The accreditation process and how to apply

Being an instrumental and vocal teacher accredited ny Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership grants access to:

• DBS: An up to date DBS check is provided by the local authority
• Continued Professional Development: CPD days are provided at least twice a year with additional access to other opportunities
• Support and mentoring: Support materials for teaching and access to an Area Leader of Music Development, who can provide individual support if and when appropriate.

• Instrument loan: The loan of instruments for pupils in their first year of learning;
• Subsidies: Access to subsidy schemes for pupils in their first six weeks of learning; families who are disadvantaged; pupils with special educational needs; pupils who are learning at a post-Grade 5 level

The accreditation process

Accreditation begins with a screening application and if successful, formally starts after an interview shortly after. With two terms of guidance from a mentor, accreditation is granted after a series of successful observations.

Criteria for accreditation

All applicants for accreditation should, through application and interview, be able to show:

• A recognised qualification on your principal instrument. (In very exceptional circumstances, a proven track record of successful teaching may be accepted in lieu of formal qualification).

• A sound knowledge of the instruments being taught and their repertoire.

• An ability to work to high professional standards − for example, being well-organised, maintaining registers and records of instruments, having lessons well-planned, building good relationships with schools.

• An ability to arrange basic ensemble parts.

• The ability to motivate pupils to ensure high expectations for achievement.

• The ability to assess individual pupils' progress, to plan for individual needs and to produce an annual report.

• A commitment to encouraging pupils to play/sing in ensembles at school, in out-of-school ensembles and activites, as well as in the City & County Ensembles.

• The use of a car and a full driving licence.

Interview

Depending on the need at the time, successful applicants will be invited to attend an accreditation interview to demonstrate musical ability on the instrument(s) they wish to teach.

They will also be asked to teach a lesson to one or more pupils, and answer questions on learning and teaching.  

Where the interview is successful, teachers are invited to an induction and assigned to a mentor who provides a range of support over two terms. At the end of two terms, their teaching is observed by an Adviser in order to complete the probationary accreditation period.

Quality assurance

Instrumental teaching is quality assured annually by a member of the Music Education Hub's Quality Assurance Working Group. When observed, a report is sent both to the teacher and to the school where the observation took place.

Headteachers are able to request quality assurance reports of any instrumental teachers who work in their school.

Applying for accreditation

In the continued drive to raise the standard of instrumental teaching in our schools, we need to ensure a required level of competence before proceeding with the accreditation process. Please read the criteria for accreditation below before making an application.