Singing in Schools
Herefordshire Music Education Hub is committed to supporting schools to “ensure that every pupil sings regularly” through its Singing Strategy provision.
Music should be embedded in every primary school. Singing should be the golden thread through these years, with a clear commitment to quality teaching and opportunities for progression for all children from the start of their school education.
(DfE & DCMS, The Power of Music to Change Lives: A National Plan for Music Education, 2022)
Encore’s ‘Singing for Wellbeing Leader’, Jo Lowry, will lead the delivery of Herefordshire Music Education Hub’s Singing Strategy, which aims to support schools and provide exciting, meaningful experiences for our young people.
School projects for 2023/24 will include:
♪ “RISE UP” project, supporting transition from Year 6 to Year 7.
This successful project started in the Spring Term of 2023, and aims to boost mental health, wellbeing, confidence and resilience through music. In our 2023 pilot project, we involved pupils moving from primary to secondary school (Years 6 and 7), however in 2023-24 we would like to expand the year groups to include Years 5 and 8.
♪ CPD for school colleagues, both specialists and non-specialists
Singing CPD is available to support your assemblies, choirs or classroom singing. We offer both face-to-face and zoom sessions, and topics will include ‘Building Confidence’ and ‘Using Technology to Support Singing’.
♪ School visits: assembly and choir support
Bespoke support is available to help with individual school needs.
♪ Whole school online events to promote wellbeing and mental health
National Children's Day Big Sing and anti-bullying week are examples of events which we will be supporting through our Singing for Wellbeing programme. Schools will be invited to join us online for large group singing events.
♪ KS4/5 Musical Theatre workshops
An exciting opportunity aimed at KS4 and post 16 students is coming to Herefordshire! Singing workshops based on the themes explored through the story of the musical Wicked, such as self-esteem, identity, prejudice, victimisation, peer pressure, ambition, and friendship will be offered to our older pupils.
♪ World famous Voces8 workshops!
We are planning a Singing for Wellbeing day with the Voces8 Academy. This will include pupil workshops, a teacher CPD session, access to on-line resources and a Big Sing Event.
♪ Bespoke resources to support PSHE through singing
We can provide resources specifically chosen for both the appropriate Key Stage and based on PSHE themes covered within schools. These songs will help to explore themes such as strength, resilience, friendship and self-belief.
♪ Large events with guest singers, coaches etc.
Some of the leading vocal coaches, singers and performers in the UK will be visiting and working with students around the county to explore the wider opportunities available to our young people today.