Lewisham Music announces three new Lead Schools for Music.
Lewisham Music is delighted to announce the appointment of three Lead Schools for Music for the 2025-2026 academic year: Beecroft Garden Primary School, Haberdashers’ Hatcham College, and Brent Knoll School.
Each school demonstrates a clear commitment to providing high-quality music education for all children and young people, and to fostering creativity and inclusion across the Lewisham community. Alongside Lewisham Music, our lead schools will champion professional development for schools and teachers across the borough we are proud to call home.
Come and meet the schools!
Beecroft Garden Primary School
The music curriculum at Beecroft transcends the expectations of the national curriculum, delivering expert teaching and high quality outcomes. Class music and singing is taught weekly by a specialist lead music teacher and supplemented by additional whole class music sessions providing all children with opportunities to learn a range of instruments, build life-long skills and participate in a regular performances. Additional specialist teachers, all professional musicians, provide progression-route tuition in a range of instruments. There is a highly embedded programme of enrichment, providing myriad opportunities to participate in choirs, ensembles and performances, as well as to experience a wide range of concerts. The school’s ethos centres on developing global citizens who are resilient, curious, and compassionate, and music plays a key role in nurturing self-expression, confidence and purpose. Through music, Beecroft Garden nurtures creativity, cultural awareness, and well-rounded personal development in all its students.
“We are delighted and honoured to be chosen for Lead School for Music for Lewisham! In my tenth year as music lead at Beecroft, I believe we now have a well-developed musical culture and infrastructure in our school, which is highly valued by parents and children. Older children are returning to tell us their amazing musical achievements and we are so proud of them all.
Lewisham Music has always been a mainstay and linchpin to our success in so many ways. I hope that by taking on the role of lead school this year, we can fly in the face of the current financial backdrop, by strengthening the partnerships of music educators and finding new ways to help Lewisham continue to shine in its musical vibrancy.”
Kate Hands – Music Lead & Specialist Teacher
Haberdashers’ Hatcham College
Music is a central part of life Haberdashers’ Hatcham College, shaping its identity as a specialist music school and enriching every student’s experience across both our sites. All students benefit from a broad, inclusive, and rigorous sequential curriculum that integrates performing, composing, listening, and music technology across all key stages. Singing forms a backbone of the curriculum, as does the programming of stylistically and culturally diverse music. The school offers extensive instrumental and vocal tuition (with over 400 peri lessons a week, a 35+ peripatetic music staff), ensemble opportunities-including choirs, orchestras, steel pan groups, jazz, and band clubs-and regular performances that foster creativity, teamwork, and confidence. Through its vibrant music tradition and specialist staff, Hatcham College ensures every student sees themselves as a musician, supporting both personal development and pathways to further musical study or careers.
“We’re excited to be working with Lewisham Music for the coming school year to support the borough’s music education community, and build local networks.
It’s wonderful recognition of the hard work of the team, and an opportunity to celebrate our music provision and collaborate on what further we could do to contribute to music for young people in Lewisham.”
Dr Anna van Veldhuisen – Director of Music
Brent Knoll School
Music plays a significant and supportive role at Brent Knoll School, reflecting its commitment to nurturing the unique strengths and needs of pupils with complex social, communication, and interaction difficulties, including autism. The school recognises music as a powerful tool for self-expression, emotional regulation, and social engagement, providing inclusive opportunities for all students to participate. Through inclusive and creative sessions, students develop confidence, communication skills, and creativity in a safe and encouraging environment. Music is also used therapeutically to help pupils manage anxiety and build positive relationships. By integrating music into the broader curriculum, Brent Knoll School enhances personal development and well-being, helping students gain essential life skills and supporting their journey toward greater independence and active participation in the community.
“Music is really important for students at Brent Knoll School with regards to communication and self-expression. It is highly valued by our Senior Leadership Team. I strongly believe in giving each student the opportunity to experience a broad and varied music curriculum, equivalent to that you would find in a main-stream school.
Activities are scaffolded in such a way that all musical topics are accessible and enjoyed at a level that is right for each pupil. Music technology is great at allowing students access to instruments and sounds that would otherwise not be available to them.”
Gina Evans – Music Coordinator
A commitment to excellence and inclusion
The selection of these three Lead Schools reflects Lewisham Music’s mission to inspire and empower young people through a diverse programme of music-making. By working closely with schools across the borough, Lewisham Music aims to ensure that every child and young person can access high-quality music education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Our Lead Schools will play an important role in co-designing specialised professional development, and championing music-making throughout our communities.
As part of the wider South East London Music Hub, Lewisham Music and its Lead Schools will continue to build partnerships, share expertise, and create progression routes for young musicians.
