Our vision
Devon Music Education Hub believes all children and young people should be able to learn to sing, play an instrument and create music together, and have the opportunity to progress their musical interests and talent, including into a professional creative career.
Our mission
We work with schools, music educators and a range of local, regional and national partner organisations to provide an inclusive, diverse and relevant music education offer for all children and young people.
What we do
As part of a network of Music Education Hubs across England, we are supported using public funding from the DfE and Arts Council England. We are tasked with delivering the vision, aims and strategic functions of the National Plan for Music Education. Devon Music Education Hub is led by Devon Education Services, part of Devon County Council.
Our values
Collaboration, Creativity, Efficiency, Equality, Excellence, Knowledge, Resilience
Our aims
- To ensure every child and young person has equal access to music
- To help children and young people fulfil their musical potential
- To support all schools in delivering a broad and balanced curriculum, with music at its heart
Our team
| Lewis Gibbs | Head/Music Education Hub Lead | Strategic Lead for Partnerships |
| Debbie Kent | Deputy Head/Music Development Lead for Torridge & North Devon | Strategic Lead for Schools |
| Tom Deam | Music Development Lead for Teignbridge & Torbay | Strategic Lead for Inclusion |
| Sam Massey | Music Development Lead for Exeter | Strategic Lead for Progression and Musical Development |
| Anthony Chamberlain | Music Development Lead for East Devon & South Hams | Secondary Schools Lead |
| Ben van Weede | Music Development Lead for West Devon & Mid Devon | Primary Schools Lead |
| Charlotte Yarnley-Jones | Business & Operations Manager | Strategic Lead for Sustainability |
| Heidi Pike | Administration & Events Coordinator |
| Francesco Zeraschi | Administration & Logistics Coordinator |
| Jennifer Campbell | Instrument Technician |
| Josie Sherwood | Instrument Technician |
| Charlotte Gibbs | Music Education Consultant | Strategic Lead for Early Years Music |
| Hannah Stephenson | Music Education Consultant | Young Sounds UK Connector |
Devon Music Education Hub Advisory Board
- Tim Baker
- Cllr Sally Cresswell
- Louise Darvid
- Lewis Gibbs (Hub Lead)
- Liz Hill
- Tracy Hill (Vice Chair)
- Richard Jones (Chair)
- Cllr Andrew Leadbetter
- Jack Newton
- Jozzy Mudzingwa
- Jane Parker
- Stuart Penman
- David Perkins
- Heidi Price
- Dame Janet Ritterman
- Ian Rogers
- Mark Trewin
- Peter Twyman BEM
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Devon Music Education Hub recognises our responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children and young people are respected, valued, and always feel safe.
Hub Lead Organisation staff (on all types of contracts) are employees of Devon County Council and expected to work in accordance with the Council’s Core Principles and Behaviours. All relevant staff hold Enhanced DBS Disclosures; complete annual safeguarding training; and adhere to the Council’s Code of Conduct, which complies with all requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), September 2023. All Hub staff visiting schools and regulated activities will provide photographic identification and are covered by a Devon County Council letter of assurance.
Hub delivery partners (including County Groups, music centres, ensembles and other music-making opportunities) are required to ensure that appropriate child protection procedures are observed and that all staff and volunteers undertake appropriate DBS checks and safeguarding training. Advice, training and a template Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be accessed through the Hub.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Lewis Gibbs | Head/Music Education Hub Lead. Additional support is available from Devon County Council’s Education Safeguarding Team.
Worried that a child is a risk? If you think it, report it.
If you are concerned about the safety of a child or young person and want to speak to someone, or if you are a child or young person worried about your own safety, you can contact any of the following agencies for support:
MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) Tel 0345 155 1071 email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk
LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) Tel 01392 384964 email childsc.localauthoritydesignatedofficersecure-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
NSPCC Tel 0808 800 5000
Childline Tel 0800 1111
If you think a child or young person is at immediate risk, contact the police on 999
Hub commissioning policy
Devon Music Education Hub is committed to ensuring inclusive, diverse and relevant music education offer for all children and young people in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. To achieve this, the Hub Lead Organisation (HLO), Devon County Council, will work in partnership with a range of organisations and individuals who contribute to the delivery of the Hub’s programme of activity and strategic functions. Our commissioning policy outlines the principles, processes, and criteria for commissioning and procuring these partners, ensuring that our approach is transparent, objective, and aligned with the strategic goals set out by Arts Council England.
Environmental sustainability statement
Devon Music Education Hub is committed to minimising the impact of our activities and those of our Hub partner organisations on the environment. We will work in accordance with Devon County Council’s environmental policy and the recommendations of the DfE’s sustainability and climate change strategy wherever possible.