THAMES Primary Newsletter - September 2025

Published on Tuesday, 23 September 2025

THAMES Primary Newsletter - September 2025

We’re excited to share a range of music and arts opportunities for your school and students, delivered by THAMES and our cultural partners. We’ll be in touch throughout the year as new opportunities arise. Here’s what’s available now, including school-based arts projects, resources and CPD, and out of school opportunities for young people.

Projects

Spitalfields Music – Big Sing

The Big Sing has already reached over 1,500 Year 4 & 5 pupils across Tower Hamlets over the last three years, boosting confidence and classroom engagement.

This year’s project includes:

Two iterations in the autumn term and summer term – schools can take part in either
Activity includes massed rehearsals, in-school coaching, and a final performance at Tower Hamlets Town Hall
Participants will learn 4 songs; teaching resources will be provided
Cost: £150 per class
View project info
To sign up or learn more, contact Alex Jackman at alexandra.jackman@spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk

English Touring Opera – KS2 Opera Tour Ada and the Code Crusaders

Ada and the Code Crusaders by East London composer Anna Pool explores the life, work and legacy of the world’s first computer programmer Ada Lovelace against the backdrop of Victorian England in a fun-filled, adventure-fuelled, participatory opera.

Dates: 14, 15 & 20 April 2026
Performed in school halls
We have space for 5 schools
Small cost to schools based on pupil premium percentage
View project info
Reply to this email to register interest asap. Schools will be confirmed in October.

Wyatt Sinfonia – Beyond EartH composition and singing project

East London based orchestra Wyatt Sinfonia are inviting schools to take part in a free large-scale project based on Holst’s The Planets, featuring new choral parts created with pupils.

Spring 2026: Composition workshops to create new music and lyrics
Autumn 2026: Vocal workshops to learn the new vocal parts
November 2026: Final performance at EartH Hackney alongside professional orchestra and singers, and a 300-strong children’s choir
View project info
Reply to this email to register interest asap. Schools will be confirmed in October.

VOCES8 Foundation – singing projects

VOCES8 Foundation is a music education charity based in the City of London and have worked with schools in Tower Hamlets for many years. They have two singing projects available this year:

Postcards and Songs / suitable for years 3 & 4 / spring term – view project info
Sing Together / suitable for years 1-4 / spring or summer terms – view project info

To register your interest, email sarah@voces8.foundation

A New Direction Primary Arts Programme

The Primary Arts programme offers free opportunities for schools in partnership with a variety of cultural partners. It aims to unlock the creative potential, cultural capital and skills of teachers and children, offering opportunities to support wellbeing, confidence, personal interest and development. The programme includes five strands:

In-school performances and workshops
Free tickets for theatre, film and visual arts
Teacher CPD exploring creative approaches to literacy and reader development
Creative practical twilight sessions for teachers
Cultura Education Leadership Programme: for teachers interested in leading a change in their school’s approach to arts, culture and creativity
Booking opens: 10 September 2025
Explore the Programme

Continuing Professional Development

THAMES CPD: Primary Art & Design CPD Network

Thursday 16 October, 4.15-6pm, Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX

This termly network aims to support all those involved in delivering art in primary schools, whether as subject leads, class teachers, or individuals with a general interest in the arts. The session is peer-led and will include a visit to the newly opened Joy Gregory exhibition.

Mark-making, artists and ideas: Kevin Mathieson (Art Lead, Manorfield Primary School) will explore how artists' work can be used to inspire and develop ideas across painting, printing, and ceramics. The approaches introduced are adaptable for a range of primary age groups and do not require specialist equipment.

Click here to book.

THAMES CPD: Building confidence in leading music in the classroom for EYFS and KS1 teachers

Tuesday 11 November, 4-6pm at Grocer’s Wing 3, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BJ

Are you unconfident teaching classroom music or are you a new music lead in your school? If so, join us for this practical music making session exploring songs and musical games suitable for 4-7yr olds, which will develop their understanding of pulse, rhythm and pitch in a fun and accessible way.

This is a unique FREE training opportunity designed for non-specialist teachers delivering music, with a FREE 90 minute one-to-one observation and evaluation offered in the Spring term as a follow-up training opportunity for attendees.
Led by Janet Banzaca, THAMES Primary music consultant
Book here

THAMES CPD: Practical music lessons for KS2: a 'how to' guide for teachers

Thursday 20 November, 4-6pm at Shapla Centre, 19 Ensign Street, E1 8JD

The best music lessons include plenty of practical activity where movement, rhythm work, singing, performing and composing combine to develop children's musical skills and understanding. This session will deepen your knowledge about how children develop musically and introduce you to a wide range of teaching approaches and styles. Learn how the use of musical stimuli - such as chants, songs, musical games and listening extracts - help children learn and apply musical concepts in their own performances and compositions. Whatever your level of confidence or expertise, you will come away with lots of inspiration, ideas and tips!

