Get The New Plan (Stan)

The National Plan for Music Education was published last week. This document outlines the changes that will be made to music education in England and will have a big impact on opportunities for music leaders wishing to work in the schools system (formal sector). I would strongly recommend that all music leaders find the time to read it.

I have tried to give a very short summary of the some of the key points that are relevant to the majority of music leaders although our work is so richly diverse that the only way to find its relevance to you is to read it for yourself.

From September 2012 Hubs are expected to be mostly county-wide organisations that will replace the current county Music Services. 
 

Working from a smaller budget than the music services currently receive Hubs will be expected to match a percentage of  their funding. They will look to work with projects that receive funding from elsewhere and that have compatible outcomes.

Some of The Hubs Core Roles :

1 “...all children (5-18) have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument (other than voice) through whole-class ensemble teaching for a minimum of one term of weekly tuition on the same instrument”.

4 “…that every child is singing regularly and that choirs and other vocal ensembles are available in the area”

And one of the extension roles

3 “Provide access to large scale and/or high quality music experiences…working with professional musicians…”

Also there is a whole annex in the plan on the need for greater use of music technology in schools that recommends “Schools may wish to consider bespoke technical support….by offering work placements to music technology graduates”.

Hubs are expected to work constructively with local music societies/choirs and music organisations (community and voluntary). Due to capacity Hubs are unlikely to be able to work with many individual practitioners at Hub level but they are there to make sure that schools are aware of the full range of delivery available to young people (both in and out of school) so that they can best meet the needs of young people.

Hubs will also be concerned with driving up the quality of service locally. Some music services are opening their training offer to practitioners from outside the service. This is a great opportunity for you to meet Music Services and demonstrate not only your commitment to CPD (Continuous Professional Development) but what you have to offer. In fact James Dickinson, Head of Hertfordshire Music Services is "working on ways to work with informal practitioners so that they can access our CPD programme as part of broadening our provision"

What happens next?

This bidding and negotiation process will continue into the summer of 2012 when we can expect to hear the results. To find out about  any changes as they happen and to be able to engage in discussions with other music leaders, networks such as the Youth Music Network are the best way to keep up to date and stay informed.

For a full list of local networking and training available go to www.musicleader.net