High-quality, practical music provision in primary schools is at an alarming low level and disappearing at pace. Private lessons are out of reach for many families, and few schools have specialist music teachers. Yet evidence shows that it can be one of the most positive factors in an educational environment. We focus on state schools with the least provision and the highest pupil premium levels in our area so children who are most at risk can benefit from these life-changing experiences.

Professional musicians will work weekly in five local state primary schools for 25 weeks, guiding children to sing, compose, tell stories and perform live at Amersham Festival. Crucially, classroom teachers are trained throughout — supported by rich resources that create a legacy of practical music-making that grows steadily over the course of the project and continues long after it ends, with the ongoing support of Amersham Festival. We grow from five schools to fifteen over three years.