Cash boost hits right note

The county council's Staffordshire Performing Arts unit – which co-ordinates music tuition in Staffordshire schools – has announced details of the Key To Music scheme, which will give pupils in 85 schools free tuition on either a string or brass instrument.

In addition, every Key Stage 2 pupil in a county school will benefit from enhanced provision of live music in school.

Schools were asked to bid for the cash and members of the Schools Forum – a group of representatives which has responsibility for considering school budget issues, including the distribution of grants - made the allocations.

The measures are being made possible thanks to £373,391 funding from the Department for Education and Skills' (DfES) Standards Fund for Music.

Tim Ash, county council spokesman, said it has been agreed that Staffordshire Performing Arts will target the money towards specific schools rather than spreading it to all the county's schools, which would result in relatively small amounts for each one.

A total of £304,570 will be spent on implementing the Key To Music scheme in 85 schools, enabling whole classes to learn either a string or brass instrument. The money will meet the cost of tuition, provided schools agree to purchase the instruments.

County Councillor Maureen Compton, cabinet support member for culture and heritage said: "With Key To Music, a school teacher and a music teacher from SPA will take whole classes and teach either a string or brass instrument. This could range from a violin, double bass or viola, to a trumpet, euphonium or cornet.

"Sharing the DfES Standards Fund For Music funding equally between all our schools would have meant each pupil getting under £10, which is not a lot in music teaching terms.

"This way means those who need the money most will get it. Schools were invited to bid for a share of the money for Key To Music and 85 schools have been identified for the 2007/08 programme."