Music in alternative provision settings

As outlined in The power of music to transform lives: a National Plan for Music Education:

‘Pupils in AP are more likely to be disengaged, have high levels of disadvantage and have multiple social, behavioural and mental health issues. Over 80% of children and young people in AP have special educational needs.’

(Page 45)

Whilst the plan acknowledges that music is not a requirement of the alternative provision curriculum, it does suggest that music activities can play a valuable role in young people’s education and wellbeing, enabling them to learn new skills, work and create together, build confidence, engage them in their interests or ambitions, and develop the necessary experiences and skills to achieve their goals.

Music teachers working in these settings might, therefore, be looking to plan projects which are likely to receive a high level of interest and engagement with the young people they are working with, are not too long in duration, and can be delivered flexibly around the learners’ attendance. Some ideas using Trinity’s qualifications and materials might be:

• to work towards an Arts Award, where the qualification is achieved by compiling a portfolio of evidence with no set timescales (although young people must be under the age of 26 by the time of moderation) and it can be taken in any musical skill that interests them including music production, song writing, DJing and rap. Discover, Explore and Bronze levels are great for getting young people involved in musical activities, where Silver and Gold enable them to pursue their own musical path and develop leadership skills that will equip them for their future careers.
• to gather video footage of the young people’s musical progression in class and map it against the Awards & Certificates in Musical Development qualifications framework
• to utilise Trinity College London Press’ range of publications to match your students’ interests. Many of our repertoire books now come with downloadable backing tracks which can be sung or played along to.

Don’t forget: being out of mainstream education is another one of the criteria by which a student may be applicable for a Music & Drama or Arts Award Access Fund grant.