Awards and Certificates in Musical Development

Available in the UK and Ireland from September 2022

The Awards and Certificates in Musical Development are Trinity’s new, fully inclusive qualifications for schools and other settings, and are designed for those with learning difficulties, across the whole spectrum of abilities and needs.  

Developed in association with Sounds of Intent, these innovative qualifications set a new standard for accessible, inclusive music assessments which are available to all music learners. 

• If you are interested in undertaking these qualifications, register your interest by completing the form on this page. 

For more information on the Sounds of Intent learning and progression framework, visit www.soundsofintent.app 

Ground-breaking, fully-accessible, regulated music qualifications 

Open to all learners from those with profound learning difficulties to those on the autism spectrum with advanced musicianship skills, these new qualifications enable everyone to have their musical achievements and progress formally recognised. Preparation for the assessments can be made during regular music sessions, with achievement and progress continually assessed by the teacher or music leader. 

A fully inclusive understanding of musical progression based on over 20 years of research 

The Awards and Certificates for Musical Development are designed to recognise even the smallest steps in musical progression, and the assessment framework is based on Sounds of Intent’s robust research over the last 20 years into musical development. 

Designed for a variety of music education settings   

The Awards and Certificates in Musical Development are suitable for learners working individually, in the classroom or any other music-making context. Learners' musical achievements can be recognised through any type of music-making activity within the context of their regular music learning sessions. 

Continual assessment 

Learners are assessed by their music leader through a process of ongoing observation within regular music-learning opportunities. 

The Awards and Certificates in Musical Development are Externally Quality Assured qualifications, and any school or organisation wishing to deliver them are welcome to apply for validation as a Trinity course provider. More information on our validation process will be available later this summer. Register your interest via the form on this page for further information.

Set of fully regulated qualifications 

The qualifications are mapped to the Sounds of Intent Framework (levels 2-6) and are regulated from Entry Level 1 through to Level 3, with Level 3 carrying UCAS points.

No access criteria or prerequisites 

Although geared towards learners with SEND or additional support needs, the Awards and Certificates of Musical Engagement are designed to recognise how everyone engages with music and is open to all learners working with the Sounds of Intent Framework, with no age restrictions or other limitations.