The Awards Handbook The Awards Handbook - Sing Up

The Awards HandbookA guide to the Sing Up AwardsChapter 1: What are the Sing Up School Awards?© 2012 Sing Up

The Sing Up Awards aim to recognise and celebrate schools that put singingat the heart of school life and support those which strive to achieve this.Welcome to the Sing Up Awards handbook and congratulations on taking the first step towards achieving aSing Up Award. This handbook is aimed at those who would like to learn more about the Awards and find outhow to get their school started on the journey towards achieving one.The Sing Up Awards…• Provide a clear framework to develop the provision of singing activity in your school.• Support teachers to deliver the National Curriculum as well as encouraging singing outside the classroom.• Create motivation for the whole school through giving the pupils, staff and the school community somethingto work towards collectively.• Help schools to gain recognition for the work that they do and links them into a community of peer support.• Can be integrated into the wider development of your school and can run alongside other school initiatives.• Guide schools on their journey through Sing Up, ensuring they get the most from the resources andtraining available.There are three Sing Up Awards: Silver, Gold and Platinum. The key features of the Sing Up Awards are:Accessibility – all schools for primary-aged children can work towards and achieve an Award, includingSEN schools which incorporate a wider age range.Flexibility – you can tailor the Awards to suit your needs and circumstances.Support – taking part can connect your school to a supportive singing community.Journey – you build an online portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your school singing activity.Timeframe – an Award can be achieved within an academic year.Professional development – the Awards support you to develop your singing practice and impact onthe quality of singing and singing leadership across the school.Progression – there is clear progression for pupils, staff, SMT and Governors within four strands: Participation,Breadth & Diversity, Leadership and Vision.Achievement – a Sing Up Award can help bring about long term positive changes in your school life.Recognition – the Awards recognise your school’s singing achievements and success.For more information about Silver, Gold and Platinum Awards go to www.singup.org/awardsThe Sing Up Awards journey is included in our Membership offer. To find out more about Membership,please go to www.singup.org/membershipIf you have any questions about the Sing Up Awards, please feel free to contact the Awards team:Sing UpBloomsbury House74-77 Great Russell StreetLondonWC1B 3DAEmail: awards@singup.orgTel: 0207 908 5148

Chapter 1:What are the Sing Up Awards?In this Chapter: An introduction to the Sing Up AwardsSing Up p 3Sing Up Awards p 3Sing Up Awards Journey – Silver and Gold p 4Sing Up Awards Journey – Platinum p 4What do you get for an Award? p 4Awards Framework p 5Timescales p 9Next steps in working towards your Award p 9The Awards HandbookContentsChapter 1.Chapter 2.Chapter 3.Chapter 4.Chapter 5.Chapter 6.What are the Sing Up School Awards?Why should my school work towards a Sing Up School Award?The Awards Champion and SMTHow does my school work towards a Sing Up Silver Award?How does my school work towards a Sing Up Gold Award?How does my school work towards a Sing Up Platinum Award?Handbook by Andrea Pierides and Shelly AmburyCollaborators: Catherine Price, Kate Gibson, Rebecca Castell, Sue Hollingworth and Jessica Curry.Thanks to the Awards steering group: Celi Barberia, Rebecca Castell, Chao Cox, Leila D’Aronville, Geraldine Gaunt, Stephanie Hogger, Beth Millett, Phil Mullen, Angela Renshaw,Kathleen Still, Liz Terry, Mia Vigar, Aaron Wanford and Bridget Whyte for their support in the redevelopment of the Sing Up Awards.Thanks also to Clare Hunt, Drake Music, Frances Watt and Jenny Young for providing feedback on the Awards Framework.Special thanks to Berrygrove Primary and Nursery School, Rougham CE Primary School, Hadley Learning Community, Pear Tree School, St Margaret’s C of E Junior School, BeverleySchool, Kirkham Grammar Junior School and St Thomas More RC Primary School for piloting the new Framework.

