Outline of the 1-year Foundation Programme in primary schools
Initial visit…
…to the Head Teacher from a Senior Advisory Teacher, and the Advisory Teacher allocated to the school, to explain the programme and its organisation.
Half-hour Introductory Workshop…
…led by the Advisory Teacher in the summer term. It is a relaxed experience involving all the classroom teachers, and provides a taster of the programme to come.
In-service training for all teachers
A whole-school programme comprising learning basic repertoire, acquiring the music skills needed for the early stages of music teaching, and helping the teacher become familiar with appropriate teaching ideas and principles. One half-day or two twilights, in school, at the beginning of each term: total of 1.5 days in the year.
In-service training for music curriculum leaders…
…to help them acquire the extended music skills and concepts needed for the understanding of curriculum structure and planning; to support the preparation of a music scheme of work and to identify how the curriculum leader might support and enable colleagues in the teaching of music. One day three times in the year, out of school – with curriculum leaders from other schools, if clustered: total of 3 days in the year.
Advisory teacher in-class visits to each teacher…
…to meet particular individual needs. These include personal mentoring, team teaching, assistance with lesson plans and one to one sessions at the end of each lesson which are then followed up with written notes. Two visits per term to each teacher: total of 6 visits in the year to every classroom teacher.
Monitoring and evaluation visit
…by a senior member of The Voices Foundation advisory staff, by arrangement at some point in the year.
The Singing Celebration
An opportunity for all classes to share their music learning experiences – normally held in school towards the end of the final term. One morning and/or afternoon session(s)
Resources
The Voices Foundation has resource material entitled Growing with Music which incorporates a series of Teacher and Pupil Books plus a CD containing all the song repertoire. This resource is used in a structured way as the programme develops in each school. Every teacher also receives a CD-ROM containing documents for reference, support and learning.
