A priority in the curriculum
Mr Peter Lee, Head of School at Q3 Academy Langley, which educates student from the age of 11, comments on the importance placed upon music and the priority and value of the academy’s partnership with SIPS:
“Our relationship with the SIPS Music & Arts Service started before we had barely a brick in the ground for our new school. With limited funding and lack of set-up space, SIPS was only too happy to provide not only peripatetic support but also curriculum teaching in our first two years of opening.
“Our unique enrichment offer of over three hours of extended activity during the school day has seen SIPS as the lead external provider throughout our three years of opening. The colleagues who join us for these sessions have become a treasured part of the staff team and provide high-quality sessions for every child.
“Our peripatetic function has grown over the last few years, going from strength-to-strength. This has enabled the growth of children – particularly those classified as disadvantaged – to learn a new instrument. As we matured as a learning establishment, we have now appointed directly employed
music teachers, yet we still value and maintain the key relationship and links between the service and our academy. For instance, John Thomson, Head of SIPS Music & Arts, was able to support us as part of the interview process to select and appoint a new teaching colleague joining us for the
next academic year.
“It’s no understatement to say that the entire school was delighted to receive the Music Mark Award, and it’s safe to say that without the support and help from SIPS Music & Arts Service we would not have received such an accolade! We look forward to many more years working together… Thank you SIPS.”
