Sussex Music Hub
Lead Schools for Music

The Lead Schools for Music: Development Group will support the hub’s strategic thinking around the support it provides to schools. They will do this by: 

• Being an active part of the Lead Schools for Music: Development Group which will support the hub to develop and deliver their engagement plan for schools. The group will meet 3 times throughout the academic year. The group will provide support by: 
  • Generating recommendations for SMH Board that reflect the priorities and needs of schools across the region.
  • Using their knowledge and experience to support the design of SMH CPD offer, conference content and network meeting themes/speakers.
  • Consulting on the development of SMH programmes, projects and events for schools.
  • Reviewing bespoke support for schools and offering advice on additional support and best practice within local schools.
  • Supporting the development of online content (e.g. for the Music Education Network on Teams or Schools area of the hub’s website by contributing resources, newsletter articles or blogs etc.) 

• Attending regular school network meetings convened by SMH and supporting relevant localised networks, including where possible being a host school.
• Piloting different models of peer support, such as facilitating peer networking sessions and/or leading workshops or training sessions on behalf of SMH, as requested.
• Advocating for the importance of music education and promoting clear learning pathways across the SMH for their pupils and for other local schools.  
• Supporting SMH to effectively deliver local collaborative projects such as SMH Teachers Conferences, Big Sings, One Voice, partnership projects taking place in schools or transition events.
• Contributing towards the development and implementation of the SMH School Engagement Strategy.  

Where a Lead School has specific expertise that can be shared more widely in identified areas of need, e.g. successful assessment of music, integration of technology, singing, design and implementation of successful pathways to KS4 and KS5, high pupil uptake at GCSE and A Level etc. it may be requested by the hub that the lead school shares their best practice with schools through the CPD programme, website content or network. 

As set out by the DofE, Lead Schools should exemplify high-quality music teaching and champion best practice in their area. The following criteria builds on the recommendations made in the NPME and sets out what SMH would be looking for in a successful Lead School for Music: 

1. Shared values and strong links with the Sussex Music Hub.
   For example:

• High level of engagement with activities offered by SMH e.g. attendance at network meetings, engaging with relevant project opportunities, taking part in Classroom Instrumental Lessons programme (primary), data on music engagement within school has been provided for annual music hub survey.
• Thriving instrumental tuition offer and opportunities for students to engage with extra-curricular ensembles. Alternatively, mechanisms are in place where pupils go to a local Music Centre to ensure they have access to provision.
• Schools are an active member of the SMH network and community; they know about the music opportunities for pupils in the local community and signpost their pupils to wider activities offered by the SMH.  

2. Strong Commitment to all pupils making good progress in music education.
   For example:

• Music is taught regularly across all year groups and is taught by skilled classroom teachers.
• School can demonstrate a thorough understanding of the benefits of music making and studying music as part of a well-rounded curriculum.
• Well-planned and delivered curriculum which uses a breadth of high-quality resources that are considered and used in a way to ensure pupils are accessing a broad and balanced curriculum.
• For secondary schools, schools have high uptake into music qualifications at KS4/5 and support students to engage in further music making as well as inform them on creative careers.
• Schools that apply to become a lead school with a particular strength or specialism are able to demonstrate expertise in this area e.g. singing, use of technology, industry pathways etc. 

3. Music is embedded and championed within wider school life.
   For example:

• A commitment to the development of high-quality music opportunities from school SLT/MAT SLT (as appropriate).
• The whole school champions music and does not teach it solely for its transferable skills and benefits.
• Extra-curricular music making activities are accessible for all.

• Suitable schools will be identified through an application process which will include a meeting with a relevant member of school SLT or member of MAT Leadership.
• Lead schools will initially be in post for 1 term (summer term 2025) to support the development of SMH School Engagement Plan and to pilot different methods of peer learning. 
• The future of the Lead Schools for Music: Development Group will be confirmed, following confirmation of future funding for Music Hubs from DfE/ACE. We anticipate that lead schools involved in the pilot during summer 2025 could continue in this role; however, taking part in the pilot is not a guarantee of future membership.  
• There is no financial renumeration for becoming a lead school or joining the Lead Schools for Music: Development Group. However, schools will receive renumeration for release time for their member of staff if SMH engages that member of staff to lead training sessions during the school day and/or to visit a teacher at another school (up to a maximum of 3 days per lead school, per academic year).
• Lead Schools will become partners of SMH and will be asked to sign a partnership agreement. Lead Schools will automatically receive: 
  • Music Mark membership
  • Use of the relevant Hub logo(s) on their website to identify themselves as a Lead School for Music

OUR VISION 
Our vision is for a future where children and young peoples’ lives are forever transformed by the power of music, the value of belonging and opportunities without barriers. 

OUR VALUES 
WE ARE WELCOMING & RELEVANT – co-creating with young people and partners, ensuring there are lots opportunities for taking part and seeking out those who are not yet engaged. 

WE ARE CARING & CREDIBLE – respectful and aware of the impact our actions have on others, we’re always considering equality, diversity, youth culture, accountability, transparency, and opportunities to learn and grow. 

WE ARE CURIOUS & COURAGEOUS – seeking knowledge and best practice, testing new ideas and working across different sectors to keep our work dynamic and ambitious.