MUSIC provision at a Huddersfield school has been applauded by Government inspectors.

Moorlands Primary School, Mount, was classed as “outstanding’’ by Ofsted inspectors in their report Making More of Music.

Ann Walker, headteacher at Moorlands said: “Music pervades the whole curriculum and a large percentage of our pupils either play an instrument in school or take private lessons.

“We have a choir, recorder group and use ICT to ensure music is accessible to all.”

Moorlands is the largest primary school in Kirklees with 600 pupils.

Ofsted inspectors said, in their national report, that music had a positive impact on pupils’ personal development as well as musical ability.

But the inspectors found that schools were not using the powerful tool to its best advantage and that funding needed to be better targeted.

The report pointed out that the main weaknesses in both primary and secondary schools was that students did not always make as much progress as they should do – largely due to teachers’ lack of understanding about what was musical progress, inconsistent opportunities and weak assessment.

Inspectors also found that music teachers were professionally isolated.

Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, said: “Schools need to review their provision regularly to make the most of music.

“It can have a big impact on pupils’ personal development and students enjoy taking part. However, more thought needs to be given to how very-welcome national initiatives link to the music curriculum.”

The key recommendations are:

The Department for Children, Schools and Families should increase the effectiveness and value for money of initiatives and the work of funded music bodies.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority should provide clear guidance on musical progress and how to develop teachers’ understanding of planning, teaching and assessment.

The Training and Development Agency for Schools should provide continuing professional development for music teachers.

Local authorities and music services should ensure instrumental/vocal programmes are of sufficient duration and quality to ensure more children and young people from different groups benefit.