Schoolchildren in Mansfield have been reaping the benefits of a pioneering council scheme to bring more classical music into classrooms.

The three-year Musician in Residence scheme at Oak Tree Primary School has been running since 2023, thanks to Mansfield District Council funding as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

A report into the effectiveness of the scheme in its first year found that including more music in the curriculum has led to improvements in pupils’ concentration, behaviour, and social interaction — and created an excitement for learning.

The scheme has been delivered by Nottingham-based MishMash Productions, a music engagement specialist.

MishMash musician Erika Zeckser Owen has worked alongside all year groups. She said: “The children are so welcoming, it’s a joy to experience the wonder of something new in their eyes during each visit.

“In addition to the positive impact on children’s learning, the staff and I are being impacted by this new creative and collaborative approach to lesson planning and delivery.”

Kathryn Greenwood, music lead at Oak Tree, said: “The MishMash programme has provided our children with a wonderful opportunity to experience music in a variety of ways.

“After working with Erika, they have had the chance to see and hear the music up close and experienced the immediacy of a live performer changing the tempo, the pitch, even the mood of the music, right before their eyes.

“They have then responded to this music in a variety of ways in different lessons — as a stimulus for writing stories, counting rhythms in maths lessons, and been able to investigate how the violin produces sounds in science lessons, as well as many other exciting activities.

“All of the children are able to access and be a part of these events and their learning is enhanced as a result.

“Erika is now a valued member of our school community and having music run through all areas of our curriculum is a significant benefit for all at Oak Tree.”

The Musician in Residence Scheme runs across four primary schools in England.

Liz Muge, chief executive of MishMash Productions, said: “By doing this we aim to transform perceptions of what classical music could, and should, be, particularly for young people and family audiences.”