Mrs Ethelston’s CE Primary School in Uplyme, East Devon, has been selected as one of Devon Music Education Hub’s new Lead Schools for Music. Lead Schools for Music will support the Hub to realise the aspirations of the Department for Education’s National Plan for Music Education.  

Selected in recognition of their outstanding music provision, Devon’s Lead Schools including Mrs Ethelston’s, will work closely with the Hub to create sustainable, high-quality music education provision in line with the Department for Education’s national plan for this subject. Mrs Ethelston's is one of twenty-one primary and secondary schools in Devon to be selected. 

The Lead Schools for Music will play a crucial role in advocating for music education aiming to ensure all children have access to high quality music education and opportunities.  Lead Schools will foster collaboration among local schools supporting the Hub’s mission to provide inclusive and diverse musical experiences to include primary, secondary, SEND and Alternative Provision settings 

Mrs Allington, Head of School, says, ‘We are very excited to work in collaboration with other schools in the area to really enhance musical opportunities in our community. We want to celebrate our musical successes and support the work of the Music Hub to raise the profile of music for all children.’    

Mrs Ethelston’s CE Primary School is part of First Federation Trust, a multi academy of 29 primaries across Devon and Dorset.  

Claire Fegan, Director of School Improvement at First Federation Trust, says, ‘We’re very pleased that Mrs Ethelston’s has been recognised in this new scheme. Music plays an important part in all our schools as it allows children to express themselves creatively. We encourage children to sing and play instruments to try and help increase self-confidence, and we aim to expose them to a variety of different genres and musical periods in order to foster a love for music overall. We look forward to supporting Mrs Ethelston’s and will share best practice with other schools in the Trust.’