West Norfolk pupils keen to play on despite coronavirus pandemic

Even a pandemic couldn’t stand in the way of young musicians joining West Norfolk Academies Trust, with numbers soaring to more than 60 members in its orchestra.

While Coronavirus has impacted many aspects of life for schoolchildren and their families, schools within the trust have seen numbers of musical youngsters continue to grow.

“I never dreamed the numbers would be so high,” said Rob Galliard, the Trust’s director of primary music.

“I expected that of the original cohort, around 20, would still be playing, as I thought there would be a big drop-off during school closures, so it’s wonderful to see so much sustained interest.”

Now with 62 students playing orchestral instruments, the Trust manages 11 primary and secondary schools across the region. They have seen huge success after encouraging collaborations between the schools.

All primary school children are given a chance to explore instruments and then teachers identify those with most potential and encourage them further.

“Children automatically gravitate towards things like flutes, trumpets and saxophones but we’ve managed to get some of them to take up less played but equally valuable instruments like bassoons, tubas and oboes,” Mr Galliard added.

Andy Johnson, the Trust’s executive head teacher, said: “The arts are a fundamental part of our educational philosophy, and long-term, the vision is that we have high quality extra-curricular music taught in every one of our schools.

“Children who are involved in extra-curricular activities are happier, and the skill and discipline of learning an instrument helps them academically.”

Following many years as head of music at Springwood High in Lynn, one of the Trust’s secondary schools, Mr Galliard said it had played a big role in the reputation the school had earned.

“Public performances of our concert band led to the parents of musical children in the area seeking out our school, and helped us get Specialist Arts status in 2000,” he added. “I think it’s also partly responsible for the school being so heavily oversubscribed these days.”

It is hoped that as music has helped bring pupils together throughout the pandemic, that it will continue to do so and strengthen bonds across the Trust’s schools into 2021.

Mr Johnson said: “Our schools are one big family, and music is one way in which we can bind them. Our parents choose our schools for the excellent education they provide, the high standards of behaviour and importantly the extra-curricular opportunities they offer.

“Music is one of our greatest strengths, and one we’re proud of and intend to keep developing further.”