From The Head - Friday 1st December 2023

From The Head - Friday 1st December 2023

Julia Langford, Headteacher of The Ryleys School, a private school in Alderley Edge, Cheshire

As well as our usual lovely weekly award presentations this morning, we were also treated to a wonderful showcase of our Music Department, including fabulous choir performances and individual instrumental ones.

The Music Department is one of our specialist areas in school and a very vibrant part of school life. We are fortunate to have a plethora of extremely talented and knowledgeable teachers, both school staff and visiting music teachers, who collaborate to create our musical extravaganzas for us all to enjoy.

While the benefits of a music education are clear and wide ranging, unfortunately not all children are able to access one which has prompted Andrew Lloyd Webber and other prominent figures in the music industry to back a scheme to provide funds in disadvantaged schools. In his letter to the government, Lloyd Webber states:

“From improved cognitive development, communication skills and problem solving to greater confidence, self-esteem and social development, music has a profound impact on young people’s lives.

Most pertinently, in a world that feels more divided than at any point in my lifetime, and with conflict raging around the world with incalculable consequences, music has a unique ability to unite. It is a universal language that can transcend borders, cultures and differences and bring people together.”

This is a perfect summary of why all children should be able to have musical opportunities available to them, and we are always encouraging our pupils to take up instruments and tuition outside of our specialist music lessons that all children from Nursery up automatically benefit from. I think anyone who had the pleasure of seeing the children in action this morning would agree that music is certainly thriving in school!

We look forward to seeing you at our winter wonderland of a Christmas Fair later and enjoy a lovely weekend.

Julia Langford
Headteacher