RW/GB

17^th October 2006

Dear Parents,

I am delighted to be able to report that our Year Three pupils are learning a musical instrument under the Wider Opportunities Project of Somerset Music. Every child has a brass instrument to play at lessons held every Friday morning. Keith Thomas, Area Leader for Somerset Music, will be teaching the children with Ms Bishop present for support.

This opportunity is possible because of a grant from government and support from the school governors. We have run the project for the last two years to great success. Our pupils have performed at Strode Theatre and in Wells Cathedral 27 of our Year Five pupils have gone on to play voluntarily having completed the two year project.

As a school we are very keen that children take their instruments home to practise. Somerset Music were initially reluctant for this to happen feeling they might be damaged. We negotiated a situation where the school’s balance of risk insurance covered the children for the year providing they act with due care.

I should therefore like you to sign the reply slip below and return it to Ms Bishop at school if you are prepared to accept the responsibility for the care of the brass instrument on behalf of your child and to ensure it is in school each Friday.

I hope you agree that, regardless of whether instruments go home or not, this is a marvellous experience for our youngsters. I hope that at key points in the year you will be able to see the fruits of the children’s work.

Yours sincerely,

Roger Whitewick

Headteacher.