Lead Schools

Northamptonshire and Rutland Music Hub (NRMH) Lead Schools for Music 

Northamptonshire and Rutland Music Hub are delighted to share that we have Lead School for Music agreements in place with the following schools for the 2025-26:

  • Cedar Road Primary School
  • Croyland Primary School
  • Headlands Primary School
  • Greenfields Primary School
  • Moulton Primary School
  • St Peter’s CE Academy
  • Corby Business Academy
  • Malcolm Arnold Academy
  • Northampton School for Boys
  • Sponne School

All of the schools above have proven track record of high-quality delivery in curricular and co-curricular music, and have demonstrated a willingness to support the musical ecology of the wider hub area.

These schools will be working with NMPAT as lead partner of the NRMH to create a supportive network that will highlight best practices, sign-post resources and offer council to those seeking it.

For more information about Lead Schools, and school networks, please contact Chris Jeffs, Director of Learning Development, cjeffs@nmpat.co.uk

More information:

To ensure that the children and young people of Northamptonshire and Rutland have a joined up provision for music, that takes away barriers to participation, improves provision across the Hub area and ensures equitable access to a quality music education.  

Practically, it is a requirement of NPME2 that there must be named Lead Schools in each of the three unitary authorities served by the Hub. There must be at least one Primary, and one Secondary in each authority, and we are seeking representatives of  EYFS and special education settings to represent those sectors in addition.  

Lead Schools will: 

  • Exemplify high-quality music provision and teaching 
  • Champion best practice music education in the area 
  • Demonstrate a commitment to curriculum delivery with significant timetable provision, co-curricular opportunities, inclusive practice, and teacher development 
  • Advocate for music education and the work of the Music Hub to colleagues in other schools 

  • An Ofsted rating of Good or Outstanding. Where a school has been inspected recently but without an overall rating, the Lead School should be rated at least ‘good’ under leadership and management and under quality of education, and not ‘inadequate’ in any other sub-categories 
  • For secondary schools, an offer of music for GCSE and A-level qualifications (or equivalent) 
  • A historic record of investing in CPD for their staff, and/or others 
  • A historic track record of engagement with the Hub 
  • A School Music Development Plan in place 
  • A proven track record of introducing and fully embedding music in the school curriculum 
  • A commitment to supporting school progression 
  • The potential to promote the teaching of music with schools locally, supporting CPD for music teachers and other relevant subjects 
  • A strong focus on inclusion within the school 

The work of the Lead Schools will be monitored by the Hub Strategic Advisory Group. 

Lead Schools would be expected to collaborate with the Hub Lead Organisation (NMPAT) to design and shape activities that will benefit fellow schools/settings with the intention of improving music provision across the NRMH area. This might include: 

  • Establishing and supporting learning networks 
  • Delivering and attending CPD courses 
  • Mentoring 
  • Peer support activity 
  • Collaborative music projects 
  • Practice and resource-sharing 
  • Advocate and amplify the work of NRMH 

  • Recognition as a Lead School with exemplary music education provision 
  • In-kind support from the HLO, by negotiation 
  • Lead Schools may be invited to represent the Music Hub at events run by the HLO 
  • A partnership agreement between the HLO and the Lead School  
  • An improved musical offer available to children and young people in their area 

Please complete this application form: https://bit.ly/NRMHLeadSchool

Once your application has been received, you will be contacted by a member of NMPAT’s Senior Leadership Team. You may be asked to accommodate a visit to your school/setting.