Education

Funding for music education trebled to the tune of £13.5m

Published

10 months ago

May 16, 2022

Every child will have the opportunity to benefit from music education as part of the Welsh Government’s plans for a national music service, which will help ensure no child misses out due to a lack of means.

As the National Plan for Music Education is published, the Minister for Education has confirmed funding will be trebled, with £13.5m being invested over the next three years.

The plan will make access to music education fairer and more consistent across Wales, with a particular focus on learners from low-income households and those with Additional Learning Needs. Support will be available for children and young people to access and progress with music tuition, with learners from disadvantaged and under-represented groups supported to join music ensembles.

The plan includes a number of key work programmes such as:

A review on music tutors’ terms and conditions, to ensure they are treated equitably and are recognised properly.
A ‘First Experiences’ programme to offer children in primary schools a minimum of half a term of musical instrument taster sessions, delivered by trained and skilled music practitioners.
A ‘Making Music with Others’ initiative, including opportunities for children and young people in secondary schools to gain industry experience through working alongside musicians and creative industries
A new national instrument and equipment library to support access to a resource bank to be shared across Wales.
These programmes will be rolled out from September 2022, supporting schools and settings to give all children and young people from the ages of 3 to 16 the opportunity to learn to play an instrument as well as singing and making music in our schools and our communities.

The National Music Service will operate as a ‘hub’, with the Welsh Local Government Association co-ordinating the Music Service’s programmes with a wide range of organisations. It will help schools and settings in their delivery of the Curriculum for Wales and provide more diverse opportunities for children and young people to experience music outside schools and settings.

First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford and the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, visited St Joseph’s Cathedral Primary School in Swansea to see a cluster of primary school children taking part in a ‘Play Along’ session led by Swansea Music Service.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“The establishment of a National Music Service for Wales is an important commitment in our Programme for Government and I’m delighted that we are delivering on this pledge.

“Learning an instrument was a formative part of my upbringing and a lack of money should not be a barrier to any young person who wants to learn to play music. We are fortunate in Wales to have a strong tradition of school, county and national ensembles, and we want to make sure that our children and young people are able to play a full part in these. This funding will support music services in schools and within the community to help nurture our young musical talent.”

The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said:

“Our vision is for all children and young people across Wales, regardless of background, to have the chance to learn to play an instrument. The plan we are publishing today, backed by funding, will help deliver that vision.

“For too long, the chance to learn an instrument and develop musical skills has been for those few whose families and carers who can afford tuition. I want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to access music tuition, and that’s why we’re making this significant investment to deliver a range of activities for our children and young people to learn and experience the joy of music.

“The development of the National Music Service will ensure that we nurture our next generation and continue to produce new talent and showcase Wales to the world.”

WLGA Chief Executive Chris Llewelyn said:

“We are proud to work with the Welsh Government on delivering this vital service to children across Wales. Many families in Wales can’t afford an instrument, and this funding will go a long way to opening doors to children across Wales to have the opportunity of learning an instrument.

“Playing an instrument and reading music is a very important skill for a child, and music brings enormous joy to children. Local authorities believe that children across Wales will have better access to instruments, and this plan will develop many future talented musicians, and support pupils to develop their musical skills.”

Education

Commissioner joins students on tour of Dyfed-Powys Police custody suite construction site

Published

6 days ago

March 15, 2023

Tom Sinclair

POLICE and Crime Commissioner joins construction students on tour of Dyfed-Powys Police Custody Suite Construction Site

As part of a national open doors to construction sites campaign, this week there is an opportunity for the public in Carmarthenshire to go on site with construction company Willmott Dixon, to see construction work going ahead on the new Dyfed-Powys Police Custody suite in Dafen, Llanelli Carmarthenshire as it nears completion.

Today, 14 March 2023, Police and Crime Commissioner was invited to attend one of the site tours with a group of construction students from nearby Coleg Sir Gar.

As part of the open doors event, members of the public are shown around a construction of approximately 4000m2 over two storeys, that includes 18 new cell custody suites, interview rooms, cells, charge desk, open plan office space and associated meeting rooms and a significant area for mechanical and electrical plant.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “This is a major investment for us which will see an ambitious, modern, sustainable fit for purpose policing hub and custody suite that will meet the needs and expectations of modern policing.

