Schools

Whole class ensemble tuition (WCET) takes place in a first or primary school on a weekly basis. A Music Partnership North tutor, alongside a member of school staff, will deliver music to a whole class to give every child the opportunity to play an instrument.

Our WCET projects are designed to include performances, either within school, or as part of a wider performance with other schools in the area: 

Click here to watch our young musicians showcase at The Alnwick Gardens 2017.


 

Charanga

Charanga can transform your music curriculum by giving you online access to hundreds of resources designed to enhance your music lessons.  By purchasing charanga through us, we can offer you a discount on your membership. 

Click here to apply for a Charanga licence.

For further information on any of the above please contact 01670 624045

Many schools will offer financial assistance to students in receipt of pupil premium, which can be used towards the cost of instrumental lessons. Parents should enquire with their school about this.

Music Partnership North offers free instrument hire to students who are eligible for free school meals or is a looked after child.

A discount of £30 per term is available to students having music lessons with a Music Partnership North tutor as part of a GCSE or A-level music course.
 
The following organisations may offer grants for instruments or tuition:

• Awards for Young Musicians
• Future Talent
• EMI Music Equipment Purchase Funding
• Music For All
• Take it away scheme
• EMI Music Sound Foundation

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Instrumental purchase scheme:

HMRC will allow parents to purchase an instrument free of VAT if a student is having music tuition in school. Please click here for an application form and instructions on how to apply.

To see all of the workshops and classes that we are currently running, please see the link below:

• Click here to view our full workshop brochure

Alternatively, to book into a workshop, please follow the link below:

• Click here to book a workshop

Would you like to receive a recognised qualification through your involvement in the Arts? We deliver the Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Arts Awards.

MPN is able to support organisations in their in the journey and delivery of their Arts Award. We can either deliver your Arts Award programme for you, within your setting, or we can work in partnership to deliver certain aspects/sections of the Arts Award portfolios (thus reducing the workload).

The delivery of these programmes can be through:

• your involvement in a whole class instrumental programme
• your involvement in a whole class vocal programme
• your membership to one of our ensembles 
• a school project

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The five levels of the Arts Award

Discover - start your arts adventure (around 20 hours to complete, ages 5 - 25)

• Discover the arts and take part in different arts activities.
• Find out about artists and their work.
• Share your experiences with others.

MPN gives schools the opportunity to engage all students involved in a whole class project to embark on this journey of discovery and is well suited to a short whole class project.
 
Explore – be inspired by the arts (around 25 hours to complete, ages 7 - 25)

• Take part in arts activities and record what inspires you.
• Explore arts organisations and artists.
• Make art work to demonstrate your skills and creativity.
• Share your exploration with others and record what you do.

This entry level one moderated programme is EQF level one accredited and is a starting point for SEND pupils or students who are not yet 11 years old but want to carry on with their Arts Award journey.
 
Bronze – get involved in the arts & share your skills (around 40 hours to complete, ages 11- 25)

• Take part in an arts activity to develop your skills.
• Experience the arts as an audience member and record your response.
• Who is your arts inspiration and why?
• Share your arts skills with others.

This level one qualification, EQF level two is equivalent to GCSE D-G grade and starts to explore the arts in more detail and focuses on the individual’s arts inspiration and sharing a skill. This is well suited to smaller groups of students.
 
Silver – challenge yourself & build your creativity (around 60 hours to complete, ages 11 - 25) 

• Set yourself an arts challenge.
• Review a show, exhibition or event and share your views.
• Research an artist and arts activities.
• Get involved in arts leadership, sharing your skills with others.

This is a level two qualification, EQF level three project and is equivalent to GCSE A*-C grade. This is a step up from the previous qualification and expects students to take more responsibility for their progress.
 
Gold – drive your personal development in the arts (around 90 hours to complete, ages 11 - 25)

• Extend your arts skills by gaining experience in a new field.
• Get involved in the arts through volunteering etc.
• Research and review high-quality arts events.
• Make a case for an arts issue that you care about.
• Take responsibility as an arts project leader.

This EQF level four qualification, A-level standard, also carries 35 UCAS points. This requires a large commitment from the young person and the advisor.
If you would like further information on Arts Award and how you can take part, please contact 01670 624045.

Artsmark is the creative quality standard for schools and education settings, awarded by Arts Council England.

We offer education settings who are working towards, or currently hold an Artsmark Award, with all aspects of their musical creativity. We believe every child should have the opportunity to create, compose, and perform, as well as to visit, experience, participate in and review extraordinary work. 

Artsmark settings gain access to exceptional resources and the country’s most treasured cultural organisations.
  
Find out more by clicking the links below:

• How Artsmark brings creative learning to life 
• Who are Artsmark?

Based on Englebert Humperdinck’s famous opera, this project is aimed at Key Stages One and Two with national curriculum links for Key Stage Three. This programme inspired a generation of school children to engage with opera through story, character and song.


The programme includes:

• A training day for a member of school staff school with a director and vocal leader from the Royal Opera House, as well as specially created short films for guidance featuring Royal Opera House artists and the Youth Opera Company.
• A support package available from Music Partnership North.
• Online resources including backing tracks, arrangements for children's voices and additional digital classroom materials.

We held a training day on 1 October 2019, which introduced teachers to the story of Hansel and Gretel. We helped them to look at key characters through a variety of creative drama and singing exercises. 

For more information please contact jacqueline.craig@northumberland.gov.uk