Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions in music

This page is intended for use by those working in schools across the borough of Rochdale and surrounding areas.


To support primary school teachers in delivering the music curriculum, Rochdale Music Service runs short CPD sessions.

Music CPD is something we are passionate about. We really enjoy supporting teachers and school staff by developing their skills and confidence to deliver purposeful and engaging music lessons in their own schools and inspiring the next generation of musicians.

Who can book CPD sessions?

You can book our CPD sessions if you work in any early years setting, primary or secondary school in the borough of Rochdale or the surrounding area.

Our courses are tailored to meet your needs regardless of your level of knowledge or experience.

Where do the CPD sessions take place?

CPD sessions can take place at:

  • Your school or workplace
  • Rochdale Music Service
  • The Edgar Wood Academy - for sessions hosted by REAL Trust.

How to book CPD sessions

If you'd like to take part in a CPD session then please get in touch with us using the contact details on this page.

Available CPD sessions and costs

Find out about our different CPD sessions, session durations and costs.


Strike up the band

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Cost: £50 

Our highly qualified and experienced band leader and conductor will take you through everything you need to know about setting up a school ensemble.

This course will include:

  • Ideas for how to lead and structure a rehearsal
  • How to find suitable music to play 
  • Leadership and conducting skills.

What can I do with my music trolley?

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Cost: £50

In this session we'll discuss ideas for using the instruments that most schools have on their music trolley. Whether you want to use the instruments to keep the beat, accompany a song, or perform a piece on their own, then we can help.


Early Years' singing training package

  • Duration: One hour long session per week for 6 weeks
  • Cost: £300

These sessions are aimed at Early Years Foundational Stage teachers who would like more confidence delivering songs and musical games to their reception or nursery class.

Our vocal lead tutor will come and demonstrate new exercises with your class and also present you with a CD of all the songs used as well as a data disk containing all the resources so you can replicate each activity.


Embedding and expanding your school's singing repertoire and skills

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Cost: free

This course is designed specifically for anyone responsible for leading or delivering singing in their school.

You'll work through and produce a vocal strategy document and discover a wealth of ideas and resources to take back into to your school. 


Royal Opera House – Large Scale Opera Project

  • Duration: 6 hours
  • Cost: £75 per person

This course is specific to primary schools who have signed up to participate in the exciting Royal Opera House Project each year. The CPD is the launch day for this project, run in partnership with the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), and usually takes place during the spring term. 

The course fully prepares those leading the project in their school and takes them through all of the organisation for the project and the repertoire that the children will learn. The project takes place every year and rotate each year around three opera performances which include Hansel and Gretel, The Magic Flute and Carmen


Teaching music lessons for NQTs and ECTs

  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Cost: £100

This course is designed to give those who are new to teaching music the confidence and ideas to deliver effective music lessons.

During the course we will looking at the Model Music Curriculum and the expectations and ‘jargon’ included within it.

Attendees will also develop their understanding of:

  • Basic musical elements and inter-related dimensions
  • Basic musical notation
  • Developing active listening approaches
  • How to structure a music lesson
  • An introduction to classroom instruments
  • Ideas to incorporate singing into lessons.

The day will include a mixture or practical hands on activities and theory and planning aspects.


What you need to know about leading music in primary school

  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Cost: £100

This course is designed to help and support those who are new to leading music in a Primary school.

It will give a broad overview of:

  • What the role entails
  • The type of focus included in Ofsted Deep Dives
  • A guide on how to review music provision
  • What support or provision is available from us and external providers
  • What a good curriculum should look like
  • Designing and building a spiral curriculum
  • Cross curricular approaches
  • Simple approaches to monitoring teaching and learning
  • Establishing a connection to the Primary Music Subject Leaders network

GCSE and BTEC moderation – performance and composition

  • Duration: 2.5 hours
  • Cost: free

An opportunity for secondary music leaders to meet together and moderate GCSE coursework and composition prior to submission.

CPD sessions available through REAL Trust

You can find more CPD sessions through our partners REAL Trust. 

Courses hosted by REAL Trust have included things like:

  • Secondary Music Network Meeting - a meeting to discuss music education at secondary level.
  • Primary Music Subject Leader Network - to bring primary school music subject leaders together to share information, resources and good practice.
  • Preparing for an Ofsted Deep Dive in Music - for anyone teaching or leading music in school where a deep dive in music may be a possibility or something the school may consider suggesting during an inspection.