Karen Stretch

Twinkl National Arts Lead and sea swimmer with a passion for music, arts and education.

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

@AnnetteRubery @RichardBratby Are you sure Bill Nighy wasn’t just trying to meet you?

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

https://t.co/IDxlYYkXpR

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

The Sounds of Intent Inclusive Music Education Awards is being launched for all schools this Spring.

Criteria include staff training and resources plus implementation of the framework into school music policy.

To read the full story and sign up, follow the link in comments 🔽

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

@Seren_Boyd @TheDrMagazine What an inspiring story, beautifully told.

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

https://t.co/CcspKig6Rw

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

Great to hear the buzz around singing in schools on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.
The data speaks for itself. My latest blog looks at what needs to be done to encourage singing, boost wellbeing, community, learning and musicianship.
Read more via the link in the comments 🔽

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

https://t.co/C6MS4sxjIO

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

Baroness Hodge has called on philanthropists and trusts to build a fund enabling cultural school trips.
In her review of @ace_national Arts Council England, Hodge stresses the importance of arts access and the gap between opportunities in private and state schools. See link 🔽

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

@GarethWardUK Sounds like we need to do some research! 🧐

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

@AnnetteRubery What a lovely celebration. My mum was 90 in November and we did a cream tea too! Happy Birthday to your mum!

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

A great day volunteering at @TrussellUK Clevedon District Foodbank sorting mountains of food ready to be made into Christmas hamper bags for 610 families across North Somerset. A massive thank you to Twinkl Publishing for supporting me to take part.

#charityday #givingback

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

Such a thrill to see @ClevedonSchool 's production of Made in Dagenham last night. With 150 students singing, dancing and acting with such confidence, it's no surprise the school is a finalist in the @MDE_Awards for Music Theatre provision. Bravo!

[Clevedon School @ClevedonSchool]

Opening tomorrow - do what you can to get a ticket!
"Made in Dagenham" is performed with a super talented cast, creatives and crew - you would be near 'Barking' to miss it!
Last few tickets for Wed matinees only available now - https://t.co/vHv5mUlCuC

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

In our latest Leading With… podcast, I 'm joined by Young Voices CEO Ben Lewis to explore how music creates confidence and possibility for the pupils who need it most.
Apple: https://t.co/ZkAgJBUK34
Spotify: https://t.co/YgulJvviqA

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

It's worrying that music teacher training recruitment is still 35% below target.
In the Government's Initial Teacher Training Census, 367 Postgraduates started training in 2025. This is just 65% of the 565 target, with the £10,000 training bursary cut for future students.

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

I caught up with mother of seven classical musicians, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, to talk about the Curriculum and Assessment Review, diversity and equality and her new book, To Be Young, Gifted and Black.
Read the full article here: https://t.co/QYtnHRAf42

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

Twinkl's subject-by-subject review of the Francis CAR recommendations can be found here: https://t.co/MXl1IhBRDX What does it mean for teachers and schools? We cover all of the main takeaways.
@twinklresource

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

Here at Twinkl we've been knee-deep wading through the Curriculum Assessment Review since it dropped, and the Government response. Here are the key takeaways for Music and Art. https://t.co/UHbIZtUhdk https://t.co/ADupXtTYa9

[Deborah Annetts @DeborahAnnetts]

Notable that @Keir_Starmer
on @bbcradio3 Private Passions talked about the arts/music disappearing from our schools and musicians unable to tour Europe post Brexit. You are right so please don't delay and take action now to sort these issues @ISM_music
https://t.co/ESfol0MZb1

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

Pianist Lang Lang's investment in pupils with SEND is a fantastic endorsement of their musical strengths. Read more about Lang Lang's first UK partnership with a SEND school in Twinkl's QE Insights. https://t.co/1cTxQdhDF7

[Karen Stretch @karen_stretch]

You can feel the passion in @michaelsheen's Welsh Net initiative with @WelshNatTheatre and @bbcstudios. Proactively searching out talent and giving it wings to fly - it's inspired and showing young people that they matter and they can achieve amazing things.

[Welsh National Theatre @WelshNatTheatre]

“The Welsh Not stifled creativity. I’m hoping the Welsh Net will promote and develop it” – our artistic director Michael Sheen on the Welsh Net.

https://t.co/8hoSbxUZOK

Ein Cyfarwyddwr Artistig, @michaelsheen ynglŷn â’r Welsh Net
https://t.co/uf8khJvo8X