Archived decisions

Contact: Richard Howlett, Head of Hampshire Music Service, telephone 01962 861502

Best Value Review: Hampshire Music Service - December 2001

Executive Summary

Main Findings

Hampshire Music Service (HMS) provides an excellent service to the pupils, schools and community of Hampshire. The Best Value Review Group (BVRG) endorses fully the findings of the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) Inspection of HMS, reported in February 2001:

· the HMS is a very good music service, which has made very effective use of the Standards Fund grants, both to protect and to expand provision

· tuition given by the team of full and part-time tutors is very good overall, and never less than satisfactory

· pupils reach good standards in lessons, and very good standards in the majority of ensembles

· the Music Service is effectively linked with the local education authority's strategies for school improvement

· HMS is well managed, with a strong Senior Management Team.

Objectives of the Best Value Review of HMS

· To ensure that the Service is effectively provided and managed.

· To evaluate the benefits of ensemble provision and of the music award scheme.

· To evaluate the provision of the Service for pupils with special educational needs (SEN).

· To identify priorities for future Standards Fund expenditure.

Recommendations

· The Service should continue to be provided by Hampshire County Council and should continue to improve and expand in line with existing service plans.

· Music awards and ensembles should continue to be funded by the County Council, and continue to be managed and led by HMS.

· The provision for pupils with SEN should continue to be provided by the Service.

· The existing priorities for Standards Fund expenditure should be sustained.

Outcomes

1. Improve the Service through the implementation of the existing HMS Strategic Plan and the OFSTED Action Plan.

2. Improve the accommodation facilities for HMS.

3. Improve the efficiency of the audition and selection process for Hampshire Music awards and ensembles.

Financial implications

1. The successful implementation of the existing plans can be met with current budgets, providing that all sources of funding are sustained.

2. The cost of future accommodation for HMS is not known at this stage.

3. Improving the efficiency of the audition and selection process may enable additional awards and ensemble opportunities to be funded.

Review costs

The cost of this Best Value Review, including the estimated cost of staff time and actual expenditure, is £46,000. It does not include the further impact of the process on lost teaching time, or consequential delays in other areas of activity.