What is MusicPlus?
MusicPlus was created to provide all children with the opportunity to learn an instrument in a whole class setting, igniting a love of learning music and providing them with a gateway to future musical learning and continuation.
The programme is planned to allow children to develop their musical skills and confidence as part of ensemble learning, with opportunities to learn about composition, appraise music and perform for their peers and much more!
Whilst MusicPlus is not designed to deliver the national curriculum aims and should be planned as part of the school’s wider musical offer, classes are extremely beneficial to the academic, social and emotional development of children.
MusicPlus teachers
To be a MusicPlus teacher means that you not only provide whole class teaching at KS2 but that this teaching is guided by the Kent Music MusicPlus framework and the five outcomes within this:
- Be Musical
- Be Creative and Flexible
- Be Inclusive
- Plan for Progress
- Assess and Reflect
Additionally, you should engage with relevant CPD and develop your teaching throughout the academic year and be open to the Quality Assurance Process.
If a peripatetic teacher is providing your MusicPlus tuition we do expect that the classroom teacher is present when MusicPlus lessons take place to assist with the smooth running of the lesson and preferably to take part themselves!
MusicPlus as a Funded Opportunity
If MusicPlus is your school’s chosen Funded Opportunity, the Kent & Medway Music Hub will contribute towards the cost of delivering a MusicPlus project in your school for one KS2 year group through our Funded Opportunities a programme.
Schools are welcome to find their own teacher through an alternative provider or private tutor or apply to Kent Music for a teacher to be assigned to them.
As well as heavily subsidising the cost of the project we provide hire of musical instruments at a highly subsidised rate ensuring accessibility to the programme for as many young people as possible.
Find out more about accessing MusicPlus in your school through our Funded Opportunities page.
FAQs
How do I make sure I get my Funded Opportunity?
The allocation of a Funded Opportunity is based on Kent Music receiving a completed survey and application from the school. This period opens in the summer term and all applications are collated and budgeted for ahead of the summer holidays. We try our best to inform schools of their funding allocation before the holidays.
I run MusicPlus in my school can Kent Music provide funding?
The hub funding can only be used to subsidise the running costs of MusicPlus projects run by non-salaried school staff, unless you are hired by the school to deliver music teaching only. Funding cannot be used where a classroom teacher or department head runs the project. However, funding can be used to support the cost of the project where a visiting tutor or private peripatetic teacher delivers MusicPlus, we can support with funding.
Can MusicPlus be planned for instead of curriculum music?
We understand the pressures on primary schools to deliver all the curriculum as well as provide a variety of opportunities to their students. MusicPlus is not designed to meet the national curriculum aims, however there is a lot of cross over in learning between the two. The National Plan for Music Education states that where a school is delivering a whole class instrumental teaching project, this should be in addition to curriculum music, not instead of.
Why do the hub only part subsidise the cost of MusicPlus?
We are proud to provide funding to schools to support the running costs of MusicPlus projects for their students. We are one of the only remaining music hubs to continue to directly fund schools in this way. It is not the role of hubs to provide free access, and the National Plan for Music Education states that schools are expected to contribute financially to music making projects.
I use an alternative provider for my MusicPlus project, how does this work?
We will fund any project that is run by a music education provider or private tutor. If you use a partner provider, we will send your allocated funding amount straight to them to eliminate administration to the school. If you use an alternative provide or private tutor we will directly fund the school.
Got another question?
Can’t find what you’re looking for, or want to speak to a member of the team? Give us a call on 01622 691212 or get in touch below.