UpRising School Programmes
Unique opportunities to enhance music-making in special schools, alternative provision, and mainstream schools with specialist units.
The MEHEM UpRising programmes is recruiting schools for the 2026-27 round of its two residency programmes. Funded by Youth Music, UpRising360 aims to increase the skills, knowledge and confidence of both school staff and hub-based instrumental tutors.​
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Applications are being accepted for 2026-27 programmes until [DATE]. If you have any questions before applying, please contact us.
The programme strands
We are recruiting for two projects in the 2026-27 academic year. Each setting can apply to participate in one or both of the strands.
360° Musical Cultures: Teacher Development
For schools who want to upskill their non-specialist teaching staff to teach music more effectively, with additional benefits of curriculum development and access to resources.
An experienced music hub specialist will visit your school for 30 half/whole-days* across the academic year. They will work closely with between 2-6 classroom teachers/TAs throughout the year.
They will begin by identifying areas that each teacher would like to develop. Areas could include singing, instrumental skills, musical knowledge, accessible technology, adapting lessons to meet individual needs and/or the development of schemes of work.
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Teachers will then be supported to develop their practice through a combination of training, co-delivery and mentoring. In addition, the school will be offered
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Access to a bank of teaching resources
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Twilight CPD for all staff
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The opportunity to write a music curriculum with curriculum specialists from the UpRising team.
By the end of the year, the aspiration is for key staff in the school to feel able to
teach curriculum music with confidence and enjoyment.
School Partnerships
We are looking for one specialist setting (special schools, AP or mainstream schools with designated SEND provision) from each of the five East Midlands music hubs with a strong motivation to develop curriculum music in their school. We have learnt from the first year of the project that success depends on a relatively strong commitment from the school:
£450 financial contribution
The school will timetable 10-15 minutes of reflection time each week with the visiting teacher
Each teacher will commit to take part in the wider training programme, which will include an in-person training day in September 2026 and half-termly twilight online reflection sessions
The school will identify two teachers to take part in the project in the first term.
UpRising Musician-in-Residence
Host a Musician-in-Residence for 10–30 weeks to transform your school’s musical culture. For Special education schools, Mainstream schools with high SEND percentages, including those with specialist inclusive provision and Alternative provision, including SEMH schools and PRUs.
“A child who hasn't been accessing lessons last year, really shone by having music sessions and it helped to see such a beautiful and musical side to him.” – Music Lead from 25-26 project school.
This programme embeds a hub instrumental or vocal tutor in a school for 1 half/whole day between 10-30 weeks*. The aim is to both support instrumental and ensemble provision in the school, and develop the inclusive practice of the instrumental tutor.
Guided by the school music subject lead, the tutor will provide one-to-one and small group instrumental tuition and, where appropriate, develop choirs and/or instrumental ensembles.
*Note: The project is funded for 0.5 days for 10- 30 weeks, subject to discussions with your local music hub. Schools in some areas may have the option to buy in an additional half-day at music hub rates.
School Partnerships
We are looking for five East Midlands schools with an established music subject lead and the capacity to host a member of hub staff for between 10 and 30 weeks. The school would also commit to:
£150 per 10-week financial contribution
The music subject lead to take part in two twilight training and reflection sessions per term with colleagues across MEHEM
Research
UpRising360’s ultimate goal is to use these school residencies to identify and evidence what colleagues need to be confident and effective in their music-delivery. Working closely with our research partners University College London and Birmingham City University, we hope to use this knowledge to develop an in-service training programme that can be used to support practitioners in hubs and schools across the UK.
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UpRising 360 is a project funded by Youth Music and MEHEM
Contact us at uprising@lincolnshire.gov.uk
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