Assessment and Reporting

Planning, Assessment and Recording

The Music Service is committed to all instrumental/vocal teachers developing their own schemes of work, based on the Federation of Music Services’ framework, A Common Approach 2002, and relevant to the National Curriculum. All teachers are provided with Planning, Assessment and Recording sheets and expected to record long, medium and short term planning for all pupils and groups in addition to the outcomes of lessons and pupil progress.

Practice Books

All children receiving instrumental or vocal tuition through the Music Service have a free Practice Book. Encouragement, help and advice for practice is recorded in the book on a weekly basis and pupils and parents/carers are asked to record the amount of practice done each week. It also serves as an excellent communication link between teachers and parents/carers.

Records of Achievement

We believe that continuous assessment is a natural part of good teaching. However, we also consider it essential that parents/carers should receive a written record of achievement on a regular basis. Therefore, our teachers are expected to complete progress reports for each of their pupils at least once a year.

The format allows a second copy of the original report to be retained by the school or Music Centre and a third copy to be retained by the instrumental teacher. Prior to contributing to the report themselves, pupils discuss their progress and achievements through the year with their teacher. There is also a return slip for the parent/carer to contribute further comments.