Cool4school

Cool4school Funky, Fun, On-Line Songs, Rhythms, Dance & Movement for Schools
A streamable library of songs, a wi

01/04/2026

This is the 5th year Bedford Music Hub 'Sing On' has partnered with Cool4school 'Live.' Bedford Music Service, I have learnt over the years has a rich cultural mix. In many ways the premise of Cool4School has always been to provide songs that celebrate different genres and cultures. Not just through singing but movement and dance. Writing music that is accessible and connects with young kids is the challenge. This year Spring Term it was Ska, Hip Hop, Indian, Caribbean, African and Rock/Pop with 9 schools over 2 days.

The Cool4School team arrive wondering how the the kids have got on with this years selection of songs. The hubs vocal teachers, Sheridan and Charlotte and our own Nicola Gawthrop have taught them over the 6 weeks. It never fails to deliver. Credit to the them and their teachers. I always make time to visit the kids from each school in a break to find out what their favourite songs are and why. This time the must popular is the Festival of Light, an indian inspired song and dance followed by Body Rap (80's Hip Hop) and The Magic of Books (Rock/Pop). It was pleasant surprise. The performances are always well attended and enthusiastically supported by parents. They need very little excuse to join in singing and dancing with by the end. Looking forward to the summer shows. www.cool4school.org.uk

05/02/2026

Ska Music is a vibrant genre originating in Jamaica. Upbeat, fast-paced tempo, distinctive offbeat rhythms. It originated as a mix of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and R&B.

Cool4school explores global genres and mixes in fun dance moves. This track tells a story of a school day and friendship. It hones in on your kids acting skills, singing at a pace in this genre. It's also about letting go and embracing the Madness!

I was talking to teacher today at a international school in the Middle East on his use of technology in the classroom. It wonderful to hear he uses Cool4school throughout the year to warm up the classes and rhythm lessons to help teach notation. The most important criteria is that it is a hit with the kids!!
www.cool4school.org.uk

12/10/2025

Diwali is nearly upon us. Here's a very cool Dance and Song you can use from the Cool4school library.

Body Rap in Action. The first school to do the Body Rap was St Andrew's International in Bangkok, Thailand. In particula...
10/10/2025

Body Rap in Action. The first school to do the Body Rap was St Andrew's International in Bangkok, Thailand. In particular, we did this with students who vary in age. It amazed me how well they got it and more importantly got into it! The performance with collaborator Ollie Tunmer from Beat Goes On has just been uploaded to the Cool4school library!!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DO4ddy2E9r0/?igsh=MXZkcnJiZGdiM2hiZQ==

05/10/2025

Look out for the Body Rap performance with Beat Goes On Ollie Tunmer being uploaded into the Cool4school library this week. This track has been a bit of a hit. It's been great getting feedback from SE Asia and the US teachers enthusing about the response to it. It's not easy. The off-beats in this last verse. Never under-estimate what kids can do. Age is not the factor when it comes to rhythm. Sometimes the younger kids are more on it than the oldest.
www.cool4school.org.uk

28/09/2025

Here's one for celebrating Diwali. Festival of Light has just been added to the Cool4school Rhythm, Song & Dance library. It has been fabulous running this in the last few weeks in SE Asia. Great fun to do and really embraced by the kids. Look out for the simplified version for your youngest. www.cool4school.co.uk

A whirlwind. In fact, it was a typhoon! The first day at The British School Manila did not happen due to a typhoon alert...
26/09/2025

A whirlwind. In fact, it was a typhoon! The first day at The British School Manila did not happen due to a typhoon alert. The school closed. That’s a first. But no worries, a day lost but Head of Music, Jeremy Meddows-Taylor (Mr MT) reworked the schedule to make it work.

Artist in Residence meant I had an incredibly diverse week. Time with the youngest to the oldest students as well as sessions with the parents.

But firstly. What a beautiful, airy, well-laid out campus. I was struck by the light provided by the windows that are throughout the school providing panoramic views of the surrounding vegetation.

