Kent & Medway Music Hub Lead Schools Advisory Group
The Kent & Medway Music Hub Lead Schools Advisory Group are appointed by the hub to support the strategic approach to supporting and developing in and out of school music making across the area.
As set out in The power of music to change lives: a national plan for music education (NPME), Hub Lead Organisations (HLOs) like Kent Music are expected to invite schools to join their Music Hub partnerships as Lead Schools for Music.
We believe that implementing a Lead Schools Advisory Group for the Music Hub is the best way to strengthen the Hub’s support for all schools across Kent & Medway.
Aims of the Lead Schools Advisory Group
The LSAG is intended to ensure that the strategic thinking around how the hub supports schools is current, relevant and suitable to the needs of all schools across the area.
We believe it is essential to bring schools into the wider picture of how the hub works with schools and look forward to opening discussions with schools through this platform.
The group will meet 4 times across the academic year, tackling some of the new themes from the NPME and current challenges and trends in music education.
Meet our Lead Schools
Abbey Court Foundation School
Music Lead – Catherine Plummer
Abbey Court Foundation Special School is a SEND provision for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) or Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) as their main presenting need.
Music allows many of our pupils to feel and experience learning in a holistic way and has a powerful impact on pupils’ Mental Health as well as their development and understanding. Abbey Court gives all pupils opportunities to experience, explore and engage with a wide variety of music and instruments in school and the wider community. Pupils at Abbey Court are given opportunities to attend Medway Music Association events throughout the year as well as welcoming live musicians to the school to provide experiences and enrichment opportunities.
At Abbey Court we are proud to be a part of the Kent Music Lead Schools Advisory Group to advocate for the needs of our pupils and how they can be supported by music provision in Kent. We hope to give SLD and PMLD pupils a voice and help to shape music education to ensure their needs and interests are accessible and available to them locally.
Bennett Memorial Diocesan School
Director of Music – Lisa Davis
Bennett Memorial Diocesan School is a comprehensive, Church of England secondary school in Tunbridge Wells.
Music is a central part of the school. All students participate in singing during worship and students are encouraged to participate in monthly music events. Year 7 & 8 all get a chance to try an orchestral instrument for a term as part of our curriculum.
The LSAG gives the school the chance to work in partnership with Kent Music to mentor other schools in the county; both in their curriculum planning and nurturing of ensembles. It is great to meet together and share successes and challenges and learn from one another.
Brompton Academy
Subject Leader for Music – Lesley Connor
Byron Primary School
Music Lead – Richard Lock
At Byron Primary School we want to give all children a love and understanding of music. Children learn to sing, listen, compose, play the recorder and ukulele, and use a Digital Audio Workstation in music technology lessons. Additionally, they can choose to learn violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and guitar and take part in ensembles such as choir, orchestra and jazz club. We are proud members of the Kent Music Lead Schools Advisory Group and enjoy working in partnership with KM and many other organisations to enhance the musical opportunities for Byron pupils and other children across Medway and Kent.
Edenbridge Primary School
Music Lead – Helen Byard
Edenbridge Primary is a nurturing, inclusive community school in Sevenoaks. Music is an important part of school life; with a rich curriculum, lively singing, creative projects, and opportunities for instrumental learning and performance. Lessons are taught by a music specialist, and all pupils from Reception to Year 6 enjoy weekly music lessons in a dedicated, well-equipped room. Music unites our pupils, fostering confidence and creativity. We’re delighted to be a part of the Lead Schools Advisory Group with Kent Music.
Meadowfield School
Music Lead – Ian Atkinson
Meadowfield School celebrates the power of music to enrich learning for pupils with a wide range of needs. Our up-and-coming wind band, choir and ukulele group provide inclusive opportunities for creativity, confidence and community. Our music curriculum focuses very much on pushing the boundaries of what our pupils can achieve. As a founder member of the Kent Special Educational Needs Trust, we champion collaboration and innovation. We deeply value our partnership with Kent Music, working together to strengthen SEND music provision across the county and ensure every learner can thrive through musical experiences.
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School
Director of Music – Euan Caborn
At Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, music isn’t just a subject – it is the heartbeat of our community. As a co-educational selective school, we foster a vibrant performance culture where academic excellence at KS3, GCSE, and A-level is seamlessly integrated with a rich extracurricular life. From daily ensembles and informal lunchtime gigs to local outreach and high-profile performances at the internationally renowned Hop Festival, our students are immersed in a world of sound.
