Up beat start to the term 

It was a great start to the new term when the West Sussex Music team and teaching staff spent a day on their professional development in Bognor Regis this week. 

As well as welcoming new teachers and having the chance to reconnect with established colleagues the staff training day, which was held at The Phoenix Centre at The Regis School, had an exciting array of workshops and course facilitators to inform, challenge, and inspire. 

Across the day teachers got the chance to discuss ways to bring more diversity into the curriculum, and the importance of representation across the whole curriculum.  

There were opportunities to hear about lived experiences of musicians and students with ADHD or autism and the teaching strategies that will better support neurodiverse learners. There was also the opportunity to understand the ways that trauma-impacted pupils in schools can be engaged in music. 

Attendees also got the chance to take part in a practical session run by world-renowned composer, producer, cellist, and kora virtuoso Tunde Jegede on gaining confidence in nurture creativity and improvisation in teaching.  

James Underwood, Chief Executive for West Sussex Music, said: 

“Our staff training day was a wonderful opportunity to bring together our visiting music teachers to support their knowledge and understanding so that the children and young people who learn music can gain so much more.” 

He added: “It’s our vision for West Sussex to be a place where every child and young person can explore the life-changing benefits of music: on their education, their wellbeing, and their future. Days like today help us to do that.” 

West Sussex Music provides high quality and inclusive music education and performance opportunities for all children and young people across the county. 

We work with partner organisations, schools, young people and their families to develop our collective vision for accessible and inspirational music education. 

In schools, we ensure schools have access to quality-assured music practitioners who can provide instrumental lessons, whole-class first access programmes, lunchtime and after school music activities, workshops, singing projects, and support for teachers. Out of school, we run activities around the county at our evening and Saturday music centres, online, and during the school holidays.  

For more information go here.