Support for Schools
2025/26 Brochure
View our brochure for services for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Please contact us for any further information at music@sips.co.uk .
CPD
Free CPD sessions funded through our Arts Council England grant.
Check this page for the latest offers for Sandwell schools and their staff.
School Music Development Plans
Templates for the live document with actions plans and the summary for your school’s website as published by the DfE are available to download here.
Events and Opportunities for Schools
This page will be updated with musical events around Sandwell and the Black Country.
If you would like to advertise your event, please contact music@arts.co.uk .
Curriculum Resources
Resources to help your school deliver a quality music making curriculum, including links to free websites, useful documents and more.
Lead Schools for Music
Under the guidance of the DfE and Arts Council England, each Service area in England are to appoint Lead Schools for Music. The Black Country Music Hub has appointed the three schools that will represent Sandwell.
Quick Provision Links
Preparing for Provision 2026/2027
As the Music Hub for Sandwell, we are here to help ensure that your school provides a Quality Music Education as part of your overall offer to the students at your school. Take a look to see what provision and support we offer to help you cover your school’s Music Development Plan for Curriculum, Co-Curricular and Musical Experiences/Opportunities.
News and Events
Return to Symphony Hall in April 2027
Following the success of our SIPS Plays at Symphony Hall, we are delighted to announce that we will be returning for another incredible day of performances on Saturday 17 April, 2027.
We will be included all of our Music Centre ensembles, which are attended by young musicians from around Sandwell. Any students in your school that are learning to play instruments may be already taking part in our ensembles- or may be invited to join soon!
Also, we will be inviting schools to apply for a place to participate in our massed choir/classroom instrumental group.
Please look out for your invitation to apply coming this term!
Lead Music Schools- Sandwell
The Black Country Music Hub has appointed the three Lead Schools for music for Sandwell. They are Grove Vale Primary, Shireland CBSO Academy and Westminster
We are excited to work together with these schools to support professional development, share best practices, and help other schools improve their music provision through a collaborative approach with the Hub.
FREE Music Centre Ensembles: Opportunities for your Students
Signpost your Students and Families
As part of your School’s Music Development Plan, support your students with opportunities and experiences in music making and performance by sharing information of our Music Centre groups- which are now FREE to join.
Shireland CBSO School- A venue for Music Centre Rehearsals
Many of our Music Centre groups rehearse at the new Shireland CBSO Academy in West Bromwich. It is a secure building in which there are multiple rooms used by several groups at the same time on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Rock & Pop at Splinter Studios
Keen drummer, singers, guitarists…and more are invited to find out more about joining groups that practise on Tuesdays at the Sprinter Studios in Wednesbury.
Instrumental Ensembles
For your students that take lessons with our SIPS Music teachers, there are ensembles for them to join to make music with others. Their teacher will likely invite them to the relevant group, but your support and encouragement has a great impact on encouraging them to participate.
New Groups for even beginners to join!
Our budding vocal group is calling our for ALL ages and abilities of students in Sandwell. And new groups, such as Samba and Tabla/Harmonium/Asian Vocal will welcome those who wish to learn a new skill and perform in a group.
SEND and CIC
Big Top Musical Adventures lead a band for ages 11-18 for young people with autism, learning disabilities, severe, profound and complex needs.
Children in Care that have been receiving their free music tuition (from Year 4 onwards) are able to join the group, Ignite.
Operating Dates
Term time
Head Office
2nd Floor, Guardian House, Cronehills Linkway, West Bromwich B70 8GS
Phone
(0121)-296-2997