Seven Free Music Education CPD Videos Now Available from Octagon Music Hub Lead Schools

The Octagon Music Hub is delighted to announce the release of seven new Lead Schools CPD videos, showcasing innovative, inclusive and impactful music education practice from across Dorset and Somerset. Developed with partner schools and practitioners, the videos form part of the Octagon Music Hub Lead Schools Programme and share practical, real-world approaches that can be adapted across a wide range of educational settings

Together, the series demonstrates how high-quality music education can support learners from the Early Years through to Post-16, helping to build confidence, belonging, inclusion, engagement and progression. The videos explore topics including Early Years music, inclusive practice, music technology, curriculum design, community partnerships, creative careers and learner engagement. Designed by teachers and educators for teachers and educators, the series provides accessible professional development rooted in classroom practice and lived experience.

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If you access any of these resources, we’d be grateful if you could complete our short evaluation survey. Your feedback helps us understand the quality, accessibility and impact of our CPD offer, and informs future professional development opportunities across Dorset and Somerset.

Complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/e/UE34VHiSkQ

Octagon Music Hub Lead Schools
Sharing Real Classroom Practice.

Music, Belonging and Engagement: Supporting Young People to Thrive

Delivered by Ferndown Middle School, this inspiring session explores how music can reconnect young people who may be disengaging from school. Through real-life examples, the session demonstrates how creative music-making can build confidence, strengthen relationships, foster belonging and create pathways back into learning. Discover practical approaches that support wellbeing, engagement and positive outcomes for children and young people.

Building a Musical Ethos and Curriculum: Real Classroom Practice from Primary and Secondary Schools

Featuring Prince of Wales First School (Dorset) and Kingsmead School (Somerset), this session explores how schools can create a strong musical culture through inclusive curriculum design and meaningful musical experiences. Drawing on practical examples from primary and secondary settings, speakers share approaches to cultural capital, pupil voice and student ownership, demonstrating how music can foster belonging, confidence, creativity and engagement across the whole school community.

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Early Years Music: Practical Ideas for Musical Development and School Readiness

Led by Lead School practitioner Julia Hurley, this practical session explores how music can support emotional wellbeing, communication and social development in Early Years settings. Through songs, movement and imaginative play, Julia shares accessible activities that help develop confidence, cooperation, self-expression and early leadership skills, while embedding Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) naturally into everyday practice.

Inclusive Music Education: Practical Approaches for SEND and Mainstream Settings

Featuring Polden Bower School and Westfield Arts College, this session explores practical approaches to creating inclusive musical experiences where all learners can participate and thrive. Drawing on examples from mainstream and specialist settings, contributors share strategies for reducing barriers, supporting communication and enabling meaningful musical expression through the Sounds of Intent framework, accessible instruments and music technology.

Music Industry Links and Creative Careers | Student-Led Music Enterprise

This session showcases Strode Live, a student-led music and production company that connects young people with real-world industry experience. Led by Daniel Shaw and Josh Atkinson, the session explores how live events, festivals and professional partnerships help students develop confidence, leadership and transferable skills, while creating meaningful pathways into music and the wider creative industries.

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Music Education Partnerships: The Power of Collaboration

Featuring Hanna Trevorrow (The Thomas Hardye School) and Lorraine Clarke (West Pennard CE Primary School), this session explores how schools can build meaningful partnerships to enrich music education and create new opportunities for children and young people. Drawing on examples from primary and secondary settings, contributors share practical approaches to working with music hubs, community organisations, cultural partners and local networks, demonstrating how collaboration can support participation, inclusion and progression in music.

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Integrating Music Technology at KS3 | Music Education Classroom Practice

Featuring Nic Adams (The Castle School) and Val Mizen (The Gryphon School), this session explores practical approaches to embedding music technology within an inclusive and engaging KS3 curriculum. Drawing on classroom practice, contributors demonstrate how music technology can support creativity, accessibility and progression, enabling all learners—including non-instrumentalists and SEND pupils—to participate, create and succeed. The session highlights how technology can be integrated throughout KS3 to support musical development and progression into GCSE, BTEC and wider creative pathways.

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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.

Showcasing innovative and inclusive practice from across Dorset and Somerset, the programme supports high-quality music education, wellbeing, participation and progression for children and young people. Through real classroom examples, educators can learn directly from colleagues working at the forefront of music education practice.

Octagon Music Hub Lead Schools
Sharing Real Classroom Practice.