Sing UpSing Up began in 2007 as the National Singing Programme, supported byGovernment. Our aims were to raise the status of singing, increase opportunitiesfor primary-aged school children to enjoy singing as part of their everyday livesand support all primary schools to become ‘singing schools’. Through our singingresources (website and termly magazine with a CD), workforce developmentand funded programmes we succeeded in engaging over 98% of state primaryschools by the end of the four year programme.In 2011 Sing Up was given an additional year of funding by Government to build asustainable future. We continue to believe that every child deserves the chance tosing every day. In February 2012, we launched our Membership package, whichaims to continue to provide primary settings with the resources, training andsupport to ensure that this can still happen.Singing improves learning, confidence, health and social development.It has the power to change lives and help build stronger communities.Our Membership package allows schools to take advantage of thesebenefits through the following and much more:Sing Up has helpedour children withlearning across allsubjects, developingtheir concentration andmemory retention, andcreating a real senseof belonging. It’sbrought a feel-greatfactor to our school.Chao Cox, Grimsdell Mill HillPre-Preparatory School• Sing Up Resources (in print and online) – full access to 130 songs, tailor-made for use in primary schools and the termlySing Up magazine with a free CD.• Sing Up Training – access to video tutorials and webinars and two training places at Sing Up Local Training Events inyour local area.• The ability to work towards and achieve a Sing Up Award in recognition of your singing activity.Sing Up AwardsThe Sing Up Awards have been devised by arts education professionals in consultation with classroom teachers and musicteaching specialists to support and reflect Sing Up’s vision. They aim to recognise and celebrate schools that put singing at theheart of school life and support those which strive to achieve this.The Sing Up Awards guide schools on their journey through Sing Up, ensuring they get the most from the resources and trainingavailable. The Awards process supports the Headteacher and school community to discover the wide ranging benefits of singingfor themselves whilst developing high quality singing activity and vocal leadership.Between 2007 and 2012, Sing Up has engaged over three and a half thousand schools into the Awards programme, with overone thousand having already achieved their Sing Up Awards and these numbers are continually growing. The Sing Up AwardsFramework is accessible to all schools for primary-aged children and so any kind of school can work towards and achieve anAward. This includes SEN schools which incorporate a wider age range.“It is the very carefully thought through and designed nature of the frameworkthat makes it so valuable across so many wide and diverse school settings.It underpins the very aims of Sing Up.”Sing Up Awards - An Evaluation, 2010The Awards Handbook - Chapter 1 3www.singup.org/awards

Sing Up Awards Journey - Silver and GoldThe Silver and Gold Awards process involves building a portfolio that shows your school’s singing leadership and activity.You create an Awards Profile online, and it’s split into three stages:• Pledging – reflect on your school’s current singing activity and pledge your commitment to putting singing at the heart ofyour school life.• Planning – consider how you want to develop your school’s singing activity and plan how you are going to meet theAwards criteria.• Achieving – explain how you meet the Awards criteria and upload evidence to provide examples that demonstrate this.Once you’ve completed your journey online you submit it to us and we’ll review it within three weeks of the submissiondeadline. We’ll be in touch once we’ve done so. Although there’s one deadline each term you can submit an Award at any timeproviding your school is a Sing Up Member. To find out more about the Silver and Gold Award process go to Chapter 4 (Silver)and Chapter 5 (Gold).Sing Up Awards Journey – PlatinumSince we startedour journey towards theSilver then Gold Awardour school has beendramatically transformedfrom having a couple ofhymn practices a weekto having music embeddedin nearly every activitydaily in our school.Joca Dalledone, Pope JohnRC Primary SchoolThe structure for applying for a Platinum Award is slightly different andrequires you to be a Gold Award school for at least one term. Platinum Schools’achievements are exceptional and they’re willing to assist other schools andchampion the Sing Up Awards and wider Sing Up programme. PlatinumSinging Schools will have an outward focus, inspiring and connecting to thewider community, and acting as ambassadors for Sing Up.The Sing Up Platinum Award is by application and nomination only. To findout more about the Platinum process go to Chapter 6: How does my schoolwork towards a Sing Up Platinum Award?What do you get for an Award?On successful completion of an Award, you’ll gain the use of a Sing Up Awardslogo and a Sing Up Awards certificate. It’s also a great chance to celebrate withmore singing!We feature Awards schools regularly on our website and in our magazine. Ifyou have news and stories you’d like to share please get in touch by emailingmagazine@singup.org. We encourage all of our Awards schools to get involvedin the Schools Panel, where you can share tips with other teachers and helpwith developments of the programme. We also hold webinars, which we invitea Platinum school to host on a termly basis.“The Awards have given us an opportunity to bring everyone in: the children,adults and the community as well. As we’ve gone through the journey, it’sbrought the whole community together.”Stuart Renshaw, St Petroc’s C of E (VA) Primary SchoolThe Awards Handbook - Chapter 1 4www.singup.org/awards

Awards FrameworkSing Up Awards are awarded to schools who demonstrate that Pupils, Staff (teaching and non-teaching), SMT and Governors, and the Whole School Community meet criteria across fourkey areas (Participation, Breadth & Diversity, Leadership and Vision). The criteria are outlined below:Silver Award Schools:(warming up)Gold Award Schools:(the singing school)Platinum Award Schools:(the ambassador school)ParticipationConsider the value of singing as a contribution toschool life, encouraging everyone to be involved.Provide opportunities for the whole school toengage in and enjoy singing.Sustain development and extend participation insinging to the wider school community.Breadth& DiversityIdentify current singing activity and explore ways tobroaden it.Extend the range and choice of singingopportunities across school life.Commit to become a learningcommunity; embracing the richness of diversity todevelop quality singing activities.LeadershipSet goals that enable staff and pupils to developconfidence in singing and vocal leadership.Commit to the ongoing development ofconfidence and competence in singing andvocal leadership.Commit to extending and developing the quality ofvocal leadership and singing in and outside of schooland with the wider school community.VisionIntroduce singing into the school’s goalsand planning.Embed singing in school planning andsinging contributes to the achievement ofschool goals.Have an outward focus, inspiring and sharing theirsinging ethos.“Taking part in the Sing Up Awards has helped us to maintain a high singingstatus as well as push us even further”Louise Adams, Moorlands Primary SchoolThe Awards Handbook - Chapter 1 5www.singup.org/awards

