Do schools need a music licence? PRS and PPL rules explained

Most UK schools need a music licence for anything beyond curriculum teaching. PRS for Music's Tariff 'EE' covers the songs, and PPL's tariff PPLPP114 covers the recordings. PRS for Music's side is administered by its authorised agent, CEFM (the Centre for Education and Finance Management), often via a Local Education Authority, rather than billed by PRS for Music directly.

What's exempt under s.34, and what isn't#

Section 34 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 says that a performance of a literary, dramatic or musical work before an audience of teachers, pupils and others directly connected with the school's activities isn't a public performance for copyright purposes, if it's given by a teacher or pupil in the course of the school's activities, or at the school for the purposes of instruction. The Act adds that a parent isn't "directly connected" with the school's activities simply by being a parent.

So lessons, rehearsals and performances limited to pupils, teachers and others genuinely tied to the school's day-to-day life don't need a PRS for Music or PPL licence. Once the audience widens beyond that, for example parents at a concert, or the activity stops being instruction, for example a disco or a fair, it falls under Tariff EE and PPLPP114 instead.

PRS for Music: Tariff 'EE' (from 1 February 2026)#

Tariff EE applies to government-funded and independent schools (primary, secondary and special schools), schools providing extended hours care, and nurseries or pre-schools that form part of a school. It doesn't apply to performances covered by s.34, or to "grand right works" such as staged operas, musical plays and ballets, which need separate permission from the rights owner.

Where music was played before the school was licensed, the higher rate (standard plus 50%) applies for the first licence year only. Tariff EE covers school-run concerts and recitals, extra-curricular clubs, breakfast, after-school and holiday clubs, background music including in eating areas and staff rooms, PTA events, school discos and dances, social clubs, use by outside non-profit groups where attendance doesn't exceed 40, school-owned vehicles, fetes, sports events and telephone hold music, as long as any profit or benefit goes entirely to the school. It excludes performances at stand-alone sixth-form colleges, universities and further education colleges, which are licensed separately under PRS's Tariff 'FE' (also via CEFM) or Tariff 'UCH' for universities, and gyms or leisure centres in dedicated, commercially operated areas.

PPL: PPLPP114, Schools (from 1 April 2026)#

PPL's schools tariff covers exercise-to-music, background music, specially featured entertainment events including school discos and music quizzes, and music on hold, at any school (private or public) running the national curriculum for pupils aged 16 and under, and at nurseries or playgroups run by the school. It excludes performances that fall under s.34 of the curriculum exception, and excludes use by groups without a direct affiliation to the school, which attracts a separate charge.

The minimum PPL licence fee applies where the calculated figure would be lower. PPLPP114 excludes sound recording usage at stand-alone sixth-form colleges, universities and further education institutions, gyms or leisure centres in dedicated commercial areas, use of jukeboxes, and any event run by a party other than the school where the profit or benefit doesn't go entirely to the school.

School discos, fetes, PTA events and outside hirers#

School discos, quizzes and dances sit within both tariffs, as a school-run activity under EE and as a specially featured entertainment event under PPLPP114. PTA events and fetes are covered the same way, provided the profit or benefit goes entirely to the school. Where an outside organisation hires the school hall or grounds and the profit doesn't go to the school, for example a private party or a commercial letting, both tariffs exclude that use. The hirer needs their own cover, and it's worth getting written confirmation from the school of who is responsible before the event, rather than assuming the school's licence extends to it.

Sources#

• PRS for Music Tariff 'EE' (2026.02)
• PPL Tariff PPLPP114, Schools
• Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 34

• Music licence for events and one-off functions →
• What is PPL PRS? TheMusicLicence explained →
• What is a PPL PRS Usage Summary? →

This guide is general information, not legal advice, and MLC is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with PPL PRS Ltd, PRS for Music or PPL.