In 2000 the Schools Minister, David Milliband, launched the government's 'Music Manifesto' which outlined their vision for music education in the years ahead. At the core of this document was the pledge that every student in the country should have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument if they wished to. David Milliband stated that "Every primary school child should have opportunities for sustained and progressive instrumental tuition," and "We will support the development of new partnerships between schools, LEA's and LEA Music Services."

Part of the implementation of this vision has been through the national 'Wider Opportunities' programme. In Wakefield, this has involved a number of schools working in partnership with Wakefield Music Services, delivering programmes of whole class tuition in violin, classroom ensemble, singing and recorder. These Wider Opportunities programmes have run for two years and are to be expanded further in the year 2007-2008.

Both class and instrumental teachers have noticed the very positive effects of introducing children to progressive tuition. Many children have continued to learn the instruments following the completion of the courses and some of the comments from class teachers include:

"We have found Wider Opportunities a wonderful activity."
"All the children are keen and enthusiastic."
"Everyone has experienced Excellence and Enjoyment"
"Everyone including teachers have been learning to make music together"

In order to develop this work further, Wakefield has received a larger DfES grant for the year 2008/9, which has been devolved directly to KS2 schools and special schools. Each school will receive a flat rate amount of £1,415. A Wider Opportunities programme run by Wakefield Music Services costs £1,665 for the year. Schools should contact Geraldine Gaunt, School Improvement Officer: Music Services at Manygates Centre (01924 303306) for further details and information.