Hi there , my name is Martin McFadden and I would like , if you have a moment,  to read this petition through.

 This is a letter I received from a Mr Tony McDaid , Head of Education , South Lanarkshire Council regarding my Son's option of Music for him in regards to his schooling in S3/S4 of St. Andrews/St Brides in East Kilbride . 

 My Son, Declan McFadden who is 14 , loves music, song writing and playing guitar. He  has went some way already in becoming quite a good wee performer for such a young age, performing at places such as The Eden Festival and East Kilbride Arts Centre and he would love to pursue his passion for music and take it wherever he can. I believe that this subject and his schooling in this art should be as paramount a part of his education along with the rest of the main core subjects  that the pupils in his year have to choose from or be assigned.

Why shouldn't it be?  They realistically should be choosing subjects that they can handle ,be strong at, and at least be interested in , don't you think ? 

Please take note , My Son has taken Music as a chosen subject as part of his options alongside English and Maths and not as an extra curriculum subject. The letter I received is broken down below .

   I ASK YOU ALL TO SIGN THE PETITION IF YOU BELIEVE OUR KIDS EDUCATION SHOULD BE FREE,  AS THIS IS WHAT WE ARE ALL LED TO BELIEVE .

  The letter states:

Up until now , pupils who opted for certificate music as a SQA subject  were not required to pay for instrumental music tuition.

 

The introduction of CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE has changed the way in which the curriculum is delivered.Pupils now follow a Broad General Education until the end of S3 and then move into the Senior Phase, completing National Qualifications in S4 .

Consequently , it is necessary that we adapt our changing practice and provide free tuition who commit to SQA music course from the start of March 2014 . In effect , this means that from next session all S3 pupils will be required to pay £120 for their music tuition from August to March  !!!!!!!!! 

S3 pupils who then opt for a SQA music course will receive free tuition during March to June 2014 and for the duration of their study in music for 2014.

UPDATE SINCE I FIRST RECEIVED LETTER!!!! 

It has now came to fruition after the school contacted Declan's Mother , that the fees are not actually to take the study or class work of music , but for EXTRA tuition !!! This tuition involves Declan being taken from another Non Musical class and given a half hour extra tuition every week. This EXTRA TUITION DOES NOT STOP AT DECLAN , EVERYONE WHO OPTS TO TAKE MUSIC RECEIVES THIS EXTRA TUITION.  Declan's Mother explained that as Declan was already of a certain level in guitar playing , would it be possible if he could opt out of this extra tuition until 4th year when the fees are dropped. This is where it actually becomes unbelievable ! The music teacher explained that if Declan misses out on this extra tuition it would impact his learning and as a result , fall behind in his work and find 4th year difficult. So what they are saying is that the time they set aside for his music class isn't enough and we have to pay for the extra tuition that every pupil who opts for music will have to pay ! 

Absolutely astounding stuff , don't you think ? This story just gets better and better . Thank you one and all for already signing this petition and for anyone who still wants to sign it , cheers. 

               --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    So, there you have it. Not only am I paying Tax so my Son can have a great Scottish Education, I am now being asked to pay for a subject he loves and I cannot let him down. I feel that something should really be said about this matter and as one of my Friends has already said to me , ' I fear in the long term for the music department' 

 I fear for the whole future of lost generations of musically talented kids in our Country if these actions of the council are kept up.

If you feel strongly enough about this , please sign the petition

Many thanks 

Martin McFadden