WEMA - West of England Music and Arts

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Independent impact study on WEMA's cultural education hub launched today.Another exciting day today for our Cultural Edu...
21/10/2026

Independent impact study on WEMA's cultural education hub launched today.

Another exciting day today for our Cultural Education Hub. As I'm on the way to the National Arts and Cultural Education awards with Curious Minds , where the Hub is shortlisted in the Innovators in Engagement category, I'm delighted to launch Dr Tim Clark, Professor Jane Andrews and Dr Samyia Ambreen of University of the West of England's independent impact study into our work between 2024 and 2026.

It's a really great read, and full of important messages for the creative education sector at a time of excitement about the future of creativity in schools.

The full report, with summary appended, is at https://www.wema.org.uk/ceh-impact-26
You can read more about this work, including our research and case studies at https://www.wema.org.uk/cultural-education-hub-research

Thanks to UWE for undertaking this work, and our colleagues and partners who made the first 2 years all happen in the first place, including the many freelance artists, schools and young people, Dr Ally Daubney, Megan Clarke, Sarah James, Arts Council England and West of England Combined Authority

Cultural Learning Alliance

What does excellence in arts education really look like? 🎭 🥁🎨In a new feature for Arts Professional, our CEO Simon Lock ...
19/10/2026

What does excellence in arts education really look like? 🎭 🥁🎨
In a new feature for Arts Professional, our CEO Simon Lock argues that excellence is really about whether every single child, regardless of their background or ability, is given access to quality creative experiences. That's at the heart of what WEMA does.

He writes about our Cultural Education Hub residency at Bournville Primary School in Weston-super-Mare, where playwright and director Toby Hulse spent six months working weekly with Year 3 and 4 pupils. He wrote scripts drawn from their own curriculum needs, and gave every child a part. Some carried their scripts around for weeks afterwards and the teachers took away learning that will serve them for years to come.

The secret? Organisations like WEMA fostering long-term partnerships between schools and artists, backed by training and support for teachers and practitioners alike.

Read the full article 👉 https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/feature/excellence-in-cultural-education

Department for Education Arts Council England Cultural Learning Alliance Schools Week Super Culture North Somerset Arts The Arts and Minds Campaign West of England Combined Authority

Calling all primary teachers!Would you like to feel more confident bringing music into your classroom? Join us for a FRE...
16/10/2026

Calling all primary teachers!

Would you like to feel more confident bringing music into your classroom? Join us for a FREE twilight CPD session as part of our Residency Week.

📅 Wednesday 25 November 2026
🕓 4pm–6pm
📍 The Meadows Primary School, BS30 6HS

This practical two-hour session is packed with ideas you can use straight away to bring music into everyday teaching, with no musical experience needed. It's designed for primary classroom teachers and support staff who aren't music specialists, and PGCE and BEd students are very welcome too.

Places are free so book yours now using the QR code in the flyer or this link: wema.org.uk/benedetti-residency

Please share with any primary colleagues who might be interested and bring as many as you can from your school!


The Electronic Eagles, our fabulous band who are part of our Rock & Pop centre at Chipping Sodbury (Wednesday nights), p...
15/10/2026

The Electronic Eagles, our fabulous band who are part of our Rock & Pop centre at Chipping Sodbury (Wednesday nights), performing at the final of the Song Academy Young Songwriter 2026 competition The Tabernacle w11 earlier this month 😎🎸🥁🤘

While they didn't win in their category, their song 'British Weather' made it to the Top 5 across the UK, and we couldn't be prouder! Keep your eyes peeled for whatever this dynamic duo does next....👀

Last night’s SELL OUT concert at Clevedon Community Centre with the Michael Bochmann Trio Water City Music who invited o...
14/10/2026

Last night’s SELL OUT concert at Clevedon Community Centre with the Michael Bochmann Trio Water City Music who invited our own Vivace string players from Backwell Music Centre to perform side-by-side as they accompanied a massed choir of students from Mary Elton Primary School, St Nicholas Chantry C of E Primary School, & St John the Evangelist Church School! Fantastic performances from all young people involved, and an inter generational experience not to be forgotten!

