Dear Headteacher/Music Co-Ordinator/Head of Music
RE: Reopening of Schools from Monday 8 March 2021 – ACTION REQUIRED
First of all, thank you for your continued engagement with Bradford Music & Arts Service - many of you have opted to continue face to face, some online or via pre-recordings throughout the recent lockdown.
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday 22 February 2021, confirming the reopening of schools from Monday 8 March, I can confirm that
from Monday 8 March, we will be returning to delivering face to face in schools in accordance with the most recent Government guidelines, this includes whole class, small group and individual teaching. The guidance stipulates that:
You should continue teaching music, dance and drama as part of your school curriculum, especially as this builds pupils’ confidence and supports their wellbeing………
Schools can continue to engage peripatetic teachers during this period, including staff from music education hubs.*
*Schools coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance (February 2021) P 54
Instrumental specific guidance (including vocal, brass and woodwind work) has been issued by Music Mark, along with guidance for assessing risk to ensure the safety of all concerned and keeping within the DfE guidance to schools surrounding numbers of participants.
Our risk assessments covering all activities that we deliver remain robust and appropriate and are accessible at
www.bradfordmusiconline.co.uk/site/schools/covid-19-risk-assessments/
Music & Arts Service staff will be participating in Lateral Flow Testing and are issued with home testing kits and monitored by the service. Our risk assessment for this can also be found by following the link above.
Please note, that due to the extensive logistics involved in delivery we are making the assumption that all booked delivery will resume to its timetabled day and time at this point – this includes whole class work and small group and individual lessons.
Any alterations on instrument used will stand (e.g. where alternative provision was requested for brass to bamboo tamboo or similar).
Please do not assume any other previous arrangement from the autumn/spring term will remain in place – if there are any variations that we need to accommodate for you moving forwards, please contact the Music & Arts office on 01274 434970 or
schoolsmusicandarts@bradford.gov.uk as soon as possible.
We appreciate that this is an unprecedented time for everyone and will do what we can to work alongside you to ensure the best outcome for the children of the district.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Yours sincerely
Carl White
Acting Head of Service
Music & Arts Service