ATLP schools awarded top marks for music

Schools across the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership have been recognised nationally for providing outstanding music education. A number of the multi-academy trust’s Birmingham academies have now joined other ATLP schools in becoming Music Mark School members.

Music Mark is a national organisation that leads, represents and supports high quality music education for all children and young people. The schools have been recognised for, ‘the value that they place on music and their dedication in offering and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum to students.’

Music is a passion of ATLP CEO and former music teacher, Richard Gill, who spoke at the West Midlands Music Quality in Teaching and Learning day this year.

He said:

I’m incredibly proud of our schools’ commitment to music. Every child deserves to experience high quality music education. We want to provide more opportunities for children and young people to access outstanding provision that enhances, enriches and shapes their lives.”

Here is a snapshot of how excellence in music is embedded across individual ATLP schools:

Birmingham

Arthur Terry School: Music teacher Rebecca Deekes said: “The music department has continued to flourish and grow in strength and size across Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. The school has eight visiting peripatetic instrument staff delivering one to one lessons in Piano, Guitar, Drums, Woodwind and Strings, to more than 90 students. 

“We’ve recently taken the bold move to simultaneously run two courses at Key Stage 4 (GCSE Music and RSL Level 2) with multiple classes being delivered across all year groups. At Key Stage 5 we have moved across the RSL Level 3 to give our students the opportunity to gain a greater interaction with the requirements of the music industry. With the creation of a brand new stage and band equipment donated by Sutton Charities it has enabled us to give students a real in depth experience of what it’s like to be a professional performing musician. The introduction of these courses has brought a new excitement and inspiration to the department and enabled students to become fully immersed within the world of music.”

Brookvale Primary School:  Headteacher Stuart Day said: “At Brookvale we recognise the importance that music plays in our young people’s lives and how powerful it can be as a medium for inspiring and motivating our learners. 

“All children receive a broad and rich music curriculum throughout their time with us; we have developed a curriculum that allows them to study a wide range of contemporary and classical composers, developing their appreciation of music in its entirety. Children also have the opportunity to learn a tuned instrument, which we fund through our use of the Pupil Premium, as we believe this develops in them a strong sense of accomplishment in an area of the curriculum that allows their wider talents to be recognised.”

Hill West Primary School: Music Lead Teacher Chloe Davies said: “Our music curriculum has been recognised as being broad and balanced and of high value. We believe that every child is entitled to an exposure to a range of high quality live and recorded music and is allowed to explore a range of genres. Our curriculum enables pupils to: perform, listen to, review and evaluate music, sing and use their voices, express themselves musically through composition and improvisation and understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated.

“All staff at Hill West recognise that music can inspire and motivate children as we all helping them to develop a greater appreciation of the world in which we live. This year Hill West has significantly increased the opportunities for children to learn an instrument through peripatetic music teaching with all pupils in Year 4 learning either the tenor horn or the clarinet.”

John Willmott School: Headteacher Tracey Peters said: “At John Willmott School, music is offered to all students at Key Stage 3.  The programme offers a diverse range of practical opportunities through a range of genres and cultures.  We are particularly proud of our Brass project, which sees all Year 7 students experimenting with the fundamentals of brass playing.  This project culminates in a festive performance.    The curriculum also sees students learning music from different cultures, in particular Gamelan music from Indonesia and a firm student favourite, Samba from Brazil. 

“Recently, students showcased their musical talents with several soloists performing for the Sutton Coldfield Community Awards hosted by the Mayor at Sutton Town Hall, as well as being selected to perform at The SSAT Conference at Birmingham ICC.”

Mere Green Primary School: Headteacher Kristal Brookes said: “Music is a way of life at Mere Green. It is part of who we are and flows through the school. There isn’t a day that goes by where the sounds of instruments and children singing is filling classrooms and corridors.

“The music provision has continued to grow and thrive under the amazing passion and leadership of Annie Undzhiyan and her team. We are so fortunate that every child receives a weekly music lesson from our specialist teacher and we currently have over 60 children learning to play an instrument.”

Slade Primary School: Headteacher Jenny Maskell said: “Our children really love having the opportunity to learn to play an instrument – it’s something that, as a leader, I want to be an integral part of the school and what we do. We want children to have the opportunity to flourish and shine in the arts and music is one way we can do this. Working with the music service has enabled us to provide children with specialist teachers whose love for music rubs off onto our children.”

Stockland Green School: Headteacher Marie George said: “Music is permeating school life through live performances at lunch, celebration events and other activities.”

There are many opportunities for students to participate in music, including a choir and smaller specialist groups. About 50 students participate in weekly drum, guitar and piano lessons and from Year 10 the school delivers the RSL programme where students compose their own pieces.

Assistant Headteacher Sarah Cardwell said: “All students should have the opportunity to play musical instruments – we have a wide range available and offer lessons to all students, supported through the Music Service. We believe that students in receipt of pupil premium should not be excluded from the offer of receiving musical lessons, and therefore we subsidise the cost of their tutorials. We teach an enriching curriculum and believe that the role music plays within this is pivotal in developing understanding and knowledge of our wider curriculum.”

