Activities - Musica Kirklees

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Whole Class Ensemble Teaching (WCET) (Previously First Access)

WCET is a very important initiative for music making in KS2 and the guidance as to what constitutes a WCET lesson has evolved over the last few years. In order that the same message is reaching all schools, the following should be used as a checklist -

Sessions:

are subsidised by Central Government funding (via Arts Council England, allocated to Musica Kirklees - this funding is used to subsidise all musical activity that relates to WCET and the continuation of music education)
are delivered to whole classes of pupils (usually in Year 3/4) and must be free to pupils at the point of delivery
should be supported by the Head Teacher and Governors
should involve a visiting instrumental teacher with the class teacher actively involved
should take place within school curriculum time and can form part of the pupils’ National Curriculum music provision for one year
are closely monitored (participation data must be collected locally and will be collated nationally).

What we can offer:

African Drums
Brass - baritone, cornet, euphonium, French horn, trombone, trumpet, tuba or mixed brass
Drum practice pads
Guitar
Keyboard
Music Technology
Strings - cello, double bass, viola, violin or mixed strings
Ukulele
Woodwind - bassoon, clarinet, flute, ocarina or recorder
Handbells and related Percussion (KS1 only)

Recommended minimum contact time is 45 minutes

Tuition on other instruments may be available on request.

We are keen to work with individual schools to formulate an ongoing, sustainable programme to meet schools’ and pupils’ needs.

Benefits to children include:

Accelerated educational development
Increased self-confidence
Improved collaborative learning and work skills
Enhanced learning
Improved concentration, turn-taking and listening skills
Boosts well-being and promotes good mental health

CPD Opportunities

Recent Music Audit visits to schools have identified a need for Music Co-ordinators, Heads of Music and Head Teachers to access music CPD to support the new National Curriculum and also to develop confidence as both music leaders and classroom teachers.

In response to this we are setting up a series of training courses in order to help meet the needs of teachers working within the new National Curriculum framework.

More information will be sent to Kirklees Schools.

Nurture Provision

Over the last academic year, we worked with the national inclusion organisation, Changing Tracks, who helped us pilot a 20-week project working with pupils who struggled to access lessons in the classroom. We worked with 5 boys at a Junior School in Batley, over a 20-week period and taught music in an accessible, child led and inclusive way. We gathered data on the pupil attendance, behaviour towards learning and wellbeing and all of the data returned was extremely positive. Both the Headteacher and the classroom teacher noted how the boys were proud of their music sessions and this in turn boosted their self-esteem and behavioural incidents involving the boys during the 20-week period dropped dramatically .

We believe that working in this Nurturing way increases pupils’ attendance, self-esteem and wellbeing in school and have decided to open this offer out to all schools in Kirklees as believe the need is there.

All of our staff involved in this approach to teaching have received Trauma Informed Practice training and will be supported through peer meetings. We understand that progress will be made, but in a very different way to that made in a normal classroom setting and most importantly, the pupils will be making music weekly.

The sessions are charged at £38.25 each, with the aim of delivering 33 over the academic year (2024/25, charges will be based on 13 weeks in the Autumn Term, 10 weeks in the Spring Term and 10 weeks in the Summer Term).

If you would like more information, please email our Inclusion Lead [email protected]

Continuation Classes

After the initial year of WCET, it is essential that children do not lose the opportunity to play an instrument or sing. Schools, the Local Authority and the Music Service should work together to ensure that pupils, who wish to, are able to continue to learn (DfE target: 50%). Current national statistics show that 28% of young people are classed as ‘continuing’ to learn to play an instrument.
We aim to supply, where possible, an instrument for pupils to continue playing.

Continuation classes are happening across Kirklees but function in very different ways. For example, a school may purchase a lunchtime/before/after school class for a large or small group. Groups can meet on a weekly basis for 30/45/60 minutes per week. Some schools require parents/carers to pay for or contribute towards the cost of continuation; some schools request a weekly sum from parents/carers to help contribute to the tuition fees. The contract for delivery is between the school and Musica Kirklees and it is the school’s responsibility to collect money directly from the parents/carers or other sources such as Pupil Premium.

Small Group and Individual Lessons

We have a strong tradition of music making within Kirklees. Musica Kirklees staff are dedicated professionals with current DBS checks; are performance managed and undergo regular professional development. They expect high standards from pupils and give them the required musical skills to become outstanding musicians. We provide tuition on all standard orchestral instruments, voice, piano, keyboard, percussion, saxophone, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, ukulele and instruments from the brass band family.

These lessons will normally be taught on a weekly basis (up to 33 weeks of the year) by our peripatetic staff. There are two ways of funding these lessons – schools purchasing time through Musica Kirklees or parental payment.

Families who hold a Kirklees Priority Passport are entitled to a maximum of £30 discount per term from our standard prices. We have a bursary scheme (Gift of Music) for 7-14 year old children who demonstrate musical talent, potential and commitment, but whose families have significant financial barriers which prevent them from being able to afford regular, ongoing musical tuition.

Give it a Go!

Give it a Go! brings our teachers to schools across Kirklees for some FREE musical fun. The aim of the sessions is to give pupils the chance to get hands-on with instruments, get inspired and learn about the musical opportunities available to them through Musica Kirklees.

Small groups of pupils will receive up to 3 free taster lessons (instruments provided!) to give them the opportunity to experience learning to play.

To enquire about Give it a Go! for your school, please email [email protected]

The Workshops

Workshops are a minimum of one school day at £210 per day (2022-23).

They are suitable for whole classes (with classroom teachers) or small groups.

