Whilst Wiltshire is a relatively affluent county, its younger population includes those living and learning in challenging circumstances and who face a range of barriers to participation.
These include rural isolation, social and economic deprivation, special educational needs and disability, emotional, behavioural, and mental health issues, and looked after children and young people.
Within our means, we want to help level the playing field for those young people and ensure that wherever possible their circumstances do not mean they are denied musical opportunities including opportunities to progress and achieve their musical potential.
- We want to be able to support children and young people to achieve musically and through music so as to ensure the best possible future for themselves.
- We recognise that we will need to develop skills and understanding within the county’s workforce to do this.
- We recognise that the effort and costs associated with reaching and benefiting young people with particular needs and challenges may be greater than for the ‘mainstream’.
- If inclusion is to be successful in Wiltshire’s Music Education Hub then we also need to consider and anticipate new ways to support the progression of young people’s musical skills and interests and not assume they will choose the same ‘routes’ as others.