Music Provision in Primary Schools

[serenity]

I will go and google, but MN is such a fount of knowledge that sometimes it's easier to just ask you

How do I find out what the minimum requirements are for a school to be fulfilling it's requirements in Music under the National Curriculum? As much as I like the DCs school, when it comes to that subject they seem very reluctant to promote it and in some ways seem to be antimusic (mainly since we had a change of leadership) I've just had another 40 minute conversation with DS1's guitar teacher who is getting increasingly pissed off with his treatment by the school, and with the music provision in general. The school got rid of the music room, which means the 'private' lessons (which they intially supported and welcomed) have nowhere to go. Ds1 gets his lessons in the corridor or ITC suite which means constant interruptions, they get shifted about willynilly and it's pretty crap. I just feel that if the school no longer wants the lessons to go ahead they should just say so, and stop this rather cowardly war of attrition.

I've been told (third hand) that the actual school music teacher is concerned that she's not fulfilling the NC, partly due to losing her dedicated space but also because some of the things she organises (choir for example) get the same sort of treatment as the 'private' music teachers.

I've spoken and emailed the school before, but have been fobbed of imo. The problem is that they are aware that I knew the guitar teacher before he started teaching at the school, and disregard me as a parent in this. I do talk to them at his request, but only because I share his concerns rather than as a friend iyswim.

Sorry! This turned into a bit of a rant If anyone got through this and knows what I can do next (LEA, OFSTED?) then I'd be grateful. I think Music is as important as the rest of the NC, and I hate to see it sidelined like this - obviously if I look into it and the school is doing what it should I shall retire gracefully and just fume in private!

I do not know where you stand legally with regard to National Curriculum, but if I were you I'd put my concerns in writing to the Head and copy to the Chair of the Governors.

If the instrumental teachers are sent in through the local Music Service, complain to them as well.

Legally, I believe Music should be a mandatory subject on the KS3 curriculum, but I was made redundant from teaching it a few years ago when there were budget cuts, which left the school concerned with NO classroom music provision whatever for Yrs 8 and 9. My point is that this was illegal and yet they did it anyway.

Oops, I see you are talking about Primary. Sorry. I think my first 2 paragraphs still apply.

Can't answer your question but DS3's primary has just sent a letter home saying that all Y5 children are to have the opportunity to learn either the clarinet or the flute next term for free. They are being taught by the Kent Music School and all instruments will be provided. I guess KMS suppose that many of the children will want to continue after the 10 weeks so will sign up for paid lessons next school year.

DS3 has chosen the clarinet, which is good because he actually wants to learn the soprano saxophone and the two instruments are fairly similar.

Do you pay the money to the school? We paid the District Council (via the school - cheques to DC but given to school to forward). Complain to the District Council or the County Council. Always go one step up if you are not satisfied. It's unlikely the governors can do much about it, tbh.

National curriculum doesn't seem to cover instrument tuition as we know it and choir.

At least you have had some instrumental music, ours has none, and when we have asked about have been told lies (our county council education does not provide them which I know for a fact it does) The choir has only just started but DD is not allowed to join - not sure why as did not get answer to letter even though she is in other outside choirs.

Try the chair of governors but having been down that road on another matter they often come down on the side of the headteacher. Hope you have better luck than we have (our music problem only resolved when older DC's moved to secondary school)

No, the money's not paid to the school. TBH I don't know if they get anything out of it at all (apart from it looking good on the prospectus!). T (DSs guitar teacher) actually is part of the Music Service somewhere in North London, but comes all the way down to us because of previous connections to the school.

I'm quite saddened to see that it's not a unique situation actually. I hoped that it was a personal thing with the new Head, but it seems to be a general failing

I'll try writing again, but a proper letter rather than an email.

Thanks for the replies

If taken strictly and literally the NC for music in KS2 is extremely demanding - they have to cover all sorts of musical skills including composition.

Our school took the view that it is impossible for this to be delivered properly by non-specialists. So now every class from yr1 or 2 has a music lesson each week with a specialist music teacher (usually as part of PPA cover). He also runs the choir, takes a leading role in assemblies, and preparing and putting on school productions 3 times a year. We also have a dedicated music room.

DS1 is not particularly musically talented, and he's chosen not to learn an instrument. But he loves music at school, because he's been taught by a specialist who is passionate about his subject. (He used to be a class teacher, but wanted to go part-time a few years ago, and this arrangement seemed ideal for all sides.)

There is no reason why any large school should not be able to make this sort of provision if they wish to.

Unfortunately the curriculum is so crowded that it really is difficult to fit everything in. Every curriculum leader feels their subject is the most important but while schools are judged on Literacy and Numeracy result other subjects will continue to be sidelined

Well we have the specialist music teacher, but no longer have anywhere for her to teach - instead she has a trolley that gets pushed from class to class which I don't think makes up for the loss of the old music room. So we fit it in, but in a fairly half hearted way (although I beginning to think we should be grateful for that much ) We're definitely not a big school though.