A music teachers’ co-op has been launched to help independent vocal and instrumental tutors in Wirral and Cheshire work together, in response to a wave of redundancies in the sector.
Peninsula Music Co-operative was formed by a group of local teachers, who wanted to develop a member-led organisation through which they could offer quality tuition, strengthen their collective voice and maintain sustainable careers. Music education will be delivered in schools and other settings.
“Both as individuals and as a collective,” the group says on the co-op website, “we are committed to providing high-quality music education. We want to make sure that all children and young people have access to outstanding musical opportunities, led by tutors which share this vision.”
They add: “As a co-operative we are able to share resources, champion best practices, and work together to maintain the high standards of music education we believe the children and young people deserve.”
Support from the project, which follows similar projects in Wales, has come from Co-operatives UK, which provided advice on the co-op model, and the Musicians’ Union, which has provided advice and support as the organisation developed its structure and approach.
“We are pleased to have supported a model which gives independent music teachers the opportunity to work collectively while retaining their independence,” says the Musicians’ Union.
The union says it will continue to support and engage with Peninsula Music as it develops, and we hope its experience can provide inspiration for other groups of music educators looking at ways to work collectively.
Chris Walters, the union’s national organiser for education, said: “We are delighted that this new co-op has been formed, joining a family of other music teacher co-ops established and supported by the MU.
“I would like to pay tribute to my colleague David Barnard’s expertise and hard work in supporting members to set up this co-operative.”
