At Shropshire Music Service (SMS), we believe that confident, inspired teachers create confident, inspired pupils.
Our CPD and Teacher Support programme is designed to strengthen music delivery in schools, giving staff the practical tools, creative ideas, and subject knowledge to make music a vibrant part of everyday learning.
Many teachers love the idea of more music in their classrooms but feel unsure where to start. SMS bridges that gap.
Our experienced team works alongside your staff, from early years practitioners to secondary specialists, helping them gain confidence in planning, teaching, and leading musical activities that engage every child.
We offer a flexible mix of training workshops, mentoring, and in-class support, all tailored to your school’s priorities.
Sessions can focus on anything from early years rhythm games to composing with digital tools, from managing school choirs to integrating music across the wider curriculum.
Investing in staff CPD ensures that music doesn’t just depend on one enthusiastic teacher – it becomes part of your school’s DNA.
Teachers gain confidence, pupils benefit from higher-quality learning, and your whole school strengthens its creative culture.
These sessions are highly interactive and designed around your needs, whether you’re looking to strengthen subject knowledge, refresh your schemes of work, or build staff confidence in leading singing and instrumental activities.
SMS hosts regular training days and twilight sessions where teachers can connect, share best practice, and explore new resources together.
We can review your current music provision and help you design a curriculum that meets Ofsted requirements.
Sometimes the best learning happens side by side. Our tutors can co-teach classes with your staff, modelling effective techniques and lesson structures.
We share practical teaching resources, song banks, and creative project ideas that fit within your school’s budget and facilities.
Thinking about bringing more music into your school?
Contact us to arrange a visit from our friendly team. We’ll come to your school, answer your questions, and show how we can help make music a vibrant part of your pupils’ learning.
Music thrives where teachers feel confident and supported.
That’s why Shropshire Music Service (SMS) offers a range of professional development and mentoring opportunities designed to empower teachers, no matter their musical background.
Our goal is to help every educator feel equipped to deliver high-quality, creative, and inclusive music lessons that inspire pupils and enrich school life.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions schools ask about our CPD and teacher support programmes.
We provide a flexible mix of in-school, online, and network-based training for teachers at all levels of confidence. Our offer includes:
We also run cluster and networking events, bringing teachers from across the county together to share ideas and resources. These sessions encourage peer support and help schools stay connected to the latest developments in music education.
CPD content is designed and delivered by our experienced SMS tutors – practising musicians and educators who understand the realities of busy classrooms.
Everyone. Our training is accessible to teachers and support staff at all stages – from those who say, “I can’t read music,” to specialist heads of department.
Primary teachers often use our sessions to gain practical tools for leading singing, rhythm, and creative activities with confidence. Early years staff learn how to use songs and movement to develop listening and coordination. Secondary staff benefit from curriculum development, ensemble direction, and composition workshops.
We also offer tailored support for teaching assistants, trainee teachers, and non-specialists, helping them build confidence in delivering engaging musical moments across the school day.
Yes. Every SMS CPD programme is fully bespoke. We start by discussing your school’s current music provision, goals, and challenges. From there, we design training that fits your priorities – whether it’s refreshing a scheme of work, building a stronger singing culture, or embedding music more effectively across subjects.
Training can take place during INSET days, staff meetings, or after-school slots, and we can deliver it in person or online. We also provide follow-up support and resource packs so teachers can continue applying what they’ve learned long after the session.
If your school wants to link with others locally, we can coordinate joint CPD sessions for a cluster of schools – an efficient way to share costs and ideas.
When teachers feel confident in music, the whole school feels the impact. Quality music teaching helps pupils improve focus, teamwork, emotional expression, and memory, all of which enhance learning across other subjects.
CPD helps schools:
Schools that invest in music CPD often find it revitalises their approach to learning more widely – making lessons more dynamic, inclusive, and enjoyable for staff and pupils alike.
Booking is straightforward. Simply contact Shropshire Music Service via phone or email to discuss what you’d like to achieve. We’ll arrange an initial conversation with one of our senior tutors to identify your priorities and propose a tailored plan.
Once confirmed, we’ll handle scheduling, resources, and communication with your team. After each session, we provide written feedback and additional materials for classroom use.
Many schools choose to include CPD as part of a broader partnership with SMS, combining teacher training with whole-class instrumental tuition, instrumental lessons, or workshop events. This joined-up approach builds consistency across your music offer and ensures lasting impact.
