Certificate for music educators
Gloucestershire Music is delighted to have been accredited by Trinity College London to become a registered centre to run the Level 4 qualification ‘Certificate for Music Educators’ (CME).
What is the Trinity Certificate for Music Educators (Level 4)?
Available in the UK, the Trinity Level 4 Certificate for Music Educators (Trinity CME) is designed for music educators who work with children and young people. It’s supported by a flexible programme of learning and is offered by a network of Trinity CME centres.
Who’s it for?
The Trinity CME course that GM is running is suitable for anyone who works as a music educator with children and young people, including:
- instrumental and vocal teachers
- early years and primary teachers
- community musicians and workshop leaders
- professional musicians who undertake education work
What does it include?
The Trinity CME assesses learners in:
- understanding how children and young people learn music
- planning, facilitating and evaluating their learning
- reflective practice and professional development
- promoting children and young people’s positive behaviour
- equality, diversity and inclusion
- safeguarding
Study for the Trinity CME
The Trinity CME is available through approved centres that offer complete programmes of training and assessment. Centres can include music education hubs, music services, specialist subject associations and other training providers.
Background
Trinity’s Level 4 Certificate for Music Educators (Trinity CME) was a response to the UK Government’s 2011 National Plan for Music, which recommended that there should be a new qualification for music educators who might be working in and out of schools, in outreach or community projects, and who may not have benefited previously from any formal training.
Trinity actively consulted with teachers and their employers to develop an innovative model whereby organisations could develop their own courses leading to the Trinity CME, tailoring the qualification to meet the specific needs of the teachers they work with. As the qualification focuses on the skills and competencies required to teach effectively (e.g. lesson planning, effective lesson delivery, effective communications, promoting positive behaviour), organisations are able to deliver training in the way most appropriate for their own teachers.
Gloucestershire Music
Gloucestershire Music has been accredited as a public centre for the Trinity CME course and saw it's first cohort start in January 2020. The course can be taken over 1 or 2 years, which allows candidates to continue to work in their normal capacity whilst completing this course. Attendance at mentoring sessions and 4 seminars however will be part of the process. Limited 50% bursaries will be available for applicants who teach instrumental music i.e. peripatetically and or privately. Details for the criteria can be sought by emailing us with details of any financial barriers being faced. For further information please contact Lisa Mayo (Head of Gloucestershire Music) on 01452 427242 or email glosmusic@gloucestershire.gov.uk . If you wish to find out more general information about the CME course in the meantime then please look at Trinity’s website https://www.trinitycollege.com/site/?id=2988 .
What do past course participants say about the experience?
"Even though I have been teaching as a peri for many years, I realised I had no formal qualification to show for this. Whilst that was my main aim of taking the CME course, it has also made me really evaluate my own teaching and brought many new perspectives to the work that I do. The ideas and skills that it has given me have been invaluable for progressing and broadening my career and also having a formal qualification that schools and organisations will recognise has hugely benefited my employability." (23/24 course graduate A)
"The CME course has enabled me to develop a wider understanding of music education through focusing on current guidance and best practice. As an experienced music specialist, it is easy to 'take the easy route' and teach what I know, but this course has encouraged me to consider and develop my own practice in order to further improve the effectiveness of my lessons to ensure that the needs of all learners are being met, through targeted planning, facilitating and evaluation. Through this reflective practice my teaching has developed in confidence. It has been so valuable as a music specialist to be able to discuss current best practice and share good ideas with other teachers and music professionals as we are so often 'on our own' within schools." (23/24 course graduate B)
How much does it cost?
The course fees are £800, however there are bursaries available for instrumental tutors. For further information on bursaries please contact us at glosmusic@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Payment plans can also be negotiated to help spread cost.
What are the dates of the seminars for the 2025 course?
We will be providing 4 seminars over the year in February, May, September and the following January. These will be held at Colwell Arts Centre, Derby Road, Gloucester. GL1 4AD or at Severn Vale School, Quedgeley, Gloucester (GL2 4PR) and will run from 9:30am - 3pm.
Seminar 1: 5th March 2025
Seminar 2: 14th May 2025
Seminar 3: 24th September 2025
Seminar 4: 7th January 2026
How do I apply or register my interest?
For either, please visit: LIVE Portal (paritor.com)
Then click 'Register interest' and we will make contact with you to answer any queries or questions you might have.
Or if you are ready to sign up to the course then click on the 'Apply' link. You'll then be asked to complete an application form. No fees will be required at the application phase. Once completed we will be back in touch to confirm your place on the course.
Deadline: Our next cohort will be starting in Feb/March 2026. You can sign up to this next cohort at any point in the year but the closing date for 2026/27 applications is the 31st January 2026.
