Leicestershire Music - Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

'We believe that a high quality, diverse and innovative musical offer gives children and young people the greatest opportunity to find a pathway through music education which is right for them. We want to create connections between so-called formal, non-formal, and informal approaches to learning. Our responsibility is not just to deliver work, but through partnerships, to also connect the music education and cultural landscape across Leicester-Shire and beyond'.

Leicestershire Music Hub working group 2019

Pledges
We aim to remove the barriers that all young people face throughout their musical journey. We will transform progression pathways and build a more diverse staff to create inclusive working cultures that provide sustainable music making for all. We are committed to make a complete shift in music education.

We pledge to:

1) Work in partnership with schools, partner organisations and parents to drive sustainable change

2) Examine our staff and pupil diversity addressing gaps for under-represented demographics and work towards equalities and diversity at all levels of our organisation.

3) Confront the assumptions made about whose voices are most valued in music education while involving those from under-represented groups

4) Empower and support staff to be positive role models for equality and diversity.

5) Understand the impact of our work on all members of our communities and for our work to reflect the equality and diversity within these communities.

6) Implement at least 3 new actions to help drive diversity and inclusion by January 2022

The protected characteristics covered by the Public-Sector Equality Duty are:

• age • disability • gender reassignment • marriage and civil partnership (but only in respect of eliminating unlawful discrimination) • pregnancy and maternity • race – this includes ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality • religion or belief – this includes lack of belief • sex • sexual orientation

Decolonisation - Leics Decolonise

Leics Decolonise is a group that meets half termly and includes LSMS staff, teachers in schools, partner organisations and other music hubs. The following Theory of Change goal has been created.

Children and young people are empowered to share and celebrate their musical identity, culture and heritage and develop respect for the music of others.

All musical practices are equally valued and with no hierarchy of genre or tradition.

Pedagogy is all-encompassing and includes historical, cultural and social context that provides challenge, enjoyment and freedom of valued expression. The curriculum is actively and continuously decolonised away from a white European bias to represent the global majority and celebrate diversity and expression of musical language.

In 2021-22 we will meet termly via Zoom - dates as below.

Autumn Term – Thursday 11^th November 2021, 4.00 – 5.00pm
Spring Term – Wednesday 23^rd March 2022, 4.00 – 5.00pm
Summer Term – Monday 6^th June 2022, 4.00 – 5.00pm

Contact Sharon Jagdev Powell for further information

Anti-Racism in Music Education

Useful EDI Links

Further Reading - Research Reports