Each year one of the ways The Love Music Trust supports Cheshire East Schools' is via the DFE grant allocation. In the academic year 2017/18 we have distributed more than £94,000 to our Primary, Secondary & Special schools. Some of the ways which the grant has been invested by the schools has been via first access schemes, continuation programmes and projects stimulating new musical activity. Below are comments from some of the Secondary and Special schools about the impact the grant has had on their students' musical experience.
Feedback from pupils and staff has been extremely positive. All pupils have accessed and engaged in the music workshops which is fantastic. For some of our pupils, we have noticed a reduced level of anxiety whilst participating in musical activity which in turn impacts on improved social behaviours, increased focus and attention and better communication. Passing and sharing of instruments has also helped improve social skills. The evident enjoyment of these music sessions is testimony to support the continuation of these sessions and looking into the further development of music therapy within the school. We have also used the grant to improve our music resources. We are now fully resourced with percussion instruments and are soon to purchase a selection of Djembe drums. We will continue to build our music resources to support future workshops and music lessons.
****
The previous grant allowed us to buy more tuned percussion instruments. These have been used regularly in Key Stage 3 lessons throughout the year. Students have enjoyed using good quality instruments. They have helped to developed their performance and compositional skills because of the equipment. All students [over 600] have benefitted from the equipment.
****
The improvement in the software provision has allowed our 6th formers to make real progress towards their Music and Music Technology A-levels. The advanced capabilities has seen a marked improvement in the quality of their work and produce music of real depth and quality
****
The purchases we made from the last grant revolutionized the department - it really did. We have more quality classroom instruments (guitars both acoustic and electric, small practice amps etc) in all music rooms which all KS3-5 use on a daily basis. Around 50 students in and out of lessons have really enjoyed using a PA system for their vocals to be projected and mixed with their backing tracks in performances and the use of apps to enhance learning in the lesson has been very beneficial. A massive thank you!
****
We have been able to purchase specialist equipment for non verbal pupils who are in wheelchairs. We bought a 'skoog' which is a musical instrument that anyone can play. Its a tactile cube that opens up a world of ‘musicplay’ to everyone, including those with disabilities. We have bought a speaker and microphones for the more able and are looking at resonance boards for the less able so that they can experience the reverberation of music whilst lying on the boards.
****
The scheme had enabled all Year 7 students to access instrumental lessons as part of their curriculum time. This has been hugely beneficial in creating an engaging scheme of learning for students and has given them very real experience of playing an instrument, performing as part of a large ensemble, performing to large audiences and building the independence, self-discipline and confidence required to succeed.
****
