Music has the power of forming the character and should therefore
be introduced into the education of the young. (Aristotle)
At Chadsmead, we realise the benefits that music has on our lives and the lives of our children. In line with the National Plan for Music Education, we want all children to have the opportunity to play musical instruments. From national research, we know that music makes a powerful contribution to the education and development of children, both academically and socially. Music is a unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. According to Ofsted, children’s involvement in music ‘engages and re-engages pupils, increasing their self-esteem, and maximising their progress in education and not just in music.’
Of course, private instrumental tuition can be organised on a one-to-one basis from home. For this, you would expect to pay £15-20 for half an hour per week, which is too costly for many of our families. At Chadsmead, we work closely with peripatetic teachers from Entrust, many of whom have taught here for a number of years. Our aim is to give every child the opportunity to take part in extra-curricular music; we do this in a variety of ways so that it is affordable to all. We book our teachers for the academic year ahead, so you would expect to sign up in the summer term in order to take lessons from September-July.
Instrumental Tuition Available
Clarinet Flute Saxophone Drums
Guitar Violin Singing Keyboard
Small Group Tuition
The majority of our instrumental pupils work in small groups of up to four. In most cases, the lessons last twenty minutes and are with pupils of similar ability. Lessons take place for thirty-six weeks of the academic year with specialist teachers from Entrust. Pupils may be encouraged to take graded exams once they have reached the relevant standards. Pupils have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in music concerts.
The current cost of these lessons is £150 per year (equivalent to £4.15 per week) which is payable at time of booking. Costs are reduced for those eligible for free school meals. Please ask at the office for details.
Large Group (Ensemble) Tuition
For an even more affordable way to learn, we offer Y3/4 and Y5/6 pupils larger group tuition (usually around 20 pupils) for those who wish to try something new. In Y3/4, violin is offered and in Y5/6, guitar is offered. These lessons also take place for thirty-six weeks of the academic year. They tend to last 30-45 minutes (depending on the exact number of participants). Many pupils who start off in these groups go on to learn in smaller groups as their skills progress. Again, pupils are taught by instrumental specialists and children have the chance to perform in concerts during the year.
The current cost of these lessons is £60 per year (equivalent to £1.66 per week) which is payable at time of booking.
Choir
Choir is open to any pupils in KS2. Chadsmead funds this activity to give any pupil the opportunity to take part without being restricted by costs. Pupils benefit from performing as part of a large group and have expert vocal tuition from an Entrust teacher. Pupils regularly have the opportunity to take part in concerts.
There are so many ways to get involved in music at Chadsmead: we hope your child take the opportunities they are offered.