DNEAT MAT News

Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy in Shipdham, part of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT), continues to make music a priority and has been given a donation to ensure that music is always part of the school’s commitment.

Funds were raised for musical equipment by the Friends of Shipdham School (FOSS) through the annual community yard sale, held every June throughout the whole of Shipdham, the summer fete which is another annual event held in July on the school grounds and the FOSS charity shop (open every Wednesday 9-12 during term time.) In addition to this FOSS had been awarded money from the Tesco blue token scheme.

Mrs Jo Carroll, Treasurer of the Friends of Shipdham School (FOSS) said: “We love spending the money that we’ve fundraised on resources and equipment for the children to enjoy. The cost of the equipment was almost £2000 but we felt that it was a fantastic use of the money we had raised throughout the year.  We feel incredibly fortunate that the children have the opportunity of weekly music lessons and think that the new equipment is a wonderful way to enrich this opportunity and for the children to unwind between lessons. Both our Key Stage 1 and Early Years children have been thoroughly enjoying the new equipment.”

“At Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy, music is a deeply important part of our curriculum. We believe that every child has the right to a high-quality music education and that the skills children develop through music have a hugely positive impact on many other areas of life and learning,” said Mrs Shannon O’Sullivan, Executive Headteacher of Thomas Bullock and a board member of the Norfolk Music Advisory Board supporting pupils across Norfolk to access excellent music provision and opportunities.

From the Ark Nursery through to Year 6, the children receive weekly lessons from a qualified music teacher, Anna Drake, who is from the Music Hub and part of a symphony orchestra, and she teaches at a High School three days a week and for the Federation two days a week.

The children enjoy weekly sequential whole class instrument lessons from Nursery to Year 6, alongside a singing choir and ukulele KS2 club They also have performances in assemblies and can be seen performing at the Royal Norfolk Show every year.

Mrs O’Sullivan said: “We want to ensure that they have access to music and instruments from an early age to encourage a deep love of music and the arts. We are incredibly fortunate to be so well supported by the Friends of Shipdham School (FOSS). They are an active group made up of parents and grandparents who organise numerous events throughout the year in order to raise funds for resources, equipment and experiences for the children.  In recent years FOSS have purchased outdoor play and gym equipment, Early Years resources, an outdoor classroom and much more. With music being such a fundamental part of our curriculum, we were delighted that FOSS offered to purchase the new outdoor music equipment for our Key Stage 1 area.”