Welcome to our CIL Booking Page for 25 / 26
(Classroom Instrumental Learning)
Michaela Harmson
Matt Newnham
The latest National Plan for Music Education placed a much stronger focus on Progression and enabling children to develop their musical interests and talents. Whilst classroom instrumental learning offers children a brilliant introduction to music, we want to go further than that and offer them the chance to progress should they wish – supporting them to develop themselves as musicians.
With this vision in mind, we are making some small changes to CIL for the forthcoming academic year, as detailed below. Following this, we will also be presenting our longer-term vision to transform the musical environment in schools, nurturing young talent and creating a thriving culture of creativity and musical growth in partnership. (More on this to follow, but we really hope you'll want to be part of it!)
(CIL or Classroom Instrumental Learning involves weekly, 45 minute lessons being delivered to your whole class, so that all pupils in the class learn at the same time.)
We are really excited to be able to grow and develop Classroom Instrumental Learning with you and help your young musicians to thrive in a musical environment.
If you would like any support, have any questions or want to find out more about what we can do for primary schools, please contact us at LMteaching@leics.gov.uk
Michaela Harmson / Matt Newnham – Classroom Instrumental Learning
Bookings must be made before Friday 2nd May.
After this date we may not be able to offer the same arrangements in the next academic year.
Classroom Instrumental Learning - Changes for 2025-26
Based on new inclusion research, we will be introducing a 31-week model, where instrumental teaching will happen over 11 weeks in the Autumn term and then in 2 blocks of 10 weeks during the Spring and Summer terms. This additional Autumn week will act as a 'levelling up' week, allowing pupils with additional needs to experience the instrument, be introduced to the teacher and become familiar with what is happening before the whole class joins in week 2.
We would also like to develop a stronger relationship with parents, letting them know what you as their school have invested in and helping them to better support their child to continue should they wish to.
Schools booking CIL delivered by LM staff can also access FREE online training held after school on Curriculum, Music Tech and Singing. Training is available on all subjects each term and can be booked by clicking here.
Moving forwards, Term 1 will look like this:
- 1st week – Inclusive levelling up session (pupils identified by class teacher)
- Weeks 2/3 - all pupils lessons
- Week 4 – open session (parents/carers invited to come in and see what happens*)
- Weeks 5/10 - all pupil lessons
- Week 11 – celebration (informal showcase for parents/carers**)
*Literature to be given to parents / carers Week 4 – intro to LM – how to help their young musician etc
** Literature about next steps – signpost to individual lessons
Terms 2 & 3 will then allow you to have either the option of all pupils continuing as a whole class or as smaller/focussed groups formed from those children who want to continue learning. Either option will continue to be led by the same LM member of staff on the same day / time as Term 1.
From Term 2 onwards you can also choose to pass some or all of the cost on to parents/carers (information will be shared with them about this in Week 11 of Term 1)
School Teacher-Led Opportunities
We also wanted to let you know about the following exciting offers available to enhance and diversify your existing LM CIL booking – please see below:
School Teacher-Led Models – an 'in-house' delivered model where LM provide instruments, teaching resources and CPD, but the teaching is led by school classroom staff. These are currently available on Recorder and Music Technology with more to follow.
Recorder (KS1 & KS2) To find out more please click here
Music Tech (Turntablism, Beatboxing, Sound Exploration & Sampling and iPad Garageband.) To find out more please click here
Booking / Renewing for 2025 - 26
IMPORTANT: To confirm, amend or cancel your booking for next academic year, please click on the link below and complete the form by Friday 2nd May 2025. (If you do not confirm your booking by Friday 2nd May, we may not be able to provide the same teaching arrangements next year.)
Click here to confirm or amend your booking for 2025/26
Please note that from September 2025, our 3 terms CIL project (as described above) will be priced at £1750. You can request a 1 term project, but these can only be delivered where we have availability after timetabling 3 term projects. These will be priced at £605 for the 11-week model.
Next Musical Steps after CIL - Instrumental
Following CIL projects, the next step for young musicians is to join a group to continue their learning and develop their skills performing alongside others. Leicestershire Music offers the following entry level groups providing a solid start for young musicians at the start of their musical journey.
Please click on individual group titles below to link to more information and registration.
Jam Band
JAM Band is an exciting group for beginner musicians. A fun, energetic ensemble, performing in a variety of styles, such as rock, pop, jazz, classical and film / TV soundtracks. Music will be catered to the group, allowing for brand-new beginners up to Grade 1 (Trinity / ABRSM) musicians to play together. Come along and make music!
Jam Band Leicester City
Venue: Beauchamp City 6th Form College, S Albion Road, Leicester LE1 6JL
Date / Time: Saturday 10:00 -10:45am
Cost: £40 per Term
Snazzy Strings
Snazzy Strings is a string only group (Violin / Viola / Cello / Double Bass) learning and performing lots of pop and film music whilst learning new skills. Suitable for total beginners up to Grade 1. Welcome to anyone aged 7 – 18 years (Year 3 equivalent upwards).
Snazzy Strings Leicester City
Venue: Beauchamp City 6th Form College, S Albion Road, Leicester LE1 6JL
Date / Time: Saturday 10:00 -10:45am
Cost: £40 per Term
Snazzy Strings Market Harborough
Venue: Great Bowden Village Hall
Date / Time: Wednesday 4:00 – 4:45pm
Cost: £50 per Term
Next Musical Steps after CIL - Singing
Following CIL projects, the next step for young musicians is to join a group to continue their learning and develop their skills performing alongside others. Leicestershire Music offers the following entry level singing groups providing a solid start for young musicians at the start of their musical journey.
Please click on individual group titles below to link to more information and registration.
Junior Choir
Do you love to sing? Leics Sing Junior Choir. Lots of performance opportunities and a chance to have improve your singing, have some fun, meet new friends and learn new songs! Suitable for 7 to 12 year old pupils
Junior Choir – Blaby
Venue: Blaby & District Social Centre
Date / Time: Tuesday 4:00 – 5:00pm
Cost: £30 per Term
Junior Choir – Braunstone
Venue: Braunstone, The Brite Centre
Date / Time: Thursday 4:30 – 5:30pm
Cost: £30 per Term
Junior Choir – Clarendon Park
Venue: Leicester Friends Meeting House 16 Queens R
Date / Time: Tuesday 4:15 – 5:15pm
Cost: £30 per Term
Junior Choir - Wigston
Venue: Wigston Library
Date / Time: Thursday 3:45 – 4:45pm
Cost: £30 per Term
