Dear supporters, A massive thank you to everyone who posted and tweeted the Department for Education. The response was fantastic! Many, many, many of you sent a message to the people who have the power to fix the lottery in music education. There’s no ignoring us now - and it’s time to start getting strategic! In the mix of solutions to the problems in music education, getting the body that inspects schools – Ofsted – to pay more attention to music, has stood out. Now a chance has just come up for us to get on a direct line to the decision-makers at Ofsted. So I need your help. Ofsted inspects and rates schools across the country. Primary school teachers have told me that the ratings are chiefly based on performance in maths, English and science – the core subjects. Other subjects are supposed to be inspected too, but don't usually influence a school’s rating. Music isn't mentioned in Ofsted’s framework for school inspections, or the handbook inspectors use. With so much focus on the core subjects and school ratings, other subjects – like music – can slip well down the priority list. Teachers have told me of school inspections which barely looked at music, and also of schools getting an ‘outstanding’ rating, even if they offer inadequate music education. But we have a chance to change this. Ofsted is looking at altering the way it inspects schools, and have opened a consultation to gather opinions from anyone interested. Ofsted says that the new inspection framework must place a greater emphasis on the breadth of the curriculum in schools. This is a fantastic opportunity to tell Ofsted that it needs to pay specific attention to music. If Ofsted put music in the inspection framework and handbook, or specified that music must be evaluated properly during regular school inspections, it will get closer scrutiny by inspectors, and head teachers will be more empowered to ensure a good quality music education is part of every child's life. This is a big chance for us to bring about real change in the system. Please take three minutes to respond to the Ofsted consultation. Please don't be put off by the length of the consultation questionnaire. After filling out initial details, you can just skip through without answering the other questions (just keep pressing ‘Next’ at the bottom of the pages) – until you get to Q.12, where you can add your comments in the box. Access it here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/futureofinspection Write your own thoughts, or here are some things you might want to say: - Ofsted MUST include music inspection as part of their inspection regime, and produce evidence of that in their school reports. - No school should be able to be classed as good or outstanding if it is not at least good or outstanding in music. - Music is a vital part of the curriculum, and must be properly examined during Ofsted inspections. It would also be fantastic if you could spread the word by telling us you’ve responded – tweet us @JamesRhodesDSTM, or post to our Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/1rp9H5s Ofsted has to take into account all the responses to this consultation. So please do take a moment to have your say: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/futureofinspection The full consultation document can be found at: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/consultations/b/Better%20inspection%20for%20all.pdf Thank you, so very much. James Rhodes www.dontstopthemusic.co.uk