Programme
-
Registration, refreshments and exhibitor viewing
-
Welcome and Introduction
Music Teacher magazine
-
Leading a music department with confidence
James Manwaring shares his experience as head of a flourishing music department; his work as a Director of Music across the Windsor Learning Partnership; and the physical, virtual, and personal aspects of music department leadership.
-
The role of music education in a whole-school approach to safeguarding
This session will look at the ways in which music education can help to safeguard children and young people, and how a whole-school approach to safeguarding supports you in your role as a music teacher. There will also be advice on creating a safe environment and looking after yourself and others.
-
Refreshments and exhibitor viewing
-
Beyond the noise: successful curriculum leadership in music
At a time when things can feel difficult in the world of music education, former Music Teachers’ Association President Don Gillthorpe will share strategies from 15 years of successful curriculum leadership to help your music department flourish and thrive. Exploring topics such as building community, teacher workload, curriculum decisions, relationships with senior leaders, and more, this session will cut through some of the social media noise to help us find a positive way forward.
BREAKOUT SESSION 1 (choose 1A or 1B)
-
1A PRIMARY: Inclusive music making at Key Stage 2
Elizabeth Hetherington draws on her experience of delivering music in a neurodiverse classroom and of being a SEND Governor to offer advice on how to teach inclusively at Key Stage 2.
-
1B SECONDARY: Managing the transition from KS3 to KS4 and beyond
This session will explore the typical routes students take when progressing from Key Stage 3 music through to GCSE and A Level. It will look at the barriers these routes present to many of our young students before exploring ways to build a fully inclusive music curriculum, using Isaac Newton Academy as a case study to examine classroom instrumental projects, music technology, tailored arrangements and more.
-
Lunch and exhibitor viewing
-
The power of community: bringing the academic, pastoral and co-curricular into harmony
‘Music is the heartbeat of a school’ is a phrase often used by Anna Wilby, and this sentiment is even more important to us all following the disruption of the pandemic. In this talk, she will outline the role that music can play in the development of a cohesive school community and discuss ways in which she has implemented musical projects specifically designed to build a feeling of togetherness. Anna is a big believer in the benefits to pupils of the effective collaboration of the holy trinity of school life: Academic, Pastoral and Co-Curricular. She will also delve into the topic of convincing your senior leaders of the value they should also be placing on musical endeavours.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2 (choose 2A or 2B)
-
2A PRIMARY: Creating a rich, progressive, accessible and diverse primary music curriculum
Every child is different, every class is different, and every school is different. How can you as a Music Teacher/Lead create a curriculum that enables all children in your school to meet their full musical potential? This session will provide a road map of where to start and where you can get to. Drawing on the best teaching pedagogies and resources, and ticking the Ofsted and Model Music Curriculum boxes, this practical, down-to-earth session will provide you with immediate takeaways to implement in your school.
-
2B SECONDARY: Cross-board panel discussion on KS4 and KS5
Board representatives from Edexcel, AQA, and OCR discuss their syllabuses and welcome your questions about the curriculum at Key Stages 4 and 5
-
Refreshments and exhibitor viewing
-
Self-care, career safety, and wellbeing
This session is all about you. Our presenters discuss career progression, our lives as musicians, and how to look after yourself as a music teacher
Speakers
teacher, author and music specialist
-
Sum-up and close of conference