First Access – An Introduction to Instrumental Learning
First Access is one of the key initiatives of the government’s National Plan for Music Education. The aim of the First Access is to introduce students at Key Stages 1 – 3 to learning an instrument through weekly whole class instrumental lessons.
In Cornwall, we are able to offer a grant to schools to fund a specialist to deliver a 12 week programme which consists of:
- An initial Planning session between the deliverer and classroom teacher (and ideally school senior manager) to review music provision in the school and plan how First Access will be embedded.
- 10 x 45 minute whole class instrumental lessons on a weekly basis on the same instrument
- A final Review meeting to discuss future development of musical learning and next steps.
Is my school eligible for this funding?
All LA or former LA schools are eligible to apply for the First Access grant provided that the class for which it is being claimed has not previously participated in the First Access programme.
Following the Government's guidance regarding Music in schools, we are still able to offer First Access in all instruments:
- Music Technology (schools must have own computers/tablets and headphones)
- Guitar
- Ukulele
- Violin
- African Drums
- Taiko Drums
- Samba
- Violin/Cello
- Gamelan
- Jumbie Jams steel pans
- Woodwind (sessions must be delivered in well ventilated spaces)
- Brass (sessions must be delivered in well ventilated spaces)
- Accessible instruments (Skoogs)
Teachers are able to visit schools but online sessions may also be available
How to access the First Access Grant
- Choose your instrument – you can hire from the Hub - Class Set Hire Form
- Choose your teacher - (there is a list on the Hub website if you do not already have a teacher in mind or please contact [email protected]). The school is responsible for choosing and paying for the First Access deliverer.
- Complete and submit the School First Access Registration Form
- Planning meeting - Music leader and classroom teacher meet to plan the sessions and discuss Music in the school
- 45 minute whole class sessions take place weekly for 10 weeks
- Review meeting - Music teacher meets with the class teacher to review and discuss next steps
- School completes and emails submits the Post First Access Delivery document
- Hub pays the grant to the school which covers the actual cost of the 10 sessions plus the two meetings (up to £33.75 per session)
More detail about this process can be found in this document - First Access Information for Schools
First Access Documents
These documents that have been designed to help schools to get the most out of their free First Access sessions and also help us to gain a better understanding of your school's needs. These documents must be submitted to the Hub office in order to access the grant:
-
School First Access Registration Form*- Confirmation by the school that they wish to participate and understand the process.
-
Post First Access Delivery document* - This replaces the separate Register, School Music Plan and Review Notes documents
- Class Set Hire Form - If you wish to hire instruments from the Hub, please complete and submit this form
* These documents are mandatory and should be completed and submitted to the Hub office in order to access the First Access grant.
Other useful documents
First Access – Planning Meeting Discussion - A template to structure the initial planning meeting, you do not need to send in this form.
First Access School Self Evaluation Questions for Planning Meeting - These questions can help guide schools when reviewing their music education provision. Schools do not need to submit this document to us.
Hiring instruments for First Access
Schools are responsible for organising their own instruments for the First Access and instruments are still available to hire from the Hub at the subsidised rate of £70 per class set per term, including delivery (subject to availability). We recommend that each student has their own designated instrument and does not share. All of our instruments will have been deep cleaned prior to delivery.
These class sets include: African percussion, Brass, Woodwind and Strings (single instrument or mixed), Gamelan (Indonesian Tuned Percussion), Guitars, Keyboards, Ocarinas and Fifes (£35 per term) Taiko Drums, Ukuleles and Samba.
To hire your set of instruments, Please complete and submit the Class Set Hire Form
