A class act
Music maestro
Jimmy Rotherham teaches at Faversham Primary in Bradford, a school with a radical programme of creative education. Max Watson finds out what makes him a class act.
MUSIC teacher Jimmy Rotherham started at Faversham Primary four years ago, just as the school was coming out of special measures. The new head teacher, Naveed Idrees, was convinced that a radical programme of between two and six hours of music a week per pupil would help reverse the school’s fortunes. “The programme had a profound effect on our results,” Jimmy says. Faversham is now in the top two per cent of schools in the country for pupil progress and has been getting lots of attention. Jimmy has been interviewed by Brazilian radio, Australian TV and academics from Cambridge. Music as a foundation for learning Some have questioned the causal link between the music programme and the school’s results. “There’s just so much evidence for music providing a foundation for learning in other subjects,” Jimmy says. “It increases IQ and helps with problem solving. It’s the only major change we’ve had in the school. I think there is definitely a link between the amount of music we do and our results. “There are neurological and academic benefits, as well as social and emotional ones,” he continues. “Music improves mental health and behavioural issues. And it’s hugely effective with conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia. “It just creates a really nice atmosphere too – everyone wants to come into school and they enjoy it. Staff are a lot happier. If the kids are happier, the staff are as well.” Both staff and pupil attendance has improved.
Non-verbal autistic boy reaps benefits “It’s a shame so many schools are cutting creative subjects,” says Jimmy. “If you look at the effect on childhood health, it’s tragic really.” He gives the example of an autistic boy he teaches who is non-verbal but responds to music and now follows a range of musical instructions. “He’s really developing his language in all the singing he’s doing,” Jimmy says. “He’ll learn verse after verse of songs. Nothing else works. His mum will come in every week and I’ll give her a big list of songs we’ve done. It’s brilliant. “It kind of breaks my heart that there are so many kids like him not getting that. This is why I’ve become so passionate about it over the last couple of years. You see the effect on our school and you want this for every child.”
Cuts to the arts, Jimmy says, are “just insanity. I do sympathise with head teachers who cut music but it’s the opposite of what they need to do. We’ve got a model under the current funding constraints and it’s working really well. It’s a matter of priorities.” It’s clear that Jimmy loves his job. “It’s great. You see kids’ smiling faces straight away when you start teaching music. “After a year or two, you see musical literacy developing across the whole school and some kids do outstandingly well. “It’s just a joy.”
Faversham music teacher Jimmy Rotherham
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If you know someone who’s a class act, email details to teacher@neu.org.uk The Teacher: May/June 2018
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