A transformative and innovative project which began in 2017 across 4 schools in the Eastbank learning community of Glasgow, Baby Strings has now expanded to 10 schools across the city, employing 10 tutors to deliver weekly, whole class string lessons to 2,187 primary school children. An additional 2 schools are currently joining the programme in 23-24.
The project was initially supported through PEF (Pupil Equity Fund) and has been bolstered by additional funding made available from Scottish Government to Instrumental Music Services plus core Instrumental Music Instruction.
Initially P1 children prepare for instrumental lessons through Kodaly based lessons using voice, rhythm, pitch and movement. Violins, Violas and Cellos are introduced in P2. Performances, which are seen as a vital part of the programme are introduced from the start.
Parents and carers are encouraged to participate in the project, making cardboard instruments with children, attend ‘meet the teacher’ sessions , ‘show and tell’ and attend performances, which have enabled families to experience the project first hand, learning a new shared vocabulary through the language of music. The children and parent/carers have responded very well to the experience. We now have children from P4 and above regularly attending CREATE City Music groups on Saturday mornings in City Halls.
Classroom teachers are involved in CPD training throughout the course of the year which then enables them to deliver part of the Baby Strings lessons from shared weekly lesson plans without the specialist instructor being present.
We have evaluated the project so far with regard to increased attainment in Literacy, Numeracy and Health and Wellbeing and almost all children demonstrate increased achievement and attainment in all the areas measured. Parent/Carers are 100% on board with the project and the new parent/carers each session have been equally enthusiastic.
