Embarking on a journey to enrich your school’s music provision can feel like a big step and that’s where the free music audit from Shropshire Music Service (SMS) comes in.
Designed especially for schools across Shropshire, this no-cost consultation helps you map out where your music offer currently stands and how it can grow.
During the audit, an experienced SMS member visits your school to assess your current provision, looking at curriculum coverage, instrumental teaching, whole-class instrumental tuition, staff confidence, and resources.
Using this information, we’ll help you craft a clear, tailored music development plan aligned with your school’s goals.
Whether you want to enhance classroom teaching, build an ensemble pathway, or integrate more performance opportunities, the audit highlights where support will make the greatest impact.
Because the audit is completely free, there’s no barrier to taking the first step. Schools tell us the process is straightforward: we’ll meet with your curriculum lead, review the teaching space and timetable, discuss your ambitions, and then leave you with a practical report and next-step recommendations.
It’s the kind of insight that saves time, reduces guesswork, and helps you invest in what will make real difference.
Partnering with SMS through the audit gives you access to decades of experience, a dedicated team, and a deep understanding of what makes school music thrive.
We’ve helped schools of all sizes strengthen their music provision, boost pupil engagement, and build confidence across their staff.
Our expertise spans instrumental tuition, curriculum delivery, whole-school strategy, and performance planning – all shaped by a real understanding of the pressures schools face around budgets, timetables, and resources.
We offer realistic, actionable solutions that fit your school’s needs.
The audit is collaborative and supportive, not a formal inspection. It’s a chance to reflect, plan, and access guidance from people who care deeply about ensuring every pupil has meaningful access to music.
In short, the Free Music Audit is the perfect first step for schools committed to improving their music offer. It’s honest, practical, and completely tailored to your school, and above all, it’s free.
If you’re ready to bring music to life across your classrooms, start your journey with Shropshire Music Service today.
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.
Every school has a unique story when it comes to music.
Some already have strong programmes and just want to build on them, while others are looking for guidance on where to start.
The Free Music Audit from Shropshire Music Service (SMS) is designed to help schools at every stage, offering expert, friendly advice to strengthen music provision across the curriculum.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions schools ask before booking their free audit.
If you’d like more information, please contact our office.
The Free Music Audit from Shropshire Music Service (SMS) is a practical, no-obligation consultation designed to help schools understand and develop their music provision. It’s not an inspection or assessment – it’s a supportive conversation that helps you identify what’s working well and where there may be opportunities to develop.
An experienced SMS advisor will visit your school to review your current music offer, discuss your curriculum aims, and explore your facilities, staffing, and resources. Together, we’ll look at how your school’s provision aligns with the National Curriculum and the Model Music Curriculum. You’ll receive a concise summary report with clear, achievable recommendations to strengthen your music strategy and help more pupils access meaningful music-making experiences.
Many schools use the audit as the foundation for long-term planning or to evidence progress in Ofsted’s “broad and balanced curriculum” requirement.
The audit works best as a collaborative process involving your music or curriculum lead, though headteachers, subject coordinators, and class teachers are also encouraged to join the discussion. The more insight we have into how music currently operates in your school, the more tailored and useful our recommendations will be.
Our approach is flexible and supportive – the meeting can take place in person or online, and we’ll adapt to your school’s schedule. Whether you’re looking to expand your provision or simply want reassurance that your current approach is effective, we’ll help you find the right path forward.
Most audits take one to two hours, depending on your school’s size and how much detail you’d like to cover. We’ll arrange a time that fits around your timetable, often during planning or PPA time, and can include classroom observations if you’d like us to see lessons in action.
Our goal is to make the process straightforward and useful, with minimal disruption to the school day. You’ll finish the session with practical insights that can be implemented immediately.
After the visit, we’ll send you a written summary highlighting your school’s strengths, along with realistic next steps to develop your music curriculum, extra-curricular opportunities, or instrumental provision.
We can also offer continued support through follow-up visits, CPD for teachers, or by connecting you with suitable SMS tutors for instrumental or whole-class projects. There’s no obligation to take up further services – the audit is completely free and intended to give you clarity and confidence about your music provision.
The Free Music Audit is the simplest way to take a clear, objective look at your school’s music education. It gives you access to decades of experience and a county-wide perspective on what works in successful schools.
For some schools, the audit confirms that their provision is strong and sustainable. For others, it reveals exciting new possibilities – from introducing whole-class tuition to setting up school ensembles or improving curriculum delivery.
Above all, the process helps ensure that every pupil in your care benefits from high-quality, inspiring music education. It’s free, supportive, and entirely focused on helping your school succeed.
