A MUSIC partnership between Tavistock College and St Joseph?s School in Launceston has been awarded a grant to the tune of £9,500.
The money from the DfES ? one of just six awards in the South West ? is for an innovative scheme to link a music classroom at each school over the internet, using state of the art video conferencing equipment.
The aim is to tackle the problem of isolation in rural areas, where distance can often preclude pupils having contact with other schools, as well as allowing pupils and staff to draw from areas of strength in the partner school.
A number of joint activities have already taken place, including a summer concert for the Children?s Hospice South West ? but with an hour of travelling involved, opportunities are limited.
Aimed initially at GCSE pupils, the use of the new equipment will enable them to work together over the link, as well as allowing the staff in the two schools to offer their help and advice to the other school?s pupils.
Tavistock College?s director of music Jonathan Mann, who is the project?s co-ordinator, said: ?We are extremely pleased and excited to have had this recognition for our ideas.
?We believe this will be a real boost for the subject and give us the level of equipment that most departments would dream of.?
Both schools have strong traditions of music. Tavistock College has the longest running series of concerts in any Devon comprehensive school, having recently held a 42nd annual Easter concert, and St Joseph?s is known nationally for its choral excellence.
?Our initial work has already provided opportunities for pupils in both schools and we are looking forward to building on this and enriching the musical experience for our pupils,? added Mr Mann.
The grant is part of the DfES ?Building Bridges? scheme, which aims to promote collaboration and partnerships between state and independent schools.