Schools Newsletter – September 2026
Fao: Headteacher and Music Lead
Dear Colleagues
I hope the new academic year has started well for you and your school community.
We’re here to support your aspirations for music in your school. 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.
Updates…
Safeguarding
For the new academic year, all West Sussex Music teachers have completed mandatory safeguarding modules and have read KCSiE 2026 part 1.
The West Sussex Music Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy has been updated to reflect changes in KCSiE 2026.
Letters of assurance are available to schools upon request to music@westsussexmusic.co.uk
Benedict’s Law
We are committed to aligning with school policies and procedures as much as possible. As part of our annual training, all WSM teachers have completed Anaphylaxis & Allergy Training.
We are amending our application processes and updating existing pupil records to ensure that parents/carers provide us with the information we need to keep pupils safe during music activities. Please inform our teachers if they are working with any child who is at risk of severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.
Curriculum support and CPD
Sussex Music Hub (led by West Sussex Music and Create Music) is offering a range of FREE CPD for schools again this year with a wider range of dates and venues to choose from. Following the success of last year’s new events, we include courses designed 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 own 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
Singing
We are delighted to welcome our new Schools Singing Leader, Claire Robins, who will be supporting and facilitating our well-established programme of Big Sings and Little Big Sings this year and more information will be shared very soon.
In the meantime, if you would like to host one of these events, please do get in touch with Claire at music@westsussexmusic.co.uk
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 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:
1. Friday 25 September – Worthing Symphony Orchestra @ Worthing Assembly Hall
2. Tuesday 12 January 2027 – Southern Pro-Musica @ Chichester Festival Theatre
Children’s Concerts | Introducing children to classical music
Music Mark of Recognition 2026-2027
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 our Primary Curriculum Manager jane.swindells@westsussexmusic.co.uk
Indian Music for Schools
One of our Associate Tutors, Kate Hogg, has teamed up with Sanju Sahai, an internationally acclaimed tabla artist, to offer demonstrations and workshops in schools. If you are interested in learning more, please see here https://www.westsussexmusic.co.uk/indian-music-for-schools/
Please share the following opportunities with your families…
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 Horsham Music Centre (19 Sept, 26 Sept, 3 Oct, 10 Oct & 17 Oct and at Worthing Music Centre (7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, & 5 Dec) https://www.westsussexmusic.co.uk/orchestras-inc/
Tomorrow’s Orchestra Programme – Midhurst
West Sussex Music is excited to offer KS2 children the opportunity to take part in one term of completely free music-making, at our Midhurst Music Centre. This offer includes free instrumental lessons, free instrument hire and the chance to play in our incredibly popular TOPs Orchestra.
Please see the attached flyer for full details, or follow this link: Tomorrow’s Orchestra Programme 2026 Sign up | West Sussex Music
Alison Sutton
Assistant Head: Head of Learning
West Sussex Music