In 2008 the Federation of Music Services (FMS) began a three year programme of peer moderation for local authority music services in partnership with the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The purpose was to carry out on a national and voluntary basis, a process of joint evaluation of the internal review procedures of each music service.

Wakefield Music Services was inspected on 12th, 13th and 14th October with extensive feedback on 22nd October. The evaluation centred on:

1. Context and Characteristics
2. Views of learners and stakeholders
3. Achievement and Standards
4. Support for Pupils
5. Personal Development
6. Teaching and Learning
7. Provision: Breadth, Access and Participation
8. Professional Development
9. Leadership and Management
10. Overall Effectiveness
11. Self-Evaluation

Evidence was collected through observations of:

• four Wider Opportunities (WO) programmes;
• five small group instrumental sessions;
• one school-based ensemble;
• the beginning of a large-scale choral rehearsal.
• Interviews and discussions with:

WMS Senior Leadership team;
The Service Manager of the Secondary School Improvement and Lifelong Learning;
Primary and Secondary head teacher;
A Secondary Head of Music;
Heads of Discipline departments;
Heads of Centres;
WMS Advanced Skills teacher;
Both new and long-serving members of teaching staff;
Primary and Secondary school pupils engaged in WO, small group instrumental and ensemble provision.

• Scrutiny of documentation including:

WMS Self Evaluation Form (SEF);
Wakefield Local Authority Music Plan (LAMP);
A range of schemes of work relating to WO and discipline specific programmes;
A range of communications between the music service and stakeholders such as parents and schools, survey templates and responses, curriculum resources, assessment criteria and monitoring documentation.

Wakefield Music Services was judged to be Outstanding and in its summary the Report stated that:

‘Wakefield Music Services is already exceeding the ‘aspirations’ for music provision in the district within the iven timeframe. The range of support for pupils and schools is extensive’

The main agreed areas of strength of WMS were:

• Considerable impact on the School Improvement agenda
• Very positive relationships that have been developed between WMS personnel and school-based staff.
• Relevant and extensive monitoring and support and associated wide-ranging CPD programme for both WMS teachers and school-based staff.
• Excellent range of curriculum and other resources to support teaching and learning for all pupils.
• Inclusivity through attention to ensuring that every child has access to musical opportunities particularly through the WO programmes and range of services offered.
• Outstanding and enthusiastic leadership and management providing clear vision and direction delivered through shared ownership and responsibility.

School Improvement Officer for Music, Geraldine Gaunt said:

‘The process was extremely rigorous and demanding, but we are delighted with the judgement which gave such a positive external endorsement of the work of the service. We are fortunate in having such dedicated, talented and enthusiastic staff who work tirelessly to ensure that we provide an outstanding service to teachers, pupils and schools.’