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Music course is special
• JO Shuter’s hand in the demise of the Pimlico School Special Music Course is clear, despite claims otherwise (Headteacher slammed by star for failing to save music course, June 27).
During her time at Pimlico there have been no attempts made to engage with parents or staff about the music provision offered.
Ms Shuter has swallowed hook line and sinker, Westminster’s misguided and untrue presumptions about the course.
The music course is truly special, but it is not elitist.
One meeting was attended by Ms Shuter, one which also involved other interim senior managers, the Interim Executive Board (IEB), the proposed sponsor, and a representative from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
Here the proposal to continue funding the existing music students was made by the DCSF, but conditional upon Pimlico moving to academy status.
Here, it was stated that further discussions would be held with Ms Shuter about the future of the music provision.
Music is part of the curriculum and offered to everyone.
Only the lack of funds has meant that some wanting individual instrument lessons have been placed on a waiting list, which is common practice in schools across the country.
I fail to understand, however, what is wrong with having a strand of excellence, especially when this is an area of specialism for the school.
It is true, however, that Ms Shuter has attended a few concerts. I estimate her attendance rate to be two and a half out of a possible 10 – a very poor showing from someone “supporting” the school.
As for Westminster, the IEB and the DCSF, all bodies taking the ultimate decision about phasing out the music course, not one has been to any concert.
We have been reduced to figures on a page of an auditor’s report used to destroy the Special Music Course unnecessarily.
GEORGINA SCHUELLER
Pimlico parent
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