PODCAST [40] Evidencing music education’s impact using local authority & music service data, with James Dickinson, Head of Hull Music Service and hub lead

In this episode, I talk with James Dickinson, head of Hull Music Service, which is part of the local authority and also lead for the new music education hub covering Hull, East Riding, north and northeast Lincolnshire. We discuss how the music service is partnering with the local authority to use data to explore the impact of music on attainment. We also discuss how the service is using an annual impact report to engage partners, supporters and staff with the bigger picture around their value and impact.

You can listen now below, or on Spotify (search for the name) and iTunes or your favourite podcast app.

What’s in this episode?

We talk about:

• the importance of Unique Pupil Numbers in analysing reach and impact
• the Music Service Demography and Standards report – comparing attainment between all pupils in the city with that of pupils that the music service supports
• the results, showing that progress scores for reading, writing and maths for all pupils supported by HMS are either equal to or higher than the city cohort, and sometimes quite a lot higher; with particularly positive results for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs
• the music service’s Annual Report – and the data it contains including postcode mapping and segmentation
• a partnership with the University of Hull on research into decisions made by parents and pupils in transition between primary and secondary school
• James’s suggestions for how other music services/hubs might improve the way they analyse and communicate their impact

Links for this episode

Hull Music Service

Unique Pupil Numbers – definition

Hull Music Service Demography & Standards Report (via LinkedIn)

Key Stage 2 attainment – national

Hull Music Service Annual Report

Wiltshire Music Education Hub Annual Report

TRANSCRIPT: [40] James Dickinson, Head of Hull Music Service and hub lead

About the music for education & wellbeing podcast

Listen in each month to get ideas, inspiration and practical advice from people involved in music education, community music, music therapy and more. Learn how you might break down barriers to music, through communications, advocacy and inclusive practice.

The music for the podcast was created by Otis Hynds, a young person working with Noise Solution.

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