Icky Ebacc

I have spent rather a lot of time over the last few weeks attempting to negotiate with our local school the right combination of GCSE subjects for our oldest. He is a grunty fourteen year old, with all the usual communication skills you would expect for a child of that age, but we have nevertheless navigated all the hurdles and come to a satisfactory conclusion. This really shouldn’t be newsworthy - and certainly not blog-worthy but I was so struck by the hurdles thrown down that I felt compelled to say something. I guess deep down we all know that making the state work for us - whether in health or education - takes some persistence - but rarely for me has this been illustrated in such stark terms. The main reason for this is the implementation of the ‘ebacc;’ an option limiting system currently being used in a number of secondary schools. My reaction below should be self-explanatory, but you will note that this system is - once again - causing devastation to music in schools.

The following are excerpts from two letters I wrote during this period. I await the school’s reaction to the final one.

‘Dear

Thank you for your rapid response and you will perhaps not be surprised to hear that I respectfully disagree with your recommendation and will continue to push very hard for (our child’s) strengths and interests to be accommodated.

Whilst expressing my desire in the previous email not to be too expansive in my objection to the ebacc, I now feel it is necessary to do so. Your opening statement of 'the government tells us' is - forgive me - one that I instantly take issue with. As you know, state education has been a political football ever since the formation of comprehensive schools and policies have often been formed by the ill-informed who have no experience of education or state schools. It is likely therefore that this policy will be changed on a whim like so many have before. You have also pointed out that 25% of state schools do not use the ebacc combination. Some of my nieces and nephews go to an outstanding state school with excellent results arguably because the ebacc is not compulsory. With regard to MFL supporting English and Maths, then I am sure you will also be aware of the indisputable evidence that music also improves results in these areas. Indeed I have some writings on this but - once again - I am conscious that your time may not stretch to reading this evidence.

You have rightly pointed out that there is an expectation from the Russell group universities of adherence to the ebacc, but - crucially - this is not a rigid requirement. I am quite sure this is because they recognise that student entry requirements should nuanced and indeed encourage a diverse set of candidates……’

Three more emails and a phone call later, here was my final letter to the head - having eventually received a relatively small concession.

‘Dear

Despite our relief at the success of finding appropriate year 9 preferences for our child, I feel it is important for you to hear my thoughts on the journey taken thus far.

You may be aware that our attempt at finding the right combination has taken numerous and varied communications with the school, and I have been taken aback by the efforts that have been necessary, given my decades working in education. You may also be aware that parents have communicated amongst themselves, many of whom have been alarmed at the upset that this process has caused carers and students alike. When I say ‘upset’ I mean very real distress, resulting in - amongst other symptoms - sleepless nights, tears and physical illness. Given all of this, one feels the need to ask why this has all been necessary? ………….Looking at the above undesirable outcomes one is compelled to ask on what basis you have felt compliance with this was a ‘good’ thing? One can only conclude that there is funding attached to this pursuit, otherwise the implementation of such misery would be bewildering.

Whilst it is true that some schools have decided on this dubious path there seems to be little evidence that choosing a combination of subjects that the children are either poor at or dislike results in a positive result…………. Also - you would expect me to say this as a musician - the catastrophic down-grading of the arts has been the inevitable result of this policy. In one of my emails to ….. I stated that the benefits of music on the development of children are very well documented and study after study shows that improvements are shown in language, maths, science, co-ordination, confidence, a sense of well being, and creativity. And yet these are repeatedly ignored. The benefits of the arts on the individual, at a local level and nationally are indisputable, but for reasons of either ignorance or prejudice they are grossly underfunded and unsupported.

After what has been a deeply damaging year for many, but perhaps most profoundly the young, now is surely the chance to start anew and to respond on a holistic level to their personal and educational growth. ‘Build back better’ is already a well-worn cliche but this really is an opportunity to look at fresh initiatives, revise absurd, ill thought out and whimsical government policies and genuinely serve children.

I would welcome a communication with you regarding this; either in writing or a conversation. There is much to consider, but I really do believe this is an opportunity for the school to move into new and successful territory.

Kind regards’

Uplifting music of the day: - I’m feeling nostalgic today, and just a tiny bit Springlike and folky. So I give you ‘Solsbury Hill’ as written and performed by Peter Gabriel. There is just something invigorating about this tune - a literal fresh gust of a breeze. And I love his honest voice.

Contemplative music of the day: - A little surprised that I haven’t mentioned anything by Stevie Wonder in earlier posts, I give you ‘Knocks me off my feet’ from the ‘Songs in the key of life’ album. The trouble with Stevie is that is so prolific; this album alone is bursting with fantastic tunes, sublime harmonies and superb vocals that it is hard to know what to choose. This will be more than adequate for today but there are hundreds more…