Schools and teachers area
We offer a wide range of support and activities for schools, all at very reasonable prices, with a selection of free resources too.
Find what's right for your school
Get in touch with us
Please do get in touch with the relevant Inspiring Music Key Stage lead:
Early Years Co-ordinator – Hilary Lawson
Schools Music Liaison Partner for KS1-KS2 – Mark Lowe
Schools Music Liaison Partner for KS3-KS5 – Sanchia Davidson
Email: inspiring.music@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
First Things Music (CPD)
First Thing Music is a progressive CPD programme for EYFS and KS1 classroom teachers with no previous musical experience. It is designed to develop the skills to teach classroom music with confidence, based on 15 minutes’ music-making daily.
Inspiring Music Education Hub Instruments for Loan
One set available per half term, subject to availability. Please contact Inspiring Music on inspiring.music@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk for more information. Prices on application. Fixed fee of £50 delivery charge if schools are unable to collect and return the instruments.
Junk Percussion
Tuned Percussion
Untuned Percussion
Guitars
African Drums
Cajons
Steel Pans
Descant Recorders
Curriculum Enrichment Offer
Find out about the Whole Class, Curriculum, CPD, Weekly Ensemble opportunities we offer to schools.
School CPD Day (January)
Each year Inspiring Music works with local hubs to produce a tailored teaching and learning event dedicated to Music Leads from EYFS to Key Stage 5. We collate speakers and educators who present on a wide range of topics, and this event grows bigger each year. The day is hosted at King's House in Bedford, and it is a perfect way to meet colleagues across several music hubs, collaborate and be inspired by music education specialists. Recent speakers include:
Ofsted HMI Christopher Stevens - Lead for Music Education
Contact your Key Stage lead for more information.
Music Mark Schools Programme
Inspiring Music are delighted to continue working in partnership with Music Mark, whose schools programme celebrates schools who are committed to providing a high-quality music education.
As the Music Education Hub for Central Bedfordshire, Inspiring Music can provide your school with the range of tailored benefits that being a Music Mark Schools brings:
a certificate so that you can show off your achievement
use of the exclusive Music Mark School logo pack
Music Mark Members Area accounts for you and colleagues within your school
access to an extensive library of member-only resources
invites to attend our member-only events and training
discounted rates and priority booking for Music Mark’s Annual Conference
The Music Mark Status for schools has a number of criteria this year including:
evidence of a willingness to engage in development conversations related to improving music provision
recognition of the value of music education as part of a broad and balanced curriculum
a strategy for music in place which provides for all children
To find out more information about your school receiving Music Mark Status, please contact your Key Stage lead.
OHMI Trust – One Handed Musical Instruments
Inspiring Music has recently partnered with the OHMI Trust to implement their Music-Makers Whole Class programme for children and young people in Central Bedfordshire. The programme will offer equitable access to whole-class music tuition for children and young people with physical impairment, meaning that they will be supported with adapted musical instruments or equipment.
OHMI’s Music-Makers Whole Class programme is their teaching support programme. It supports whole class instrumental learning for students with physical impairments that use adapted musical instruments or equipment.
Find out more information about OHMI’s Music-Makers Whole Class programme.
If your school would like to get in touch with Inspiring Music about how we can support children and young people with disabilities within your school, please get in touch with Mark Lowe (Music Inclusion Manager): inspiring.music@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Battle of the Bands Events
Inspiring Music regularly hold cross school events and competitions that your schools are invited to be a part of. See below for a flavour of the two Battle of the Bands events that are held annually in the Spring Term and contact Sanchia Davidson if you would like to take part:
Beds Band Factory for KS3 – held at Redborne Upper School
Battle of the Bands for KS4-5 – held at The Stables MK
Email: inspiring.music@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Orchestras in Context: A & AS Level Resources
Are you looking for an interactive and new way to engage music students? The Orchestras in Context: The Set Works Sessions are a set of resources that give your students insights and a way to reflect on key chamber and orchestral works from leading classical musicians.
Commission by us and performed by the Bath Phil, these resources are available to stream through a one-off licence. Accompanying resources to engage your students in conversation and learning are also provided.
Charanga Musical School (lower and primary)
Charanga can provide lower and primary schools membership access to their UK leading Scheme to teach the National Curriculum for Music at KS1–2. This includes:
Week-by-week Schemes of Work with lesson plans, or create and share your own
A customisable library of songs, ready-made lessons and resources
Support for assessment, special needs education and personalised learning
Find out more about Charanga Music School.
Schools can receive a subsidised Charanga Musical School membership by ordering through our Curriculum Enrichment Brochure.
Charanga Musical School (secondary)
Charanga Secondary has a large selection of resources that can be accessed through membership. This includes:
The new YuStudio – an affordable, purpose-built DAW for schools
Music and the Modern World – six progressive units covering popular curriculum themes
Find out more information about Charanga Secondary.
Schools can receive a subsidised Charanga Secondary membership by ordering through our Curriculum Enrichment Brochure.
Sing Up
Sing Up encourages and supports singing and musical learning with children and young people so that they:
Learn to sing well and enjoy singing
Develop musical skills and understanding
Experience the wider learning and developmental benefits that singing and music making provide
Experience long-term benefits to their health and wellbeing
Find out more information about Sing Up.
Schools can receive a subsidised Sing Up membership by ordering through our Curriculum Enrichment Brochure.
Sparkyard
Let singing transform your school! Out of the Ark believes that singing changes children's lives and has a profound impact on learning and wellbeing.
Sparkyard is a brand-new subscription service from Out of the Ark, which gives primary school teachers nearly 1000 songs, and countless resources to allow those songs to be used in every part of a school's life to enhance wellbeing:
In curriculum lessons to support learning
In assemblies to develop community
In classrooms and playgrounds
and much more
Find out more information about Sparkyard.
Schools can receive a subsidised Sparkyard membership by ordering through our Curriculum Enrichment Brochure.