Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
As part of its ongoing commitment to continuous professional development (CPD), the Octagon Music Hub, in collaboration with our partners, Somerset Music, Dorset Music Service and others, provides a supportive environment that encourages musicians and music educators to refine their skills, explore new approaches, and share best practice.
Lead Schools
The Octagon Music Hub launches seven new Lead Schools CPD videos celebrating inclusive, impactful music education
The Octagon Music Hub is delighted to announce the release of seven new Lead Schools CPD videos, showcasing innovative, inclusive music practice from across the region and highlighting the powerful role music plays in engagement, wellbeing, inclusion and progression for children and young people.
Filmed with partner schools and practitioners, the new video series forms part of the Lead Schools Teacher and Educator Led CPD Programme, sharing practical, real‑world approaches that can be adapted across a wide range of educational settings.
Together, the videos demonstrate how high‑quality music education can support learners from the early years through to secondary education and beyond — re‑engaging disengaged pupils, fostering belonging, and opening pathways into the creative industries.
Using Music to Re‑Engage Learners
Teacher Led CPD | 26 February 2026
Delivered by Ferndown Middle School, this inspiring session explores how music can reconnect pupils who are at risk of disengagement from education. Through powerful real‑life case studies, the video highlights how inclusive, creative music making helps rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships and re‑establish pupils’ connection to school.
The session demonstrates how collaborative performance, digital music making and shared creative experiences create safe, non‑judgemental spaces where young people can experience success, leading to improved wellbeing, behaviour and attendance.
Musical Ethos & Curriculum Design
Teacher Led CPD | 3 March 2026
Featuring Prince of Wales First School (Dorset) and Kingsmead School (Somerset), this video explores how a strong musical ethos and thoughtful curriculum design can enhance inclusion, engagement and emotional security across whole school communities.
Through contrasting but complementary approaches, speakers examine cultural capital, pupil voice, inclusive planning and student ownership, highlighting music as a relational subject that builds trust, confidence and identity while fostering creativity and joy.
Music in the Early Years
Educator Led CPD | 5 March 2026
Led by Lead School practitioner Julia Hurley, this practical session celebrates music as a powerful tool for emotional wellbeing, communication and social development in Early Years settings.
Through playful, accessible activities using song, movement, props and imaginative play, the video demonstrates how music supports emotional regulation, cooperation, confidence and early leadership skills, while embedding Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) naturally into daily routines.
Inclusive Musical Approaches
Educator Led CPD | 19 March 2026
This Lead Schools session, featuring Polden Bower School and Westfield Arts College, focuses on inclusive music practice that ensures all learners can participate and thrive.
The video shares practical strategies for reducing barriers, supporting emotional regulation and enabling meaningful musical expression across mainstream and specialist settings. Contributors introduce the Sounds of Intent framework and explore how accessible instruments and technology provide non‑verbal routes to communication, confidence and connection.
Industry Links: Real‑World Music Industry Pathways for Young People
Educator Led CPD | 24 March 2026
This forward‑looking session showcases Strodelive, a student‑led music and production company embedded within the local cultural community. Led by Daniel Shaw and Josh Atkinson, the video illustrates how young people gain authentic industry experience through live events, festivals, production roles and professional partnerships.
By managing real projects and working alongside industry professionals, students develop transferable skills including teamwork, leadership, communication and problem solving, building confidence and clear pathways into the creative industries.
The Power of Collaborations and Getting Started – Key Community Links
Educator Led CPD | 24 March 2026
Presented by Nicola Thompson on behalf of the Octagon Music Hub in partnership with Somerset Music and Dorset Music Service. Guests today are Hanna Trevorrow from The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester, and Lorraine Clarke from West Pennard CE Primary School.
This session highlights how schools can build meaningful, sustainable partnerships with local and regional organisations to enrich music education, widen access, and strengthen creative pathways for young people.
Drawing on real school and hub practice, the session explores:
Why collaboration matters for pupil engagement, inclusion and progression
How to take confident first steps when you have limited time or capacity
The role of music hubs, community groups and creative organisations
Practical examples of partnerships that work in primary and secondary settings
CPD – Teatime Chat – The Integration of Music Technology at KS3
Educator Led CPD | 26 March 2026
Presented by Nicola Thompson on behalf of the Octagon Music Hub in partnership with Somerset Music and Dorset Music Service. Guests today are Nick Adams from the Castle School in Taunton, Somerset, and Val Mizen from Gryphon School in Dorset.
Nick and Val share practical strategies for embedding technology into a balanced and inclusive KS3 music curriculum. Both presenters demonstrate how music technology can raise engagement, support creativity and act as a leveller for students of all abilities, including non‑instrumentalists and SEND learners. Rather than being used as an add-on, technology is shown to be most effective when introduced early and revisited regularly throughout KS3, with clear progression in skills and understanding. The session illustrates that those skills directly support progression into GCSE and BTEC Music, as well as providing wider opportunities for student engagement through recording, production and technical roles.
These seven videos form part of the Octagon Music Hub Lead Schools Teacher Led CPD Programme, delivered in partnership with Dorset Music Service and Somerset Music, and funded by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Education.
The programme showcases innovative, inclusive practice from across the Hub, supporting high‑quality music education, wellbeing and progression for children and young people, while enabling schools and educators to learn directly from sector‑leading colleagues.