On Wednesday 26th March we welcomed Early Education Minister, Stephen Morgan, and Deputy Director of Childcare Reform, Jack Thomlinson, to Cranmer Primary School in Merton, South London. The visit was arranged by the DfE, to observe Boogie Mites in action and to discuss the impact with Assistant Head, EYFS Lead, Sarah Caird, following DfE review of the cross curricular positive impact of Boogie Mites School Ready Music Programme: Teacher Training Project (BMSRMP:TTP)
The BMSRMP:TTP included teacher training for the EYFS team to implement Boogie Mites music activities as a regular activity throughout the pre-school year, in the Autumn term for all Year R children and thereafter for target groups who benefit from continued practice. The focus was on pre-phonics (Phase 1) skills, but the benefits for social/emotional/group learning skills, motor skills and foundations for maths and literacy were also evaluated.
Boogie Mites have delivered BMSRMP:TTP at 6 London schools over the last few years. Impact has been significant for Pre-schoolers, Year R children and the Additional Resource Provision (ARP) SEND groups. The EYFS teams have also reported a positive impact for their own wellbeing.
You can read evaluation of the report and outcomes on Boogie Mites website by clicking the button below:
Minister Morgan joined in with music circle time for the Nursery and Year R group (including some pupils with SEND). He spoke to several members of the EYFS team, including Cranmer Primary SENCo, Lorraine Burden. Lorraine explained how Boogie Mites was a valuable part of the SEND provision for Year R children, enjoyed by all. She also mentioned that children coming up from Cranmer onsite pre-school, who have had a year of Boogie Mites, were very much better prepared for listening, attention, phonics and group learning, than children coming from other feeder settings.
We all experienced the energy buzz that active music making promotes. Minister Morgan remarked that he might have to join a Boogie Mites music session each morning to uplift the start of every day!
Assistant Head, Sarah Caird, described how the music activities have been embedded across the EYFS, resulting in strong pre-phonics skills for children moving up to Year R. She commented on the gap in fun pre-phonics (Phase 1) activities in the approved SSP scheme, that they have adopted at the school, and how Boogie Mites fills this gap. Sarah also highlighted how the music activities offer a valuable inclusive group activity for all pre-school children, and for target groups of children throughout Year R and KS1, accessible and fun for all.
Minister Morgan enquired about parent feedback following the parent workshops. Cranmer had a higher than usual attendance of parents, motivated by their children talking about the Boogie Mites music activities they were doing in school. They expressed intention to access the digital resources and practice with their children at home. The Cranmer parent feedback can be seen by clicking the button below:
We look forward to working with Cranmer Primary EYFS team this summer term to support transition parent workshops, encouraging home learning with Boogie Mites fun music activities over the summer, offering a great way to bond the new Year R classes with Boogie Mites music circle times, when they start school in September.
We look forward to working with the DfE to share the BMSRMP:TTP positive outcomes with primary schools across the country.
Boogie Mites would like to thank Lanyado Fund for making the BMSRMP:TTP possible at all 6 London schools.
