Inclusion is key to the work of Music Hubs. The new National Plan for Music Education says that every Hub should build: ‘A sustainable local eco-system for music education, through partnerships, with progression, access and inclusion, central to their work’.
As part of Sutton Music Service’s commitment to inclusion, Claire Cossins (Senior Instrumental Curriculum Leader) has successfully bid to Changing Tracks for funding for a Musical Nurture Group Project. This project will run for 20 weeks at Tweeddale Primary School from September. Changing Tracks, part of Hertfordshire Music Service, is ‘A programme of peer support and learning, training and consultancy for, with and by music services wanting to improve equality, diversity and inclusion’.
Sutton Music Service (SMS) is collaborating with another Cognus team, Paving the Way, to ensure the project has maximum impact. This funding will also provide a practical way for the music service to implement its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion action plan across all its delivery areas. Following the conclusion of this project, SMS will then focus on linking with more Sutton primary schools to set up and embed more music nurture groups. The learning from the project will mean that we will continue to remove barriers that pupils may experience in making a form of music that matters to them. The music service has already started broadening its offer, from Music Production lessons to Early Years music groups. This Music Nurture group is another way to allow pupils to start their musical journeys and progression routes.
“This funding will allow us to forge strong musical links with Tweeddale Primary and provide CPD for our music tutors. We look forward to working with Paving the Way to identify pupils who would reap the benefits from making music with us in a warm and supportive environment.”
“Paving the Way receives a high level of referrals from Tweeddale school and works in-depth with many families that have experienced/are experiencing significant challenges and trauma. It is clear the school are inundated by challenges of finding ways to support their families, and we are forever considering new ways to make an impact. A lot of children in this demographic are unable to access extra-curricular activities, and this new project will provide an invaluable motivation for children to learn in an alternative way, enhancing their confidence and self-esteem and improving their focus”.
"This is another great example of Sutton Music Service's commitment to helping all young people in the borough to make, be inspired by and celebrate the music that means the most to them. It is also a fantastic example of Cognus services working together to create positive outcomes for children and young people. This Music Nurture Group is a very exciting project with the potential to develop into a full part of our regular activity programme."
Would you like a Music Nurture Group at your school?
If school leaders are interested in working with Sutton Music Service to set up a nurture group, please email Claire Cossins at suttonmusicservice@cognus.org.uk.
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