“I am grateful for Willmott Dixon, for including the construction site on the menu of construction sites for the national Open Doors campaign this week. I’ve worked extremely hard with partners over recent years to ensure that we get to this position, and it was great to be able to walk around the building today with a group of students from Coleg Sir Gar as it nears completion.”

The new Carmarthenshire Custody Suite, based in Dafen Llanelli, will offer a more sustainable environment, while also help protect natural resources. Amongst some of the sustainable credentials of the new building will be a photovoltaic solar power installation to minimise the carbon footprint of the building; a rainwater harvesting facility for toilets and non-potable water, and electric car charging facilities.

Education

A unique learning experience for students from Pembrokeshire College

Published

1 week ago

March 14, 2023

Tom Sinclair

LAST week staff and students from Pembrokeshire College were delighted to be able to officially open their teaching space at Folly Farm.

Designed for Level 3 Animal Management learners, this unique teaching facility exemplifies what can be achieved by educators and employers working in partnership.

Jointly funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire College, the facility opened for learners just prior to lockdown back in February 2020. Overlooking the rhino enclosure, learners are exposed to a wide variety of opportunities including shadowing zookeepers and working with exotic species – opportunities made possible due to their location at the centre of a working zoo.

During the opening Chris Ebsworth, Folly Farm Managing Director, highlighted the excellent opportunities that are available to learners; not only in working directly with animals, but also in the wider field of conservation. Meanwhile, learner Georgia Pike gave her perspective on what the centre brings to learners. Being based at Folly Farm provides a truly unique learning experience, something that just wouldn’t be possible on the main College campus.

MP Simon Hart rounded off by cutting the ribbon and officially opening the centre. The opening was also attended by representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council, Coleg Sir Gar, CITB and The John Burns Foundation (Burns in the Community).

Education

Wonderful Cardiff trip for Pembrokeshire young musicians

Published

2 weeks ago

March 4, 2023

Tom Sinclair

OVER 40 young musicians from across Pembrokeshire recently enjoyed a weekend residential trip to Cardiff as part of the Pembrokeshire Music Service String Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Band. The purpose of the weekend was to enjoy music making and, most importantly, to have fun!

Saturday started with sessions with guest conductors, Christopher Vale (Wind Band) and Roger Clarkson (String Orchestra). Christopher is a professional bassoonist who performed with the Welsh National Opera for over 30 years while Roger is a former Director of Music with the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.

The pupils worked extremely hard throughout the day, improving the pieces they are preparing for the Music for Youth Regional auditions in March.

A final rehearsal session on Sunday morning culminated in the groups performing to one another, and it was fantastic to see the improvement in pieces in only a day of rehearsing. Later, pupils watched the BBC NOW perform Faure, Messiaen and Brahms at St. David’s Hall. For many, this was their first professional concert experience.

“We are immensely grateful to the conductors for sharing their time and expertise with us this weekend” said Miranda Morgan, music coordinator for PMS who organised the trip. “This weekend has undoubtedly been a really valuable experience for our pupils in so many ways and they have been a credit to themselves and their families.”

Philippa Roberts, head of Pembrokeshire Music Service, added: “Learning an instrument and playing together in an ensemble allows each and every pupil to share and communicate a wide range of emotions, provides a strong sense of achievement and also makes lifelong friends and memories.

“I am proud that Pembrokeshire Music Service is able to continue to provide these valuable experiences for our young musicians. Many thanks to the dedicated tutors who go above and beyond to encourage and nurture the next generation of ambitious, capable and confident learners.”

The conductors were full of praise for the pupils, with Christopher Vale saying it was ‘a great pleasure to conduct the pupils of the Pembrokeshire Music Service over the weekend’.

“They worked so hard and the results were stunning! Please pass on my best wishes to all involved. What a great opportunity for the pupils to learn and develop their musical skills.”

Pupils now look forward to preparing for their Music for Youth regional festival auditions in Porthcawl at the end of March.