Instrumental tuition charges

[Boris]

You can't compare 5th and 6th year to additional music tuition. This is a luxury however I agree that the idea that charging will save £160k, it won't and it should not be targetted before we address the bigger picture.

[jamiemiller123]

Why cut the arts first! It is so unfair, why should the children have to miss out because we have a shambles for a council!? why should I miss out. NO TAX ON TALENT!

I totally agree, Tammie Anderson will be rollin'. All his had work and effort for this, Tax wiz bairns and give bloody dave clark a Huge pay off.. It'll be our lesson fee's that will pay for his pay off.

[Gifford]

It gets really tedious when everybody boils any type of education down to budgets, ringfencing, cuts here, cuts there...

 

There is more than plenty money to go around. Local, Scottish, and central governments waste millions of pounds on many of the things mentioned before on this thread. They want us to care about how money is allocated, but it's all done as a smokescreen. We are buying into mind numbing nonsense.

 

Look at the bigger picture for once, let's live in a country, or world, where we put money into worthwhile areas (i.e. creative industries as well as the obvious essential areas) rather than piss billions away in, and make us, the people who elect these bangers, argue with each other as to what is worthwhile. And if anyone starts harping on about 'utopian nonsense, nay socialist mayhem', then, well, I guess you win.

 

We're being taken for a ride.

[tlady]

As I have said before I have no problem paying for my sons music lessons and I am very aware that our free society is coming to an end.

 

But in terms of "value for money" the pittance that we are talking about for music lessons generates millions for Shetland in tourism, at home and abroad!

 

Also, when the charges start are we going to find that the council is going to have to employ new staff to administer the charges?

[paulb]

of course they will and don't forget the revenue would it be vat rated they are providing a service. so will it be £160 or £188.

[swc123]

Interesting to read the paper this week:

http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2010/02/26/music-fight-continues-as-more-cuts-loom

 

If the report is to be believed it is interesting to see that the budget for the discretionery music lessons is £750,000 per annum, equivalent to £900 per student.

 

As others have alluded to, this spend does have a very significant impact on our wider econonic and social wellbeing. However are there any alternative models of provision outwith the council budget process that can allow us to achieve the same outcomes?

 

Sam Leckie's letter on the Shetland News http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/2010/February/letters/DIY%20music%20tuition.htm provided some interesting perspectives and while I do not agree with all he says, it is a good basis for some constructive debate.

[sibby1970]

Well - lets spend over 10 million pounds on a new music venue then charge pupils for music tuition. That will make sure that some future talent can't get lessons. Eventually there won't be anyone to use the Mareel! Well done SIC!

 

(***Mod Edit - Merged to existing thread***)

[Spinner72]

Also, when the charges start are we going to find that the council is going to have to employ new staff to administer the charges?

 

I have been assured that yes, this will inevitably be the case. It could take up to two full time posts.

 

But, like the extra costs of transportation incurred when closures are proposed - it's not to be mentioned, and councillors apparently actively ignore it.

[MJ]

some of you may or may not have recieved this from your child's school

 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DBB5VCD

During the last year, the Schools Service has been reviewing how it delivers musical instrumental instruction in schools. Shetland Islands Council requested a full review of the provision and a report will be table at the first committee cycle of 2011.

 

The purpose of this questionnaire is to invite input to the review from any interested individuals or groups.

 

Please answer as many questions as you wish, additionally, it will be very useful if you can also give some detail on reasons behind your responses.

 

The facts below are intended to inform your consideration:

 

~ The Schools Service currently employs 20 people to deliver instrumental instruction in its schools this equates to 15.72 full-time jobs. Almost all of the instructors travel between several schools;

 

~ We provide instruction in 22 different instruments plus voice. These are:

Piano and Keyboard – approx. 30% of overall provision.

Drums – approx 6% of overall provision

Woodwind - Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone, Recorder – approx. 13% of overall provision

Brass - Cornet, Trumpet, Tenor Horn, Trombone, baritone horn and tuba – approx 6% of overall provision

Strings - Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass – approx 8% of overall provision

Traditional - Accordion, Fiddle, Mandolin – approx. 33% of overall provision

Voice – approx. 2% of overall provision;

 

~ 775 children or 21% of the current total pupil population receive instruction on a musical instrument or voice currently there are 55 vacancies;

 

~ The annual budget for this provision is approx. £600K. which is almost entirely salary costs

 

~ Pupils learning to play may be studying towards grade examinations, as part of an Scottish Qualifications Authority course or as part of their broad general education

[peeriebryan]

The "Review of Instrumental Music Instruction in School" report is now available on the SIC website - http://www.shetland.gov.uk/coins/submissiondocuments.asp?submissionid=11726

 

It will be presented at the Services Committee meeting on Thursday

 

Some notable points:

 

6.1.1 The range of instruments on offer in schools should be narrowed to support equality and sustainability of provision. This should be done through natural wastage over a period of years.

6.1.4 The scheme has proven to be time consuming in its administration and has impacted on officer and administration workload. The Schools Service should appoint a temporary part-time Instrumental Instruction administrator as detailed in 6.11 of the review report. This post will be subject to monitoring and review to assess the impact on the service in order to determine the longer term need.

7.1 The cost of a new temporary post is dependent on the outcome of a job evaluation exercise. There are no financial implications arising from this report, as the post will be funded from existing School Service budget. The costs of addressing any areas for improvement will be implemented through budget allocated to the Schools Service.

7.2 When it was originally considered, it was estimated that the scheme of charges would yield approximately £130K per annum. As the scheme was developed and subsequently implemented, it emerged that this was an overestimation. In the current school session it is anticipated that the scheme will yield approximately £70K of which £49K will be in the current financial year. The factors contributing to this are detailed in paragraph 5.5 of the review document.

[Wagon Wheel]

A typical schools service statement. I think a big clean up is needed in Hayfield if there are staff sitting about doing nothing who can take on another part time job. This post must be charged against the instrument budget bring the income down even further, and not hidden in an overall budget to make it look better.

[MJ]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20534046

 

A detailed examination of instrumental music tuition in schools across Scotland has been announced.

[paulb]

sounds normal cut services and appoint admin staff.