What do music teachers – both classroom and peripatetic – consider to be ‘nice to haves’ in their lessons? The latest sheet music? A better ratio of instruments to students? A heated teaching room? Toilet roll?
The latter was cited as an item that parents (and some teachers) are increasingly being asked to contribute, as well as other essential equipment such as books and stationery. The findings were shared via charity Parentkind (formerly known as the Parent Teacher Association) who surveyed 1,500 UK parents with at least one child aged 5 to 18 at state school. More than a quarter (26%) said that they paid for school clubs that were previously free, and 12% were asked to provide things like toilet paper. With music education on the back burner for many schools, due to wider strains on funding and a renewed pressure to prioritise so-called ‘academic subjects’, the implication is that creative pursuits are falling under the umbrella of extra-curricular activities – with the expectation that parents and teachers must cover the cost.
The findings follow in the wake of Philip Hammond's announcement that the government had found something in the coffers to pay a one-off bonus to schools for ‘little extras’. The £400m bonus was intended to build bridges with the education community but the chancellor's announcement was criticised for its lack of contextual understanding. Many schools are struggling make ends meet, and the one-off payment is a drop in the ocean in terms of the funding shortfall. The rhetoric surrounding the government's announcement indicates a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation – teachers need more than the ‘odd little piece of kit’, Hammond.
And while £400m is not to be sniffed at, the National Audit Office estimates that an additional £6.7bn is needed just to bring England's school buildings to a satisfactory standard – as many music teachers are acutely aware.
For this brass issue of MT, we've had the opportunity to meet some of the best players and makers in the biz, including horn specialist Alec Frank-Gemmill (page 20), trumpeter Matilda Lloyd (page 16) and ensembles Onyx Brass (page 27) and Flat Cap Brass (page 45).
This is my last issue as acting editor; it has been a pleasure to hold the reins (again) and to reconnect with many colleagues. May I take this opportunity to wish all MT readers, advertisers and supporters a very happy and successful 2019.