Staff (teaching and non-teaching)Silver Award Gold Award Platinum AwardParticipationAre introduced to Sing Up and encouraged to supporttheir Awards Champion by getting involved.Sing weekly, including SMT.Become advocates for singing.Leadership(At least 2* staff) Commit to regularly leading singing.Eg. in assembly, in class, in choir.*contact us if your school is very small(Additional staff) Lead singing at least twice aweek and are developing confidence.(All) Are involved in leading singing.LeadershipSupport the development of vocal work across thecurriculum encouraging all children’s contributions tosinging.Eg. in literacy, numeracy and scienceIdentify strategies to extend creative vocalwork into the wider curriculum and improvethe quality of singing.Develop inspirational singing activity in and beyondthe school through collaboration and partnership,signposting pupils to a range of opportunities.LeadershipUnderstand the basics of good vocal health.Singing leaders model and share good vocalpractice with colleagues.(All) Understand the importance of good vocal healthand care for the voices of those they work with.“Singing is so central to these schools that teaching assistants, administrators,playground supervisors and parents are all happy to take on a role in fostering singing.”Sing Up Awards - A Qualitative Evaluation, 2011The Awards Handbook - Chapter 1 7www.singup.org/awards

SMT and GovernorsSilver Award Gold Award Platinum AwardLeadershipEndorse the decision to apply for the Awards andensure all members of the school know and supportthe Awards process.Are involved in the Awards process andactively support staff and pupils to develop assingers and vocal leaders.Champion and join in singing as a key part ofschool life.VisionConsider how singing can support the SchoolDevelopment Plan and wider school planning.Demonstrate continued wholeschool support and encouragefurther development.Advocate a range of approaches in using singing tobenefit the school and the wider community.Whole School CommunitySilver Award Gold Award Platinum AwardParticipationThe whole school* sings together at leastonce a week.*Eg. in assembly, across a key stage, or in as large a group as ispractically possible.Singing energises a range of everyday schoolactivities & routines.Staff and pupils find routes to enjoy singing, aspire toand achieve excellence and make progress in andoutside school.ParticipationFamilies and visitors have opportunities to participatein the school’s singing activities.Communal singing marks significant momentsof school life and families and visitorsshare in this.Eg. in assembly, across a key stage, or in as large a groupas is practically possible.The school has opportunities to hear and participate insinging outside the school and to experience a diverserange of singing.The Awards Handbook - Chapter 1 8www.singup.org/awards

TimescalesAlthough no time limit is set on the journey process, both Silver and Gold are achievable within an academic year with the SilverAward taking an average of six months and the Gold Award an average of nine months. A school will need to be a Gold schoolfor at least a term before applying to the Platinum Award.Set yourself a goal and use one of our deadlines to aim towards your Silver or Gold Award. We aim to review your Award withinthree weeks of the submission deadline.TermSilver and Gold Award DeadlineAutumn 2012 Friday 26 October 2012Spring 2013 Friday 15 February 2013Summer 2013 Friday 24 May 2013The deadline for Platinum applications are as follows:TermPlatinum Award DeadlineAutumn 2012 Monday 15 October 2012(ready for endorsement in spring term)Spring 2013 Monday 4 February 2013(ready for endorsement in summer term)Summer 2013 Monday 13 May 2013(ready for endorsement later in summer term)Next steps in working towards your AwardGet started on your Sing Up Awards journey today by pledging for the Silver or Gold Award. We’ve put together a variety ofresources to inspire you and answer your questions along the way:• The Awards HandbookNow that you’ve read the first chapter of the Awards Handbook download the other chapters to help you with yourAwards Journey.› If you want to know more about the benefits of working towards a Sing Up Award, check out Chapter 2.› If you’re interested in becoming the Awards Champion and want to know what it involves then read Chapter 3.› If you’re keen on starting on your Silver or Gold Award then take a look at Chapter 4 (Silver) and Chapter 5 (Gold).› If you’re already a singing school, having achieved Gold, and you want to apply to Platinum then dive into Chapter 6 (emailus to get hold of this chapter).• Other resourcesGet inspired by our Awards news stories, success stories and articles from our previous magazines. You can read ourPlatinum Spotlights to hear what children and staff have said about singing and their Award.Coming soon!Your Awards Profile will be available from the autumn term. In the meantime, start your journey by using our blank Awardsforms. You’ll find these on Your Awards Profile (when logged in) or email us.The first step would be having a look at the criteria for the Silver Award,because I think most schools will find out that they are already doing it.Sally Merson, Wheatfields Primary SchoolIf you have any questions about the Sing Up Awards, please feel free to contact the Awards team:Sing Up, Bloomsbury House, 74-77 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DAEmail: awards@singup.org Tel: 0207 908 5148The Awards Handbook - Chapter 1 9www.singup.org/awards