FOI Request - Instrumental Music Tuition

Request 101002646753

1. How much, if anything, did/does the local authority charge per child for instrumental music tuition in schools in each of the following academic years: 2019/20 and 2020/21?

2. How many pupils received/are receiving instrumental music tuition in the local authority's schools in each of the following academic years: 2019/20 and 2020/21?

3. How many pupils started receiving instrumental music tuition for the first time in each of the following academic years: 2019/20 and 2020/21?

4. Please give details of how Covid-19 has impacted on the delivery of instrumental music tuition in the local authority's schools (ie online lessons/group lessons split out/teachers not travelling between schools etc)

5. Are lessons in wind and/or brass instruments still going ahead in the wake of the pandemic?

6. If instrumental music teachers have begun teaching via video link (ie Zoom etc) in response to the pandemic, are there plans to continue this format once restrictions have been lifted?

Response 18.12.20

1. How much, if anything, did/does the local authority charge per child for instrumental music tuition in schools in each of the following academic years: 2019/20 and 2020/21?
• Group lesson charge per child: £9.70, Individual lesson charge per child: £13.86.

2. How many pupils received/are receiving instrumental music tuition in the local authority's schools in each of the following academic years: 2019/20 and 2020/21?
• 2019/20: 577, 20/21: 500.

3. How many pupils started receiving instrumental music tuition for the first time in each of the following academic years: 2019/20 and 2020/21?
• 2019/20: No data available, 20/21: < 10.

4. Please give details of how Covid-19 has impacted on the delivery of instrumental music tuition in the local authority's schools (ie online lessons/group lessons split out/teachers not travelling between schools etc)
• Instructors, as peripatetic staff, limited to visiting 1 school per day, 2 schools per week – staff are currently prioritising SQA pupils thus only able to visit secondary schools.
• No brass or woodwind pupils/instructors permitted to play in school or around others.
• SQA brass and woodwind pupils offered remote live video lessons from their own homes, where possible, during the working day.
• Brass and woodwind instructors each have 4 secondary schools – in some cases SQA brass or woodwind pupils only receive a face-to-face lessons every 2 weeks.
• Percussion pupils previously in group lessons now receiving individual lessons to limit sharing of equipment during lessons.
• Instructors unable to access primary schools – no 2020/21 cohort of new starts.

5. Are lessons in wind and/or brass instruments still going ahead in the wake of the pandemic?
• Yes, for SQA pupils only.
• Pupils asked to submit pre-recorded performances to instructor via MS Teams for discussion and instruction during face-to-face lesson time.
• SQA pupils offered remote live video lessons.

6. If instrumental music teachers have begun teaching via video link (ie Zoom etc) in response to the pandemic, are there plans to continue this format once restrictions have been lifted?
• There are many new ways of working, established and developed amidst the pandemic – these will all be reviewed as a team and their value, effectiveness, efficiency etc will be considered by team before including in any future plans.