Classroom support for all key stages

Schools have an exciting opportunity to use staff from the music Service in their dual role of teacher and professional musician, within the classroom. When used in this way, Music Service staff can support the school's own plans for delivering music in the national Curriculum.

Classroom Support for all Key Stages (i) (pupil support)

Classroom support can be provided in a variety of ways, for whole classes or for small groups and can be negotiated as a short or long term programme.

Some examples of ways in which the Music Service staff can give classroom support are:-

• to work with whole classes or small groups of pupils in any key stage, on specific performances or group composition tasks.
• to provide practical help and support on the use of instruments, classroom accompanists and ensemble playing.
• to work with GCSE groups and A level pupils on skills and assessments required for examinations. This might include the use of IT, preparing compositions and performances.
• to work as an artist in residence, using the instrumental teacher's specific skills and knowledge to extend the curriculum. This work can take place with a class or classes and the class teacher for a specified period of time on a chosen project such as:
  
  • a music week / festival
  • cross curricular project
  • school productions
  • popular music project
• to use classroom and other instruments to develop knowledge and practical understanding of all musical styles and cultures.
• to use IT to support work on composing and arranging.

Classroom Support of all Key stages (ii) (teachers support)

Advisory teacher support is purchased through the music service package.

All support aims to increase the confidence, skills and abilities of teachers to enable them to fully implement music as a foundation subject. The support will focus on teaching and learning within the music curriculum.

Support in this area is booked in half day sessions and can be provided through:-

• Collaborative teaching -
  this can provide staff with support and encouragement in a non-threatening way, developing confidence in the planning and delivery of music, as well as providing inset for teachers on the skills and knowledge required to teach music within key stage. Effective use of this strategy would include time planning and evaluation between the advisory teacher and the classroom teacher. Further guidance on how to bet manage this work can be obtained from the Music Service.
• Support for documentation - this could include support in preparing or redrafting relevant documentation, including relevant documentation, including schemes and units of work, or policies and development plans.
• School based inset - these might include school inset days or twilight staff meetings. The focus of these sessions will be based on NC requirements and the school scheme of work where appropriate. These sessions will offer staff the opportunity to engage in practical activities which are underpinned with clear teaching and learning objectives. These sessions could be followed up or integrated with further class based support.