School’s music hits high note

Reporter: Helen Korn
Date published: 12 March 2012


PUPILS at St Hugh’s Primary School are hitting all the right musical notes.

The Holts school came out in the top ten of almost 200 primary and secondary schools surveyed by Oftsted for a report into music provision.

St Hugh’s has offered its pupils instrument tuition since it first joined the Wider Opportunities music programme with Oldham Music centre, in 2004.

Music in the school continues to go from strength to strength and is an integral part of St Hugh’s curriculum.

Head teacher Lynne Burnley said: “Music plays an important part in the life of the school and the community.

“Every key stage 2 child plays an instrument, mostly brass but also keyboards and some have singing lessons.

“All children are encouraged to perform together and to experience the joy which music making brings.”

Ofsted inspectors found wide differences in the quality and quantity of music education in schools across England, with one in five schools judged inadequate for music.

Launching the report, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, said: “Too often, inspectors simply did not see enough music in music lessons.”