The Radclyffe School, Oldham

The Radclyffe School Chaderton, Oldham joined the MiSST in 2020.

There are currently 600 students on the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme learning the violin, trumpet and cornet. Now in our second year of the MiSST programme, our students continue to love playing their instruments. Our Year 8 students remain very proud of the fact that they are the first cohort to have the MiSST Programme at Radclyffe School. Enthusiasm remains high and students regularly mention how excited they are when they realise that they have music as their next lesson! From our start in September 2020, we have seen an increased level in theoretical knowledgebeing undertaken from our Year 7’s and 8’s, which we feel will massively help in the later stages when students opt for GCSE music in a few years' time. Students are already answering GCSE style questions to a high standard when analysing the different elements of music, which is a skill that we have seen past GCSE pupils sometimes struggle with. We are also seeing an increased confidence in performing as there are regular opportunities for this during lessons and assemblies. The expert group tuition means all the students are gaining the vital solo and ensemble performance skills required in order to become a competent musician. We can’t wait to see the benefits that this classical music programme will have to our students in the later stages of their education at The Radclyffe School.

Quote from Head of Department Dan Corrigan

“The Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme has had a huge impact on our students in a very short space of time. The ability to provide each and every student with their own instrument has enabled practical music making to continue safely in the currently unstable educational landscape. Our first cohort of MiSST students were given a choice of learning to play the violin or the trumpet/cornet. We chose to offer students the trumpet as Oldham has a rich historical brass band heritage. In this way, the MiSST programme plays an important role in connecting our students’ wide range of cultural backgrounds with the community in which they live, promoting cultural cohesion and inclusion. On one particular day, whilst lining students up to move to their lesson, one student asked if today was the day he’d get his violin. When he was informed that it was, he exclaimed “This violin is going to change my life!” Students reacted with great excitement to receiving their instruments and can’t wait to play them. They are spending their social times trying to find a space on the school site where they can practise ready for their next lesson. The whole building is buzzing with music!”

Quote from MiSST Student

“MiSST has provided me with an opportunity to play an instrument that I otherwise might not have had outside of school. Within music I have been learning some theoretical elements of music as well as some practical playing techniques on my chosen instrument. All of which I have been enjoying. I have particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to not only perform as a soloist in front of my class, but I have Also enjoyed performing as part of an ensemble with my classmates. I have made huge progress from the start of this academic year and this is all down to the fantastic teaching staff and my love for the MiSST programme. I did find it difficult to play at the start, but with my confidence building with the more practice I did, the easier and more enjoyable I found playing the violin.” 

Quote from Headteacher John Cregg

“It has been great to see all of our children's enthusiasm and excitement as they were given their trumpet, cornet or violin. This programme offers our students a unique opportunity that other students don't get.”