Primary SEND Schools Newsletter - November 2026
Fao: Headteacher and Music Lead
Dear Colleagues,
In September we welcomed Claire Robins, our new Schools Singing Lead, who has been working on some great offers and new opportunities for you. Please read on to find out more…
Free singing resources
Hub partners, The Sixteen, have released new resources for all schools to be able to access here by signing up for a free account for your school. There are three carefully arranged pieces by Will Todd, Bob Chilcott and Lucy Walker with supporting resources created for both primary and secondary age students.
KS1 Little Big Sings, Spring 2027
A huge thanks to so many schools for registering their interest in hosting a Little Big Sing in the Spring Term, we were overwhelmed with responses. We are confirming times and dates with our host schools and will then invite you all to sign up to through our website to attend one of our Little Big Sing events and to access the resources for the shared songs we will all learn together. We can’t wait to sing with you all soon!
Curriculum support and CPD
To see the full range of FREE CPD offers click here or email our schools’ team
Save the date – Primary and SEND conference 2027, Friday 18 June at Brighton Dome.
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
Bursary Fund
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
Classroom instrumental lessons (CIL)
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 subsidised programmes that last one term or one year. Find out more here
Live music performances
We have the following opportunity provided by a hub partner, to put in your diary to enable your students to experience a live orchestral concert especially programmed for children & young people:
Tuesday 12 January 2027 – Southern Pro-Musica @ Chichester Festival Theatre
Children’s Concerts | Introducing children to classical music
Music Mark of Recognition 2026-27
Music Mark, the UK Association for Music Education, has a scheme to celebrate and recognise schools’ commitment to music education: the Music Mark of Recognition.
If you had a Music Mark of Recognition last year and would like to renew for this year, or would like to explore this opportunity please email Jane Swindells jane.swindells@westsussexmusic.co.uk
Music Mark members can take advantage of a range of CPD opportunities for music educators https://www.musicmark.org.uk/events/
Please share the following opportunities with your families…
Holiday Activities
December 2026 – (Monday 21 – Wednesday 23)
Covering Bognor Regis, Crawley and Worthing, we have a wide selection of exciting workshops lined up for young people aged 8-16 year olds including Rap & Music Production, Singing and Play In A Band.
FREE places area available for those in receipt of free school meals and everyone gets a free meal at lunchtime. Find out more here.
February 2027 – (Wednesday 17 – Friday 19)
Creative Orchestral Laboratory! (COLAB!) Workshop brings together young musicians, aged under 21 (grade 3 and above) from across West Sussex to make brand-new music together. Over three intensive days at our music centre in Horsham, you’ll work with acclaimed composer and music director Tim Steiner and a team of expert musicians. Using improvisation, experimentation, discussion, and performance, you’ll create an original live set from scratch, culminating in a public performance at the end of the project.
To find out more and express your interest, click here!
Orchestras Inc. SEND music group
Orchestras Inc. is open to all children and young people with additional needs, including those attending special schools, those at mainstream schools or colleges with additional needs and those who are home schooled. No experience necessary and it’s FREE to attend! Please promote this wonderful offer to your families using the flyer attached. Sessions take place on Saturdays: at Worthing Music Centre (7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, & 5 Dec) https://www.westsussexmusic.co.uk/orchestras-inc/
Alison Sutton
Assistant Head: Head of Learning
West Sussex Music