Transition

Since its launch in 2006, the Wider Opportunities programme nationally has been providing instrumental and vocal tuition to whole classes of primary-aged children.

Here in Portsmouth, this provision is called Ready 4 Music and there have been increasing numbers of primary schools across the city taking part. Ready 4 Music is having a significant impact on the levels attained, the numbers of children learning instruments and the numbers of children having received quality musical experiences as they enter secondary school.  

Portsmouth Music Service collates and provides information to all secondary schools on new pupils entering Year 7; this includes numbers of children learning instruments, those that have been involved with Ready 4 Music and work covered, information on curriculum primary lessons delivered by the Music Service, including access to schemes of work, and twilight sessions for secondary Heads of Music and Year 6 primary teachers at which information is exchanged.   

Portsmouth Music Service supports a smooth and well informed transition from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3, so that the musical experiences encountered by the city's primary aged children can be successfully built upon and extended when they attend secondary school.