A high quality, low cost approach to Primary music delivery –
no music expertise needed.
Our class instrumental sets are designed to be taught by Primary School class teachers and non-specialists. They're affordable, they include everything you need to get high quality music happening quickly and creatively in your school, and they'll help you meet Ofsted recommendations.
High Quality
The instruments and teaching resources are top quality, and so are the outcomes. High quality music education, strong on diversity with show-stopping performances from the end of the first term.
Low cost
Class sets start from just £317 and will last for years and years. The same set can be used by all year groups, so it costs just a few £ per pupil. It's a tiny price for a massive educational return.
For non-specialists
The collaborative approach enables class teachers to deliver the curriculum – no music training is needed. Upskill and invigorate your teachers while they teach!
Everything you need
Each set includes 30 authentic, high quality instruments, a comprehensive teaching Guide, Schemes of Work, Lesson Plans, Video and Audio clips.
One set does it all
One class set can be used by all your year groups, and even by more than one class at a time. Each set works as a cross-curricular resource as well as for music lessons, and there's enough material for 5+ years of progression.
Multi-purpose
One class set can be used by all your year groups, and even by more than one class at a time. Use it for curriculum music, cross-curricular projects, clubs, and events.
Cover the curriculum
As well as covering the music syllabus, the teaching guides and lesson plans also link to other curriculum areas such as Geography, History, PSHE and Maths.
Life Skills
By developing everyone's social, emotional and life skills the approach empowers and transforms individuals, teachers and your school community.
Progression
Each class set includes enough resources for 5 or 6 terms of learning and by adding new styles you'll have enough for 5 years or more.
It’s easy to put into practice
The benefits are wide-ranging, but implementation is simple. It will slot easily into your existing timetable, and our library of teaching resources will support your teachers every step of the way. Dovetails neatly with singing and online resource providers, and your local Music Hub or Music Service will be able to lend you additional support.
Plan
Careful planning will ensure success. Make this a truly collaborative exercise and involve pupils and teachers right from the start.
Plan your musicPrep Lesson
All the teaching resources you'll need are provided and lesson prep shouldn't take more than 30 minutes for most lessons.
Teaching resourcesPerform
After just 10 lessons your class will be ready to perform their first piece. Assembly is great for this, but the class may want to make a bigger splash and perform for parents.
Performance ideasProgress
The pieces in the teaching guide are progressively more challenging and there's enough material for 5 terms. New musical styles will give you up to 7 years progression.
Build in progressionThe approach works because . . .
The styles are intuitive and fun
The musical styles are drawn from cultures across the globe where music is learned by ear, in a group, and by playing along. There's no music theory, no notation, and the emphasis is on enjoyment and togetherness. It just works.
The instruments are easy to play
The instruments are "pick-up-and-play" and give immediate musical satisfaction. They're suitable for SEND settings and even the youngest of Primary pupils will quickly be able to play their part in making a brilliant sound together.
It’s easy to teach
The approach is highly intuitive and teachers are supported every step of the way by resources designed for non-musicians, so no prior music experience is needed. Teaching guides, Schemes of Work, Lesson Plans, Video and Audio clips, Cultural background . . .
It’s affordable
30 player World Percussion class sets start at just £317, West African Drumming from £695 and the same set can be used with every class and year group, as well as with extra-curricular groups, so it really can cost as little £1 per pupil to get started.
It boosts wellbeing and life skills
This is the BIG added bonus – learning these musical styles collaboratively in a group results in a rapid increase in togetherness and wellbeing. At the same time everyone acquires a wide range of social, emotional and physical skills, and it all happens naturally and enjoyably.
Our class sets tick all the boxes
For non-specialists as well as music teachers
Our teaching resources are designed to be used and understood by non-specialist and cover teachers. The collaborative approach is intuitive and gets pupils and teacher learning together by playing together.
Deliver a progressive, high quality music education
Meets curriculum requirements, brings diversity into the curriculum and impresses OFSTED. And parents will love the show-stopping performances, starting at the end of the first term and continuing year after year.
Upskill and revitalise teachers
Class teachers who previously dreaded music lessons will develop into inspired music leaders, giving you self-sufficiency in music delivery. Specialist teachers will broaden their knowledge of different musical styles.
Include and empower EVERY pupil
This is an intrinsically inclusive and accessible approach. It engages children of every ability and background, and it's brilliant at developing social, emotional and life skills.
Boost well being and attendance
Having fun playing together, helping one another, and making a great sound from day one is the recipe for success. The lessons leave everyone feeling good, that they're part of a real team, and keen to come back for more . . .
Highly affordable
Our 30 player class sets start at just £317 and the same set can be used with every class and year group as well as for extra-curricular clubs. There really isn't a better use of limited funds than this.
Making a difference in thousands of Schools
Drums for Schools class sets and instruments are in use in Primary schools in the UK and all over the world, helping tens of thousands of class teachers and music teachers to include, empower and transform hundreds of thousands of pupils.
The DFS approach is completely different
Inclusive
Based on accessible world music styles and instruments that anyone can play. The approach works for all abilities and backgrounds, making music available to everyone.
Engaging
The instruments are "pick-up-and-play" and the approach is intuitive and fun, so ALL pupils and teachers are engaged right away.
Collaborative
Unlike classic, one-to-many teaching, everyone learns and benefits together. It upskills and invigorates class teachers while they teach!
Fast-Acting
It takes just a term to get everyone to performance level, and the approach will have a positive and visible impact on behaviour and engagement right away.
Progressive
Each class set includes enough resources for 5 or 6 terms of learning and by adding new styles you'll have enough for 7 or more years of teaching!
Transformative
By developing everyone's social, emotional and life skills, the approach empowers and transforms individuals, teachers and community.
Cost-Effective
There really isn't a better educational investment. One class set can be used for all year groups, so it costs just a few £ per pupil. It’s a tiny price for a massive educational return.
Ticks the boxes
As well as covering the music syllabus the approach delivers the engagement and results that OFSTED and parents are looking for.
And it’s all backed by Drums for Schools, a completely different kind of supplier
We’re a small, family firm and our speciality and focus is inclusive group and whole class music making. Our mission is to make the power of music available to everyone.
Ready to take things further?
Browse solutions
Have a look at these ready-to-go music sets for groups and classes of from 5 to 30 players. They all include full teaching support and prices start from just £179.
Read more
Download this pack of insights, articles and reviews to find out more about how you can use the power of music to include, empower and transform pupils, teachers and the whole school.
Talk it through
Book a chat with our founder, Andy Gwatkin. He'll be happy to answer your questions about the practicalities of implementing this approach.
