Summer Term 2025 – Primary Schools Newsletter
#makingmusicmatter
BRIGHTER SOUNDS 2025 – ROYAL ALBERT HALL
On 31 March, 1,600 children and young people from 39 Wandsworth Schools and the Wandsworth Music Academy performed in front of a near sell out audience at the world famous Royal Albert Hall. The concert showcased the brilliance of young musicians from across Wandsworth – Congratulations to everyone involved!
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNTIES 2025-2026
We have an exciting array of performance opportunities for your school to get involved in next year!
Mayor of Wandsworth Charity Carol Concert – 1 or 2 December 2025 (date tbc), Burntwood School
Schools are invited to put forward individual Christmas/seasonal items for this concert, for example a school choir, band or orchestra.
Mayor of Wandsworth Charity Gala Concert – 10 February 2026, Civic Suite
Schools are invited to put forward individual items for this concert. Due to the size of the stage, smaller scale items (e.g. choirs, chamber ensembles etc) would be more appropriate.
MASSED PRIMARY CHOIR EVENTS
Primary schools can apply to take part in the Autumn and Spring Term vocal projects which culminate in performances at Fairfield Halls in December 2025 and March 2026!
- Winter Sounds (Y3/4): 10 & 11 Dec 2025, Fairfield Halls
- Brighter Sounds (Y5/6): 24 & 25 Mar 2026, Fairfield Halls
For more information on how to get involved please email dhuie@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
SCHOOL MUSIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS….DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START..?
The DfE expect all schools to publish a summary of their school music development plan (SMDP) on their school website.
Don’t know where to start…? We can help you!
Wandsworth Music has created a simple online self-assessment tool, that upon completion will generate a template SMDP that schools can use.
For further supporting information please visit our website: www.wandsworthmusic.co.uk/schools/audit/
CPD & NETWORKING
The final primary music network meeting of this year will be held on Tuesday 20 May 2025, 4.30-6pm.
For more information please contact Emily Hall by email on ehall@Wandsworthmusic.co.uk
Save the dates!
The 2025-26 primary music network meetings
will be held on:
Autumn 2025: Tues 7 October 2025
Spring 2026: Tues 27 January 2026
Summer 2026: TBC
SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMMES & SUPPORT 2025-26
Wandsworth Music is committed to having a positive relationship with all schools and we would encourage you to look at the opportunities that we offer. Working in partnership with you, we can help to unlock the musical potential of your pupils; helping to develop their musical knowledge and understanding, increasing confidence and self-esteem, and supporting improved mental health and wellbeing.
If you would like to discuss any part of your music provision or have any questions regarding the model music curriculum, national plan for music, or anything else then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by email and we will arrange a time to visit your school or speak on the phone. Please contact either Dan or Debbie by email:
dwhite@wandsworthmusic.co.uk or dhuie@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
Full information about our programmes and support packages for schools can be found at https://wandsworthmusic.co.uk/schools/sla/
SLA PROGRAMMES BOOKING 25-26
If you have not yet completed the programme booking form for September 2025 please click below.
WANDSWORTH MUSIC ACADEMY – PROGRESSION PATHWAYS
Progression Pathways
All children should have the opportunity to develop and progress their musical interests and talent as far as they would like, including into specialist opportunities, higher education or future employment.
Wandsworth Music Academy
The Wandsworth Music Academy offers numerous diverse bands, orchestras, choirs and ensembles, providing all children with the opportunity to progress on their musical journey.
We are currently offering places at the Junior and Senior Academy for September and would encourage you to share these opportunities with parents and pupils. Please visit our website for further information.
Lessons in schools
Wandsworth Music provides individual, or small group lessons on any musical instrument. Lessons take place at the school, during the school day, and are mostly paid for by the parents. We take care of all the administration; including communications with parents, billing, and instrument hire.
If you would like to offer these lessons in your school please contact info@wandsworthmusic.co.uk for more information.
INSTRUMENT GRANT FUND – HAVE YOU PLACED YOUR ORDER?
There is still time for you to claim your £500 of free instruments, but be quick! The deadline to place orders is Friday 23 May at 5pm. For more information please contact info@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Wandsworth Music works in partnership with several Trusts and Foundations to provide scholarships and bursaries for children and young people in challenging circumstances, or in need of financial support.
Scholarships provide up to 4 years’ worth of funding (total value in excess of £3,500) for children to attend the Wandsworth Music Academy.
For more information on how to apply please visit – www.wandsworthmusic.co.uk/scholarships
WANDSWORTH MUSIC ENSEMBLE COMPETITION 2025
**Applications are now open to take part in the NEW Wandsworth Music Ensemble Competition 2025!!**
The Wandsworth Music Ensemble Competition is open to all small ensembles formed of musicians attending the Wandsworth Music Academy, schools in Wandsworth, or living in the borough of Wandsworth.
This competition is opening to the following ensembles:
- Chamber music ensembles
- Jazz ensembles
- Vocal ensembles
- Traditional/World Music ensembles
*All ensembles should have a maximum of 10 players and should be a minimum standard of Grade 5 on their instrument, or the equivalent level of ensemble standard for traditional, world music ensembles.
A maximum of 10 Ensembles will be chosen following initial video submissions, to perform an 8 minute programme in the Ensemble Competition Concert, to an audience of family, friends and esteemed colleagues. The Competition Final Concert will take place on Thursday 10 July and will be judged by a guest judge (to be announced in due course!).
There will be one ensemble winner and one runner up prize. The winners of the competition will be awarded the Ensemble Competition Trophy, a £100 prize voucher sponsored by Rotary Music Battersea and the opportunity to perform in a prestigious external concert with Wandsworth Music and it’s partners. The runner up prize winners will win a £50 prize voucher for their ensemble.
