With the help of Talbot Village Trust, St Michael’s Middle School in Wimborne has opened three new music pods to ensure pupils have access to the instruments and equipment required to support a broad and inclusive music education.

Talbot Village Trust, a grant-giving charity that supports worthy causes across south-east Dorset, awarded the school £45,000 to purchase the pods, which are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology. With electric pianos, guitars, and drum kits, the soundproofed pods will help groups of up to 10 pupils come together and rehearse without struggling due to limited space.

Darren Ayling, headmaster of St Michael’s Middle School, said: "I am so grateful to Talbot Village Trust for their very generous donation to achieve this wonderful resource for the school. Music is an important part of education, playing a key role in children’s cognitive and social development. It can also help build pupils’ self-esteem and self-discipline.

“Music is one of the strengths at St. Michael's Middle School and I am so pleased that we have the facilities to enable our pupils, aged nine to 13, to explore and develop their musical abilities as part of their education here. It will benefit every pupil in the school throughout their time here and allows us to keep a focus on the vital part that creative subjects play in the curriculum.”

St Michael’s Middle School pupils are actively encouraged to take on extra-curricular activities, with music being a focus. The school hosts multiple concerts and competitions throughout the year to support pupils to develop their social skills and improve wellbeing as well as offering a break in between academic studies.

Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, Chairman of Talbot Village Trust, said: “Music is a cornerstone of the broad and balanced education that every child should receive. It touches hearts and minds, it celebrates and challenges us, and it connects us and moves us.”

He added: “In schools, music can bring communities together through the shared endeavour of the whole school singing, ensemble playing, and the love of listening to friends and fellow pupils performing. These are some of the reasons why it’s incredibly important to the Trust to support educational projects such as this.”

Talbot Village Trust donates up to £1million every year supporting various causes to youth organisations, education groups, and community-focused projects. The charity is encouraging further local causes to apply for funding ahead of its application deadline on 31 July.

For more information visit www.talbotvillagetrust.org