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Every child should have access to a meaningful arts offer. We will work with schools to help shape opportunities for students and can provide support for all sorts of activities.

The main area of our work supports the core roles from the National Plan for Music Education which includes ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument at some stage in their journey through school (Whole Class Instrumental Tuition/WCIT), offering a range of progression routes through small group/individual music lessons, supporting group music making (e.g. bands/orchestras) and providing support for singing.

Special Schools

DPA will tailor make and deliver specialist services for special schools and PRUs. Subsidies are available and we will maintain a team of staff who are experienced in delivering sessions that are appropriate for students of all ages.

Whole Class Music Tuition

All students should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. DPA provides a range of projects in which all children in a class learn together, take the instruments home and get opportunities to play in concerts. Subsidies are available for projects in primary schools that support the aims of Model Music Curriculum.

Instrumental Tuition

We offer tuition on a range of instruments and will make arrangements (financially and contractually) with parents. We can manage subsidies for specific groups of children to support inclusion or targeted learning where schools wish to pay for individuals. Alternative, we are able to provide staff for schools who wish to commission this service and manage arrangements with parents.

  • Brass: baritone, cornet, euphonium, French horn, tenor horn, trombone, trumpet, tuba
  • Contemporary: bass guitar, classical guitar, drum kit, keyboard, orchestral percussion, electric guitar
  • Strings: cello, double bass, viola, violin
  • Vocal: voice – all ages and styles
  • Woodwind: bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe, recorder, saxophone, fife

Bands, choirs and orchestras

The National Plan for Music Education states that all schools should have a large scale ensemble and a choir. DPA can provide experienced staff to deliver this activity in partnership with your school at a time to suit you.

Singing strategy

DPA will help your school develop singing. Individual students can access vocal tuition through the music lessons at Resonance and all of our Whole Class Music Tuition projects include singing work.

We are also able to provide specialist vocal staff to lead singing in your classrooms/assemblies and choirs. Having a vocal specialist in your school not only helps children learn to sing but is also a great way to informally train school staff.

Instrument loan

We supply instruments to students at no cost for use with Whole Class Music Tuition. Our agreement is that DPA will provide and manage instruments and do not make a hire/management charge.

In the event that an instrument is damaged while on loan to a school/student we will make arrangements for a repair and invoice any costs accordingly.

Regular, weekly dance and drama activities

DPA provides dance and drama specialists to work with a class or group of classes. This can be done to deliver part of your arts curriculum, to enhance your creative curriculum and/or be part of your PPA release programme.

Live arts experiences for your school

At key times of the year our staff are available to visit your school to perform music and/or dance shows. Programmes are available for all Key Stages. 

The performances last between 45 and 75 minutes depending on the age of the audience and are heavily subsidised. Key Stage 1 shows are based on either Jack and the Bean Stalk, Billy Goats Gruff or Goldilocks. Key Stage 2 shows include Jazz and the History of the Electric Guitar - both of these shows can be adapted for Key Stage 3/4. Our flagship show for primary schools is called Britain Since the 1930s and takes students on a fun musical tour of our country through the decades.

Get in touch with our office team on dpa.cs@dudley.gov.uk for more details.

One-off arts enhancement projects

Visiting specialists can deliver 'stunning starts' or other areas of the creative curriculum, enhance learning at GCSE and support many activities of your school year. DPA arranges sessions from as short as half a day through to more substantial projects.

After schools arts clubs

Dance, drama and visual art. Available in a range of different dance styles including breakdance, contemporary dance and streetdance; improvised or scripted drama and visual art. DPA will provide experienced staff to enhance your after school activity.

Charges and Service Level Agreement

We will deliver 36 sessions over the year at a trading rate of £50 an hour. The work will be delivered by a team of trained specialist staff. Recruiting/safeguarding process all takes place in line with local policy. We will provide instruments and resources as required and will work with you in regard to making our work fit with your curriculum maps.

We can provide a subsidy for Whole Class Music Tuition in Primary Schools, Singing in primary Schools and music programmes for special schools.

To support recovery post lock down individual/small group music lessons will be heavily subsidised for children in all school years. For 2024-2025 we anticipate that the majority of students will enrol through the DPA Scheme at either £8.50 per group lesson or £12.75 for an individual 20 minute lesson. Schools preferring to commission this service and can do so at £39.50 an hour. (NB this rate is only available to schools who are not passing on costs to parents)