Primary and SEND Newsletter

Fao: Headteacher and Music Lead

Dear Colleagues

I hope the second half of term has started well. 

I appreciate it’s an especially busy time in schools, but I just want to share some quick links to opportunities that are available to you and your school community. Our national music hub funding from the Department for Education enables many opportunities to be free of charge or highly subsidised with bespoke programmes and assistance still reasonably priced.

If you are looking for bespoke, in-school support or would like a visit to discuss developing music in your school please contact our schools’ team – we’d love to hear from you.

Curriculum support and CPD

It’s not too late to sign up to our new courses to build confidence in new music leads and a day of training for all ECTs or those wishing to develop their skills in teaching music. You can also book us for a staff meeting or INSET day for training created around your school’s needs.  Our courses are designed to be transferable to commercial schemes and bespoke school curriculums. To see the full range of CPD offers click here or email our schools’ team

Classroom instrumental lessons (CIL) – still booking for Summer 2026

Book a specialist tutor and/or set of instruments to provide whole-classes with a first access instrumental lesson in curriculum time. We have a range of highly subsidised programmes that last one term or one year.  Find out more here

Enrichment activities

Explore opportunities to enrich your curriculum and support your extra-curricular music offer with our Time4Music service level agreement. We can provide specialists to run ensemble activities or lead workshops, and we also hire sets of instruments. Find out more here

Instrumental lessons

If you are looking to develop instrumental and vocal tuition in your school, we are here to help. Contact us on music@westsussexmusic.co.uk

Instrument hire

If you are looking to hire a class set of instruments to enrich a project, deliver an in-house workshop or support your music curriculum please get in touch on music@westsussexmusic.co.uk

Music Mark of Recognition

Music Mark has made changes to their schools’ membership scheme for 2025-26. In addition to their free opportunities and paid-for schools’ membership (£50 per year) they have now introduced the Music Mark of Recognition to help celebrate and recognise your school’s commitment to music both in and out of the curriculum. Schools presented with a Music Mark of Recognition certificate benefit from a 50% reduction in school membership. Take a look at their website https://www.musicmark.org.uk/join/the-music-mark-of-recognition-for-schools/ to find out more. If you would like your school to be presented with a Music Mark of Recognition certificate, please contact Jane Swindells at music@westsussexmusic.co.uk

Bursary Fund [reminder]

We want to ensure that learners from all backgrounds can access opportunities to explore high-quality and inspiring music making. The West Sussex Music Bursary Fund helps support children and young people aged 5-18 years of age, living in West Sussex or attending a West Sussex maintained school with funding towards lessons with a West Sussex visiting music teacher or associate tutor. Parents/carers need to apply to WSM before lessons start to see if funding is available. Further information and application forms are available here

Opportunities for pupils….

Singing

Thank you for the huge number of offers to host massed singing events in the spring and summer terms. Details of confirmed Little Big Sing events for February will be published next week – please keep an eye out for the email!

Live music performances

We have the following opportunities provided by hub partners to put in your diary to enable your students to experience a live orchestral concert especially programmed for children & young people:

Tuesday 13 January 2026 – Southern Pro-Musica @ Chichester Festival Theatre

• 10.45am book here £5 per ticket

• 1.30pm book here £5 per ticket     

Holiday Activities

Inspire creativity and connection this holiday with our engaging Holiday Activities. There is something for all skill levels, designed to help students develop musical abilities, boost confidence and explore diverse genres in a fun, collaborative environment. Participants will also earn a Digital Badge; a modern credential that showcases their achievements and skills. A number of free spaces are available for families receiving benefit-related free school meals. It’s a perfect blend of learning, culture and community! Please share the attached flier with your families. Find out more here.

Tomorrow’s Orchestra Programme 

Something for pupils interested in learning an orchestral instrument, Tomorrow’s Orchestra Programme (TOP26) combines free instrumental lessons and free instrument loan with weekly orchestral sessions. It has been created as a fast-track route from absolute beginner to confident musician within a few short months. TOP26 will also introduce children to the thrill of playing in an orchestra.

TOP26 lasts for three terms, starting in January, with sessions taking place in Bognor Regis, Chichester, Crawley, Horsham, Midhurst and Worthing. TOP26 runs for three terms from January to December. The first term is free* and terms 2 and 3 just £78 per term. More information and details of how to apply can be found here 

*There is a one-off non-refundable booking fee of £10.

Alison Sutton

Assistant Head: Head of Learning

West Sussex Music