WEMA is thrilled that our Cultural Education Hub creative residency with Bridge Learning Campus and Brave Bold Drama is ...
09/10/2026

WEMA is thrilled that our Cultural Education Hub creative residency with Bridge Learning Campus and Brave Bold Drama is a finalist in the Outstanding Drama Initiative category at the Music & Drama Education Awards 2027 (Music & Drama Education Expo)

Bridge Learning Campus, an academy serving the Hartcliffe community in South Bristol, brought drama back into its Key Stage 3 curriculum after eight years without a drama specialist. The residency built a valuable pathway in drama and opened pupils’ eyes to the creative careers on their doorstep.

As a result, 30 students signed up to study BTEC Drama from September 2026, a course the school had previously been unable to fill.

Simon Lock, CEO of West of England Music and Arts, said: “We are thrilled to see this residency recognised at the Music & Drama Education Awards. It shows what becomes possible when schools and creative practitioners are given the time and support to work together properly.

"The residency created exactly the kind of lasting change our Cultural Education Hub was set up to make. This shortlisting is a tribute to the pupils and staff at Bridge Learning Campus and to the brilliant team at Brave Bold Drama.”

The Bridge Learning Campus residency is one of a series of Cultural Education Hub residencies examined in independent research by Dr Ally Daubney, published in May 2026. The full case study and research reports are available at https://wema.org.uk/cultural-education-hub-research/

Thanks to Mid Somerset Festival for inviting WEMA to celebrate the amazing talent of 5 amazing young performers at Bath’...
08/10/2026

Thanks to Mid Somerset Festival for inviting WEMA to celebrate the amazing talent of 5 amazing young performers at Bath’s Young Musician of the Year this week.

Competition was extremely tough with some stunning performances from students from Ralph Allen, Hayesfield, Monkton Combe and Wells Cathedral Schools.

It was particularly great to see 2 of our senior ensemble students taking part - Jay on the ‘cello and Matthew on the sax. Both started playing at a young age and have enjoyed their musical journey so far which WEMA has been a big part of. Both were accompanied by WEMA piano teacher, Abigail Wise.

The judges, including WEMA ensemble tutor Nick Ullman, had an incredibly tough job to do in deciding who should walk away with the trophy! Congratulations to fabulous harpist, Hei Yeung Chan who was the judges choice on the night!

We are still taking bookings for the WEMA Youth Orchestra season 2026/2027 with conductor Daniel Hogan. Orchestral instr...
07/10/2026

We are still taking bookings for the WEMA Youth Orchestra season 2026/2027 with conductor Daniel Hogan. Orchestral instruments welcome to apply (flutes, horn and tuba sections now full). Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to take your playing to the next level and perform in the prestigious St George's, Bristol.

String Teacher CPD Day: In collaboration with the Benedetti Foundation String teachers, this is one not to miss! We're t...
06/10/2026

String Teacher CPD Day: In collaboration with the Benedetti Foundation

String teachers, this is one not to miss!
We're thrilled to bring a leading voice from Nicola Benedetti's world-renowned string programme to the West of England for a full day of inspiring professional development.

Meet Rachel Cooper
Rachel is Lead Tutor and Head of String Teacher Development at the Benedetti Foundation , and her impact on music education has earned widespread recognition. In 2023 she was nominated by Nicola Benedetti herself for the Emerging Artist Award. She's currently writing a book on violin pedagogy for educators working with young string players, so this is a brilliant chance to learn from her approach first-hand.

What's in store
✅ Creative Teaching Workshop
✅ Sound Production
✅ Intermediate String Teaching

Whether you teach upper or lower strings, you'll pick up fresh repertoire and practical strategies, connect with fellow teachers, and head home buzzing with ideas for your students.

WHEN: Thursday 26 November, 9am–3pm
WHERE: Lower Hall, St Michael's Centre, North Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8PD
WHO: Open to ALL string teachers from everywhere!
Just £40 (free for WEMA string teachers)

Be Quick as booking closes on Tuesday 20 October, so don't leave it too late!

BOOK HERE: wema.org.uk/benedetti-residency

Do you know a child who'd like to learn to play the ukulele? Or maybe they've started learning and would like to improve...
05/10/2026

Do you know a child who'd like to learn to play the ukulele? Or maybe they've started learning and would like to improve their skills. Come and try our Free Ukulele Experience Morning at Little Stoke Music Centre Saturday 17th October. Children age 6-11 are welcome and ukuleles available to borrow for the session. Book now to avoid disappointment! wema.org.uk/form/ukulele-experience-morning

Address

Little Stoke School, Little Stoke Lane
Bristol
BS346HY

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441454863147

Website

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