CASE STUDIES & IMPACT
What music changes in our schools.
Real schools, real pupils and real results from across the North East.
70+
schools across the North East
6,500
pupils taught every week
3
Quality Business Awards won: 2024, 2025 and 2026
75
concerts and live music events last year
2011
teaching music in schools since
Case studies
How schools in four different areas use Musical Mates Ltd each week.
Infant school, Sunderland
The challenge
Class teachers needed their weekly PPA time, and the school wanted music taught by a specialist rather than fitted in by staff without music training.
What we did
6 hours of curriculum music, covering PPA for every teacher
After-school singing club
1.5 hours of small-group violin
The results
Every class now has a weekly lesson with a specialist music teacher, and class teachers keep their PPA time. Young violinists have made a confident start, and the singing club gives pupils regular chances to perform.
Primary school, South Tyneside
The challenge
The school wanted singing at the heart of school life, from collective worship to choir, and regular music for every class, but had no music specialist on the staff.
What we did
7.5 hours a week with one specialist teacher, the same package every term
Whole-class music and recorders
Choir and hymn practice
The results
The school has chosen the same package every term. Every class has regular music, recorder groups are thriving, and the choir now leads the singing in collective worship.
Primary school, Durham
The challenge
The school wanted every child to experience learning an instrument, with a clear next step for pupils keen to carry on.
What we did
5 hours of violin: small groups plus a whole-class lesson
6 hours of small-group keyboard and chalumeau clarinet
1 hour of whole-class chalumeau clarinet
The results
Whole classes have learned violin and chalumeau clarinet together, and small-group lessons give keen pupils a clear next step on violin, keyboard and clarinet.
Secondary academy, Darlington
The challenge
Demand for drum kit and piano lessons had grown beyond what the music department could offer alongside its timetabled teaching.
What we did
5 hours of small-group drum kit
6 hours of small-group piano
The results
Eleven hours a week of specialist drum kit and piano teaching means more students can learn, while the music department focuses on its timetabled lessons.
What schools say
“We always receive a very prompt response to any communication with Musical Mates Ltd.”
School evaluation of Musical Mates Ltd
“We are now absolutely confident that all our music tuition staff are being effectively monitored and given guidance in good practice.”
School evaluation of Musical Mates Ltd
“We received good advice regarding our charging policy, instrument audit and instrument loan agreements, as well as manageable teaching group sizes for various instruments.”
School evaluation of Musical Mates Ltd
“We have received copies of lesson observations of the staff we use in our school with relevant feedback.”
School evaluation of Musical Mates Ltd
“Several of our tutors have commented that they found the professional development meetings with Musical Mates Ltd very useful, especially regarding safeguarding issues and lesson planning.”
School evaluation of Musical Mates Ltd
“Replacement tutors quickly found in any cases of absence.”
School evaluation of Musical Mates Ltd
What pupils say
From pupils' own evaluations of their instrumental lessons.
“She praises me for doing good and it boosts my confidence.”
Pupil
“He gives us stickers and if we complete a grade, a colour plectrum!”
Pupil
“He makes it fun by playing awesome songs, and his warm-up is really fun.”
Pupil
“My teacher took some time explaining things and asked us if we understood.”
Pupil
“I think I'm getting better because my teacher is a great teacher!”
Pupil
“She explains exactly what I need to do.”
Pupil
Some of the schools we work with
Castletown Primary School
Sunderland
St Godric's Primary School
Durham
Holy Trinity Church of England Academy
South Tyneside
Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy
Gateshead
St Aidan's Church of England Academy
Darlington
East Herrington Primary Academy
Sunderland
Recognised for quality
2026
The Best Music School in Durham, Quality Business Awards. Ranked number 1 in Durham. See the listing
2025
The Best Music School in Durham, Quality Business Awards. Ranked number 1 in Durham. See the listing
2024
The Best Music School in Durham, Quality Business Awards. Ranked number 1 in Durham. See the listing
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