Ms Veronica Wadley Department for Education 20 Great Smith Street London SW1P 3BT 4th March 2019 Dear Ms Wadley, We the undersigned are writing to you to express our grave concern in relation to the process which has been adopted by the Department for Education in connection with the creation of the new model music curriculum. Our concerns are as follows: 1. A lack of transparency in relation to the appointment of the Expert Panel who have been charged with creating the new model music curriculum. We also note the underrepresentation of classroom teachers from ordinary state-maintained schools on the Panel and would like to know the thinking of the DfE behind this decision. We are concerned that this lack of representation could lead to the creation of a new model music curriculum which lacks appropriate pedagogical rigour and authenticity. 2. A lack of transparency in the awarding of the contract by the DfE to ABRSM for the drafting of the new model music curriculum. There was no open and transparent tender process in which all interested parties could apply to be considered in relation to drafting this important document and again the question must be why. 3. The awarding of the contract to ABRSM, an exam board with no experience in the delivery of curriculum music in the classroom can only increase the concern in the music education sector as to the credibility and quality of the new model music curriculum. It also reinforces the view that the DfE, for whatever reason, does not want to hear the voices of ordinary classroom music teachers who are delivering the national curriculum for music both in primary and secondary schools day in and day out. 4. A lack of time for any meaningful consultation, particularly early in the drafting of the new model music curriculum. Again, this reinforces the view that the process is deeply flawed. By appointing a Panel which lacks sufficient classroom teacher experience from the state sector, appointing ABRSM as the organisation to put together the new model music curriculum without an open and transparent process and creating a timetable which will prevent any meaningful consultation, leads us to conclude that the Minister for Schools has already decided what should be in the new model music curriculum. This is deeply concerning since it is the classroom teachers who are charged with delivery of the national curriculum for music and it is our voices which should be at the heart of this process. Please send your response to this open letter to [email protected]. Yours sincerely, Adam Knott, Teacher of Music, Dorothy Stringer Secondary School Adam Scourfield, Head of Creative Arts, Goresbrook School Alan Hughes, Head of Music Alistair Hill, Teacher of Music and Performing Arts, Tanbridge House School Alix Allbrighton, Music Teacher, Co-op Academy Walkden Andrea Walker, Teacher of Music Anna Gower, Freelance Music Educator, Various Ben Richards, Head of Music, Cransley School Bradley McCulloch, Music Teacher, Wardle Academy Carol Mac Taggart, Leader of Learning, Performance, Oathall Community College Carolyn Stevenson, Head of Music Catherine Gough, Class teacher and music specialist, Ash Field Academy, Leicester Chris McGeever, Head of Music Bourne Community College, West Sussex Con O'Neill Daniel Lacey, Teacher of Music, Tanbridge House School David Kirsfelds, Teacher of Music, Batley Grammar School David Rees, Music Hub Senior Curriculum Leader, Merton Music Foundation Dr Anna Bull, Senior lecturer, School of Education and Sociology University of Portsmouth Elena de Jesus, Class teacher of Music, Altrincham Grammar School for Boys Elisabeth Wigley, Music Hub CEO, Merton Music Foundation Elizabeth Holmes, Subject Leader for Music, St. Paul's Catholic College Ellie Hollindale, Faculty Leader Performing Arts (& Head of Music), The Cherwell School Emily Crowhurst, Head of 4-18 Performing Arts School21 Emma Carroll, Head of Music, Harlington Upper School Emma Lamb, Director of Music, Lancaster Royal Grammar School Etain Ferdenzi, Music Specialist (Primary) and EYFS Music Consultant, Hertfordshire Music Service and freelance Fran Matthews, Peripatetic Music Teacher Gary Hudson, Teacher of Music, Beckfoot Oakbank Gary Spruce, Subject Leader Music PGCE, Former Head of Music in 2 schools, Birmingham City University Helen Birtley, Subject Leader of Music, Thornleigh Salesian College Ian Newton-Grant, Music Teacher, Blackfen School for Girls Ian Shirley, Senior Lecturer in Primary Music, Education Edge Hill University J MIzler, Music Teacher, The Littlehampton Academy Jackie Schneider, Music Teacher, Teach at St Teresa's but signing in my own personal capacity. James Gower, Singing and Composition Teacher and Choir Leader, Hertfordshire Music Service Jennifer Rotchell, Head of Music Monk's Walk School Jessica Deal, Curriculum leader for Music, Felpham Community College Joanna Reuss, Music Teacher, St John Fisher Primary School John Sims, Head of the East Sussex Academy of Music, East Sussex College Group Jonathan Brinson, Head of Music, Bethany School Jonathan Savage, Piano teacher and initial teacher educator, UCan Studios Jonathan Smith, Music Teacher, Cherwell School Julian Nicholas, Course Leader, Session Musician, Composer. Chichester College Kathy Chalmers, Teacher of Music, The Cherwell School Kevin Baker, Music Teacher, Torpoint Community College Kip Pratt, Lecturer in Primary Music and Music Teacher, University Of Plymouth Lewis Delivett, Director