LEAD SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED FOR SOUTH YORKSHIRE MUSIC HUB

Published 30 May 2025 at 10:30am

Thousands of children and young people across South Yorkshire will be supported in developing their talent and excitement for music, as the South Yorkshire Music Hub (SYMH) takes another step forward with the announcement of its Lead Schools.

A total of nine schools across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield will support the SYMH, which was formed by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and the four local Music Hubs to lead a South Yorkshire approach to developing music education. 

Led by SYMCA and funded by Arts Council England (ACE), SYMH is part of an ambitious national programme to provide high-quality music education for all children and young people and to give them more opportunity to learn a musical instrument and develop a love of music. 

The nine SYMH Lead Schools for the 2025/26 academic year are: 

Primary

• Barnsley -     Tankersley St Peters
• Doncaster -     Richmond Hill 
• Rotherham -     Swinton Fitzwilliam Primary
• Sheffield -     Mosborough Primary 

Secondary 

• Barnsley -     Trinity Academy St Edwards 
• Doncaster -     The McAuley Catholic High School 
• Rotherham -     Oakwood High School 
• Sheffield -     Fir Vale School 

Special Schools 

• Seven Hills School (supporting special schools across South Yorkshire)

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “From Pulp to Self Esteem, Yungblud to the Arctic Monkeys, South Yorkshire’s musical talent punches above its weight.

“It’s so important to keep nurturing that talent. That’s why I’m so excited to see our South Yorkshire Music Hub take its next steps in announcing the nine Lead Schools for South Yorkshire, whose job will be to inspire a love and talent for music at an early age. 

“Singing, learning to read music and playing an instrument are all skills that help make our lives richer; both for those who learn and those who listen. These new Lead Schools will help even more hugely talented, committed and inspiring children get and give joy through the music that they make.”

Lead schools will support other schools in their area by establishing local networks at the start of the next academic year.  In partnership with the SYMH they will also:

• Arrange and host CPD opportunities and events
• Foster and develop a culture of sharing resources
• Support schools to develop their School Music Development Plan (SMDP)
• Support Key Stage 4/5 accreditation for secondary schools
• Collaborate with the Music Hub on its annual music education conference

As active members of the South Yorkshire Music Hub Board, they will share their expertise and information on provision gaps to ensure the voice of schools is heard as they contribute strategically to the Board’s future plans.

The creation of the South Yorkshire Music Hub is part of a major investment in a new generation of the nationwide network of Music Hubs. This investment will help to deliver the Government’s National Plan for Music Education and give all children and young people the opportunity to develop their musical interests as far as they wish, including helping them to begin careers in the music industry.

More information about the South Yorkshire Music Hub is available at: South Yorkshire Music Hub – official webpage.