What music education is offered at your child's primary school?

[bigbeautifulmonster]

State schools.

Both my husband and I are musicians and work in private schools so are aware of opportunities available in fee paying schools but not really sure of the state school system.

Our DD will be starting reception in Sept and, without wanting to be pushy, we would ideally love for her local primary (state) school to have some sort of music 'culture'. I'm thinking about volunteering to run a choir at the school and maybe even a group piano/keyboard club but I don't know how welcoming they'll be for such things.
I believe the national curriculum has just been updated for music but I haven't had time to look into this too deeply yet.

Does your child's state school have any music clubs? What opportunities are they given as part of the curriculum?

This is such an interesting thread! I have recently been despairing about the music provision in my son’s primary school. It’s a small rural school and they have so little funding for anything. Since covid the handful of instrumental teachers has dwindled to none and the head suggested they won’t be returning!
I am semi musical myself… in that I’m a good pianist and singer - trained in both. I’m an ex primary teacher but I’ve been out of it for a number of years now. I was the music co- ordinator in one my schools. I would love to help my son’s school bring back music somehow yet I don’t know what… I would like to get myself a bit more up to speed on current practices… I just feel rusty!

There are probably several other parents far more skilled than I am but I do have time to offer so… ! I’m just thinking of offering running a choir or a singing assembly but I’m just can’t bear the rejection🤣

Singing and dance in reception, musicianship in Y1, instrument lessons, choir and general music lessons from Y3 onwards.

Ours is well known for its music and performance though - each class does a performance for the parents each term (music, songs, bit of acting), there’s a big Christmas play and summer dance showcase. It is luck of the draw, my friends’ children at a different outstanding primary in the next borough have none of that.

Just do it! I muscled in and organised some music days, having got funding from various arts organisations. Then as a governor I started my campaign! ...... hence the good provision now. And this too is a small rural primary.

Do not be a shrinking violet! - if the school has so little now, then I am sure they would hoover you in! I volunteered myself to run singing, and did so - but now we have a part-time music teacher in school I have been able to step back.

There are several young adults who come up to me in the street and say - I remember those wonderful songs you did with us - we still sing them when we get together!

Give it a go - it makes such a difference to children's lives.

Our school has a chamber choir and school choir. From Y3 children can choose to play the guitar, clarinet or flute. They have a specialist music building and teacher coming in. State primary.

Thanks @TizerorFizz . @Bubbean go for it! My DDs were at a small rural primary school. The Head played guitar and he employed a P/T teacher who did a bit of music but it wasn't great. The most annoying thing was that the nursery had a fantastic musician on the staff whose DD is now a professional woodwind player, but the Head/staff didn't want to pay her and the music teacher was very defensive of "her patch".

My DDs were already learning instruments before they started at the school and there were no instrumental or vocal teachers coming in, which was really sad. When the Head & specialist moved on, I offered to teach recorder and run a singing group on my day off. I took the view that you can't moan about something if you aren't prepared to put something back in.

Looking at the bigger picture, Heads are in a really difficult position. They are judged on their SATs results, so obviously devote as much time as possible to English & Maths. Most primary teachers don't have any musical training and feel out of their depth teaching the subject. Since Music was dumped from the EBacc (thanks idiot Gove) there are fewer prospective teachers coming through who have studied it to GCSE, so we are in a vicious cycle. Furthermore, the Lionesses are calling for 2 hours of PE per week. Primary schools are also meant to teach MFL. As my primary Deputy Head said to me: "what do we ditch to fit this in?"

There is already the Sports Premium paid to schools, so nothing extra is required there. Time for a Music/Arts Premium.

It is so interesting to read everyone's experiences.

I can see exactly how schools focus on their SATS (therefore core subjects like Maths & English) but a musical education can enhance learning in all areas. It teaches so much, beyond music itself, not to mention mental health, which obviously has a knock on effect in all aspects of life and learning.

As mentioned by @Malbecfan , one has got to be careful of stepping on someone else's toes... better to get a clear idea of what the school is offering before going in all guns blazing with enthusiasm and ideas!

The primary school I work at has a dedicated Music teacher and music room. She teaches classes while their own teachers are on PPA,( along with a dedicated French teacher and a Sports teacher on a timetable) which works out really well. It means each class has an hour of good quality music lessons each week, plus she also runs choir and certain ensembles. There are also peripatetic teachers for woodwind,guitar violin etc,which have to be paid for.
Our school is in a 'deprived' area, so it is a very good thing for our children. Of course class teachers can still teach songs in their classes, if they have time.

My own daughter started her music lessons (flute) at this school...she is a recently qualified teacher of music (music degree) in a secondary school now😊

Schools must get used to the idea that parents to have to pay for music tuition if they can. Even in deprived areas, some have a decent wage and can pay. I can see going forward though they might be very squeezed for money.

My DCs didn’t want more sport in school. They both had swimming and dance lessons outside school for enjoyment and fitness. They preferred music and drama and art to sport in school. Extra competitive children and their parents were pretty insufferable. Sports people always think everyone is like them. Schools should balance sport premium funding, which guarantees sport, with non funded equally desirable lessons and realise DC need all of it to thrive.

We have a music lead to ensure all music is linked and progressive. They monitor the provision, provided support if needed and feedback to the Music link Governor. We have the Music Mark.
All classes have music lessons, access to try strings, brass, drumming, guitar etc. Whole school singing in daily assembly and church with additional special services where the children lead with their music. Year 6 are encouraged to write and perform their own work. Presently trying class ukulele lessons.
Several performances a year for parents to enjoy. Both key stages perform a yearly play with music. We join Young voices each year.
Clubs include recorders, strings, brass, street dance, African drumming, and choir. Those having additional lessons pay a voluntary fee of £60 a year. This does not cover the full cost.
Some PP and LAc funding is targeted at gifted children.
We purchase LA music tuition and an additional whole school scheme.
Very similar picture at other local schools