Following an inspection by Education Scotland the Big Noise programme in Stirling’s Raploch area has been praised for high attendance and the exceptional achievement of participants in a report published this week.

The report published this Tuesday (27 January) by the public body highlights how the programme, which is operated by the charity Sistema Scotland and Stirling Council from the Community Campus on Drip Road, is enjoyed by participants and their families as it provides a safe place where they can receive top class music lessons.

The report, a five page letter, reads: “A significant number of children and young people achieve exceptionally well through the Big Noise programme in Raploch. From nursery to P7, all children educated on the Raploch campus experience high quality musicianship lessons delivered during the school day by Big Noise tutors.

“In addition, from P3 to S4, a significant number of children and young people are increasing their skills playing a musical instrument through involvement in the after-school orchestra programme and individual specialist tuition.

“As a result of these opportunities, almost all children and young people demonstrate a very strong musical awareness.” Children and young people, who mainly come from the nursery, Our Lady’s Primary, Raploch Primary, Castleview Primary, Wallace High and St Modan’s High, practice solo and in small ensembles as well as play together in the Big Noise Orchestra – first of its kind in the UK.

Education Scotland’s team spent a week observing the programme at work. They talked to children, parents and partners.

The overwhelmingly positive report made a few key recommendations for improvement such as; working with school staff to continue developing approaches to learning and teaching; improving approaches to planning, assessing and reporting children’s achievements; and engaging more fully with other community partners to share information and improve networking.

David Leng, director of children, young people and education at Stirling Council, said: “We are pleased the inspectors recognised the innovative nature of the work and proud that good practice pioneered here in Stirling will now be shared around Scotland. There are some recommendations for action which I think are very useful, but overall this is a hugely positive report.” Nicola Killean, Sistema Scotland chief executive, said: “We very much welcome these findings which illustrate the distinctive nature of the work. Our most obvious triumphs may be musical, but we are here to equip the children with resilience and confidence to succeed across all areas of their lives. It is not as easy to show that side of things as it is to put on a stunning musical performance.

“We are grateful to funders of Big Noise Raploch including Stirling Council, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and a number of trusts, foundations and individuals.”