West Sussex
Primary and SEND
Music Education Conference
Monday 30 June 2025, 9am - 4pm
Set in the breathtaking surroundings of Christ’s Hospital School, Horsham, we are thrilled to invite all professionals working with children and young people to join us at our Primary and SEND Music Education Conference 2025.
Responding to your requests, we have planned a day that will give you everything you and your schools need to power-up music both in and out of the classroom.
- Expert-led workshops: learn from nationally and internationally acclaimed music education experts.
- Diverse topics: explore inclusive practices, the latest in music technology, ensemble participation, instrumental learning (djembe, recorder, ukulele), conducting, composing, and more.
- Hands-on learning: engage in fun, practical sessions designed to inspire and equip you with new skills and resources.
- Delicious food & networking: included in the day, mouth-watering meals and beverages for you to enjoy while connecting with like-minded colleagues.
The conference will culminate in an inspirational fusion of samba, voices, and instruments—an easily adaptable music experience ready for you to share with your pupils and colleagues and a fitting end to what promises to be a very special day.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Find out more & book tickets
This conference is FREE to all LA maintained schools, academies and free schools in West Sussex.
All other delegates will be charged just £45 per person.
✅ Please tick the gift aid box if purchasing a ticket, it makes a huge difference and allows us to provide more opportunities for pupils.
Workshops
Session One Workshops
Creative Music-Making with iPads - Ben Sellers
iPads are a fantastic tool to break down barriers to music-making.
This session looks at how we can use them in music sessions with all cohorts, including PMLD pupils and those in alternative provision.
Suitable for those working in SEND settings and those working in mainstream.
Conducting an Ensemble; the tool kit you need to successfully lead singing - Rachel Maby
From small rock and pop combos to a full symphony orchestras we see music being led on a daily basis.
But where to begin? Whether you are already confident leading groups or completely new, Rachel will give you the signs, cues, and knowledge you need – not just to get going yourself but also to encourage pupils to be leaders.
Zero to Hero: Learn to play and teach the djembe drum - Anna Ryder
This wonderful, accessible instrument brings instant excitement to any music classroom.
Aimed at beginners and those wanting to extend their pedagogical understanding of teaching the djembe to a whole class, Anna will guide you through the skills and repertoire you need to feel confident.
Zero to Hero: Learn to play and teach the ukulele – Tina Oberman
The ukulele has rapidly become one of the most popular instruments for young musicians.
Aimed at beginners and those wanting to extend their knowledge of teaching whole class ukulele, Tina will take you through the learning journey, from how to tune a ukulele, to strumming techniques, chord patterns and fun repertoire that children love playing.
Session Two Workshops
Composing Music: Patchworking ‘Build It!’ - Emily Barden
Take favourites from your playlists and use them as a gateway into composing.
In the session, Emily explains how to take a piece of music, pick out themes and motifs to help us create our own patchwork compositions.
Supported by resources you can immediately take away and use, this session will leave you buzzing and inspired to teach composing in a way that you didn’t know you could
Zero to Hero: Learn to play and teach the recorder- Jane Swindells
A traditional favourite, relatively cheap to buy and used in many schools. But …often avoided as the sound of 30 beginner recorder players can test the nerves of even the hardiest of teachers.
Fear not – in this session, Jane guides us step by step into a world of recorder playing where the sound is managed, and even very young children can play and sound good.
From warmups, to posture, breath control and learning your first pieces of music, you will leave inspired to give it a go!
Learn ways to use technology in the Music Classroom- Ben Sellers
An overview of some of the most effective music technology for use with pupils with additional learning needs.
Beginning with a selection of free online composition and songwriting resources and moving on to more specialist hardware.
Suitable for pupils working at all levels.
Zero to Hero: Learn to play and teach the djembe drum - Anna Ryder
This wonderful, accessible instrument brings instant excitement to any music classroom.
Aimed at beginners and those wanting to extend their pedagogical understanding of teaching the djembe to a whole class, Anna will guide you through the skills and repertoire you need to feel confident.
Session Three Workshops
Working Towards Mastery on the Djembe Drum - Musa Mboob
Gambian Master Percussionist, Musa, provides an opportunity for more experienced teachers to develop their own djembe drumming skills.
From more advance technique to rhythms, riffs and genres pupils will love, this is the perfect opportunity to be inspired and take new higher-level skills back to your schools.
How to Start an Ensemble in Your School - Ben Sellers
Logistical and pedagogical approaches to setting up an instrumental ensemble in your mixed school.
This session will be practical, and we will try out some of the music-making approaches on a variety of instruments.
Suitable for those working in SEND settings and those working in mainstream.
Composing Music: Patchworking ‘Build It!’ - Emily Barden
Take favourites from your playlists and use them as a gateway into composing.
In the session, Emily explains how to take a piece of music, pick out themes and motifs to help us create our own patchwork compositions.
Supported by resources you can immediately take away and use, this session will leave you buzzing and inspired to teach composing in a way that you didn’t know you could
Zero to Hero: Learn to play the ukulele – Tina Oberman
The ukulele has rapidly become one of the most popular instruments for young musicians.
Aimed at beginners and those wanting to extend their knowledge of teaching whole class ukulele, Tina will take you through the learning journey, from how to tune a ukulele, to strumming techniques, chord patterns and fun repertoire that children love playing.
