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VIEWS & OPINION


With music services under greater strain and tuition levels dropping across the UK, the industry must embrace digital innovation to boost accessibility for students


Comment by SIMON DUTTON, CEO at Paritor Ltd


Music is often called one of life’s greatest gifts, yet increasingly this gift is becoming more costly and inaccessible for students in the UK. Strain has been mounting on music services


who deliver tuition to schools and performing arts centres, with funding cuts and shortages of tutors resulting in a lower quality of music education. A recent study from The University of Sussex found that budget cuts and a prioritising


of EBacc subjects has meant many state and independent secondary schools no longer offer Music as a curriculum subject at lower years. With music services in the UK also falling under the domain of local


authorities who typically allow parents to handle commercial relationship with tutors, this further alienates students who cannot afford lessons. The 2011 National Plan for Music Education set out to improve


“patchy” music services and ensure accessibility for children of all backgrounds, however many of its aims are still to be achieved. With the plan’s review due in 2020, it is time for an industry-wide modernisation to support the delivery of music tuition as well as the quality of lessons being delivered.


Music education is edging close to exclusivity and there is the risk that


music lessons will fall from UK curriculum completely. Cutting-edge technology can help music services maximise their stretched budgets, enhance business performance and keep music tuition open to students regardless of financial ability. Efficient management and delivery of tuition is a challenge for music


services. Many handle huge volumes of data yet the administration staff and teachers still use outdated systems and paper bookkeeping. Consequently, there are cases of avoided invoice payments and tuition continuing despite outstanding bills, culminating in bad debt. Fundamental system flaws such as these drain time and resources for staff and parents alike. Music services should look at modern tuition management solutions,


incorporating leading-edge software, which streamline administration tasks and are designed with the needs of the parent, student and teacher in mind. Schools often rely upon outsourced teachers from a music service and


so having an effective system for managing external staff is vital. A user- friendly system will not only simplify scheduling, resource and finance management but also support accurate and secure handling of sensitive data. Digital innovation will further enable music services to be less reliant upon government funding for their operations. According to the National Music Plan, parents’ money represents over


half of music services’ overall income, a figure which has likely risen since initial publication. It is the parent who is the customer and today’s digital customers want easy-to-use self-service systems. Busy parents appreciate the convenience of tracking lessons and making payments online, all from one location, providing greater clarity and communication with tutors. Management solutions which improve the quality of customer experience will thereby increase student retention. Music education and the possibilities it opens is a joy which no student


should be denied. Digital transformation is vital for the continuation of music services and to increase the value of music education.


How breakout spaces in


schools can improve learning Comment by DAVID ENGLISH, Managing Director, AJ Products (UK) Ltd


Learning can take place anywhere. Even within a school, the classroom is not the only place that children learn. By creating spaces outside the classroom where students can study quietly or work together in teams, you make the whole school campus one big classroom!


Why create breakout spaces? Despite the name, breakout spaces are not designed just for break times, rather they are an extension of the classroom itself. Informal seating areas allow students to continue class discussions and provide a convenient place to talk about homework or group projects. They can also be used by teachers or support staff to meet with small groups of students. For pupils with a free period, they can be a quiet and relaxed place to study, making them feel at home in school. Every child learns differently. By providing flexible collaborative spaces,


you give students more control over their education and support the ways they learn best.


Design tips for a successful breakout area Any space is suitable Schools can take advantage of any shared spaces to create breakout areas: common rooms, the library, foyers and even hallways; areas of the school that have previously been functional transitional spaces can be transformed into productive learning spaces. Try to provide a variety of collaborative spaces. A small seating cluster in


22 www.education-today.co.uk


the hallway can be as beneficial as a dedicated breakout room depending on the students’ needs and preferences.


Lots of easy-to-adjust options The most successful breakout spaces offer plenty of flexibility. The space should provide several seating options including plenty of soft seating and allow students to work in different positions (standing, leaning or sitting) at a table or not. Provide furniture that is easy for students to move around so they can reconfigure the space to suit their purpose. Booths are a popular choice, offering comfortable seating combined with privacy and a large workspace. The breakout area should be a casual multi-purpose space with furniture that gives good support but also adjusts to different workstyles, postures and tasks.


Collaborative tools To make the space suitable for group projects, think about what equipment students would find useful, such as portable whiteboards for brainstorming, and a projector and screen for sharing digital content.


Connectivity Don’t underestimate the importance of technology. Wi-Fi is, of course, essential. A good breakout area will also have plenty of accessible power outlets so students can use laptops, tablets and other mobile devices to support their work.


Colour and décor Choose a stimulating colour scheme that inspires creativity and collaboration. A great way to motivate students is to involve them in designing the space they want to see. Use their ideas to influence the layout and décor or make them a part of the space itself by displaying their artwork or getting student volunteers to paint a mural.


Collaborative spaces give students the opportunity to learn in a way


that suits them and support a variety of different tasks from independent work and one-on-one teaching to educational discussions and group projects. With a well-designed and flexible breakout space, learning has no limits.


February 2019


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