Training & CPD

From now on, in each magazine we'll be sharing a Training & CPD model we've seen working really effectively. We'll start with Vocal Remedies.

This school staff singing group started at Redcar Community College four years ago as part of the CoMusica Youth Music Action Zone (YMAZ) programme, and The Sage Gateshead team have developed it as part of Vocal Union - an immersive whole-school singing programme. Involving staff in vocal ensembles is enjoyable, relaxing and exciting, and promotes mutual respect and understanding between young people and staff. One teacher said: "It's difficult for staff to admit weaknesses and be put in a situation that makes them uncomfortable, but overcoming this can give insight into how we make children feel and give permission for teacher and pupil to discover together."

Vocal Remedies provides a two-pronged approach - estalishing a space to discuss, revisit and unpick issues and areas of practice raised in singing sessions with children, while promoting the joy of singing, raising the confidence of teachers and encouraging relaxation and staff bonding. It also provides a place for demonstration and exploration of best practice: vocal health, good singing techniques, conducting and leadership skills, ways of using the voice, approaches to part-singing and improving quality of group sound.

The Sage Gateshead team has developed Vocal Remedies groups in different ways addressing each school's needs, but the core premise remains consistent. The sessions are open to all members of the school community, including non-teaching staff and parents. Sessions should be regular, preferably little and often - eg, once a week for 30 minutes.

The model has worked particularly well when the session is attached to something else - like the first 30 minutes of staff meeting - although there are strong groups in schools that hold the sessions at lunchtime with sandwiches! "Members of staff were very positive about the session afterwards, and their tone of voice suggested surprise about how much they'd enjoyed it. The school governor, who had been quite clear before the session about his reluctance, said he'd 'felt really good' and had been genuinely shocked by how good everyone had sounded," commented the Vocal Remedies leader.

THE POWER OF SINGING

Lynn Johnson, Head of Wylam First School, Northumberland, spoke to a meeting of the Music Education Council Forum about the impact of Vocal Union and Vocal Remedies on her school.

"It has been a journey of delight for both children and staff," said Lynn. "Children have grabbed the opportunity to sing throughout the curriculum with enthusiasm - you can sing about science you know! You can sing about beans!"

"We've sung in a tent, round the planting of an apple tree to mark the leaving of a long-standing staff member, in buses and on a singing walk along the river! The children and staff have also performed to village groups, each other and the dinner ladies. They've become composers. They've shared goals and developed empathy for others - how else can you sing in a round? They've worked together, with real purpose, and not because the teacher told them to. They've laughed together and experienced the power of learning through active participation. Staff, not just teachers but the caretaker and admin staff as well, have a new openness with each other. They smile a lot, share their thoughts and worries more and they are singing!

"It's fair to say that, at the beginning, many of the staff and children were feeling well outside of their comfort zone. I personally had very little sleep the night before we made our first visit to The Sage Gateshead, having been asked to perform on the stage. I literally had been up since 2 am and felt very unsure about learning anything from this experience, but what empathy I now have with children who feel like this regulary! The experience has shown me the power of singing; it really has successfully raised the self-belief and motivation of even the most reluctant singers.

"As Head Teacher, I believe that this project has been amazingly effective in moving the school foward, it has encouraged us to share goals and developed the emotional well-being of all involved so that we are able to take chance and have a go, even when we're scared!"

"These CPD opportunities have taken us outside the boundaries of the classroom and the school, truly making an impact on the teachers and children's lives. In 20 years of teaching, it has been the best CPD I have personally experienced." Get in touch with your Area Leader and start a Vocal Union/Vocal Remedies programme in your school today."