of Music, Griffin Schools Trust Lewis Edney, Director of Music, Royal Alexandra & Albert School Libbi Ingram, Head of Music, Tanbridge House School Liz Mason, Subject Leader for Music & The Performing Arts, St Richard's Catholic College Lucy Jackson, Head of Music, Cheney School Lucy McConnell, Director of Performing Arts, St Andrew's CE School Lynnette Gottlieb, Piano teacher & former Secondary school senior teacher, Teach at home and with the South Downs Suzuki Group Lynsey Shackleton, Head of Music, St Andrew's School Bedford Matt Allen, Former Head of Performing Arts (Secondary State sector), Freelance Music/Music Technology Education Consultant Matt Hayes, Teacher of Music, Manchester Enterprise Academy Central Matthew Healey, Head of Music, Willingdon Community School Matthew Lewis, Head of Music, Bexhill Academy Michael Ahmad, Head of Music, Wheatley Park School Michael Lee, Teacher of Music, Beckfoot Oakbank Michael Servant, Primary Music Teacher, Fishbourne Primary School Nicholas Davis, Head of Music, Imberhorne School and Sixth Form Nick Duff, Head of Music, Warlingham School Nick Sermon, Primary Music Teacher, Brenzett Primary School Nicola Clapson, Head of Music, Plympton Academy Nicola Gallagher, Teacher of Music, Dance & Performing Arts, Tanbridge House School Patrick Gazard, Former Secondary Music Curriculum Excellence Advisor, Buckinghamshire Music Trust Paul Chauncy, Music Technology Lecturer, Imperial College London Paul Christmas, Music Teacher, Woolwich Polytechnic school Pete Twyman, B.E.M Lead Practitioner in Music/SLE, Lipson Cooperative Academy Peter Foster, Director of Music, Oxford High School Philip Oakes, Music Teacher Rachel Barnes, Music Teacher Richard Bennett, Director of Music, St Andrew's, Headington Robbie Mitchell, Freelance Music Educator, Secondary/Primary Former Head of Music / Performing Arts, Varndean School, Brighton Ruth Atkinson, Lecturer in Primary Education (music), University of Plymouth's Institute of Education Ruth Gottlieb, Music Teacher - class & instrumental Sam Rodwell, Teacher of Music, Upper Batley High School Sarah French, Head of Music, Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy Sarah Nolan, Music Teacher Sarah Ryan, Teacher of Music & Drama, Beckfoot Oakbank Academy Shaun Holland, Teacher of Music, St James Catholic High School Cheadle Simon Cartwright, Head of Music, Heles School Plymouth Soo Bishop, Music Hub Programmes Director, Merton Music Foundation Stella Knight, Music Teacher, St Paul's Catholic College Stephen Olan, Head of Music, Blackfen School for Girls Susan Bisatt, Music Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University Susannah Mitchell, Head of Music, Davison CE High School for Girls Tiffany Cawthorne, Performer and Class Teacher Tim Cain, Professor in Education, Edge Hill University Tim Webber, Teacher of Music, Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School Tom Howell, Head of Music, Belle Vue Girls', Bradford Val Nelson, Director of Creatives Faculty, Burscough Priory Academy Vicky Matthews, Deputy Headteacher and Music Teacher, St Andrew's CE School William Evans, ITE Music provider, MMU If you are a music teacher and would like to make your voice heard then please consider the following1) Add your name retrospectively to the list of signatories to this letter by clicking here
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7 Comments
Jelena Makarova
3/4/2019 01:27:10 am
I am signing the letter as I do not agree with lack of transparency and consultation prior to this appointment
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3/4/2019 01:40:48 pm
ABRSM are getting paid for the commercial tender. ABRSM is a charity. Where's the commitment from phony Mick Elliott and his lacky Lincoln Abotts as well as the other antiquated staff to put this money back into the key stage 1 front line: music teachers, resources or instruments? ABRSM is legally obliged to be not for profit!!
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3/5/2019 02:37:34 am
Once again the DfE makes clear the distrust that it has for actual teachers.
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3/5/2019 03:14:01 am
Something that gets left out when we focus on curriculums is the crucial role of the music teacher. I’m sure we agree on the importance of this person being a practical musician who is able to connect with the culture that exists in the school. Music is not just a subject and the teacher needs also to be an animateur who helps out with celebrations concerts assemblies et cetera. This person needs to come up with repertoire that contributes to the cultural life of the school and that embodies the musical content that connects with the level the children are at. THE CURRICULUM SHOULD GROW OUT OF THAT! This person will have access to ready-made schemes and resources such as Singup to help but will have the skills and knowledge to use these appropriately rather than "deliver" them mechanically. Another important part of the job is communicating to teachers how music can contribute to learning language, maths, PSHE, et cetera et cetera.
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3/13/2019 12:31:19 pm
The letter is very good and makes all the relevant points very well.
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Nicola Bates
3/18/2019 02:58:10 pm
Teacher, pupil and professional voices ignored once again.
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