Skip to content ↓

Music development plan summary

Overview

Detail

Information

Academic year that this summary covers

2025-2026

Date this summary was published

6th May 2026 updated

Date this summary will be reviewed

1st September 2026

Name of the school music lead

Saima Malik

Name of school leadership team member with responsibility for music (if different)

Rachel Hodgson

Name of local music hub 

Bradford Music Education Hub

Name of other music education organisation(s) (if partnership in place) 

Yamsen Specially Music

 

This is a summary of how Co-op Academy Southfield delivers music education to all our pupils across the three areas of curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences. This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education. 

Part A: Curriculum music

This is about what we teach in lesson time, how much time is spent teaching music and awards that pupils can achieve.

Curriculum Statement

At Co-op Academy Southfield, we believe performing arts are essential to student growth. By engaging in music, dance, and drama, our students build vital skills in creativity, communication, teamwork, and strategic problem-solving. While Music is seamlessly integrated into our Key Stage 3 and 4 Performing Arts curriculum to build cultural capital, Key Stage 5 offers a more tailored approach. Through our 'Destinations' curriculum, students can choose the Creativity Destination, allowing them to specialise in music (Southfield Music Squad) as they prepare for life beyond 19. 

Music statement

Music at Co-op Academy Southfield fully encompasses the National Curriculum’s subject content.  We empower our students to see themselves as musicians, singers, and performers. Students learn about singing, listening, composing and performing with opportunities to learn new skills and revisit prior learning at each stage.  

In key stage 3 students recognise what skills they have and what kind of music interests them. They experience different genres of music and have opportunities to perform in school and in the local community. Each student in Key Stages 3 and 4 has two hours a week of Performing Arts with Music being a key part of each lesson. 

In key stage 4 students' music skills are nurtured with opportunities to perform outside of school in local theatres and with peers from the wider community. This learning and achievements are captured through the Arts Award- Explore external accreditation. Where students have taken a lead in the planning or performing of an event they are awarded certificates as our Co-op Young Leaders.

At Key Stage 5, the curriculum focuses on transitioning students into adulthood by highlighting external musical opportunities and further learning pathways. Those who specialise in music via the 'Destinations' curriculum learn essential employability skills, including collaborative problem-solving and industry-specific communication. As part of this offer; students have opportunities to interact with music and performing arts practitioners through a structured program of visitors, external trips, and events. A student who chooses to be part of the Southfield Music Squad in the 6th form has 4 hours of music per week.

Students have opportunities to see performances both in and out of school throughout all key stages. 

Part B: Co-curricular music

Co-curricular activities complement learning from the curriculum. The Bradford Music Hub supports the school to deliver one-to-one and small-group bespoke music sessions. Talented students are identified to ensure their love of music is fostered into adulthood. Links are made with local performance groups including SORM and Mind the Gap to ensure students who have an interest in music, dance and performance can continue this into adulthood and continue their learning at post 19. 

We have access to our co-located school’s recording suite where in recent years our student council have recorded their own bespoke song.

In addition to the Southfield curriculum, we host a specialist Music Therapist weekly to provide essential music sessions to give our most profound students autonomy and voice. Through rhythm, vibration, and sound, students develop "pre-verbal" communication skills, such as turn-taking, eye contact, and intentional response. 

Priority is given to students with Music Therapy identified on their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP). 

We hold after-school Music therapy sessions for a small number of families where music becomes a shared language of connection, regulation, and joy for both our students and their parents / carers.

Part C: Musical experiences

At Co-op Academy Southfield we recognise that Music is a tool to connect us through people and places.  Music brings the whole school community together through singing, ensemble experimentation and a love of listening to friends and staff perform in weekly assemblies and SMSC events such as Eid or Autumn Fall celebrations. 

Students have regular opportunities to collaborate with other schools to celebrate and enjoy the creative process. We join other special schools in Bradford to perform in the annual Musica Spectacular concert at St Georges Hall. 

Students in key stages 3 and 4  are part of the Yamsen One Accord choir which brings opportunities to perform alongside peers from other special schools in Calderdale. In December members of the choir sing at the Lord Mayors Christmas concert in Pudsey and In the Summer term the choir performs at an annual concert in the Yamsen Summer music festival at the Kings Hall, Ilkley.  Students who are not performing have the opportunity to be a member of the audience. 

 

Musical Events at Co-op Academy Southfield:

  • Harvest Festival at school

  • Southfield Christmas Showcase- open to parents and carers

  • Lord Mayor's Christmas concert- One Accord Choir Yamsen- open to the public 

  • Christmas Carol concert at school

  • Musica Spectacular- St.Georges Hall- open to the wider community

  • Easter concert- at school

  • Eid celebration- at school

  • Summer Southfest- at school

In the future

This is about what the school is planning for subsequent years.

  • Next year Co-op Academy Southfield will embed the Charanga program into the Performing Arts curriculum . 

  • Charanga

  • We aim to increase the number of immersive music experiences in school for our PMLD students

  • We will increase the number of visitors from the music industry to ensure the post 16 Music squad offer is relevant to give students the knowledge and skills to access music in the community, in further education or via employment when they leave Southfield.

Further information (optional)

For further information about Music opportunities in Bradford for young people please see the links below:

Arts Council Music Hub

Bradford Music Hub

Mind the Gap

School of Rock Music Bradford

DFE National Music Plan information for parents and carers