Learning in Schools

The Trust helps to extend and sustain piping and drumming in Scotland's state schools, with a focus on remote and disadvantaged areas. We supported 3,750 pupils in over 270 schools last year. More partnerships are pending, and new enquiries are welcome.

About

Resilience and teamwork, perseverance and confidence - these are just some of the transferable life skills that pupils develop when they play in a pipe band, along with a sense of pride and belonging within the school and community. Widening opportunities to learn the pipes and drums in schools also helps, on a national scale, to safeguard Scotland’s unique cultural heritage.

Grants

Apply for single and multi-year cash grants towards piping and drumming tuition, as well as other costs such as drums or travel.

Free Instrument Loans

SSPDT lends bagpipes, b-flat concert chanters, and electronic chanters to schools and other organisations, free of charge.

Social Media

The Championships

65 bands, quartets for beginners, and freestyle for a fusion of instruments and music. It's the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships... the world's largest schools piping event!

Music Enterprise Award

Helping young pipers to earn their first set of pipes, and build skills for work and life.

Freestyle - 2021 - Online!

The Scottish Schools Freestyle Championships took place online from Monday 22 to Sunday 28 March, with 16 bands battling it out for the prizes. Films were broadcast over the evenings of Thursday 25, Friday 26, and Saturday 27 March, with an exciting People's Choice Award and the competition results announced on the Sunday.

Learning Hub

SSPDT has co-created 55 new piping and drumming teaching roles in schools, so far. We provide networking, professional development events and resources for piping and drumming tutors working in schools.

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Paid Internships

SSPDT’s paid year-long internships offer training to pipers and snare drummers, and are a proven gateway to teaching careers in schools.