The role of the music co-ordinator in the primary school & how can the role be made more effective?

Abstract

This research aims to ascertain Teachers' perceptions relating to the role of the curriculum co-ordinator within the primary school and, more specifically, the teaching of music. The teachers involved in this research were from four primary schools in the Middlesbrough area. A wide variety of literature on curriculum co-ordination and music teaching was studied to provide background information for the research, highlight research questions and to assist in the design of the research instruments. The research involved the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. The data were obtained through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The majority of teachers in the sample viewed curriculum coordination positively. However, when questioned about their confidence to deliver the full National Curriculum, music was the one area where a large proportion of teachers lacked confidence. Furthermore, a number of the sample teachers, despite advocating the curriculum co-ordinator role, indicated that music was the one curriculum area where subject specialist teaching would be possible. The study concludes that if the potential of each pupil is to be reached and maintained successfully, then there must be some degree of subject specialist teaching within the primary school.