A CHILDREN'S orchestra which aims to boost confidence and ambition among young people has been praised by education watchdogs.
Raploch's Big Noise orchestra, which is tasked with improving children's life chances, has been commended for its high attendance rates and exceptional achievements in a report by Education Scotland.
Inspectors also praised the Stirling-based programme for its innovative practice, adding that they now plan to share the orchestra's good practice throughout Scotland.
The report stated: "Children and young people attending Big Noise have high levels of school attendance, high standards of personal appearance and increasing self-pride.
"They feel that Big Noise staff encourage them to have high aspirations and to live healthy lives."
It added: "A significant number of children and young people achieve exceptionally well through the Big Noise programme."
"They demonstrate high levels of commitment to the programme through their consistently high levels of attendance, concentration and teamwork. They are developing well a range of important skills for life and work such as self-discipline, time-management and organisation.
"They are developing a strong sense of belonging and understand that others rely on them to do their best."
The orchestra, which is overseen by charity Sistema Scotland in partnership with Stirling Council, launched in 2008.
It is inspired by Venezuela's El Sistema movement which hopes to achieve wider social aims through music.
Sistema Scotland Chief Executive Nicola Killean said: "We very much welcome these findings which illustrate the distinctive nature of the work.
"Our most obvious triumphs may be musical but we are here to equip the children with resilience and confidence to succeed across all areas of their lives. It is not as easy to show that side of things as it is to put on a stunning musical performance.
"We are grateful to funders of Big Noise Raploch including Stirling Council, players of the People's Postcode Lottery and a number of trusts, foundations and individuals.
"This Education Scotland report illustrates that this investment in children's futures goes beyond providing a good musical experience to equip the children with transferable life skills.
"Sistema Scotland believes that will save society a great deal of money in the long term."
The report highlights the key strengths of the programme, including children achieving exceptionally well in music and feeling increasingly confident and ambitious.
The orchestra staff and leadership were also praised.
Inspectors also made a number of recommendations, including improving the planning and assessment of children's musical achievements and engaging more with other community groups.
David Leng, Director of Children, Young People and Education at Stirling Council, said: "We are pleased the inspectors recognised the innovative nature of the work and proud that good practice pioneered here in Stirling will now be shared around Scotland.
"There are some recommendations for action which I think are very useful, but overall this is a hugely positive report."
The report was drawn up after a team from Education Scotland spent a week in Raploch, observing Big Noise at work and talking to children, parents and partners.
The inspectors were made up of a team of experts from different background as the programme covers both school and community elements.
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