Training and Development

Welcome

Bolton & Blackburn with Darwen Music Service, as lead partner in the Greater Manchester Music Hub, is here to support all our schools to ensure that all children have access to high quality musical learning as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. This includes supporting Music Coordinators and all those involved in the delivery of music through a variety of CPD training sessions, workshops and network meetings.

All workshops will be led by highly skilled music specialists and classroom practitioners from Bolton & Blackburn with Darwen Music Service and our partners. These face-to-face sessions are suitable for all classroom teachers and music practitioners, regardless of knowledge or experience. A separate arrangement to deliver bespoke CPD in your school or setting can also be organised.

We are fully embracing ‘The power of music to change lives: a national plan for music education’ (DfE June 2022) and can’t wait to work with you on fulfilling the plan’s ambition for all children and young people.

Music Network Meetings

Our popular termly network meetings are an opportunity to find out about current local and national initiatives and what they mean for you and your school or setting. We share ideas and resources to help you to develop your music curriculum and your co-curricular offer.

 

Early Years Music Network Meetings

The Early Years Music Network meetings are an opportunity for adults who work with children aged 0-5 years to share ideas for using music within different early years settings. We try out new songs, share ideas for using musical instruments and props, look at different musical games, different resources, and at ways in which musical activity can contribute to the delivery of the wider EYFS curriculum. The network aims to engage with early years practitioners, teachers, childminders, and adults working with young children in community and outreach programmes.

Cost:  Free

Bolton – Mere Hall, Merehall Street, Bolton. BL1 2QT

Dates for this year:

Autumn term   6 October 2026

Spring term     26 January 2027

Summer term  27 April 2027

To book your place please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GYGS

 

Blackburn with Darwen – Venue TBC

Dates for this year:

Autumn term    13 October 2026

Spring term      2 February 2027

Summer term   4 May 2027

To book your place please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GYHI

 

Primary Music Teachers Network Meetings

For Primary Music Co-ordinators, practitioners and all teachers involved in delivering the music curriculum in primary schools. All sessions will be led by highly skilled music specialists and classroom practitioners from Bolton Music Service and our partners. The sessions are suitable for all classroom teachers and practitioners, regardless of knowledge or experience.

Primary Network meetings 2026/27

Bolton – Mere Hall, Merehall Street, Bolton, BL1 2QT

Autumn term   30 September 2026

Spring term     20 January 2027

Summer term  21 April 2027

To book your place please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GXXP

 

Blackburn with Darwen 

Autumn term   7 October 2026 – Brookhouse Primary School, Troy Street, Blackburn, BB1 6NY

Spring term     27January 2027 – Venue tbc

Summer term  28 April 2027 – Venue tbc

To book your place please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GXXQ

For further information please contact music.service@bolton.gov.uk

 

Secondary Music Network Meetings

Secondary Music Network Meetings are useful forums where music teachers can share good practice, introduce new ideas and discuss the important developments that are happening in music education.

Cost:  Free

Bolton:   Mere Hall, Mere Hall Street, Bolton BL1 2QT

Dates for this year:

Thursday 22nd October 2026 – 4.15-5.45pm

Friday 5th February 2027 – 1.30-3pm

Friday 25th June 2027 – 1.30-3pm

If you are interested in attending please contact  daniel.chandler@bolton.gov.uk

 

Greater Manchester Music Hub CPD

All teachers in schools can access high quality training through our Greater Manchester training programmes, these can be accessed by any Primary, Secondary and Music Service teachers from across the Greater Manchester area.

If you would like any further information please contact music.service@bolton.gov.uk