Staffordshire

Scotch Orchard Primary School: The school has been a Music Mark member since 2015. Headteacher Jo Bishop said: “Music plays a vital part of our curriculum and we continuously strive to provide unique and exciting opportunities for all pupils at Scotch Orchard. From whole class recorder and guitar lessons in Key Stage 2, participation in workshops led by professional West End musical directors and orchestras, such as the Manchester Camerata, to performing at venues across the county including Lichfield Cathedral and the County Showground. 

“At the end of last year, our Year 6 collaborated with a professional songwriter to compose, perform and record their own leavers’ song, ‘We Believe’, inspired by our school ethos. The song has been embraced by all children and staff as our official school song to promote our values of ‘caring’, ‘believing’ and ‘achieving’. Outside of the classroom, we have a school orchestra and recorder group which rehearse weekly leading up to termly performances for the wider Scotch Orchard community.”

Two Gates Primary School: Headteacher Nêst Llewelyn-Cook said: “We love music at Two Gates! Our strong musical tradition and commitment to providing a broad curriculum ensures that each child has access to high quality music teaching and experiences throughout school.

“We also believe that participation in music enhances many personal and social skills which impact positively on emotional wellbeing, confidence and wider learning.

“Our pupils have opportunities to participate and perform in school and other venues, such as the Lichfield Cathedral; look out for our choir at the Tamworth Christmas Lights Switch On this year.”

Nether Stowe School: Headteacher Glyn Langston-Jones said: “Our vision for music is to engage our young people in music making and the appreciation and enjoyment of music. At Nether Stowe School Music is an integral part of school life, from seasonal concerts; annual productions in conjunction with Drama and Performing Arts; the Young Musician of the Year award for progress and achievement, to an extended enrichment programme. We have five specialist peripatetic music teachers offering bespoke one to one tuition in Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, Strings, Singing, Piano and Keyboard and Guitar. We also have an exciting wider participation programme each week including Soul Band; The Very Little Big Band; Acastowe Choir and our Saxophonix ensemble.

“We have a rich curriculum in Key Stage S3 where music is taught throughout Year 7, 8 and 9, focusing on the elements of music, form and structure of music and musical devices. In Key Stage 4 we follow the BTEC Technical Award in Music Practice. This course is a cutting edge qualification designed to prepare students for further study and the world of music as a professional musician, songwriter or produce, composer and arranger. It is proving popular and we are excited about its success.”

William MacGregor Primary School: The school is the proud recipient of a Copper Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Music Education Hub Excellence in Music Provision Award.

Headteacher Suzie Norton said: “We ensure music has a high priority in our curriculum as it provides children the opportunity to show creativity and flare in a non-academic subject. Learning, listening to and playing music is also great for their wellbeing. We ensure it is taught to the highest possible standard by using a specialist teacher in Key Stage 2. 

“Children also have the chance to be part of a band with Yamaha School of Rock. This extra-curricular provision gives pupils the opportunity to learn an instrument, learn how to be part of a band and also how to perform in front of a live audience. Our school choir are very active performing at Young Voices and Lichfield Garrick last year!”

North Warwickshire

The Coleshill School:  Zara Burroughs, Lead Teacher of Music, said: “At Coleshill we ensure a culture rich curriculum where students learn real life skills and how to succeed in the music Industry. Students have just started to build their public performance portfolio, by taking an opportunity to perform at this year’s Frankfurt Market in Birmingham to a crowd of hundreds. More professional industry opportunities will be offered to students as we develop vocational courses in Key Stage 4.

“The department offers all students to use the facilities to develop their musical skills, Our new choir is run by vocal teacher Georgina Mason. We regularly hold ‘Live Lounge’ performances at lunch time, so students from all years can showcase their talents to the wider school.

“Peripatetic lessons in vocals, drums, guitar, piano, brass and violin are offered, and those who take part progress well through various grades. At Coleshill, the students and staff embrace the creative power Music, to support student development, key skills and artistic talent.”

Curdworth Primary School: Headteacher Lisa Dodd said: “Music at Curdworth is woven through our curriculum and the children especially embrace any opportunity they are given to sing. Biannually our Key Stage 2 children join the largest children’s choir concert in the world as they participate in Young Voices at the Genting Arena. The concert ‘inspires children to discover their love for music’ and staff, children and parents enjoy an amazing evening singing and dancing to a range of genres of music.

“At Curdworth Primary School we offer a number of peripatetic music lessons for children throughout school including recorder, flute and saxophone. In addition, some of our children participate in drumming and guitar lessons outside of school. Our talented musicians enjoy opportunities throughout the year to showcase our music talent during whole school assemblies. 

“As our children are so enthusiastic about music, we have recently reviewed our music curriculum and will be introducing the music programme ‘Charanga’ in the New Year.”