Appropriate teaching materials.
- Consideration of student confidence and wellbeing.
We believe that safeguarding and good teaching are closely connected. Students learn best when they feel secure, understood and supported.
Communication With Parents and Students
Clear communication is an important part of safeguarding and professional tuition. Parents and students should know how lessons work, who to contact, and how to raise questions or concerns.
- Teaching matters can be discussed with the tutor where appropriate.
- Scheduling, payment, absence and policy matters should be handled through GSofM administration.
- Concerns about conduct, wellbeing, communication or lesson experience should be raised with the school directly.
- Tutors are expected to inform the school of relevant concerns that may affect a student’s learning, safety, attendance or progress.
Attendance, Absences and Student Welfare
Reliable attendance and clear absence procedures help us maintain a safe and organised teaching environment. The Glasgow School of Music uses structured lesson blocks and clear attendance expectations.
Parents and students are asked to communicate absences through the correct school channels so that records remain accurate and tutors are properly informed.
- Supports student progress and tutor planning.
- Maintains accurate records.
- Improves communication between families, tutors and administration.
- Allows fair and consistent application of school policies.
- Supports safe and organised lesson delivery.
Raising a Concern
If a parent, student, tutor or member of staff has a concern, we encourage them to contact The Glasgow School of Music directly. Concerns will be treated seriously and handled with care, discretion and appropriate follow-up.
Concerns may include:
- Tutor conduct.
- Student wellbeing.
- Communication issues.
- Inappropriate behaviour.
- Lesson environment concerns.
- Safeguarding worries.
- Boundary concerns.
- Repeated attendance or welfare issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PVG mean?
PVG stands for Protecting Vulnerable Groups. It is a Disclosure Scotland scheme designed to help ensure that people carrying out regulated roles with children or protected adults are suitable to do so.
Is The Glasgow School of Music PVG accredited?
Yes. The Glasgow School of Music is a PVG-accredited school. This supports our safer recruitment, disclosure and safeguarding responsibilities in Scotland.
Are GSofM tutors PVG checked?
Tutors who carry out regulated roles with children, protected adults, or both are required to have appropriate PVG Scheme membership for the type of work they undertake.
Does PVG replace safeguarding?
No. PVG is an important safeguarding tool, but safeguarding also includes professional conduct, safer recruitment, clear communication, suitable boundaries, appropriate lesson environments and proper procedures for raising concerns.
Who should I contact if I have a concern?
Please contact The Glasgow School of Music directly. We encourage parents, students, tutors and staff to raise concerns promptly so they can be handled appropriately.
Why does safeguarding matter in music tuition?
Music lessons often involve one-to-one teaching and long-term relationships between tutors and students. Safeguarding helps ensure that these lessons take place in a safe, respectful and professionally managed environment.
Learn Music in a Safe, Structured and Supportive Environment
The Glasgow School of Music provides award-winning one-to-one music tuition for children, teenagers and adults in Glasgow. Our lessons are built around professional teaching, clear communication, student wellbeing and long-term musical progress.