The South West Music School is a music charity working with talented young instrumentalists, singers and composers aged 8 to 18 years in the South West. Due to the geographical nature of the South West we are not building based but are a ‘virtual’ school working with young people on an individual basis in their local area.

Performing musicians can audition to join South West Music School from age 8-16yrs and can stay on the programme until they are 18yrs old. Applications are now open with a deadline on 11th May and auditions in June. Successful students will spend the first year on the Feeder Scheme and then re-audition annually the following June to earn a place on the Core Programme.

Don’t forget to enter our new free draw to win a family ticket for Sesame Street Live at The Plymouth Pavilions! There are two family tickets up for grabs; make sure you enter by Friday 2nd March. Go to the competitions page to enter! It’s as easy as that!

You might have heard in the news recently, that there are concerns that children, pregnant and breastfeeding women may be deficient in Vitamin D, which could affect your children’s uptake of calcium, leading to bone deformities. For up to date guidance visit the NHS Website.

Plymouth City Council are urging parents to make sure they have indicated their preferences for schools for children who are due to start at primary school for the first time (or junior school having completed Year 2 in an infant school) in September 2012.

The deadline for primary and junior school admission preferences is Sunday 15 January and Plymouth City Council is asking parents not to leave their applications until the last minute.

The easiest way to apply for a place is online through the school admissions pages of the Council’s website, where you will find full details on how to apply and how the admissions system works.

Each school now has its own admission criteria, as traditional catchment areas no longer exist, so it’s important to look at the information relating to specific schools in the admission guidance booklet also on the web.

Parents are warned if they apply late there is a risk that all the places at their preferred schools will be filled by applicants who applied on time.

For more information call the Council’s school admissions team on 01752 307166 for primary and junior school transfers.