Projects

On this page, you can learn more about the variety of projects available for your school. This includes:

First Access Projects

In The Power of Music to Change Lives (p. 29), the Department for Education states: “We would expect schools to pay Music Hubs for [the provision of Whole Class projects] and also for Hubs to set charges that demonstrate value.”

NMPAT will allocate £290,000 of its core government funding to whole-class projects, subject to continued funding. This grant has remained largely unchanged since 2012, despite a 20% rise in KS2 pupils, potentially reducing residual funding for other NMPAT services. Schools that ran projects in multiple-year groups in 2024-25 may skip this year and use their allocation for other NMPAT services.

They may also run their own whole class instrumental programs, using their grant allocation for other NMPAT services, provided they offer a term-long, year-group-wide experience with an approved scheme of work and accept an NMPAT visit.

Schools should submit requests for First Access projects using the SLA form, which NMPAT will send in early summer. You will receive a letter confirming funding allocation. Schools can apply any remaining grant funds as a discount for continuation projects and additional NMPAT services.

“All children at KS2 should have the opportunity to learn an instrument through whole class ensemble teaching, and have the opportunity to progress further once the project is over”

Project options

All projects are delivered to a whole class (maximum 30) for a period of 10 weeks, usually culminating in a celebration concert.  There are three options for delivery:

These projects are delivered by two NMPAT staff, as the instruments require specialist skills, who will work with one class per project.  Option A delivery is available for the following instrumentation:

  • Brass (years 4-6)
  • Clarinet (year 4-6)
  • Strings (year 3-4)
  • SoundStart (year 5)

Due to the technical aspect of playing and maintaining these instruments, these projects are only available as Option A; except by special negotiation where there is an instrumental specialist in school. In these cases, option B costs would apply.

Cost – £1,420 per 10 week project

SoundStart – £4,100 per 30 week project (£2,370 where Option B delivery is agreed)

These projects are delivered by one member of school staff in partnership with one member of NMPAT staff and are available for the following instrumentation:

  • Brass (years 4-6, subject to availability and by negotiation)
  • Recorder (years 3-4)
  • Samba (years 4-6, subject to availability)
  • Ukulele (years 3-6, subject to availability)
  • West African drumming (years 5-6, subject to availability)

Projects normally delivered as Option B may also be available for delivery by two NMPAT teachers if requested, subject to the availability of staff. In these cases Option A costs would apply.

Cost – £790 per 10 week project 

You may have specialist staff in school who are able to deliver a First Access provision in-house.

There is no cost to NMPAT for this option. This will allow the government grant to be used as a discount against continuation routes for pupils or additional services purchased from NMPAT.

Option C conditions

If you intend to deliver your own ‘First Access’ programme, please still submit your NMPAT SLA to tell us which instruments would form the basis of the project, and which children would be involved.  NMPAT are not able to provide instruments and you will need to demonstrate a planned scheme of work in advance of the project. We will contact you to collect relevant information during the course of the year.

To access the grant money, we will need your scheme of work and data on project participants for reporting to DfE. Once agreed, your discount can be offset against other instrumental and vocal services from NMPAT.

What comes next?

After the 10-week First Access experience, we hope that students will want to continue their musical education.  NMPAT has developed specific large group continuation projects for brass, guitars, strings and woodwind, during which the students will extend their learning before committing to small group lessons.

During the course of your First Access project, we will contact you with details of these next opportunities, which are usually delivered at a ratio of 12 pupils per hour, in 30-minute sessions.

With a full cohort of students, this elective extension would be available to the students at a cost of £52.50 per head, in the 2025-2026 academic year.  Schools are welcome to pass this cost on to parents – in part or in full. This 10-week project would need to be administered by schools, even in schools where NMPAT offers a direct billing of parents scheme.

Following a First Access continuation project, students who wanted to continue their learning would be ready for conventional small-group tuition and we would look to add them to existing provision in your school.

Bookings for continuation projects and lessons will be by separate communication from the NMPAT office, usually around the halfway point of the initial First Access project. Full details, including letter templates for you to send to parents, will be sent to you by the NMPAT Office.  You are welcome to add any requests or questions in the comments section of your SLA.

Accessibility

NMPAT is working with OHMI to provide adaptive instruments for children with additional needs, to allow every child to participate in First Access projects.  Resources will be provided at no cost to schools, helping to remove barriers to music-making for all. Following submission of your online SLA, you will receive a questionnaire about the children in the year group/class due to receive the project, for resources (which may include adapted instruments) to be provided where necessary.

