St Andrew’s CE High School in Croydon is a mixed comprehensive school with 620 pupils. The school has a history of excellence in music with high levels of pupil participation and impressive results at GCSE and Key Stage 3. Keen to build on their strong music foundation, the school wanted to enhance the use of ICT throughout the curriculum, to improve on their already above-average results and to engage more pupils into the subject.

St Andrews’ strategy was to apply for Specialist Music College status, implement new music ICT facilities throughout the department, create a commercially viable recording studio and to support their investment with training for all music tuition and support staff. The department had already recently moved into new, high quality accommodation and in September 2006 took the first key step in realising their vision by being awarded Specialist Music College status.

The Consultancy

St Andrew’s first contacted Counterpoint in May 2006 regarding their bid for Specialist Music College status. A senior consultant visited the school to meet with Sarah Coop, Head of Music, and other key technical staff to discuss their plans and to assist in putting together an initial proposal.

The new facilities were to include two Music ICT suites each with 14 student stations and integrated teacher computers with control software, 13 practice room PCs with enhanced high quality audio recording facilities and a commercial level 24-track recording studio.

All computer systems were to be fully networked, allowing work to be accessible throughout the department, the goal being to provide an effective, reliable and integrated facility, suitable to support delivery of the music curriculum in the 21st Century.

Counterpoint arranged for Sarah to visit a school that had recently had a similar solution installed. This kind of visit is invaluable since it provides teachers with a clearer idea of the type of solutions they are considering and gives them an opportunity to discuss practical and curriculum issues with other teaching professionals.

Following further consultations at the school and a review of alternative music technology providers, St Andrew’s appointed Counterpoint as the technology partner for their investment.

The Implementation

The installation and commissioning of the new systems took place during August 2007, coinciding with the completion of building works for the recording studio, and taking place during the summer holiday to minimise disruption to teaching time.

With such a major project, the key to gaining the maximum ongoing benefit from new music facilities is the quality of training and support. Therefore, Counterpoint provided St Andrew’s with six days of INSET and a full remote and onsite technical support contract.

Another facility proving popular with students is an electronic rehearsal facility for contemporary bands. This is built around electronic drums and piano, with guitar and bass instruments linking into a stereo PA system. In effect, this is the live room next to the recording studio, and is an often neglected aspect of many school's investment into recording studio facilities. Rehearsal is a very important part of the recording process, and this facility enables pupils to work together on performance and musicianship. An important factor is the reduced volume made possible by the electronic drum kit, which in turn enables better communication and group-work skills.

The Benefits

Brooklands report a remarkable improvement in student co-operation, inclusion and engagement since installing the suite:

Russell Holdsworth
Music Technology Teacher
St Andrew’s CE High School