Supporting Schools

Wandsworth Music believe passionately in the importance of music as part of a broad and balanced curriculum.

As lead partner of the Wandsworth Music Education Hub, we work in partnership with, and supports schools to deliver the core roles of the National Plan for Music Education

Our wide range of music lessons and music support programmes for Wandsworth school include:

Whole Class Ensemble Tuition (WCET)
Singing Projects & Programmes
Curriculum Music Support
Instrument Hire Service
Peripatetic music tuition
Ensembles and choirs
Bespoke CPD for your staff
Early Years music programmes
High profile performance opportunities at professional venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall

School Music Partner Membership

All maintained, free and academy schools in Wandsworth are eligible for School Music Partner Membership (formerly Wandsworth Schools Music Service Trading Account).

For further details please click here

School Music Partner Membership

School Services

Whole Class Ensemble Tuition (WCET)

Instrumental Music for All

Whole Class Ensemble Tuition (WCET) provides children with the opportunity to learn a musical instrument during curriculum time, free of charge at the point of access for a full academic year.

We believe that through the programme of WCET we can encourage, nurture and develop the next generation of musicians, many of whom would not have considered taking up a musical instrument without this opportunity.

WCET lessons embrace multiple aspects of musical learning, which both support the instrumental learning and enhance musical development. Aspects of musical learning may include; musically relevant warm-ups, exploring pitch, rhythm and pulse, listening and appraising, singing, notation, and technical and practical aspects appropriate to the chosen instrument.

Regular performance opportunities are an integral part of the programme and an opportunity for pupils to showcase their learning. At the end of the first year, all pupils are able to make an informed choice to decide if they wish to continue learning the instrument.

The programme is designed with Year 4 (or in some cases Year 3) as the target age group, although we also offer tailored music programmes for other year groups and various continuation elements beyond the initial year.

For more information on our Whole Class Ensemble programmes please contact lshilling@wandsworth.gov.uk

To see some of the schools in action, please click on the link below.

Whole Class Ensemble Festival - This could be you!

Progression

Continuing in Music

Implicit in all programmes is the vision to build a continuation element, beyond the first year, for children who wish to continue with their instrumental learning.

The music service works in partnership with schools to provide clear and affordable progression routes for children coming to the end of their first year of WCET:

School-financed whole class/ large group continuation

100% of original class (or large group) continuing, with instruments loaned free of charge by the Music Service (working under the same conditions as the WCET offer)

Small group/ individual lessons

Individual or small-group instrumental lessons (up to 4/5 children per group) charged at standard hourly rates (Parent/carer or school-financed)

Wandsworth Music Academy

Small group and individual instrumental lessons and progression through borough ensembles is available through the Saturday Music Academy. More information can be found here

Singing Strategy

Finding a Voice

The Singing Strategy aims to improve the quality and quantity of singing in all Wandsworth Schools.

Our bespoke singing programme is based on combining a thorough understanding of the developing child’s voice, with exciting and challenging repertoire led by singing specialists to inspire children and staff about their potential to sing.

School, cluster and public performances are used to celebrate children’s achievements and raise the profile of singing across the school community.

All programmes include a CPD session for teachers, which includes the songs and resources used in the programme.

The bespoke singing programme focuses on different year groups each term as follows:

Autumn term Year 3&4

Spring term Year 5&6

Summer term Year 1&2

Please click on the links below to see some of the programmes in action!

Year 3&4 Primary Choir

Peripatetic Tuition

Tutors that Travel – peripatetic tuition in schools

We have an outstanding team of more than 150 vocal and instrumental tutors, who are either qualified music teachers or professional musicians.

All tutors have been auditioned and interviewed by Wandsworth Schools’ Music Service and been subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Our committed team of tutors teach over 7000 children a year, offering lessons across a wide range of instruments, including brass, strings, woodwind, percussion, piano, guitar and voice.

Schools need to bear in mind practical issues such as where the lessons might be held, and how the timetable is managed so that this work becomes part of the normal school day. This is important as it establishes the learning as an integral part of the children’s education.

It is usual to offer small group tuition for a minimum of 1.5 hours as tutors often live some distance from Wandsworth, and it is important that the work we arrange is sustainable for both parties in the long-term.

Curriculum Music

Curriculum Music & Bespoke Programmes

We are able to design bespoke curriculum music programmes to support schools in the delivery of the national curriculum.

These are bespoke programmes that may vary between schools, and are subject to availability and timetabling of tutors.

Please contact dhuie@wandsworth.gov.uk if you would like further information.

We also provide Music Mark membership for school music partner schools. Further links to a range of resources can be found below.

National Curriculum for Music

Instrument Hire

Help with Hiring

Wandsworth Music has an excellent stock of high quality musical instruments which, subject to availability are available to hire to schools and pupils. Please contact us for further information.