1. To provide every young person with
first access to a range of music
experiences
Music is part of young people's lives from their
earliest days: they are surrounded by music in their
homes and nursery schools; they hear music played on
CDs, the television and radio.
For some, there are also opportunities to make their
own music during the Foundation Stage of their
schooling or through projects such as Sure Start and
Youth Music's First Steps programme.
For many young children their first active
engagement with music-making will be through the
statutory National Curriculum and its delivery in
schools. The National Curriculum entitles all children
aged 5-14 to a music education which includes
opportunities to play musical instruments, to sing, to
listen and appraise, to compose and perform.
To deliver a sound foundation for music education we
are committed to the following priorities that will
support and build upon early years activities:
- We believe that, over time, every primary
school child should have opportunities for
sustained and progressive instrumental tuition,
offered free of charge or at a reduced rate. The
OFSTED report,'Tuning In', on the Wider
Opportunities pilots (published 3rd March),
provides first class models of delivery
- As part of their statutory entitlement in
schools, we believe that every child, including
those with special needs, should have access to a
wide range of high quality live music experiences
and a sound foundation in general
musicianship
- We are committed to broadening the range and
skills of teachers, support staff, artists and
other adults so that they are able to work more
effectively as music leaders in schools and in
community and youth settings
- We believe that a rich mix of teaching methods,
genres and musical activities must be provided,
both in and out of school hours
- We will support the development of new
partnerships between schools, LEAs and LEA Music
Services, the community music sector and the music
industry to ensure that this rich diversity of
provision is available to all