#makingmusicmatter
SCHOOLS NEWSLETTER – AUTUMN 2025
Welcome to the latest edition of our Schools Newsletter! We are thrilled to be embarking on another exciting year of music-making across Wandsworth.
This year promises to be full of inspiring projects and performances, from classroom music sessions to termly singing projects, and large-scale events that bring our young musicians together across the borough. Wandsworth Music is here to support and celebrate every achievement!
STRIKING A CHORD
Discover how Wandsworth Music can support your school and help bring music to life.
Our new video series shares inspiring stories from headteachers, parents, and pupils, showcasing the impact of high-quality music provision in the classroom. Hear how Wandsworth Music fosters creativity, engagement, and learning—and find out how your school can benefit from striking a chord with music!
WANDSWORTH MUSIC – OUR IMPACT 2025
9,000 Pupils
Wandsworth Music directly teaches more than 9,000 Wandsworth pupils every week!
35,000 Hours
Our tutors deliver more than 1,000 hours of music lessons every week, and in excess of 35,000 hours each year.
3,000 Instruments
We loan over 3,000 high-quality musical instruments every year.
35 ensembles
We embrace all genres of music and offer ensembles for young musicians of all ages and abilities.
£70,000
The amount of financial support provided for young musicians to attend the Music Academy in 2024/2025.
87% of Schools
We engage positively with Wandsworth Schools, providing CPD, teaching programmes, performance opportunities and more!
“Wandsworth Music have enabled us to put music at the heart of our schools and develop our offer in music”
Wandsworth Headteacher
“This was so special on so many levels: opportunities, inclusion, quality…. You are so ambitious for our children, and they respond well because they are surrounded by great role models and amazing tutors”
Parent
“That was off the scale! My goodness, what an evening. I can’t begin to fathom how you put all that together, but the organisation, skill, talent and vision was quite extraordinary. Our children in Wandsworth are deeply privileged to have such an amazing service available to them and I hope that the experience of taking part, and witnessing so many different genres in such an iconic building, will stay with them for life.”
Wandsworth Headteacher
MUSIC MARK MEMBERSHIP
Music Mark have revised their offer to schools this academic year. Schools can now engage in the following ways:
- Schools can sign up for free to receive the Music Mark newsletter with information about resources and events which are free to access.
- The Music Mark of Recognition: Wandsworth Music can nominate schools with a Music Mark of Recognition – for ‘Ambition and Quality’ or ‘Dedication and Improvement’. This replaces the old ‘Music Mark Schools’ process, but enables Music Services to help schools celebrate their commitment to music provision and musical learning in their school. If you would like to be considered for the Music Mark of Recognition please contact us
- School Membership: Schools can sign up to become a Member of Music Mark. The cost is £50+VAT (with a 50% discount for schools that have been nominated for a Music Mark of Recognition). Membership provides them with access to member-only resources, events and training and discounts including on job adverts.
For more information please visit the Music Mark website
CPD OPPORTUNITIES
Ofsted Update on Music in Schools – 21st October 2025 4pm (Online)
How to book? Follow the link here
Join Christopher Stevens, HMI National Lead for Music. During this session Christopher will give a presentation, followed by time for your questions to be answered.
Join ABRSM Voices for inspiring days of singing, learning, and innovative ideas to take back to your school.
Friday 14 November – Choral Leadership Level 1
Friday 28 November – Classroom Teacher to Music Lead Level 1
To find out more, place bookings and discover all training dates this school year, please visit ABRSM’s Teacher Hub
MUSIC LEADER NETWORK MEETINGS
The next music network meeting will be held on Tuesday 21 October, 4.30pm-6pm at Burntwood School
Mouhamed Gueye (back by popular demand!) will lead an authentic djembe workshop, aiming to upskill the group’s confidence with leading traditional West African music, focusing on team building and showcasing the high level of music making that can be achieved on the djembe in your schools!
Please confirm your attendance by signing up using this link: https://forms.office.com/e/SiDRKCUfnp
Save the dates! Tue 27 January 2026 & Tue 12 May 2026
SCHOOL MUSIC SUPPORT VISITS
Wandsworth Music are here to support all schools with every aspect of music education. We have the capacity to offer a wide range of support, including:
- Acting in an advisory role
- Assisting with strategic planning for music
- Helping schools develop their music curriculum in line with the Model Music Curriculum and the National Plan for Music Education
- Delivering music programmes such as curriculum music, whole-class instrumental tuition, peripatetic instrumental and vocal lessons, vocal projects, school ensembles, music therapy.
- Poviding performance opportunities for children at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall
Dan and Debbie are currently visiting all schools across Wandsworth to meet Headteachers and Music Leaders. These visits will enable us to:
- See and celebrate the great music already happening in our schools
- Review and discuss music provision and curriculum strategically
- Understand each school’s vision for music and identify where we might be able to support, offer progression routes, or create further opportunities for music making
We’ll be in touch with schools over the coming months to arrange a visit. However, if you’d like to speak with us sooner, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
As a starting point, we’ve created a simple online self-assessment tool. Once completed, it will generate a School Music Development Plan template that schools can use to guide their next steps.
