Become a Lead School of the Derbyshire Music Hub

The Department for Education encourages Music Hubs to support stronger links between schools and broker opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. 

Quick links

What is a Lead School?, What Lead Schools will do, Becoming a Lead School, Timeline and application

What is a Lead School?

The policy paper The Power of Music to change lives - A National Plan for Music Education (2022) envisions collaborative working within Music Hubs by appointing Lead Schools to shape how Music CPD and school support is designed and delivered in the local area.

These Lead Schools would be expected to:

• Exemplify high-quality music provision and teaching
• Champion best practice in their area
• Show commitment to curriculum delivery with significant timetable time
• Offer a range of co-curricular opportunities

How Lead Schools will work with the Hub

Lead Schools will have a specific role in the support offered to all schools. They will broker and encourage peer-to-peer learning across local clusters and across the city and county by:

• Attending Hub CPD planning meetings, leading network meetings and leading/supporting training events
• Contributing to a shared resource bank
• Providing school-to-school support and advocating for music education and the work of the Music Hub to colleagues in other schools
• Contributing to the Music Hub’s Needs Analysis and strategic approach to inclusion
• Advising the Music Hub on current issues and challenges in schools

Lead Schools will receive

• Recognition as a Lead School with exemplary music education provision
• One free place at all Music Hub CPD events
• A 50% contribution towards supply cover
• Access to one-off financial support for bespoke projects, where appropriate

Becoming a Lead School for Derbyshire

We are looking to appoint Lead Primary and Secondary Schools across our geographical areas, as well as appoint specialist schools and settings such as Special Schools and those offering Alternative Provision to share their expertise county-wide.

We expect prospective schools to show:

• They have a proven track record of excellence in music education, with outstanding pedagogy and subject knowledge across all teachers delivering classroom music
• They have a music curriculum that has considerable breadth and ambition with a clearly defined progression route for all learners in their setting
• They have an understanding of the needs of children and young people, teachers and schools in their locality and how this this driven the development of their work
• They have Key Stage 4 and, if applicable, Key Stage 5 music provision (Secondary settings only)

The application process will involve:

• Sharing an up-to-date School Music Development Plan
• A supporting letter from SLT, Governors and if appropriate, the Multi Academy Trust
• Completion of an online application form

What happens if shortlisted?

If shortlisted, arrangements will be made for the Head or Deputy Head of Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership will visit the school for half a day to:

• Observe a selection of teaching including in lessons and co- and extra-curricular activities and assemblies
• Have discussions with staff, pupils and SLT/Governors as well the subject leader for Music
• Discuss Ofsted reports (where relevant), data analysis of KS4/5 uptake, numbers engaged in instrumental learning and numbers of FSM pupils engaged, provision for SEND pupils and numbers involved in co- or extra-curricular activities

Make your application

Please complete our online application by following the button link below. After submitting a member of our team will be in touch asking for your supporting letter and School Music Development Plan.

Timeline

• Applications close at the end of 4 June 2024
• Schools are informed if they are shortlisted on 10 June 2024
• Shortlisted schools will be visited from 17 June 2024
• Lead Schools announced on 3 July 2024