Blog

National Storytelling Week 2026  runs from Monday 2 February - Sunday 8 February  and this year’s theme, Soundtrack your Story , is a perfect opportunity to blend music, reading and writing together in the classroom. Led by the National Literacy Trust , National Storytelling Week celebrates the power of stories to build empathy, imagination and a love of reading and writing for pleasure – something pupils need more than ever. What is Soundtrack your Story ? This year’s theme

Insights from the Education Business Podcast In this episode of the Education Business Podcast, hosted by Claire Riley, co-founder of Classroom Secrets, guest Matt Dix shares his journey from a primary school teacher to a thriving music education business owner. Matt, who runs several education brands including Musician of the Month, Manic Street Teachers, and the Fluency Factory, discusses his transition from the classroom to business. He highlights the importance of creativ

It’s time to shine a spotlight on one of the most remarkable and under-celebrated figures in music history: Delia Derbyshire. As the team behind Musician of the Month, we’re passionate about bringing fresh, inspiring musical stories into your classrooms. Delia’s story is full of possibilities for engagement, experimentation, and empowerment. Who Was Delia Derbyshire? Delia Derbyshire (1937-2001) was an English composer and sound engineer who worked at the BBC Radiophonic Work

The government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review  has landed, and it’s the first time in a while that music has really featured in the conversation. The review isn’t a new curriculum yet, but it signals a direction: more inclusive, diverse, and meaningful music education  for Key Stage 1 through Key Stage 4. Progression Without Pressure One of the main points coming through is the idea of clearer progression in musical learning , so that children build skills and understandi

On Monday 15th September 2025 , schools around the world will join in celebrating World Afro Day — a day dedicated to Black hair, pride, and identity in all its natural forms. Whether hair is worn in an Afro, braids, twists, dreadlocks, or straightened temporarily, this day is about celebrating diversity, self-expression, and cultural heritage. It also challenges unfair treatment and stereotypes. This year’s theme, “Learning, Creating, Uniting,” invites children to explore

It’s time to pick up a tambourine, grab your guitar, and get your classroom buzzing with rhythm — because World Music Day is here! Every...

The Importance of Music in Education Diverse Educators is a fantastic website filled with blogs, collaborations, events, podcasts, and...

St. David’s Day: Celebrating Welsh Culture Through Music ======================================================= St. David’s Day (Dydd...

A few week's ago, I was contacted by Chris Woods - not the Forest star striker (YOU REDS! 🌳🔴 ) - but the guitarist and host of The...

UPDATED: First, if you're anything like me, then 'Last Christmas' for the 100th time begins to grate somewhat by the time the big day arrives, so here are some of the newest 2025 Christmas albums for you to enjoy at home or in school. I'm sure there's plenty more to come! Christmas   - The Futureheads Holidays   - Roberta Flack You Make it Feel Like Christmas - Gwen Stefani XMAS (Fully Wrapped) - Kyle Minogue Christmas in the City - Pentatonix & Frank Sinatra Greatest Hit

Music and politics have always had an interesting relationship, especially in U.S. presidential campaigns. From patriotic anthems to pop...

Music has always played a profound role in human culture, from the earliest drumbeats around a fire to the latest hits on streaming...

We've written a new blog post in response to the summer riots in the U.K. and the importance of sharing diverse voices within the world...

This year, Empathy Day is on Thursday 6th June. This is a nationwide event aimed at encouraging children, young people, and families to...

Between May 6th - May 12th this year, Deaf Awareness Week isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about starting a movement. The aim is...

Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024 (March 18th-24th) is designed to help us recognise and celebrate the strengths of neurodiversity, as...

Beyond music, my other passion is reading. Having been the English or Reading lead in schools over the last 7 years, it's an area of...

China, a country with a history spanning thousands of years, boasts a musical landscape as diverse and vibrant as its cultural heritage. With Chinese New Year fast approaching (17th February 2026 - the Year of the Fire Horse), we thought it would be useful to delve into the music from a country filled with ancient traditions and contemporary sounds. Chinese music has evolved through the ages, reflecting the country's dynamic cultural, social, and political changes. In this bl

As the world grapples with the urgent need for environmental sustainability, musicians in recent times have emerged as powerful advocates...

Classical music is a treasure trove of human creativity, expressing the depths of emotion and the intricacies of composition. It has the...