Effective partnership working in music education: Principles and practice

Successful partnerships between policy makers and deliverers, providers and recipients can be both strategic and operational. Partnerships can operate in several different ways at the same time. Joint programmes achieve more than each organization or individual can achieve separately. The impact on children and young people can be profound if the quality of musical experiences provided is high; and there is benefit to young people, their families, musicians and teachers, the whole school and the community. Effective partnership working takes account of context; requires good communication, time, leadership, mutual trust, clarity of roles and responsibilities, and the support of senior management. Training needs must be identified and addressed. Planning, monitoring and evaluation are crucial and a shared ethos and sense of purpose are essential. The article draws on evidence for effective partnership working in music education and concludes that young people can access a more meaningful and worthwhile music education programme if the strengths of different partners are effectively harnessed and deployed. Practical suggestions are offered.