The day can be divided between different groups/classes, or can be a focussed session working with one class or group within the school.

Led by Henry Bateman (MA); recording artist, musician, educator and workshop facilitator. Henry specialises in using songwriting to promote inclusive music-making and using real-life experience to demonstrate the different careers available in the music industry.

Please email [email protected] to find out more or make a booking.

Songwriting and Recording - KS1 and 2

A whole day workshop promoting creativity and inclusion through music making.

We can build the sessions around you. If you're interested in crosscurricular learning, songwriting can be the perfect way to engage KS1 and 2 with other subjects in a fresh way. Or, if you're happy to be guided by us, our expert team are here to talk you through ideas an options for your school.

* For Spring/Summer 2022-23 we are offering an additional themed workshop for KS2: 'My Musical World' *

Pupils will discover how the sounds and 'music' they can hear in their everyday surroundings can be a source of inspiration. Pupils will search for sounds to record within the school and playground (equipment provided) and use them to create music and lyrics to celebrate their unique experience of the world around them. Your school will receive a professional recording of the song as a keepsake too!

Songwriting and Recording - KS3, 4 and 5

Whole-day workshops to give pupils a taste of the roles available within the music industry through songwriting.

Key Stage 3

The sessions are closely intertwined with the national curriculum. Pupils will experience a wide range of musical styles, genres, techniques and traditions. Examples of sessions include collective/group songwriting, writing music to a brief, writing music for the moving image, writing and using graphic scores, sound design, synthesis and sampling, writing music using found sounds, and using Logic Pro X.

Key Stage 4 and 5

These sessions enable the pupils to approach their composition-based assignments with more confidence and skill. A very popular session is 'Getting The Ball Rolling' where pupils explore a variety of methods for starting a song. Sessions at Key Stage 4 and 5 can also be extended to include a 'feedback session' on any pieces or songs the students are currently working on.

Schools - Activities - School Paid Tuition

School paid TUITION with MUSICA KIRKLEES

School funded individual/small group tuition

As well as whole class activities, clubs and workshops, we offer schools in Kirklees the opportunity to apply for individual/small group tuition on behalf of their pupils. Invoices and all communication about the lessons get sent directly to your preferred school contact. There are any number of ways in which students can benefit from these lessons and all applications are welcome. Here are just a few of the reasons you may like to consider applying:

Looked After Children (LAC) with the Kirklees Virtual School are entitled to funded tuition. Schools should be able to reclaim the full cost of the lessons from the Kirklees Virtual School.
LAC pupils from out of area may also be entitled to funded tuition - please check with the council overseeing their care plan
It may be suitable for some pupils to have lessons funded by Pupil Premium
Individual/small group lessons are particularly beneficial for pupils working towards GCSE or A-Level music exams or similar qualifications
Individual/small group lessons allow pupils with additional emotional or educational needs to build confidence in a focussed and supportive environment
Lessons are tailored to the individual to enable pupils who show a passion for music to flourish
Lessons work hand in hand with the tuition pupils receive in WCET or other classroom settings

About our school paid lessons

Here's what you can expect from lessons with Musica Kirklees:

Term-time lessons for school age children (at their school or local centre) and adults (at their local centre)
Choose from a wide variety of instruments or learn to sing
A variety of lesson packages to choose from to suit your requirements
A Music Diary plus annual report to keep parents/carers informed of pupils' progress
A guarantee of 30 lessons minimum per full academic year or pro rata
Option to loan an instrument - subject to availability. Instruments are loaned to the school. A one-off admin fee is charged (£20 2022-23) and the school is responsible for any maintainance, servicing, replacement or repair costs. An Instrument Loan Agreement will be issued with full details.

How to apply

Schools can apply online (this must be completed by a member of school staff. Applications from parents/carers for school paid tuition will not be accepted):

Online
Application

Prices

WCET, Continuation and Extra-Curricular Activities:

We can alter the minutes per week to suit your needs.

The prices quoted below are for 33 sessions (one whole academic year/three terms) based on £51 per hour for 2024/25. Activities must be purchased for a minimum of one term and a minimum duration of 30 minutes per session.

Duration	Per Session	Annual Cost
30 mins	£25.50	£841.50
45 mins	£38.25	£1262.25
60 mins	£51	£1683

There is no cost to the school for teachers’ travel expenses/time allowance for travel - just for the time that the teacher is in your school.

The first session will be used for planning with Musica Kirklees staff and the Head Teacher/Class Teacher as appropriate.

Please note: for some activities, additional time may be required for setting up/packing down/tuning - for the 45 and 60 minute sessions, this can either be built into the lesson time or can be purchased additionally. For 30 minutes sessions, it must be purchased additionally - please speak with the relevant Musica Kirklees Area Manager if you are unsure.

Workshops:

£58 per hour per member of Musica Kirklees staff required

Instruments - Loans and Purchasing

We can advise on instruments, including funding options and guide prices for the purchase/rental of instruments from local suppliers. We are keen to work with individual schools to formulate an ongoing, sustainable programme to meet schools’ and pupils’ needs.

On request, we loan instruments/equipment to schools for WCET where available.

If we provide your WCET, instruments and equipment can usually be loaned at no extra cost.

The loaner/hirer is responsible for the maintenance and servicing costs for the instruments/equipment, and for any loss or damage sustained to the instruments/equipment and therefore must ensure adequate insurance is arranged.

You may be able to hire instruments/equipment for non-Musica Kirklees activities depending on availability. Please note delivery and hire charges may apply.
Email [email protected] for more information.

activities for schools

Activities for Schools