Lead Schools for Music for Nottingham City announced

As part of the National Plan for Music Education, the Department for Education and the Arts Council England have asked all music hubs in the country to appoint ‘lead schools’ for music.These schools will work in partnership with music hubs to deliver high-quality music education, provide meaningful musical experiences to children and young people, and support other schools in their areas to do the same.

Nottingham Music Service (NMS) is excited to announce that Nottingham’s Lead Schools for Music 2024-25 are Forest Fields Primary and Nursery, Greenfields Community School, the Nottingham Emmanuel School and the Trinity Catholic School.

The Lead Schools will work with NMS to help ensure that the National Plan for Music Education (NMPE) is implemented in schools.

These schools have been chosen after a rigorous and transparent application process. They were chosen for their high-quality music provision, dedication to music education and to the inclusive values of the NPME.

“We are delighted to have been accepted as a Lead School for music. Building a vibrant music department at Forest Fields to reflect our diverse, talented and culturally rich community has brought immense joy. We cannot wait to share what we have learned, our successes, and our approach with other schools across the city. We have 46 languages spoken at Forest Fields, and when pupils arrive, they grasp that love of music, overcoming barriers to learning. Music is our universal language,” said Shahida Chowdhury, Head Teacher at Forest Fields Primary & Nursery School.

From September 2024, Nottingham Music Service has come together with Inspire, the Nottinghamshire County music hub, under a new consortium: Nottingham City & Nottinghamshire Music Education Hubs. The city and county hubs will have their separate Lead Schools for music, however, there will be opportunities for collaboration and widening the scope and impact of their work. 

Lead Schools will support other schools in the area to improve their music teaching by hosting and attending networking and CPD sessions; they will collaborate with NMS to design and shape activities to benefit other schools; and attend termly meetings with all stakeholders.

“Schools in Nottingham City are doing such fantastic work, and we are excited about this new opportunity to work together in making music a part of even more children and young people’s lives,” said Ian Burton, NMS CEO.

“We are delighted that the Trinity Catholic School has been chosen to be one of the Lead Schools in this exciting venture. This reflects the outstanding music provision which the students at the Trinity School receive and we are delighted to be able to be part of this project, which will support the musical development of many young people across the city,” said James McGeachie, CEO, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust.

“Music is a fundamental part of our inclusive community, contributing significantly to the happiness and wellbeing of everyone at Greenfields Community School,” shared Lou Maltby, Greenfields Community School Head Teacher.

Sian Hampton, CEO at Archway Learning Trust, added: “We’re so pleased that the Nottingham Emmanuel School has been appointed as one of Nottingham’s Lead Schools for Music. As a trust, we believe that collaboration and transformation lie at the heart of the educational journey, and we’re passionate about enabling young people to grow and flourish. This partnership demonstrates that perfectly.”

As partners in the music hub, the Lead Schools and their academy chains will bring broader school-based expertise to city-wide discussions and developing long-term strategic goals. They will support NMS to respond to the present challenges and opportunities within local schools.