Secondary Schools Newsletter – November 2026
Fao: Head of Music and Music Teacher
Dear Colleague
Free singing resources
We have been so delighted to work with three wonderful singing singing leaders from The Sixteen who ran workshops for our secondary school students hosted brilliantly by Davison CE High School for Girls, Hazelwick School and Felpham Community College. The Sixteen have now released their 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.
Sings Live!
A reminder that we have two Sings Live! workshop performances for your students, working in partnership with Christ’s Hospital, Chichester Cathedral and Emily Barden. Please bring your choir or those students who you think will enjoy participating in a day of singing workshops which will culminate with a performance to parents/carers.
To secure your place, select the event that works best for you and sign up here as soon as possible.
- Monday 8 February – 10.30am to 4.30pm, Sings Live! South @ Chichester Cathedral, Chichester, PO19 1PX
- Thursday 11 February – 10.30am to 4.30pm, Sings Live! North @ Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, RH13 0LJ
Come and sing New Nation Rising by Shirley J Thompson
In addition to our Sings Live! programme, WSM is looking for experienced and confident choirs to join West Sussex Youth Choir and West Sussex Youth Orchestra to perform New Nation Rising by Shirley J Thompson on Monday 22 March at Worthing Assembly Hall. If you are interested in taking part, please contact John Randall at john.randall@westsussexmusic.co.uk to find out more.
Sussex Secondary Music Conference – SAVE THE DATE!
The date of this year’s annual conference is Thursday 17 June at University of Sussex. Designed for music educators working in secondary schools, we’ll be publishing more information in the spring term. For now, please save the date.
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/
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
Please share the following opportunities with your students…
Holiday Activities
21 – 23 December 2026
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
17 – 19 February 2027
Creative Orchestral Laboratory! (COLAB!) Workshop brings together young musicians, aged under 21 (grade 3 and above) to make brand-new music together. Over three intensive days based at Horsham Music Centre, 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. Sign up 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) Apply here: https://www.westsussexmusic.co.uk/orchestras-inc/
James Underwood
CEO
West Sussex Music