This is a unique FREE training opportunity designed for non-specialist teachers delivering music, with a FREE 90 minute one-to-one observation and evaluation offered in the Spring term as a follow-up training opportunity for attendees.
Led by Janet Banzaca, THAMES Primary music consultant
Book here

London Symphony Orchestra – Music in the Classroom

Develop confident music leaders in your school through this year-long practical training programme led by LSO Animateur Rachel Leach, LSO musicians and expert educators. Ideal for new or aspiring Music Coordinators, ECTs, classroom teachers stepping into arts leadership roles, or experienced music leaders looking to refresh their creative leadership strategies. Includes in-school support, LSO musician visits, CPD days, Schools concert tickets, and access to LSO resources.

See the programme in action here
£450 + VAT per school (flexible options available)
Click here to apply or for more details, or email kershaw@lso.co.uk

London Symphony Orchestra – CPD Creative Days for teachers

An expanded series of CPD Creative sessions will return from November 2025, including focused sessions for SEND. Teachers can attend one or more sessions, with each workshop covering different key musical concepts; offering practical, creative approaches to classroom music-making, supported by digital resources and are paired with an LSO concert. These sessions give Primary teachers, SEND teachers (primary & secondary) and other supporting staff key practical skills to approach music-making creatively in the classroom.

£25 + VAT per teacher
Click here for more information
To book a place, please contact ramoutar@lso.co.uk

Music Making in Primary with the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Thursday 9 October, 9.30am-12.30pm, London College of Fashion, 105 Carpenters Road, E20 2AR

Interactive workshop giving teachers practical ideas to bring music into all parts of the school through use of Ten Pieces digital resources.

Target Audience: Aimed at KS2 classroom teachers.

Click here for more info and to book.

Fashion and Sustainability for Primary Educators and Art Coordinators

Thursday 9 October, 1-3.30pm. London College of Fashion, 105 Carpenters Road, E20 2AR

This session is for primary school teachers and practitioners working with young people who would like to incorporate sustainable fashion activities into their curriculum for young people.

Click here for more info and to book.

East Ed Dance Network Event with Sadler's Wells East *please pass on to relevant colleagues

Wed 19 Nov, 1.30-5pm

An afternoon of sharing practice and developing Dance teaching, learning, and career awareness for educators, specialists, and non-specialists, working with children and young people in East London. The event will have two sessions running simultaneously: one for primary and one for secondary.

Full details and booking here

Resources

Bengali Music Resources

Created by British-Bengali singer Sohini Alam, this resource includes songs and listening materials to explore Bengali music and artists.
Access Resource

Minute of Listening

This carefully curated collection of 60-second recordings introduces children to a range of music and sounds from Björk to Beethoven, folk music to field recordings. Accompanying resources help enrich all curriculum areas, and follow-up questions encourage children to discuss what they heard, thought and felt.

Access Resource

Electric Umbrella

Electric Umbrella empowers learning disabled and neurodivergent people through inclusive music workshops, performances, and school programmes that celebrate difference and foster community connection. Opportunities for mainstream schools include:

Electric Umbrella Inclusion Academy – this free online programme seeks to unite schools and use music as the tool to explore lived inclusion. Schools will gain access to original songs, accompanying music resources and PSHE/Citizenship resources. Schools will come together for online assemblies each half term. Schools can also gain accreditation to celebrate their inclusion journey. Find out more here and register for a free account here.
School visits – Visits range from whole school performances to key stage specific workshops and residencies (see video here). Costs are in the region of £200 (half day) or 400 (full day) with discounts for first visits or multiple visits. Email me if you’re interested.

Opportunities for young people

THAMES Music Centres and Choirs

THAMES provides opportunities for instrumentalists and singers aged 7-18 of all levels of ability. Students can take part in a Children Choir on Mondays, a Wednesday Music Centre or Saturday Music Centre, taking part in a range of choirs, orchestras, chamber groups and contemporary bands. Find out more.

London Youth Choirs (LYC)

Open to singers aged 7–23, LYC offers inclusive, high-quality choral experiences with weekly rehearsals, performances across London, giving members a chance to develop their musical skills, perform in exciting venues and make new friends. Auditions are friendly and low pressure, and financial support is available. No experience needed, just a love of singing. Find out more.