Schools: Arts Subjects

Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale Excerpts

Wednesday 12th February 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

Music is very important for young people at primary school and there are some very good charities operating in this area, such as London Music Masters. I was inspired to see a KIPP school in Harlem in New York, where every pupil is in the orchestra. That is certainly something that all primary schools should focus on.

[Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale (Lab)]

My Lords, is the Minister aware of the Sistema project in the Raploch, in Stirling, Scotland, established by Richard Holloway following the success in Venezuela? Would he or one of the other Ministers be willing to visit that project and see the incredible impact that it has had on children in one of the most deprived community schemes in Britain, who are all now training to learn an instrument and playing in the most incredible concerts—entertaining not just locals but nationally through television as well?

[Lord Nash]

I am not aware of the scheme in Stirling to which the noble Lord refers but I would be delighted to visit it.