Rocksteady and Trinity College London launch music qualification with no exams
Harriet Clifford
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
The new Ofqual regulated qualification is for all primary children and involves ‘unlocking’ levels as skills are observed in lessons.
Rocksteady Music School is to deliver a new music qualification that is assessed by progressively observing skills in lessons, rather than through examinations or any other formal assessment.
Awarded by exam board Trinity College London (TCL), the qualification for all primary aged children is designed to be more inclusive and accessible.
Backed up by research recently commissioned by Rocksteady, the qualifications for guitar, keyboard, drums and vocals involve observing skills as they are being performed in lessons and progressing through the qualification once a threshold number of skills have been seen.
The research found that since the COVID-19 pandemic, 79 per cent of parents (from over 1,000 respondents) think that the current school exam process could be updated to be 'more dynamic and innovative to suit each child’s individual way of learning'.
Using technology to track progress, these new qualifications will be delivered in schools by Rocksteady tutors, and it is possible for a child to gain the qualification without any awareness that they are being assessed.
Rocksteady founder Mark Robinson said: ‘Rocksteady’s innovative teaching methods make gaining a music qualification more accessible and inclusive. Children can focus on learning, having fun and engaging positively while being fully supported by Rocksteady’s technology, systems and processes.
‘For some children the pressure surrounding traditional exams can be a significant barrier to both learning and enjoyment. Our new and progressive method, awarded by Trinity College London, allows more children to gain a qualification in music. It opens up music to a new generation of children who can enjoy learning and developing without the fear of failure.’
Nik Preston, group director at TCL, added: ‘With the advancements of modern music education in a band setting continuing at pace, and with forward thinking, accessible providers such as Rocksteady ensuring increased opportunity across a diverse section of the schools’ sector, Trinity are delighted to have developed this new qualification designed to support inclusive, group based learning and skills development.’
The announcement comes amid discussion around the meaning of 'musical achievement' and the accessibility of progression routes for young musicians.
