KS2 Big Sings

 Schools can pick one Big Sing event to take part in from the following dates:

• Burgess Hill – 10 June, 9:30 -11.30 – London Meed Community Primary School
• Crawley North – 10 June, 13:15 – 15:00 – St Margaret’s CE Primary School
• Crawley South – 09 June, 9:30-11:30 – The Oaks Primary School
• East Grinstead – 08 June, 13:15-15:00 – Crawley Down Village CE Primary School
• Horsham – 12 June, 9:30-11:30 – Greenway Junior School
• Mid Sussex NEARS – 04 June, 09:30-11:30 – Handcross Primary School
• Selsey/Manhood – 11 June, 9:15-11:00 – The Academy, Selsey
• Shoreham – 03 June, 13:15-14:15 – Herons Dale Primary School
• The Bourne – 11 June, 13:15-15:00 – Southbourne Junior School
• Weald – 02 June, 9:30-11:30 – Billingshurst Primary Academy
• Worthing East – 03 June, 9:30-11:30 – Downsbrook Primary School
• Worthing West – 05 June, 9:30-11:30 – Homefield Primary School

Is it free to take part?

Yes, these events are support by DfE funding

How many students can I bring?

Big Sings bring together at least 3 schools and range from 100 to 300 students in total. Schools may bring a whole year group of Year 5 or 6 pupils or both where classes are mixed.

Our school can’t afford a minibus – can parents collect/drop off children instead?

All host schools are able to accommodate parent/carer pick up/drop-off of students to the Big Sing to ensure that there are no financial barriers to schools in taking part.

Is there anything that I should bring?

We encourage schools to ask children to bring a water bottle and a snack for a short break in the middle of the Big Sing workshop, where time allows.

Do we have to learn the music off by heart?

Whilst it is encouraged to learn the Big Sing songs and school performance pieces off by heart so that children can focus on their performance and communicating with the audience, it is not compulsory because there will be a screen provided at every Big Sing. 

My piece uses a backing track – will speakers be provided?

Yes – the host schools will have a piano, computer, screen and speakers for schools to use.

This year’s KS2 Big Sing theme is The Natural World. We have chosen three mass songs for schools to learn prior to the event, which includes two-part harmony, with additional harmonies for schools who are feeling ambitious! 

Click on the Resources button above to find all the resources you need to prepare for the day.

If you want some inspiration for your own school performance item, please take a look at the suggestions under school performance items below

We encourage schools to prepare to perform one song by themselves, which compliments this year’s theme, The Natural World. The piece can be a cappella or accompanied by backing track or live instrument (e.g. piano or guitar).  Teachers can choose whatever piece of music they like that their pupils enjoy performing.

Some helpful suggestions…

• There are many songs out there specifically written for children’s voices which means the key and vocal range will be appropriate – Sing Up, Charanga, Spark Yard, Friday Afternoons, Portsmouth Music Song Source are just a few examples.
• Picking a pop song or musical theatre song from YouTube doesn’t necessarily mean it will be within the children’s range, so check that your students are comfortable with what they’re singing.
• In terms of the theme The Natural World, Sing Up have a playlist for Earth Day that is on the same page as Arctic Home – this contains several other appropriate songs.
• Call to Action is from a songbook called The Ticking Clock all of which are environmentally focused songs, and free on SongSource.
• There is also a songbook on there called One World which is also thematically appropriate.

We look forward to hearing your choices!