PENINSULA MUSIC CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED
Information for Schools
Music has the power to change lives, and this is the tag-line for the Government's National Plan for Music. As part of a balanced curriculum, the Government has described what a great music education would look like:
- At least one hour of classroom music teaching per week for KS1-3
- Access to a range of instrumental lessons, and singing
- Opportunities to join the school choir or local group
- Opportunities to join a school instrumental ensemble or band, such as an orchestra or rock band
- Opportunities for a young person to have their music heard, for example in performances and concerts
- Opportunities in secondary school to take music qualifications, including graded music exams
There are many ways a school can move towards this goal, including financal help from the Arts Council, administered by the area Music Hub, (which is the Love Music Trust in Wirral and Cheshire).
What many schools do not realise is that you can access the funding, for instance for the First Access whole class instrumental lessons (and progression after this) without using a tutor provided by the Hub - schools have the right to choose their provider, for example an independent tutor, and this can often be a more cost effective way of accessing specialist instrumental tuition. Peninsula Music Co-operative Ltd. brings together many highly skilled Independent tutors into one access point, making it easy for schools to access different instruments or services when needed, whilst maintaining the cost benefits for both the school and the tutor as there is no middle-man.
If your school is looking for instrumental provision, including whole class First Access Projects, Peninsula Music can help find you the right tutor for your school. Please see the services noted below for information about specific offers, and the FAQs at the bottom of the page should help answer any queries you may have.
Whole Class Instrumental Lessons
Whether it is a whole-year instrumental project, or a 10 week First Access course to introduce your students to the experience of learning a musical instrument, Peninsula Music Co-operative has talented and experienced members able to help.
Students taking part in whole class instrumental lessons get a wonderful opportunity to find out what it is like to learn a musical instrument; from first learning to assemble and hold their instruments, to developing their skills and confidence, usually culminating in a performance at the end of the course.
Our 10 week First Access courses cover elements of gthe school curriculum; folowing musical direction, reading notation appropriate to the instrument, posture and breathing where appropriate, and expression such as dynamics and phrasing.
Whole class instrumental lessons benefit the student beyond the development of their musical skills - learning an instrument helps a child to develop skills such as team work, resiliance and determination, and a real chance to increase their confidence - our children are excited to show what they have learnt at their end of course performance and are quite rightly very proud of their acheivements, even if they decide not to continue on with instrumental learning.
Many students do decide they would like to continue learning, and we can offer progression courses for whole classes, large groups, and also small group and indivudual lessons.
For those who decide they have enjoyed the music but it's not quite the right instrument for them, whole class instrumental learning provides skills which are transferrable to other instruments, and indeed to other aspects of life.
Individual and Small Group Tuition
Small group or individual instrumental lessons are an excellent way of broadening the offer in your school; whole class instrumental learning often focusses on one year group, so small group or individual lessons are an excellent way to allow more children to experience the benefits of learning an instrument. The Members of Peninsula Music Co-operative Ltd. provide small group and individual instrumental lessons within schools settings, and often privately outside of school.
If your school would like to offer instrumental lessons there are a couple of ways this can be arranged:
- Tutors can set up and deal with all aspects of the tuition directly with parents, so there is no additional admin for the school - tutors will invoice and communicate with parents directly.
- Schools can contact tutors directly, and then arrange students to fill the time. In this case, the school would deal with the invoicing of parents and would have the option of parent contact being via school, or directly with the tutor.
In both options, tutors will be happy to provide the school with evidence of safeguarding training, satisfactory enhanced DBS check, relevant insurances, and proof of self employment if necessary.
Extra Curricular Groups and Holiday Projects
Many schools offer extra-curricular music either at lunchtime or in after school groups. Our tutors are experienced running both music clubs and formal ensembles, and many have experience leading some of the most successful schools' ensembles in the area.
Extra-curricular groups are a brilliant way to allow children to continue to experience music simply for the joy of it, rather than as a formal part of the school day. This is not to say that tutors do not have the same aims of excellence! However it can be a lovely way to involve children who perhaps need a lower-pressure environment in which to thrive.
Peninsula Music is also in the early stages of planning events outside of school hours, such as soloist platforms, workshop days, and even holiday clubs. If your school would like to offer a holiday club please get in touch as we are able to offer clubs which combine music with other elements such as arts and crafts, or sports