Redditch Students Unlock Their DJ Talents

Year 10 student Aaron Davis using the DJ equipment at Arrow Vale Community High School.Local policing officer PC Paul Downes is helping to unlock the rap and DJ talents of students at Arrow Vale Community High School in Redditch, where a new music project is providing a diversion and focus for them.

A group of students aged between 13 and 16 have been given the opportunity to channel their musical skills into the project created by their music teacher Rhett Butler. There are around ten currently involved but the number is growing all the time.

The project, the first of its kind in Worcestershire, has been funded by the school's PE department and will see the youngsters creating pieces of music that can be used within the gym and fitness suites at the school - the aim of which is ‘inspiration for a healthy lifestyle'.

The funding of CD decks and a professional club mixer through Arrow Vale's sports department has given full licence to the students' rap and DJ abilities and had a huge impact on their attainment.

The key to its success has been tapping into the music that the students enjoy listening to and using this to build their confidence and engagement in class, while at the same time boosting grades.

As well as producing music for the school the students have also had the opportunity to put on a gig at Arrow Vale Youth Centre. The gig, with an invited audience, was a great success and was also recorded as evidence of their hard work.

Music teacher Rhett Butler said: "This has put us at the cutting edge of music teaching in Redditch, if not Worcestershire. Some of these students are genuinely gifted and it is very exciting to see them using this opportunity to lead their own learning. Music lessons have certainly changed a fair bit since I studied at Arrow Vale.

"Britain is the world's second largest exporter of music, and with the ability these students have, I see no reason why they should not aspire to achieve the highest standards."

PC Downes has been involved since the project's inception and as well as attending all the meetings to help get it off the ground he liaised with the youth centre to provide a venue for the recent gig. He is exploring future funding to hold after-school club nights there on a monthly basis from September.

Mr Butler added: "Improving community cohesion is central to this initiative and it has been very much a joint venture with Paul supporting the students all the way. It's fair to say this scheme would not have gone ahead without his contribution."

PC Downes said: "We often hear a lot of negativity about young people and anti-social behaviour and it is therefore refreshing to see these students channelling their energies into something really positive.

"The skills gained can be used towards a qualification and will give them opportunities they otherwise may not have had."

Issued: Tuesday 13 July 2010