Remember the Essex school featured in the Don't Stop The Music Channel 4 TV series? We speak to Sarah Goldsmith, the inspirational music teacher who was brought in the teach the kids how to play, to find out how the children of St. Teresa’s school in Basildon are getting on...

What have you been up to at the school since the show went out?
I'm involved with Year 6 (who were in Year 5 during filming) who have band rehearsals once a week. There are also seven new children in the class who have received new instruments and are already playing in the band; two on the flute, one on clarinet, two saxophone players and two trombonists.

How are the kids progressing since you visited the school?
From the first rehearsal after the summer holidays, the children picked up from where they left off. We played through some of last year's pieces and the children remembered them and could still play them. I have had to write new parts for the new players, but they are beginning to understand how to play in band and the children who have played before have been mentoring the new players. The two new saxophonists in particular have really taken to their instruments well, and are making me work hard by being too good for the parts I have written for them!

Have certain instruments been more popular than others?
Not really, some children have become really quite attached to their instruments. There are a few children I would like to try on different instruments to see if they are better suited to those, but that hasn't happened yet.

What do you think is the greatest thing that having more instruments in schools will achieve?
The way the band has come together this term with so many new players just shows the power music has to bring a class together to achieve something as a team. The class don't always gel together in music sessions to start with, but once we start playing, the improvement in sound and their concentration is wonderful to see.

Once the Year 5 children start their own band we hope to join Years 5 and 6 together to create a larger school ensemble. The advantages will be having the children work together across year groups. A larger group of children will allow us to have more interesting musical arrangements and the more confident players will be able to encourage the less confident ones.

What has been the reaction of the staff as to the Year 5's general attitude and confidence since the project began?
One of the biggest improvements has been in the children's independence; they are each expected to look after their instrument and take responsibility for their practice. Not all children do this as much as we would like! However, the staff have been impressed with the way the children have come together in the band and can work in a team to perform. 

After the final performance in the summer, one of the school governors spoke of how proud she was to see the children playing in the band. The children are currently learning a piece that they can play at the Youth Mass in November and after that will be working towards a performance at Christmas.

Want to engage your pupils more during music lessons? Read Sarah's top tips for teachers on getting kids into music.

Instrument Amnesty