It may only be January still but we kick-started the year with the delivery of a tailored INSET training workshop for Primary Advantage, a group of 7 federated primary schools in Hackney. Developed in collaboration with their staff, music therapist and Advisory Panel member Sarah Hadley delivered a tailored half-day workshop to inspire early years staff to maximise opportunities to use music to support the development of their young children. Hear more from Sarah below:

Delivering this INSET to the Primary Advantage Federation was an inspiring way to start 2025! Having sought the input of the 63 participants ahead of the session, a bespoke learning programme was designed based on the wealth of information and insight which we received from early years practitioners about the Federation’s current use of music and aspirations for using music within the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

The session began with reviewing the Statutory and Non-Statutory guidance and exploring the potential attuned, child-led music making has for very young children across all developmental domains, and with a particular focus on developing language and communication. The second part of the session was devoted to workshopping musical activities and composing lyrics to a familiar song to support transitions throughout the school day.

Today has reinforced my confidence in using singing for lots of different things.

Workshop participant

What made this INSET a particularly effective event was the positive engagement of the participants who showed a singular commitment to achieving the best outcomes for their children; as such, the practitioners put aside any of their personal inhibitions about using music creatively and flexibly. As a result, following the INSET, musical confidence amongst the early years practitioners grew from 41% to 97%, and interactive music-making within the Federation started the very next day!

This was very informative, I have learned lots of songs and strategies that will work well with my class.

Workshop Participant