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Music Mark for York primary schools

The high standard of music teaching at two York primary schools has been recognised by a national organisation which believes that all children have the right to experience high-quality music education in and out of their schools.

Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy and Osbaldwick Primary School have received the Music Mark Award after being nominated by York Music Hub.

In order to receive the Music Mark, a school must show that they not only have high-quality music provision in school, but also a willingness to improve the quality of that music provision in both their own school and across York. They need to engage in a Wider Opportunities Scheme and be involved and communicate with the York Music Hub, a partnership of key providers of music education within the city of York.

Ruth McCartney, Ebor Academies Music Consultant, says: “It was such a lovely surprise to receive the award. We didn’t know we’d been nominated, so it was fantastic to get the news that we’d been recommended for the Music Mark by York Music Hub and that they have funded our membership for a year.

“As a musician and teacher, I believe children and young people are entitled to a good music education. I am lucky to work with so many wonderful schools within the Ebor Academy Trust and our children reap the benefit of having such skilled primary music specialists working with them.  Both Robert Wilkinson and Osbaldwick provide a very successful and progressive curriculum in addition to all the instrumental lessons and ensembles the children are offered as extra-curricular opportunities. At Robert Wilkinson, children in Years 3 and 4 learn to play tin whistle and samba drums with Music Specialist, Alison Bayliss, and tuned and un-tuned percussion as part of their classroom lessons in Year 6. At Osbaldwick, the children learn to play the recorder, violin, ukulele and tuned and un-tuned percussion across four years of schooling in classroom lessons.”

Osbaldwick Primary School Music Specialist, Karen Marshall, adds: “I was brought into Osbaldwick Primary in 2014 when the school had only 13 children in the choir and six children having peripatetic music lessons. Now, almost 150 children have some kind of weekly instrumental lesson. To have the work we do recognise by an outside body is wonderful and I’m very proud of the fact that our children have access to a high standard of music education.  It is a complete team effort with all staff at all levels supporting music in the school.”

Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy is part of the Ebor Academy Trust and Osbaldwick Primary School will formally join later this year. The Trust comprises 15 schools, including Haxby Road and Park Grove in York. The two schools at Hob Moor are expected to join early this year, with Lakeside also scheduled to follow. Ebor also runs schools in Selby, the Yorkshire Coast and in the East Riding and the Humber.

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