Lovely sound of @yvettefmurphy with the choir drifting through the corridors this morning @nationalssp
pic.twitter.com/J0tcjg32nl— stvincentdepaul (@svdp_school) November 11, 2022
The National Schools Singing Programme
The National Schools Singing Programme (NSSP) is for all Catholic dioceses in the UK to create or enhance their own music programmes for children educated in Catholic state schools.
We have £2.325 million available to seed fund singing programmes for young people. This funding can be used to create independent, financially sustainable projects through the network of diocesan schools. It will directly benefit children and support the most poor, vulnerable and disenfranchised members of our society. Schools and musicians will also be able to access free consultancy and ongoing support from Benjamin Saunders and Thomas Leech.
The NSSP model
The NSSP initiative takes inspiration from the model developed by the Diocese of Leeds in 2003. It uses the existing infrastructure of Catholic state schools and offers additional funds to support world-class inclusive music programmes. The funds help engage diverse communities which have often been an afterthought for choral and church music. You can watch a short BBC documentary about the model to find out more.
Weekly sessions take place during the normal school day and are tailored to suit each class and year group. They include music for school liturgies blended with interactive music education games and secular repertoire. Classes support the national curriculum and enhance educational attainment and progression, which in turn supports a favourable Ofsted assessment.
The foundation of the Schools Singing Programme rests on a network of after-school choirs that support parish and cathedral liturgies. As well as enhancing the in-school experience of musical education, the programme engages the wider community with concerts and performances that all can enjoy.
For further information please visit the NSSP website: Click Here NSSP