WHY CHOOSE MUSIC FOR LIFE?
We believe that Music for Life offers something really special to young people who want to learn an instrument …but don’t take our word for it. There is significant independent evidence that supports this view.
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Evaluation Report - An independent, evidence based report produced by the Federation of Music Services and the Department of Children, Schools and Families judged Music for Life to be an “Outstanding” service which offered “very good value”, arranged a “very good standard of teaching” and provided performing opportunities which were “outstanding”. For more information click here. |
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Federation of Music Services - Music for Life is the first non LEA music service in the whole of the UK to have been judged to offer the quality of service required to be accepted as a member of this influential national body.
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OFSTED - There are many examples where OFSTED has specifically highlighted the quality of MfL provision. For example, a recent report on a Cheshire High School stated that “Instrumental tuition is a strength of the department” because of “the high quality instrumental tuition offered through the school’s Music for Life provision”.
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Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music - The thousands of students who wish to take these demanding external assessments have achieved exceptional results. The average pass rate has been 97% over the last twelve years, with a high proportion of candidates achieving passes at Merit or Distinction level (58% during the year 2005-2006)
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Excellence in Cities – Music for Life was the organization chosen to devise and implement Cheshire’s first and widest reaching Wider Opportunities project in partnership with the government’s “Excellence in Crewe” project, introducing around 800 pupils each year to instrumental music making. The project has run for many years now and has, without doubt, transformed the musical landscape in Crewe schools.
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Cheshire Schools – Around 110 Cheshire schools work in partnership with Music for Life. MfL is the only instrumental teaching organization to be adopted at secondary school level in Cheshire, currently working in partnership with 12 High Schools; this number has risen significantly over the last few years and is set to rise again for 2009 - 2010. Click here to see comments about MfL
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Students – the drop out rate is tiny. The vast majority of students who start with MfL stay with us.
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Parents – 740 parents responded to a survey carried out in June 2004 to assess the level of satisfaction amongst parents for the scheme. Parents were asked to rate Music for Life as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory. The average rating was Very Good. The study was repeated in June 2008 and this time some 1085 parents responded. The rating averaged between very good and excellent with an amazing 96.4% of respondents saying that they would recommend Music for Life. Click here to see comments about MfL
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Cheshire County Council - Music for Life works in partnership with the county council on several important projects, such as the county’s “Primary Live” programme and in the setting up and running of the Cheshire Youth Music for Life Big Band. MfL teachers regularly work on Cheshire run courses, such as the summer Rock and Pop course, and a number of joint concerts have been given with county staff working in partnership with MfL teachers.
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Instrumental teachers - Music for Life is enthusiastically supported by instrumental teachers who work with us. Many travel a considerable distance to work with us, often in preference to working in a more local service to them. They find our structure and organisation offers them significant support and enables them to concentrate on the most important thing – their teaching.
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Dont just take our word for it.
You can see a list of comments by Headteachers &
Parents by clicking here |
Music for Life offers:
Convenience. In most cases, lessons are given during the school day, saving parents the time and expense of making travel arrangements for after school lessons.
Children are part of a club. Learning a musical instrument becomes an experience to share with others who also learn in school. This can significantly affect pupils' motivation.
Free group performance opportunities and concerts. Exciting opportunities to join music groups and take part in concerts are offered to allstudents who have been learning a band or orchestral instrument for around 12-18 months or more, and for many learning other instruments such as guitar and drums.
Quality of Teaching. It can be hard for parents to asses teaching quality. Music for Life is run by people with extensive experience and knowledge in the field of Music Education. We act on behalf of parents and students and will only recommend teachers if they :
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meet strict standards in terms of their own musicianship |
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are demonstrably successful teachers> |
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they meet other professional standards that could be reasonably expected in terms of planning, punctuality, communication and organization. |
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undergo an enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check. |
Continuous monitoring of standards by Music for Life will mean that recommendation will be withdrawn in the event of these standards not being met.
Continuity of Teaching
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Teacher turnover is very low, with many tutors staying with MfL for many years. Also, in many areas, children who start with us at primary school are able to continue with the same teacher when they move on to High School. |
MfL is great value! Our track record shows that so many students who join MfL achieve real success. Course fees are reasonable and may be paid in monthly instalments .
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