The Hub develops and invests in its programme of work to support three aims and five strategies, set out in national guidelines by the Department of Education via the Arts Council of England. Investment decisions are based on evidence of need, supporting continuity of progression and available resources at the time or that can be developed in the future.
Aim: Supporting Schools and Settings to deliver high quality music education provision
In order to commission the right programme, the Hub works with schools to identify their current provision, support the creation of a music development plan and link them with providers that can help sustain or develop relevant opportunities. It does this through the following ways, coordinated by the Lead Partner:
a) General school advice on music education development is available by emailing cm@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Information will be provided and an invitation to follow the Assessment process below.
b) A School Self-Assessment of Music Education mechanism is provided via our Lead Partner. This enables a school to assess against National Plan for Music Education sections, where their provision is in place or further development is required. It also enables the Hub to gain a summarised "picture" of music provision across the County which informs forward planning. The link to this mechanism is available by a setting getting in touch via the general advice email above. Once the assessment is completed, the Hub will provide information to help schools shape existing or new development plans for music, as required by the National Plan and time from a specialist adviser to support the school in this can be provided if needed.
c) Settings Development Relationships. The Hub supports the Lead Provider to assist settings that want to implement change or development as well as sustain existing activity. Through a 2-3 year development plan, designed and agreed by the school, the Lead Provider will coordinate a range of opportunities from different partners, subsidised by the Hub, that can help schools grow and develop their provision. There are finite resources for both schools and the Hub which may require scheduling such development over a longer period and realistic change can therefore be supported and sustained by schools through a project over several years.
Types of activity include: advice and information, development support for curriculum or co-curricular infrastructure and quality of opportunity, school ensemble development, first access opportunities for large-groups of learners, singing support, loan of instruments, Continuing Professional Development projects for school staff and wider workforce and larger-scale projects.
Aim: Supporting Young People to further develop their music and talent, including into employment
The Hub invests via partner providers in opportunities to study, participate in and develop their skills and knowledge over time alongside their personal development and wellbeing. Such development may take several years and therefore significant investment in continuity of opportunity is provided. Where resources permit, further routes for special areas of interest or emerging needs can be supported to expand access to these learning journeys.
Types of activity include: individual and group learning, musicianship, theory and ensemble participation at different stages of study, additional workshops, courses and events and affiliated music centres and organisations provision.
Aim: Support all children to engage with a range of opportunities in and out of school
The Hub develops collaborations with a range of partners to support further experiences and opportunities. By jointly working with partners, available funds can be used to lever additional financial resources or reduced costs by making use of shared facilities, staff and equipment. This permits more specialist opportunities to be provided or programmes that can stimulate interest or provide an experience that can then open a door to further activities.
The Hub collaboration mechanism is open to all those with an interest in a particular aspect of music and music education. Discussion groups are provided via Teams Channels to identify needs and suggest ideas for projects that can be developed in the future. This includes channels for orchestral and classical, popular, jazz and dance music, folk and global traditions, multi-art form, primary, secondary and SEND/wellbeing discussions. There is a mechanism provided to enable particular project ideas to be raised and where appropriate brought to the Hub's attention to see if investment is available.
The types of activities developed through these partnerships can include: Additional study options for learners in specialist areas; "Discovery" programmes to support first encounters of musical opportunities; Industry and Career Days to explore musical careers; large-scale projects with performance ensembles; joint fundraising for projects and affiliated music organisation support.