Vocal Projects

We provide a range of singing projects and opportunities for children and young people of all ages.

Let’s Sing projects are delivered over five weekly sessions, by an NMPAT vocal specialist.

The project will include fun singing sessions, tailored to meet the needs of your students.  Projects are for KS1 or KS2 children (one class per project) and students will learn a variety of repertoire and musical skills, in line with the National Curriculum and your class topics for the term.

Where appropriate, the project can culminate in a short performance of their work.

£285 per 5-week project

NMPAT has developed a Primary Vocal Curriculum which can be delivered to KS1 and KS2 students.

The project is designed to develop the skills and enjoyment of healthy singing from Reception to Year 6.  It meets the KS2 Expected Minimum Standards (Jo Milne) and six of the seven areas of the Model Music Curriculum.

Delivery is by a 10-week project, using healthy vocal and breathing techniques, singing for wellbeing and vocal exercises and songs.  Projects can be delivered to KS1 and KS2, and tailored to year-group topics.  Delivery is usually to a class group and, depending on the needs of your school and staffing availability, can be for up to 60 students at a time.

Each project consists of 10 weekly 30-minute sessions (minimum booking is 1 hour per week) delivered by an NMPAT vocal specialist and can be requested for a whole year – three 10-week projects.

£800 per 10-week project

The annual NMPAT Big Sing brings schools together to perform as a large choir, in a prestigious venue, each year. Participation is by invitation and subject to a participation charge. Please indicate on your online SLA form if you would like to receive an application form for inclusion in the Big Sing. Places are limited and cannot be guaranteed.  Further details will be emailed to all interested schools in the Autumn term.

£340 participation charge (includes two workshops, materials and the performance)

NMPAT can provide an opportunity for your Academy Chain, or a group of local schools, to collaborate on a combined choral event.  These projects are tailored to the needs of the specific group of schools.  Opportunities include large scale projects or smaller scale cluster sings, depending on the number of schools and students taking part.

Fees are agreed on the basis of the project requested and a varying scale of project management can be negotiated.

If you would like to discuss a project for your Academy Chain please contact Wendy Dawn Thompson, Head of Vocal Studies: wdthompson@nmpat.co.uk

Applications from clusters to provide a bespoke Big Sing experience are welcomed and subject to individual negotiation. Costs will be dependent on the amount of vocal input and administration required from NMPAT.  Please indicate interest on your SLA form.

Let’s Get Playing

NMPAT is pleased to be able to deliver instrumental projects for Early Years and KS1 children.

Let’s Get Playing projects are made up of weekly sessions (minimum of 45 minutes delivery) with an NMPAT EYFS/KS1 specialist and use fun and games, exploring the elements of music with percussion instruments.  With the Model Music Curriculum in mind, non-specialist class teachers work alongside the NMPAT teacher, developing practical skills and knowledge that will support their continuing delivery of music.  For Reception class projects, reference will be made to the Early Years Framework and Musical Development Matters.

Projects are available as a whole class project, supported by the class teacher, over 5 or 10 weeks.

£285 per 5-week project

NHS 5 steps to mental wellbeing

  • Connect with other people
  • Be physically active
  • Learn new skills
  • Give to others
  • Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)

Music for Wellbeing

NMPAT is able to provide a 5 week project (minimum 45 minutes delivery each week) designed to support pupils’ mental and emotional wellbeing.  As all learning is emotional state-dependent, we propose a musical curriculum which supports the NHS 5 steps to mental wellbeing.

The project is specifically designed for KS1 and KS2 children and can be delivered to a whole class or a smaller group of children, identified as struggling emotionally or socially.

If you’re interested in a Music for Wellbeing project, you can request this on the SLA form that NMPAT will provide to your school in April 2025.

£285 per 5-week project

Through a carefully crafted unit of 5 lessons which include mindfulness, singing, listening, breathing exercises, movement, body and found-object percussion work led by a member of NMPAT staff, pupils will:

  • Possess the tools, skills and language to describe and handle their emotions
  • Build stronger connections, find commonalities with their peers, and widen their perceptions
  • Be more mindful and be better equipped to handle stress in their lives
  • Have gained musical knowledge and skills which can be applied to any instrument or voice

In order to deliver the project, the NMPAT member of staff will need:

  • A classroom or large space that is preferably free of clutter, with chairs
  • If possible: access to an Interactive White Board and sound system
  • Another responsible adult in the room i.e. Class Teacher or TA