FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The Music and Dance Scheme does not exist in isolation. It is part of a network of provision in the performing arts vocational training and education system and is an important pathway to a career in music or dance.
The MDS Advisory Group has been instrumental in exploring alternative approaches and different models for delivery of performing arts vocational training. This has been necessary work in view of the fast changing social and cultural trends in today’s world, and in the interests of diversity, improved access and value for money now demanded by children, parents, teachers and the general public. The existing MDS model had been based around specialist independent schools which are regarded as centres of excellence in their own field. While retaining this model, new alternatives that have a non-boarding school focus, embrace a wider range of music and dance genres, and act as local and national resource centres for the dissemination of good practice in teaching, training and performance are being brought on stream.
A major research study (2003) by cultural planning consultant, John Myerscough, and his report entitled “Developing Opportunities for Talented Children in Music and Dance” lay the groundwork for current and future work whereby we are, over time, –
-
designating a chain of non-residential centres for specialist advanced training in music, comprising some existing and some additional centres, to serve as focal points in regions currently poorly served (this work is almost complete);
-
establishing a chain of advanced training centres for talented children in dance, to cover all regions of the country; and
-
putting in place a national grants scheme to enable children to access the best available training through the CATs system on the basis of talent alone.
These developments complement the excellent provision available in existing Music and Dance Scheme schools and the Government-funded Aided Pupil Scheme. The national grants in music and dance were announced by the then School Standards Minister, David Miliband, on 23 March 2004.
The centres for advanced training (CATs) are being established first in regions of the country where there is the greatest need ie the North East, Yorkshire & The Humber, and then the Eastern and South West regions, the West Midlands and in London.
A summary of John Myerscough's study can be
downloaded from this page.
Download as:
Word Document (55k)
PDF Document (127kb)
We shall also continue to build on joint working with others in the music and dance fields, in particular with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Arts Council England. The MDS can play a complementary part in DCMS’s Creative Partnerships initiative and in the overall ambitions for gifted and talented children throughout the country.
