CPD courses

NMPAT delivers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for school staff, supporting professional practice across all key stages and curriculum areas.

Our programme includes CPD and training led by experienced music education practitioners, alongside opportunities for peer support through Music Cluster Groups and the Lead Schools programme. Schools can also access guidance from our curriculum and classroom specialists.

Together, these opportunities help to ensure that the young people of Northamptonshire and Rutland experience teaching of the highest calibre, with professional pedagogy and practice at its heart.

We are also pleased to share details of sessions run by Music Education Hubs East Midlands – please see further down for details.

2025-2026 CPD sessions

Join music educator Sarah Wise for a practical session suitable for everyone working in the Early Years, whether in a school, childcare, or nursery setting.

Date: Monday 9th February 2026

Time: 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Venue: NMPAT, 125 Kettering Road, Northampton, NN1 4AZ

Cost: £25 per delegate

Registration form: Click here to register

This face to face, practical session will focus particularly on provision for 3 to 5 year olds and cover questions including:
  • What instruments should be available in early years settings?
  • How do I enable children to explore instruments as part of Continuous Provision?
  • How do I introduce instruments into group music making?
With a B.Ed specialising in early childhood education, Sarah Wise has over 35 years experience of working in settings including primary schools and nurseries, and with childcare and community providers. Previously the Early Years and KS1 Lead for NMPAT, Sarah is now a freelance music educator, advising, and creating curricula and resources for schools, MATs, universities, and for national organisations including Music Mark and Sing Up.

Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.

Cluster groups

Our Music Cluster Groups are for both our Primary and Secondary colleagues, where we can share best practice, resources and coffee.

We will meet once every large term to review practice, pedagogy and curriculum developments. Our first meetings will be both face-to-face at Kettering Road and also via Teams:

Primary Cluster Group

Tuesday 3rd February – 4.30pm to 5.30pm

Secondary Cluster Group

Tuesday 10th February – 4.30pm to 5.30pm

UpRising resources and training

Music Education Hubs East Midlands (MEHEM) have devised a programme of FREE training for teachers, teaching assistants, and learning support assistants, designed to support teachers to increase the engagement of pupils with additional needs in instrumental and curriculum music lessons.

Certificate for Music Educators

The Certificate of Music Educators is for instrumental and vocal teachers, early years primary teachers, community musicians and workshop leaders, and professional musicians who are undertaking educational work.  Accredited by Trinity College London, it is designed to enable music educators to gain recognition for their work while benefitting from opportunities to develop their practice.

Coming Up

Orchestra Spectacular

March 8 @ 18:00

Big Sing

March 12 @ 18:30

Music for Youth Regional Festival

March 14