To support this offer we can provide whole staff CPD in schools either as a twilight or on training days, to help all teaching staff to deliver quality music lessons.  We demonstrate how to plan and prepare lessons using the curriculums on the digital platforms and we use the school’s instruments to encourage staff to work with the resources available to the school. 

We have delivered sessions to over 20 schools in the last two years and the feedback has always been excellent. 

Chapel Allerton Primary said that their Sing Up CPD was ‘very positive and made us all feel like we could do it!  It was great to spend time being walked through our new scheme and how that could translate into classes’.  

Meanwood C of E Primary said that their Charanga CPD was ‘fun and engaging for everyone and it helped to reduce the worry and lack of confidence in the teaching of music in school.  The supporting documents were really helpful when explained’.   

Whole staff CPD is available in using any of the 4 platforms – 

• Charanga 

• Sing Up 

• Sparkyard 

• Musical Futures 

For further information about our pricing structure and how ArtForms can work with you to get the most out of your digital licence, please contact sam.mercer@leeds.gov.uk 

ArtForms are delighted to announce this year’s digital offer from ArtForms Music, where schools can choose one digital platform to support the delivery of their Music curriculum.

To order the platform you wish to use for the next academic year please complete the following google form found via this link – Digital Offer 2025-2026. The deadline is July 18th 2025.  There is a finite amount of licenses.  We allocate them on a first-come first-serve basis.  Applications after this deadline will be subject to availability.

This offer for the 2025-26 academic year, is fully subsidised by ArtForms as a consortium partner of the West Yorkshire Music Hub.

2025 – 2026

Winter Voices Concert – Mon 01/12/25 and Tue 02/12/25

Secondary Singing Day with Craig Lees – Fri 13/03/26

Little Sing – Fri 20/03/26

Big Samba Teacher Workshop – Mon 27/04/25

The Primary Big Choir Sing 2026 – Fri 19/06/26

Orchestra Concert for Secondary Schools –  06/07/26

Live at the Wardrobe – 09/07/26

Big Samba Performance – 10/07/26

Past Events

Music Connect receives funding from the new West Yorkshire Music Hub which enables ArtForms, as one of the lead partners, to offer the programme to Leeds Schools and Academies at no charge. Events for children do now incur a small charge of £2 per child. 

During the 2025-26 academic year schools are able to access: 

• Professional development opportunities for teachers and supporting staff, delivered by music specialists. 

• Network meetings to support Primary Music Leaders. 

• Network meetings to support Secondary Music Leaders. 

• Updates of national, regional and local developments in Music. 

• Music curriculum development meetings which are bespoke advice and guidance sessions in your school (1 hour per school per year, extra time can be purchased). This meeting will usually take place with the Music Leader or SLT.  Unfortunately it cannot be used as a Staff Training session. 

• Access to Charanga, Sing Up, Musical Futures or Sparkyard from Out of the Ark which are online music resources, that include full Music curriculums for schools, designed to support non-specialists to deliver the music curriculum. These are fully funded from 1st October for a full year. 

• Performance events for children that include Winter Voices, KS1 Little Sing, Secondary Sing, Big Samba and the KS2 Big Sing. 

Schools are permitted to send up to two delegates to each of the sessions from the calendar, subject to availability. 

All training sessions are subject to change and will be regularly updated. 

Unless otherwise stated, please book your chosen sessions via www.LeedsforLearning.co.uk. 

In-school, whole staff training is chargeable at: 

• £250 for up to 1.5 hours. 

• £440 for a half day. 

• £735 for a full day. 

Schools and colleagues outside of Leeds are charged at the following rates: 

Twilight sessions:       £85 

Half day sessions:      £130 

In the event of cancellation by the school, ArtForms reserves the right to collect fees according to the following guidelines: 5 days or more before delivery is scheduled – the fee is waived; 4 days or less before delivery is scheduled – 100% of full fee. This is applicable to all institutions regardless of subsidy. 

For further information about Music Connect, including in-school training and support, or you have any queries, please contact Sam Mercer, Music Curriculum Support Manager:  Sam.Mercer@leeds.gov.uk  

Curriculum Guidance Document

School Music Development Plan

Deep Dive Slides

Toolkit Primary RAG

Examples of provision RAG

Music Skills by Year Group

National Curriculum Progression and Assessment in Music

Ofsted’s Subject Report for Music – Striking the Right Note

Music Mark Produce Summary of Ofsted’s Music Subject Report