Our philosophy is simple: music is the target language of music. This approach clearly resonates, with over one in six students choosing Music at GCSE and a significant portion of the student body participating in weekly instrumental lessons and clubs. Whether they are exploring their own musicality during lunch breaks or attending professional workshops and concert trips, we provide our musicians with the tools and the stage to express themselves in every form imaginable.
At its core, music at our school is a catalyst for personal growth and a profound sense of community. As our department evolves, we have become a vital springboard for the next generation of talent, actively supporting and encouraging our students to pursue music at universities, conservatoires, and in their future careers.
Through our seat on Kent Music’s Lead Schools Advisory Group, we collaborate with peers to refine regional standards and champion a future of accessible, top-tier musical learning. By mentoring others and strengthening these pathways to higher education and the industry, we remain dedicated to the idea that every student deserves a high-caliber environment where they can find their inner musician and flourish.
Sevenoaks Primary School
Music Lead – Tom Liddle
At Sevenoaks Primary School, we provide opportunities for all children to create, play, perform and enjoy music, and to develop the skills to appreciate a wide variety of musical forms.
We believe that music is a unique way of communicating that inspires and motivates children. It is a vehicle for personal expression and plays an important part in helping children feel part of our school community.
As a Lead School, Sevenoaks Primary is excited to advocate for music education across the county, and to share, inspire and enrich best practice with other teachers.
Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School
Director of Music – Simon Burvill
Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School is a selective secondary school where music sits at the heart of school life. KS3 music, GCSE Music, A level Music and A level Music Technology classes are supported by over 35 weekly ensembles along with a vibrant performance culture, including regular concerts both in and beyond school and three musicals per year. Over a quarter of students at the school participate in instrumental lessons and structured extra-curricular music-making each week. We believe music develops confidence, identity and belonging, and the department continues to grow in both scale and ambition. As part of the Lead Schools Advisory Group with Kent Music, we are excited to share practice, shape local provision, strengthen progression and advocate for inclusive, high-quality music education.
St Alphege CE Infant School
Head of School – Jacqui Spinks
St Alphege CE Infant School is highly committed to placing the arts at the heart of school life. Creativity permeates every aspect of our teaching and learning and the school regularly advocates for arts provision within education. Music is taught by our highly specialist music teacher, Anita Memmott and is also carefully woven throughout the curriculum to enhance learning in all subjects. This is further enhanced by the extra-curricular and cultural offer, enabling all children to flourish during their time at the school. We regularly deliver outreach and training to other schools and welcome visits from anyone wishing to see the impact that our music provision has on all members of our community. As chair of the Lead Schools Advisory Group, we are proud to work alongside Kent and Medway Music to share our outstanding practice, connect with others and help to shape and sustain high-quality music education for all children.
The Harvey Grammar School
Head of Performing Arts – Steve Barker
The Harvey Grammar School is a selective boys’ school in Folkestone. Music is a core part of the curriculum at Key Stage 3, with a strong emphasis on learning through composition and the use of music technology to develop a broad range of compositional skills and styles. At Key Stage 4, students can choose to study GCSE Music or the Level 1/2 Performing Arts qualification, and A Level Music is offered for those wishing to continue their musical studies into the sixth form.
Pupils learn a wide variety of instruments, supported by an extensive programme of staff‑ and student‑led instrumental and vocal ensembles. Music plays a central role in major whole‑school events, including the Christmas Carol Service and the annual Prizegiving ceremony. Each year, the school also stages a full Musical Theatre production.
The music department fosters a strong sense of community, bringing together pupils from different year groups to collaborate and create music. The Harvey Grammar School is proud to be recognised as a Lead School and values the opportunity to work with other lead institutions to support and enhance music provision for young people across Kent.
White Cliffs Primary School
Music Lead – Marc Danton
White Cliffs is a welcoming primary and nursery school serving our Dover community. We place music at the heart of school life. From a Sing Up inspired music curriculum, whole‑school singing, year group instrumental sessions, choir, visiting workshops (from African drumming to iRock), and our Composer of the Term we nurture musical skills, curiosity, and joy. As a Lead School for Music with the Kent & Medway Music Hub, we’re excited to share practice, learn with peers, and help shape brilliant music education across the area.