National Curriculum (2008)

The National Curriculum (2008) makes explicit references to the need for pupils to work with a range of musicians – each of whom can provide useful feedback to pupils as they develop their learning.

The Key Concept 1.1b states that pupils need to understand the following in order to deepen and broaden their knowledge, skills and understanding:

‘Participating, collaborating and working with others as musicians, adapting to different musical roles and respecting the values and benefits others bring to musical learning.’

This will require pupils to recognise that a range of people can offer guidance and support to their learning, and that the feedback they receive should be respected and acted upon. This is partly a matter of culture, but also a matter of opportunity – pupils will need regular occasions when people other than the class teacher will be working with them in the classroom. You can see more about this here (select the 'National Curriculum (2008) breadth' tab).

The National Curriculum (2008) also requires that ‘the curriculum should provide opportunities for pupils to:

'work with a range of musicians and watch and listen to live musical performances where possible, to extend their musical learning’. The explanatory note suggests that ‘a range of musicians’ might include: instrumental tutors, community musicians, professional artists, amateur musicians and pupils from peer groups and other groups in the school. It could also include web-based learning opportunities’.

As an example of the latter, visit www.numu.org.uk to see how pupils can provide and receive extensive peer feedback about their work.

Other musicians

Find out more about working with each of the following groups, by following the links

Communicating with teaching assistants

Working together: teaching assistants and assessment for learning (DCSF 1099-2005 G) helps teaching assistants develop their role to support teachers promote and embed good practice within assessment for learning (AfL).

Communicating with instrumental and vocal teachers

Document 5f  183kb is designed primarily to support instrumental and vocal tuition at KS2, but it provides excellent generic advice on the relationship between class and instrumental/vocal teachers. You might also visit the national CPD training programme for instrumental and vocal teachers (in particular, the ‘Programme Principles' section, and the documents within it exploring 'Collaboration' and 'Integration').

Communicating with technicians

For more general advice on the use of music technology, teachers should visit the Practical Support Pack site (www.teachernet.gov.uk/supportpack), which has a range of valuable resources and ideas to help teachers use technology in subject areas, including music. The sections on technical guidance are worth discussing with technicians – how can they help pupils develop their skills?

Communicating with visiting artists or musicians from the community

To find out more about how best to use visiting artists or musicians from the community, visit Sound Sense at www.soundsense.org (in particular, the ‘Music and Young People’ section) and/or Music Leader at www.musicleader.net