Welcome to the Services For Education (SFE) Annual Review 2026. This overview highlights our key achievements, continuous impact across Birmingham and the wider region, and our strategic goals for education, music, safeguarding, and inclusion.
 
  A year at SFE
  A year at SFE
It is great to see the work from all of SFE that makes our organisation such a rewarding place to work…
Looking ahead – move?
Together, we’re bringing music and learning to life.
Sharon Bell, Chief Executive
 Charity Governance & Sustainability
Balancing Organisational Culture, Sustainability, and Impact 
Chief Executive Sharon Bell launched a sector-wide initiative in December 2025, examining how third-sector organisations balance financial sustainability with positive workplace culture and community impact. The findings published in October 2026 offer charity leaders actionable insights into maintaining operational resilience without compromising social mission.
ALSO NEED TO ADD IN THREE NEW TRUSTEESÂ
 Music Service & Youth Engagement
Young Musicians Perform at the Royal Albert Hall Performers from the Birmingham Schools Jazz Band have been selected to perform for the Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. It is the third year running that Birmingham has been represented at the Youth Proms which this year featured a wide-ranging musical programme spanning orchestral classics, big band jazz, folk, rock, and pop performed by thousands of young musicians.
SEPTEMBER? Ten Lead Schools Appointed to Champion Music Education Ten primary, secondary, and special schools across Birmingham were appointed as Lead Schools of Music. Working in partnership with SFE, these hubs share best practices, upskill teaching staff, and expand musical opportunities to ensure every young person across the city accesses high-quality music education.
Music Teachers Head to Birmingham Music Education Conference  Services For Education brought together music teachers, educators, and leaders from across the region for the Birmingham Music Education Conference. The event focused on advancing music pedagogy, sharing best practices, and expanding access to high-quality music education across schools in Birmingham—where the charity supports over 90% of local authority schools. Key highlights included workshops on diverse global instruments, curriculum development, and creating performance opportunities for young musicians in world-class venues.
 Empowering Educators & Safeguarding Pupils
Charity Partnership Expands Teaching Skills Across Birmingham SFE joined forces with regional educational charities to deliver targeted professional development and leadership training. The collaboration equips local educators with practical tools to address classroom challenges, raise academic standards, and nurture pupil wellbeing.
Safeguarding Insight Inspires Global Student Research Building on SFE’s pioneering safeguarding guidance regarding online influences and youth safety, researchers and students examined the societal impact of the “manosphere.” SFE’s training provided the framework for understanding digital influence and protecting young people online.
 Celebrating Our Community & Supporters
Birmingham Inclusive Choir Debuts at Midlands Arts Centre  The Birmingham Inclusive Choir, which supports young people of all abilities, hosted its inaugural public performance at the MAC. Utilising assistive technology and adaptive techniques, the showcase celebrated inclusive music-making and community collaboration.
Team SFE Takes On Hadrian’s Wall Challenge Oli Wilson (an SFE trustee) and his friend and brass bandmate, Nathan Groombridge, completed a fundraising trek along Hadrian’s Wall to support #TeamSFE. The funds raised directly enable SFE to provide instruments, bursaries, and educational resources to disadvantaged children across the West Midlands.
Honouring 11 Years of Governance Leadership SFE paid tribute to a long-serving trustee and former Chair of the Board who retired after more than a decade of dedicated service. Her strategic guidance helped navigate organisational growth, expand charity outreach, and secure long-term stability for the organisation.
Choir member (middle) with Deputy Lord Mayor (left) and SFE’s Chief Executive (right)
Oli (left) and Nathan (right)
Sarah (middle) with Sharon SFE’s Chief Executive (left) and current Chair of Trustees, Martin Hall (right).
 Thank you
To all our our supporters we want to express an enormous amount of gratitude to all who support our charitable causes, it really makes a difference.
And to our staff and trustees, we thank you for your hard work, loyalty and enthusiasm. It helps us to bring music and learning to life.
 2025/26 Academic Year Facts and Figures
 
 Keeping in touch
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 Looking ahead
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 Previous year’s reviews
