Find solutions to multiple school priorities with an arts learning program | Information and FAQs

An Arts Learning program with The Song Room is an effective way for school leaders to address multiple school priorities in one approach. Improve student wellbeing, upskill teachers and nurture an inclusive, connected school community through the arts.

Find out all the information you need to get a Song Room program in your school in 2024, including program components and FAQs.

The Song Room is the only Australian education organisation delivering multi-artform, arts learning programs with student and teacher outcomes.

We have over 24 years’ experience partnering with primary schools to deliver evidence-based, curriculum-aligned education programs in all art forms: music, drama, visuals arts, media arts and dance.

Why should my school sign up?

Participation in an arts learning program can address multiple school priorities. Young people come to school eager to learn and ready to participate when there is a Song Room program in the school. Our programs are for your school if you would like to;

• Reduce school absenteeism
• Increase students’ confidence and motivation as learners
• Improve the social emotional skills and wellbeing of students
• Increase feelings of school pride and belonging
• Increase students’ self-awareness, self-regulation, and relationship skills
• Develop students’ creative and expressive capacities
• Improve student and teacher knowledge and skills in The Arts and across the Australian Curriculum
• Build teacher confidence and capacity to deliver sustainable and impactful arts learning
• Increase community connection.
• Programs are tailored to the needs of schools and are designed and timetabled collaboratively.

What’s included?

1.  Consultation and co-design with school leaders
2.  Sequential (weekly) in-class lessons for students
3.  Professional learning, mentoring, and modelling for classroom teachers
4.  Subscription to Digital Education Platform, ARTS:LIVE (hundreds of curriculum-aligned lessons plans, class activities, video stimulus)
5.  Community Engagement Projects for the whole-school community
6.  Monitoring and Evaluation of objectives and outcomes

Popular Programs include:

In-class Teaching Artists programs include sequential, curriculum aligned student learning, teacher professional development, digital education, and community engagement.

Arts and wellbeing programs use the arts to teach social and emotional skills to support student wellbeing and learning.

First Nations programs are co-designed by Local First Nations Teaching Artists who lead students and their school communities in shared arts experiences to learn about and value cultures and histories.

Find out more at Our Programs

“When I do music, I use lots of different parts of my brain. I use my memory, my thinking, my imagination and the bit that helps me listen better. I feel excited because I can learn new things every week.”

– Year 5 Student, Boat Harbour Primary School, TAS

What’s the evidence?

Independent research of The Song Room’s programs has shown that over a 12 month period, our programs can:

• Reduce absenteeism by 65%
• Reduce anxiety and depression
• Improve self-regulation
• Improve literacy and numeracy outcomes.

Who can apply?

Australian primary schools can apply to get a Song Room program at their school. We work with expert Teaching Artists across the country. Tailored arts learning programs are delivered face-to-face and online when Teaching Artists are unavailable in your area. Please note, we do our best to employ local Teaching Artists where possible.

What does it cost?

The program costs are based on a combination of program components agreed with the school to deliver best practice arts learning across a term, semester or full year. Programs are scalable and tailored so elements can be dialled up or down to address the unique needs, strengths, and budget of your school.

Funding support to obtain a Song Room program may be available to eligible schools. Talk to us about the options available for your school.

“It was wonderful to see our students present their learnings through the program to our community. I was thrilled to see how far they had come and the growth in their confidence.”

– Principal, Shelford Primary School, VIC

How do I get The Song Room at my school?

It’s easy! Register your interest at Enquire about The Song Room in my school

We will contact you to talk through your school’s needs and determine the best program to achieve your objectives. We will then work with you to plan and schedule the start date.

What else do we need to consider?

Program adaptability:

One day for project planning and consultation with the school is included within the program budget. This enables the program to be tailored to the specific needs of the school. The Song Room has previously been adapted for children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, remote and regional communities, experiencing trauma and neglect, autism, and other learning and behavioural challenges.

Staffing:

Backfilling is not required for participating staff. Note that it is the responsibility of the school to ensure that the Teaching Artist is supervised when working with students.

Resource requirements:

The Song Room encourages the use of existing school equipment where available and appropriate. Schools will be provided with all music and art-making resources, and access to ongoing digital resources. This includes an annual subscription to The Song Room’s digital resource, ARTS:LIVE, lesson plans, videos, and activities.

Australian context:

Our evidence-based programs have been developed, implemented and externally researched in an Australia schools context.