Attainment Levels

Preliminary - Criteria

 The Preliminary Level criteria are used to:

• rewardthe vast majority of pupils at an early stage in their learning and progress;
• encouragebeginner pupils early on in their lessons;
• motivatepupils and encourage them to continue;
• informparents/carers of their child’s progress at an early stage and
• give beginner pupils anattainment levelas well as a target achievement.

Most of these criteria can and should be demonstrated simply by the pupilperforming a pieceat this level plus one of the options – see below-as part of a normal lesson.The pupil could, however, show their understanding in other ways, e.g. clapping, singing or in an aural response. This isnota theory test though!

Options

Please note that in order to award as many pupils as possible there is an option ofeitherSIGHT READINGorAURAL/IMPROVISING/RUDIMENTS (drum kit) as there will be pupils who are able to play simple pieces at this level without necessarily being able to read the notation for that piece. (Singing pupils do not have sight reading criteria so there is no option.)

Recording Pupils’ Preliminary Attainment

Please keep an accurate record in your register of the pupils who gain a Preliminary award as you will need this information to complete your Pupil Database return.

                                                              Pupil Targets

 The purpose of the Pupil Target system is to put in place a model to be used by all CCVG Music Service teachers to ensure:

Ø       Pupil Progression

Ø      Consistency of approach

Ø      Clarity

Ø      Positive outcomes

Ø      Accountability

Ø      Support for pupils and staff

The objectives of the system are:

1.      To give every pupil challenging but achievable targets.

2.      To motivate pupils in positive ways to achieve their full potential.

3.      To inform parents of their child's current level and targets at an early stage in the academic year.

4.      To inform parents whether targets have been achieved.

5.      To advise parents how their child could go on to make further progress.

6.      To track progress as a Music Service by holding pupil profiles centrally and be accountable to parents.

 TARGET FORM COMPLETION

A target can be as small as being able to make a basic recognisable sound on the mouthpiece / string / instrument / voice, or being able to play/sing three different pitches / durations, or as big as passing grade 8 by the end of the year with distinction having started the year on Grade 5!

It is perfectly acceptable for the completion of this very important form to take up part (but not all) of a lesson as you need to agree targets with the pupil. The form could be filled in over a number of lessons if preferred.

Filling in the form

Ø      Keep the administration time to a minimum by coming to the lesson with the academic year ending, name, school, instrument/voice, grade passed, grade working towards, teacher's name, signature and date already filled in on the form.    

Targets - Minimum, Moderate and Challenging  

N.B. The targets must be musical in nature. You may find the Learning Objectives in the Common Approach handbook useful for forming targets. Focus the targets on what the pupil should be able to play or the technique they need to improve. Do not use attendance or bringing music as targets.

Ø      Minimum Target - after suggestion and discussion with the pupil(s), decide and write down the minimum target for the academic year. This target should be easily achievable with good lesson attendance but a minimum of effort and practice. The target must be realistic to the individual ability of the pupil and with good attendance. 

Ø      Moderate Target - as above but what you and the pupil consider to be achievable with good attendance, a moderate level of effort and practice but realistic to the individual ability of the pupil.

Ø      Challenging Target - as above but can only be achieved with good attendance, sustained, regular practice, and a real commitment and desire to succeed and make excellent progress 

Explain to pupil(s) that they will be expected to have achieved their targets by the beginning of July and that they need to sign the form agreeing to the    set targets. There will not be a test or examination on these targets, but an assessment  made by the teacher based on continual monitoring over the academic year. 

The age and individual ability of the pupil must be taken into consideration when writing down the targets - use simplified language if necessary and make sure the target is easily understood - explain any technical language 

Upon completion with the pupil  the top (white) copy of the form should be given to the pupil (after discussion with them) for their parents' attention by the week after Autumn Half Term. (You may need all of the first half of Autumn term particularly to get to know your new pupils.)

The middle copy must be given to the Music Co-ordinator / Head of Music

The bottom copy should be kept by the peripatetic teacher - this is vital as you will be using this information to write your end of year reports. 

So:

  top copy to the pupil to take home to parents.

  middle copy to the Music Co-ordinator / Head of Music

 You keep the bottom copy for reference, monitoring and reporting.

  Examples of Targets (only one Target per box)

   TARGETS (violin beginner)

TARGETS (flute- been playing for a year)

         TARGETS (trumpet - passed Grade 5 last term with a merit)

  The above are simply examples - there are many others that could be placed here and  you will have your own ideas regarding target writing. But please adhere to the principals outlined above.

May 2009