Strathallan School fully risk assessed for a safe and secure NYBBS summer course

While the numbers of young people registering for this summer’s NYBBS (National Youth Brass Band of Scotland) course have been steadily increasing over the past couple of months, there are still places available to those players who have possibly been deterred from putting their names down for fear of the current uncertainty surrounding Coronavirus.

To address these concerns, SBBA (Scottish Brass Band Association) secretary Tom Allan and education officer John Boax have visited Strathallan School in Perthshire to conduct a full risk assessment of the premises ahead of the six-day course commencing on Sunday 1 August.

The reassuring news is that they have both returned full of optimism that the school, which has been operating as a fully-functional educational establishment since students were allowed to return to classroom learning, has all bases covered when it comes to ensuring the health and safety of everyone under its care.

“Strathallan has a stringent set of mitigation measures in place for the protection of its staff and pupils and these will be followed by NYBBS house staff for the duration of the NYBBS course,” explained John Boax.

“Furthermore, SBBA has exclusive use of the school this year so keeping our young musicians safe and secure will be that much easier. In previous years, we have shared the premises with NYOS (National Youth Orchestra of Scotland) players and tutors but their absence this year means that social distancing will be that much easier to maintain.”

There are two registration forms for the course – one for the Senior and Reserve bands and one for the Children’s band which will require the signature of a parent or guardian. SBBA is able to receive application forms until the middle of July.

An extended payment scheme until October has been introduced to ease any financial pressures. For further information and to download the forms, please visit the SBBA website at https://www.sbba.org.uk/nybbs