I finally got to meet the lovely Head of Primary music, Jennie Johnstone, who has been using Cool4school ever since COVID times. She’s been a major supporter. The acoustics are probably one of the best I’ve encountered. Each year in primary had learnt a C4S song and I taught them a few new things. I had the support of a live band made up of the fab BSM instrumental teachers. A sterling job they did. It culminated with a concert each day. Once again, to hear the songs sung and embraced with so much love, then being able to share it with the parents was fabulous.

It's the first time I’ve been able to speak about careers with just parents. Showing them Creative Pathways. Their reaction was what I was hoping for. Many questions and a sense of relief to have such a resource for themselves and their children. The same with the penultimate session with theatre full of students from Year 8 to Year 13. The thoughtful questions, the interaction, the desire and curiosity made this session the perfect way to end my time at the school. We got the whole theatre dancing!

Bravo Jeremy for the vision and the impact you are already making. Bringing the school community together in this way so important. Big thanks to the whole team and Arts department for looking after me. What a rich conversation I was able to have with the wonderful Head of Primary Katie Tomlinson and Head of School, Martin van der Linde. Thanks for having me and making my first time in Manila a super cool experience. Until we meet again!!

It wonderful to see and hear how Cool4school in action. I had great time at Harrow International School Bangkok with not...
21/09/2025

It wonderful to see and hear how Cool4school in action. I had great time at Harrow International School Bangkok with not just the kids but the parents. First time ever doing the new Indain inspired track Festival of Light!!

07/09/2025

Body Rap drops later this week into the Cool4school Rhythm, Song & Dance library. Ollie Tunmer from Beat Goes On and I have long been trying to get together to collaborate. Finally we got it done. We explain to the students the art of collaboration.
Ollie sent over some body rhythms and word ideas. That allowed me to write a song with various rhythmic ideas. We got together put together the visuals and added in body rhythms to work with the lyrics. I road-tested the song with great success in a few schools. Created and demoed the music, then worked with my colleague, Cassell The BeatMaker to record it. Filmed with my Cool4School regulars and did a special performance with Ollie. The final component is the video animation and production by my work colleague, Mark Welland Art Voila!
As Ollie said 'The Body Rap is not easy" Indeed, there are various syncopated body rhythms, words and co-ordination to nail. But it is a great challenge for the students.
As I speak, I head out to Thailand visiting Harrow International, St Andrew's International, Wellington College, Bromsgrove International and DBS School. Along with MusicFirst music technology, we'll be doing some new Cool4School material. The irony is I will catch up with Ollie in Vietnam for this year's FOBISIA Music Conference. Hopefully, we'll get to do the Body Rap in one of my sessions.

20/08/2025

Summer has been a writing, recording, technology development & learning period in preparation for a busy time ahead. Look out for our Indian inspired music and dance. Celebratory music that can be used for Diwali. Or just to celebrate!! The Body Rap. I (finally) got together with Beat Goes On's, Ollie Tunmer and wrote a 80's inspired tune based on some body rhythms he sent over. I loved writing an up-tempo cheeky Ska tune. Without a doubt it's the most I've laughed filming a song thanks to Joel's unbridled love of doing this song. In the studio working with my colleague, producer Cassell The BeatMaker (Ivor Novello winner!) is always an enjoyable, productive experience. We've worked on so many projects over the years. Albums, television, multimedia, workshops, etc. We always pride ourselves on making sure the output of the highest quality. With the new Cool4School songs I hope we have maintained that standard.

30/07/2025

Big thank to Cool4school users for your invaluable feedback and suggestions. We have been inspired on the back of this.

Back in the studio next week. Songs coming. Celebration - Festival of Light (Diwali/Indian) inspired song and dance (Thank you Becky Laffitte Senko. Ska music (cheers Katie Roberts, Italy), Sounds of a City (for EYFS), Body Rap. My man, Ollie Tunmer of Beat Goes On. We got together and it inspired me to write this tune for a very cool body rhythm rap. 2/3 Rhythm body and Percussion rhythm.

If you want to energize your music program get yourself a trial. www.cool4school.org.uk

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