Our Primary Winds Programme runs on Saturdays during school term time and enables children aged seven and upwards (Primary years 3-6) to learn a woodwind instrument in a fun and nurturing environment.
Students may join the Primary Winds Programme at one of the following levels. It is possible for children to progress through the different levels year on year.
- *Tier 1: Beginners - normally a 30-minute shared lesson on flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon or saxophone AND Woodwind Workshop (1.5 hours to include woodwind ensemble, and musicianship games and activities).
*Children who are not quite ready to join Tier 1 at the time of application may be offered a place in Recorder Club (normally an hour of group activity where pupils learn to play the recorder and participate in musicianship games and activities).
- Tier 2: at or approaching Grade 1 level - normally a 30-minute shared lesson on flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon or saxophone AND Woodwind Workshop (1.5 hours to include woodwind ensemble and musicianship games and activities).
- **Tier 3: at or approaching Grades 2 and above - normally an individual 30-minute individual lesson on flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon or saxophone AND Woodwind Workshop (1.5 hours to include music theory tuition, woodwind ensemble and musicianship games and activities).
**For children who make exceptional progress, Tier 3 may serve as useful preparation for entry into Junior RBC's Classical Programme.
We also have a limited number of bursaries available for children from low-income families. These include:
- Five ringfenced Future Talent bursaries of £500 each for young woodwind players who have already passed Grade 1 or higher
- A small number of full or partial awards funded by the Decca Bursary (a restricted fund of Universal Music UK Sound Foundation: Charity Number: 1104027) for absolute beginners who wish to learn to play a woodwind instrument. To be considered, please tick the bursary box on the Junior RBC application form.
Closing date for applications for September 2026 entry: 30 June 2026. (Applications received after this date will be considered for September 2027 entry).
For further details about the Primary Winds Programme, please contact Primary Winds Programme Leader - Dr Luan Shaw: luan.shaw@bcu.ac.uk
Apply for a place
Details of how to obtain financial support
