CPD for Primary Teachers

LSO On Track CPD for Primary Teachers in East London* aims to develop confidence and strategies for using music in the classroom, focusing on a creative approach to music-making.

Led by LSO Animateur Rachel Leach and LSO players, activities aim to give teachers instantly applicable practical ideas to use in the classroom with KS1 and KS2 students, including those in special education.

During any given CPD workshop we aim to help participants:

gain confidence both in teaching music and in using their own personal creative skills
learn warm up exercises, appropriate for different musical and classroom situations
play with other teachers in an ensemble
use simple music leadership and conducting techniques

Taster workshops & Creative Days 2012/13

We are now taking bookings for "Taster" workshops and "Creative Days" this year 2012/13. These workshops are open to KS1 and 2 teachers, teaching assistants and other school and music service staff, mainstream and special education, music specialist and non-specialist, whether you have little or no experience of using music in the classroom, some experience, or a great deal of experience.

In these workshops, the whole group will participate in warm-up activities and then create its own piece of music based on a piece of classical music using classroom percussion, as an example of how you might do so in class in order to deliver key areas of the curriculum in a fun, engaging and practical way. The methods employed are applicable across musical genres and aim to encourage cross-curricular work. Creative Days also explore teachers’ own creative skills to build confidence and offer the opportunity to attend an LSO evening concert.

Workshops cost £15 for schools to send staff (see booking form for full charging information).

For dates of workshops and to book, please fill in the booking form at the bottom of this page and email to David Nunn (david.nunn@lso.co.uk).

Recruitment for CPD Scheme 2013/14

At workshops this year, teachers will also hear about the LSO On Track CPD Scheme (see below), a year-long course for teachers and staff working specifically with KS2. The next Scheme will begin in September 2013, and applications will open in May 2013, with details of where CPD Centres will be located. It is strongly recommended that you attend a Taster Session and/or Creative Day prior to applying for the full CPD Scheme.

A PDF leaflet with basic information about the next CPD Scheme is available at the bottom of this page.

LSO On Track CPD Scheme

The LSO On Track CPD Scheme is a year-long (3 terms) Scheme designed for KS2 teachers who want to develop confidence and strategies for using music in the classroom, focusing on a creative approach to music-making.

The Scheme is suitable for all KS2 teachers, teaching assistants and other school and music service staff from the ten Host and Gateway Boroughs of East London*, whether they have no experience of using music in the classroom, some experience, or a great deal of experience.

Delivered by LSO Animateur Rachel Leach and specialists from the East London Music Services*, and supported by LSO Players the Scheme content is written by Music Educator / Trainer and Head of Hackney Music Service, James Thomas, with Rachel Leach.

The main elements of the Scheme are:

Weekly after-school "Twilight" training sessions in 2 or 3 CPD Centres in selected East London Boroughs
1 Creative Day per term (3 terms) at the Barbican or LSO St Luke's
1 project in school per term (3 terms) each including a visit to school from LSO musicians
1 class attending an LSO Schools concert as part of an in-school project
Attendance at LSO concerts and other events

Benefits of the LSO On Track: CPD Scheme

By the end of the Scheme it is anticipated that teachers will have:

gained confidence both in teaching music and in your own personal musical development
developed your singing skills
facilitated a group or ensemble at your school
sourced appropriate songs for use with a range of age groups
learned warm up exercises, appropriate for different musical and classroom situations
understood the basic principles of graphic notation and other appropriate forms of notation
organised one visit to a live music event for your pupils
performed with other teachers in an ensemble
written a scheme of work for your year group
developed your own personal listening experiences
demonstrated an ability to create abstract pieces and to structure class music pieces
used simple conducting techniques to lead young musicians in the classroom
demonstrated a deeper understanding of working in collaboration with other art forms
followed an LSO Resource Pack to prepare pupils for an LSO Schools Concert
organised one or more performance opportunities for your pupils

Accreditation

On completion of the LSO On Track CPD Scheme, teachers also have the opportunity to seek formal Accreditation by taking the Trinity College London qualification LTCL Music Practice: Teaching, for which they receive support from LSO and Music Service tutors.

CPD Scheme Alumni

Having completed the Scheme, teachers automatically become members of the CPD Scheme Alumni. We are currently building a programme of additional activity which CPD Alumni can access.

If you are CPD Alumni and haven't been in touch with us for a while, we want to hear from you! Let us know what you are up to and make sure we have your contact details so we can invite you to CPD and other LSO events. Please contact David Nunn as below.

LSO On Track CPD Scheme 2011/12

Congratulations to our 2011/12 teachers who Graduated from the Scheme on Thursday 27 September after performing on the Barbican Freestage before the LSO's evening performance in the Barbican Hall.

The LSO On Track CPD Scheme 2011/12 finished in July 2012, with 24 teachers from across East London completing the full Scheme, with 9 teachers currently seeking formal accreditation from Trinity College London. The LSO would like to congratulate all those teachers who took part, it has been truly inspiring to share the year with them.

The CPD Borough Centres for 2011/12 were based at Hackney Music Service (with CPD Tutors James Thomas & Xanthe Sarr), Newham Academy of Music (with CPD Tutors Julie Sharpe & June Bonfield-Brown) and Redbridge Music Service (with CPD Tutor Maggie Goble).

For more information about any aspect of the CPD Scheme, please contact David Nunn, LSO On Track Associate Projects Manager, on 020 7382 2538 or david.nunn@lso.co.uk or speak to your local Music Service.

*East London boroughs: Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest.