Schools minister, Nick Gibb (centre), visited Newham LBC in east London last week, to hear the benefits of a free music initiative for primary school children.
Newham mayor, Sir Robin Wales, initiated the borough's ‘Every child a musician' programme two years ago – and the authority, which has some of the highest rates of deprivation nationally, has since provided a free musical instrument and lessons to 7,000 youngsters across 62 primary schools. Under the plan, youngsters choose an instrument they wish to learn and receive group tuition for two years. They are allowed to keep the instrument to continue learning after they leave school. Tutors are also trained to assist youngsters, creating local jobs.