For further supporting information please visit our website: www.wandsworthmusic.co.uk/schools/audit/
WANDSWORTH MUSIC PROGRAMMES
Our programmes 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.
Curriculum Music and PPA cover
Our team of specialist teachers now deliver high-quality curriculum music lessons in 20 Wandsworth primary schools! With singing and performing at its heart, the programme engages pupils in practical music-making and ensure progression and continuity in line with the Model Music Curriculum.
Instrumental Lessons in Schools
We can provide individual, or small group lessons on any instrument. We take care of all the administration; including communications with parents, billing, and instrument hire so you don’t have to.
School Ensembles and Music Clubs
Want to start a school band, choir, orchestra or extra curricular music club? Get in touch!
Music Therapy
Our HCPC-registered music therapists use music and play to help children express themselves, build confidence, and support their emotional and social wellbeing. Sessions are tailored to each pupil and school, providing a safe, creative space for growth and communication.
Want to find out more? Contact us or visit https://wandsworthmusic.co.uk/schools/sla/
LEAD SCHOOLS FOR MUSIC
Expressions of Interest Now Open
Wandsworth Music is working with the London Southwest Music Hub to appoint ‘Lead Schools’ for Music, as required by the Department for Education & Arts Council England. Music Hubs are required by the Department for Education (DfE) via Arts Council England (ACE) to appoint ‘Lead Schools’ for music in each Local Authority (LA) area in England. Wandsworth Music are seeking Lead Schools for Primary, Secondary, Special and Alternative provision in Wandsworth.
What is a Lead School?
Lead Schools will be partners of the Music Hub and support the sharing of good practice. Lead schools will be expected to show a willingness to support and contribute to the development of co-curricular music provision across Wandsworth. This could involve sharing ideas and resources, working with partners on professional development opportunities, or encouraging collaboration and peer support between schools and teachers.
Characteristics of a Lead School
Schools will be required to demonstrate:
- A high-quality and diverse musical offer.
- A commitment to curriculum delivery with significant timetable time (e.g. 1hr per week minimum), a range of co-curricular opportunities, ensembles, and performance opportunities (in and out of school).
- Active engagement with Wandsworth Music and support for progression routes beyond the school curriculum (e.g. into Wandsworth Music ensembles)
- A commitment to professional development opportunities and a willingness to share good practice with others.
Interested?
Schools are invited to complete a short Expression of Interest form if they wish to become a Lead School. Expressions of interest from across the Southwest London area will be reviewed by the Executive Leadership of SWL Music and appointments made with a view to ensuring a breadth of knowledge and expertise from across the Hub area.
Deadline to apply
All expressions of interest should be received before midnight on Friday 14 November 2025. We will aim to contact all interested schools shortly after this date with more information.
PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA UNWRAPPED
Orchestra Unwrapped is the Philharmonia Orchestras schools’ concert series for Key Stage 2 pupils. The programme offers thousands of children from many different backgrounds the opportunity to hear a live orchestra. The concert is accompanied by learning resources to explore music in the classroom.
The next concert takes place on Monday 23 March 2026, at the Royal Festival Hall. For more information please visit: https://philharmonia.co.uk/what-we-do/learning-and-engagement/schools-concerts/
INSTRUMENT GRANT FOR SCHOOLS
Last year, the Department for Education (DfE) made available an instrument grant for Music Hubs across England.
To date we have invested over £25,000 on a range of musical instruments and technology to enhance music education in schools across the borough.
There are limited funds remaining. If your school missed the original purchasing deadline then please contact us by 31 October at the latest.
WANDSWORTH MUSIC STAFFING CHANGES
Lydia Malitksie welcomed a new baby to the world in September and is now on maternity leave. Lauren Brown is acting Instrumental Music Manager during Lydia’s maternity leave. Please contact Lauren for all instrumental programme enquiries, including whole class teaching, ensembles, instrument hire.
We are also delighted to welcome Joe Prescott and Sian Greenhalf to the WM team.
Joe joins us as Senior Music Leader and will support the development and delivery of all Wandsworth Music programmes, with a specific focus on singing and music technology. Joe can be contacted by email: jprescott@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
Sian joins us as Instrumental Leader (Maternity Cover) and will lead on peripatetic music lessons in schools. Sian can be contacted by email: sgreenhalf@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
WANDSWORTH MUSIC ACADEMY PROGRESSION PATHWAYS
All young people 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.
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 recruiting for new ensemble members this year – Please share these opportunities with your pupils!
BEYOND!
BEYOND! is an inclusive, creative music ensemble for young people with Special Educational Needs/ Disabilities (SEND). The young musicians use a combination of traditional instruments, percussion, voices and music technology to create new music and develop their musical skills
BEYOND rehearses twice a term at various schools in the borough, and perform at venues including The Royal Albert Hall and Fairfield Halls
FREE TO JOIN!
For more information email ehall@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
