What’s the best primary music teaching programme for your school? We compare the most popular.

Choosing the right music education programme for your school can be challenging, so let’s explore the strengths and weaknesses of some of the most popular products available – Charanga’s Musical School programme included!

	Musical School	Kapow	SingUp	Sparkyard	Oak Academy
Ready-made Scheme of Work	Included	Included	Included	Included	Included
Easy to use/navigate	Included	Included	Included	Included	Included
Complimentary CPD or training	Included	Included	Included	Included	Not included
Resources for learning instruments	Included	Included	Included	Not included	Not included
Special needs education resources	Included	Not included	Included	Included	Included
Student-facing workspace	Included	Not included	Included	Not included	Not included
App to ensure lessons can be taught offline	Included	Not included	Not included	Not included	Not included
Creative tools such as a DAW	Included	Not included	Not included	Not included	Not included
Tools and projects to support music technology from primary to secondary	Included	Not included	Not included	Not included	Not included
A platform for specialists with a full range of WCIT and instrumental resources	Included	Not included	Not included	Not included	Not included
Personalised training	Included	Not included	Not included	Not included	Not included

Musical School: More than a scheme

• Pros:

  1. Comprehensive curricula: Musical School offers several progressive Schemes of Work and ready-made music lessons designed to engage children at all levels, reducing busy teachers’ workloads and preparation time.

  2. Interactive music teaching resources: Our library of teacher resources covers everything from singing to instrumental learning and music theory, making lessons lively and engaging. Everything’s organised into Schemes of Work, Units, Courses, and individual lessons – all of which are customisable.

  3. Music teaching tools: Charanga is unique in its combination of musical content with proprietary music teaching tools, which add value to the content, offer teachers variety, and support all learning modalities.

  4. Creative tools: Our platform supports students’ music-making, exploration, and learning in and outside the classroom with a range of purpose-built tools. YuStudio, Charanga’s beginner-friendly, browser-based digital audio workstation (DAW), is the latest addition to the suite.

  5. Password-protected workspaces: In the ‘My Workspace’ area of our platform, teachers can store, collect, and organise resources, upload their own materials, and use both to create personalised lessons. They can also use Yumu, a student-facing workspace, to share personalised projects, lessons, and resources with pupils.

  6. Ease of use: Teachers appreciate the intuitive design and sheer number of resources they can choose from, all of which reduce lesson preparation time. As one teacher noted, ‘Charanga makes planning lessons so much easier. The resources are top-notch, and the kids absolutely love it.’

  7. Complimentary teacher training: We offer free CPD and training and pre-recorded content in a dedicated CPD & Training Centre to ensure users feel confident when teaching music. It’s all part of the licence fee.

  8. Cost-effectiveness: The cost of a school’s Charanga licence is based on its size, in terms of student numbers. The largest schools pay just £395 annually for a school-wide subscription. Better still, we partner with 80% of music hubs and services, so your licence may even be subsidised!

• Cons:

  1. Internet dependency: Musical School is an online music programme, so reliable internet access is essential, which might be a limitation for some schools. However, with the release of our new app, everything has changed. The app lets teachers download resources so that their Charanga-supported, interactive music lessons run smoothly without an internet connection.

  2. Learning curve: While user-friendly, some teachers might need time to familiarise themselves with the wide array of resources available. Additionally, those familiar with the programme’s Schemes specifically sometimes ask for new or alternative units of work to freshen things up, rather than using other resources on the platform in their teaching. It’s another reason why every Charanga user is assigned a Charanga CPD & Training Manager. We want to ensure they make the most of everything on offer. Again, we offer more than Schemes of Work.

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Kapow (Music): Engaging but limited

• Pros:

  1. Engaging content: When logging into Kapow, you’ll find they also offer a Scheme of Work from Reception to Year 6, with vibrant and engaging music lesson plans and education resources, focusing on creativity and hands-on learning. Everything is authored by primary music specialists. Some teachers need help with subject knowledge and skills in music, so a scheme like this could be helpful.

  2. Variety: 100+ lesson plans span various musical genres and activities, which can appeal to students. Full national curriculum coverage, as well as additional instrumental units, is provided.

  3. Ease of use: Teachers appreciate the programme’s layout, lesson plans, and activities, which clearly outline all student learning outcomes upfront—perfect for less experienced teachers, non-specialists, and those pressed for time. Teacher-facing CPD videos are also provided.

• Cons:

  1. Limited depth: Some teachers find that Kapow’s content lacks depth and the necessary progression for sustained musical development. The fact remains that Kapow is not a music-focused platform and offers schemes for multiple subjects. Some believe this is evident through their planning and music lesson provision, where a ‘general approach’ has been taken.

  2. Pricing: At around £400 per year, Kapow is more expensive than Charanga, which can be a significant factor for budget-conscious schools.

  3. Some lacklustre units: According to several online reviews, such as this one on Schoolzone, some units are great, while others could be more developed. Additionally, some units require specific resources, which you may need to buy.

  4. Support for all learners: Some teachers have asked for a broader range of adaptable resources, supporting gifted and talented students and those with additional needs.

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SingUp: Great for a vocal focus

• Pros:

  1. Championing singing: SingUp is renowned for its extensive library of songs and vocal resources, making it perfect for schools with a strong focus on singing.

  2. Teacher resources: Upon logging into SingUp, you will find some popular resources for vocal training and performance preparation. A recorder scheme is coming soon, while the addition of independent units of work cater for teachers looking for fresh ideas.

  3. Teacher-led seminars: Users are invited to input into what goes into units and vocal lessons on the site.

• Cons:

  1. Narrower focus: SingUp’s focus on singing means it lacks the broader music curriculum that Charanga provides. There are gaps in learning with limited improvisation and composition resources to support teaching expectations.

  2. Cost versus return: Annual subscriptions start at £95. However, the programme does not offer the comprehensive musical education found in Charanga.

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Sparkyard: Great for basics

• Pros:

  1. Foundation skills: Sparkyard is excellent for teaching fundamental music skills to younger students through interactive activities. Its lessons correspond to well-known EYFS topics.

  2. User-friendly: The program is easy to navigate around and designed to be accessible to all teachers.

• Cons:

  1. Limited scope: Sparkyard does not offer as wide a range of musical topics and resources as Charanga, focusing more on foundational skills.

  2. Price: At approximately £250 per year, it’s more costly than Charanga for fewer resources.

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Oak Academy: Free but lacking depth

• Pros:

  1. Free access: Oak Academy provides free resources, which will be a big plus for many schools.

  2. Basic curriculum: It offers a basic music curriculum that can be a good starting point for schools with no existing programme or experience.

• Cons:

  1. Limited content: Oak’s resources are not as comprehensive or interactive as Charanga’s.

  2. No professional development: Oak Academy does not provide the same level of teacher support and training as Charanga does and is not set up to do so.

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Conclusion

Choosing the right online music teaching platform and programme depends on your school’s specific needs and priorities. We’d argue that Musical School stands out for its well-supported curricula (training is included), bespoke interactive teaching resources, creative tools and affordability. As one teacher commented, ‘Charanga has transformed our music lessons. The kids are more engaged than ever, and I feel more confident teaching music.’ We hope this comparison helps you in your decision-making process. A rich music education will profoundly impact your students’ development, and investing in the right resources will make all the difference.