December 2025

Mega Music Education Conference – 27th January 2026

Mega Conference

Its not too late to register for the GSW Mega Conference! 

To book your place contact sscotford@smscio.co.uk

Here’s a rewritten version for your newsletter:

Don’t Miss Our Exciting Breakout Workshop Programme!

Choose from an extensive range of practical sessions designed to inspire and support your teaching, including:

• Charanga and Music First – explore leading digital platforms
• Music Assessment in Schools – effective strategies for measuring progress
• Inclusive Music-Making – ensuring every child can participate
• Extra-Curricular Music Ideas – fresh approaches to enrichment activities
• Composition and Improvisation – developing creativity in the classroom
• Music in the Early Years – building strong foundations
• Notation – making reading music accessible
• …and many more!

Inspiring Keynote Speakers

We’re delighted to welcome James Sills and Rachel Shapley as our keynote speakers. Discover more about their work and expertise by scanning the QR code on the conference poster.

External Funding opportunities

Funding to Aid the Career Progression of School Music Teachers (UK)

The Universal Music UK Sound Foundation (UMUKSF) has launched a new funding round to enable teachers across the UK and Ireland to apply for grants of up to £1,000 towards the cost of a one-off music course or training.

The UMUKSF Teacher Awards will provide the funding towards a recognised course, training or a qualification to aid the career progression of school music teachers delivering the national curriculum.

To date, the Foundation has awarded grants to over 7,000 schools, individual students and teachers to improve their access to music.

Teachers interested in applying for support, should email umuksoundfoundation@umusic.com with a brief explanation of the course/training they would like to undertake and details of their current job. Those eligible to apply will be sent an application form.

The application deadline is 1pm on 27 February 2026.

Useful Links:

Application Hints and Tips (AI Generated)

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https://www.umuksoundfoundation.com/umuksf-teacher-awards/

TWINKL COMMUNITY COLLECTION SCHEME – the educational technology Twinkl is giving teachers the chance to win up to £20,000 towards an educational project they are involved in – whether that’s a new music room, a field trip, or new classroom materials. An additional £20,000 of funding will be awarded to smaller projects spread across the UK. Teachers across the United Kingdom who have a great idea that could transform learning in their setting are invited to pitch their classroom project or equipment request to Twinkl. Teachers can apply until Wednesday 31st December 2025. The direct route to today’s website item is via thisLINK.

Welcome to the GSW Music Hub for Swindon and Wiltshire

September 2025

We’re excited to welcome you back to school and introduce the new GSW Music Hub for Swindon and Wiltshire. This bulletin board serves as your school’s gateway to staying informed about available opportunities and support services from our music hub.

What’s New This Month

CPD Offer to schools

Our lead schools are offering CPD seminars for your school see more HERE

This September, we’re launching several exciting initiatives specifically for Swindon schools.

Extensive Network of Music Associates

Our new music hub features over 140 individual and organisational Associates providing comprehensive music education across Swindon and Wiltshire. Each Associate has the flexibility to choose their teaching locations—whether in Swindon, Wiltshire, or both regions. This approach significantly expands your options, making it easier to find the perfect musical education fit for your school’s unique needs.

View the complete Associate Directory HERE

Tuition Bursaries Program

We’re proud to offer Tuition Bursaries specifically designed for children and young people from less advantaged families, ensuring that financial circumstances don’t become a barrier to musical education.

Review the eligibility criteria HERE

Getting Started: One-Stop-Shop Portal Access

To access our services and apply for Tuition Bursaries, you’ll need to register for the One-Stop-Shop Portal. Getting started is simple—just provide us with the following information:

1. Your school’s name
2. The name of the person making the request
3. The requester’s official school email address

Email this information to: pclark@smscio.co.uk

Once we receive this information, we’ll promptly set up your account and get you connected to all the resources and opportunities available through the GSW Music Hub.