Could there be more primary teacher representation on the PMEH hub board?

Primary schools teachers are represented by the Headteacher rep as well as individual Primary Heads (HP and JL) on the stakeholders group. Additionally our Primary Consultant feeds in to the hub structure and management.

Could there be a programme oftraining andsupport for music co-ordinators in primary schools?

PMEH offers training in the form of the conference, Sing Plymouth and the Primary Consultant and the CPD offer which appears in the Plymouth City Council directory. Additional support is being developed by building it into First Access. Consultants are developing school to school support.

Could the hub provide financial supportfor small scale musical projects in primary schools?

PMEH does support where it can, both financially and in kind. The Ridgeway led Yanomamo was supported in the Autumn Term, as was the Kakatsitsi drumming in the summer. Small scale musical projects includingGamelan,Steel, Djembe, Music Technology and Samba projects are all financed by the hub as are play days and the Sing Plymouth initiative. Schools concerts by major internationally acclaimed musicians have been funded. The majority of funding for music from the DfE goes straight to schools and the hub seeks to ensure there is a wealth of musical opportunities available for schools to purchase.

Could the hub be very specific about grass rootsopportunities for 4-11 year olds across the city?

PMEH circulates its offer in the form of documents and the PMEH website which clearly set out what is on offer. The hub is committed to delivering the National Plan for Music Education which spells out clearly what the hub should be providing. PMEH goes beyond the core roles and also provides for the extension roles. In short the offer comprises:

For Core Roles

  • Weekly learning of instruments through whole-class ensembles for a minimum of a term (but ideally a year) for every child aged 5-18. Currently we have achieved this in 98% of our schools through a broad programme delivered across a diverse range of instrumental disciplines. We offer bespoke packages informed from a needs audit.
  • Opportunities to play in ensembles and perform. We currently lead 9 city-wide ensembles which range from Steel Bands to String Orchestras. Our delivery partners, Lipson Community College, Soundhouse Trust, Hyde Park Infants and Plymouth Music Activities Club help us achieve this.
  • Clear progression routes which are available and affordable to all young people. We have identified progression pathways for musicians from across the genres and with our partnership with South West Music School provide opportunities for progression to the highest levels.
  • Regular singing opportunities including choirs and vocal ensembles for every pupil as a result of a singing strategy. We have enlisted the support of Notre Dame School to work with Wren Music as a delivery partner, to promote and celebrate singing across our city with an objective to significantly impact on every school in the city as part of a 3 year rolling programme. PMEH will have a legacy of a substantial resource of materials for future generations as a direct result.

For Extension Roles:

  • CPD for school staff, particularly to help deliver curriculum music, as well as leadership. We are working with a range of partners including our neighbouring hubs of Cornwall , Devon and Torbay to offer and deliver first class CPD for teachers and music leaders. Additionally we are building CPD into the delivery of projects as an integral part of the packages.
  • An instrument loan service (discounted/free for those on low incomes) We are offering our available instruments for low cost or Free of charge loans to make it affordable to all. Where we don’t have available instruments we are looking to our neighbouring hubs for support.
  • Access to large scale/high quality music experiences for pupils via professional musicians/venues. Plymouth Music Education hub is introducing top class performers such as Craig Ogden and Peter Fisher in our schools as well as working with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, National Childrens Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and South West Music School. Young musicians are accessing opportunities to perform in prestige venues in the city including Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth Guildhall and the Minster Church of St Andrew’s

Could PMEH make clear how schools can access advice and support from the hub and who they contact?

Plymouth Music Education Hub and Plymouth Youth Music Service have a strong web presence.The hub uses the school room, telephone, visits, email and its website to maintain communication. All school Music Coordinators and Heads of Music regularly receive communications directly from the hub. The hub manager attends schools forum meetings and the Leadership Associate and the Consultants have a strong presence in schools and communities. Parents/ Carers regularly contact the hub as do many musicians, some from as far afield as the southern hemisphere.

Arts Council England recently identified the following strengths of the hub in its Assessment of Progress 2012/13:- Partnerships, First Access, Progression, Large scale performance events, Delivery, Needs Analysis, Governance and Management.